Hill International, Inc. -- Form 10-K
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010

Commission file number 001-33961

HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   20-0953973

State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

303 Lippincott Centre, Marlton, NJ   08053
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (856) 810-6200

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

 

Title of each class    Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.0001 par value    New York Stock Exchange

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

Indicate by a check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes  ¨      No  x            

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

Yes  ¨      No  x            

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  x      No  ¨            

Indicate by a check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ¨    No  ¨

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

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 definitions of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large Accelerated Filer    ¨      Accelerated Filer    x      Non-Accelerated Filer    ¨      Smaller reporting company    ¨

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

The aggregate market value of shares of common stock held by non-affiliates based upon the closing sale price of the stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2010 was approximately $106,535,000.

As of March 1, 2011, there were 38,253,570 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Hill International, Inc. are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.


Table of Contents

HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-K

 

PART I

 

Item 1.

 

Business

    4   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

    16   

Item 1B.

 

Unresolved Staff Comments

    24   

Item 2.

 

Properties

    24   

Item 3.

 

Legal Proceedings

    26   

Item 4.

 

Reserved

    26   

PART II.

 

Item 5.

  Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities     27   

Item 6.

 

Selected Financial Data

    29   

Item 7.

 

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

    31   

Item 7A.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    51   

Item 8.

 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

    52   

Item 9.

 

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

    98   

Item 9A.

 

Controls and Procedures

    98   

Item 9B.

 

Other Information

    99   

PART III.

 

Item 10.

 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

    100   

Item 11.

 

Executive Compensation

    100   

Item 12.

  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters     100   

Item 13.

 

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

    101   

Item 14.

 

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

    101   

PART IV.

 

Item 15.

 

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

    102   

 

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PART I

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this Form 10-K may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). We may also make forward-looking statements in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in materials delivered to stockholders and in press releases. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Although we believe that the expectations, estimates and assumptions reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “plan,” “could,” “should,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative or other variations thereof, as well as other statements regarding matters that are not historical fact.

Those forward-looking statements may concern, among other things:

 

   

The markets for our services;

 

   

Projections of revenues and earnings, anticipated contractual obligations, capital expenditures, funding requirements or other financial items;

 

   

Statements concerning our plans, strategies and objectives for future operations; and

 

   

Statements regarding future economic conditions or performance.

Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include:

 

   

Modifications and termination of client contracts;

 

   

Control and operational issues pertaining to business activities that we conduct pursuant to joint ventures with other parties;

 

   

Difficulties we may incur in implementing our acquisition strategy;

 

   

The need to retain and recruit key technical and management personnel; and

 

   

Unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog.

Other factors that may affect our businesses, financial position or results of operations include:

 

   

Special risks of international operations, including uncertain political and economic environments, acts of terrorism or war, potential incompatibilities with foreign joint venture partners, foreign currency fluctuations, civil disturbances and labor issues; and

 

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Special risks of contracts with governmental entities, including the failure of applicable governing authorities to take necessary actions to secure or maintain funding for particular projects with us, the unilateral termination of contracts by the government and reimbursement obligations to the government for funds previously received.

We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. In accordance with the Reform Act, Item 1A of this Report entitled “Risk Factors” contains cautionary statements that accompany those forward-looking statements. You should carefully review such cautionary statements as they identify certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements and from historical trends. Those cautionary statements are not exclusive and are in addition to other factors discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in materials incorporated therein by reference.

Item 1. Business.

General

The Company was incorporated in Delaware in 2004 as Arpeggio Acquisition Corporation (“Arpeggio”), a specified purpose acquisition corporation. On June 28, 2006, Arpeggio merged with Hill International, Inc. (“Old Hill”), a Delaware corporation, and was the surviving entity of the merger. Old Hill was founded in 1976 by our current Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Irvin E. Richter. Immediately following the merger, the stockholders of Old Hill owned approximately 63.6% of the total voting power of Arpeggio. The merger was accounted for as a reverse acquisition under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles pursuant to which Old Hill was considered to be the acquiring entity and Arpeggio was the acquired company for accounting purposes, accompanied by a recapitalization of Old Hill. Accordingly, the historical financial statements relate to the business of Old Hill and its consolidated subsidiaries. Following the merger, Arpeggio changed its name to “Hill International, Inc.” In this report, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “Hill” refer to Hill International, Inc.

We currently provide project management and construction claims services to clients worldwide, but primarily in the United States, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Australia. Our clients include the United States and other national governments and their agencies, state and local governments and their agencies and the private sector.

We are one of the leading firms in the world in both the project management and construction claims consulting businesses. We are a global company with approximately 3,000 personnel operating out of nearly 100 offices in more than 30 countries.

We compete for business based on reputation and past experience, including client requirements for substantial experience in similar projects and claims work. We have developed significant long-standing relationships which bring us repeat business and would be

 

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very difficult to replicate. We have an excellent reputation for developing and rewarding employees which allows us to attract and retain superior professionals. In addition, we believe there are high barriers to entry for new competitors especially in the project management market.

Reporting Segments

We currently operate through two segments: the Project Management Group and the Construction Claims Group. Our revenue consists of two components: consulting fee revenue (“CFR”) and reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are reflected in equal amounts in both total revenue and total direct expenses. Because these revenue/costs are subject to significant fluctuation from year to year, we measure the performance of many of our key operating metrics as a percentage of consulting fee revenue, as we believe that this is a better and more consistent measure of operating performance than total revenue. Throughout this report we have used CFR as the denominator in many of our ratios. The following table sets forth the amount and percentage of our CFR from our operations in each reporting segment for each of the past three fiscal years:

Consulting Fee Revenue:

 

    2010     2009     2008  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $     286,466        75.0%      $     276,811        76.0%      $     247,326        74.1%   

Construction Claims

    95,633        25.0%        87,199        24.0%        86,556        25.9%   
                                               

Total

  $ 382,099        100.0%      $ 364,010        100.0%      $ 333,882        100.0%   
                                               

Project Management

Our Project Management Group provides fee-based or “agency” construction management services to our clients leveraging our construction expertise to identify potential trouble, difficulties and sources of delay on a construction project before they develop into costly problems. Our services include program management, project management, construction management, project management oversight, troubled project turnaround, staff augmentation, estimating and cost management, project labor agreements and management consulting.

Our clients are typically billed a negotiated multiple of the actual direct cost of each consultant assigned to a project and we are reimbursed for our out-of-pocket expenses. We believe our fee-based consulting has significant advantages over traditional general contractors. Specifically, because we do not assume project completion risk, our fee-based model eliminates many of the risks typically associated with construction projects.

As construction managers, we have managed all phases of the construction process on behalf of project owners and developers, from pre-design through completion. Specific activities that we undertake as part of these services include: planning, scheduling, estimating, budgeting, design review, constructability analyses, value engineering, regulatory compliance, development of project procedures, procurement, project reporting, expediting, inspection,

 

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quality assurance/quality control, safety oversight, contract administration, change order processing, claims management, and on-site management of contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.

In its June 14, 2010 issue, Engineering News-Record ranked us as the eighth largest construction management firm and the tenth largest program management firm in the United States.

Construction Claims

Our Construction Claims Group advises clients in order to assist them in preventing or resolving claims and disputes based upon schedule delays, cost overruns and other problems on major construction projects worldwide.

We may be retained as a claims consultant at the onset of a project, during the course of a project or upon the completion of a project. We assist owners or contractors in adversarial situations as well as in situations where an amicable resolution is sought. Specific activities that we undertake as part of these services include claims preparation, analysis and review, litigation support, lender advisory services, cost/damages assessment, delay/disruption analysis, contract review and assessment, risk assessment, adjudication and expert witness testimony. Clients are typically billed based on an hourly rate for each consultant assigned to the project, and we are reimbursed for our out-of-pocket expenses. Our claims consulting clients include participants on all sides of a construction project, including owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, lenders and insurance companies.

Global Business

We operate worldwide and currently have nearly 100 offices in more than 30 countries. The following table sets forth the amount and percentage of our CFR by geographic region for each of the past three fiscal years:

Consulting Fee Revenue by Geographic Region:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Americas

   $         103,255         27.0%       $ 75,468         20.7%       $ 79,199         23.7%   

Europe

     98,304         25.7%         107,193         29.4%         110,416         33.1%   

Middle East

     102,538         26.9%         126,749         34.8%         116,254         34.8%   

North Africa

     66,179         17.3%         47,482         13.1%         20,693         6.2%   

Asia / Pacific

     11,823         3.1%         7,118         2.0%         7,320         2.2%   
                                                     

Total

   $ 382,099         100.0%       $         364,010         100.0%       $         333,882         100.0%   
                                                     

Growth Organically and Through Acquisition

Our business has expanded through organic growth and the acquisition of a number of project management and claims consulting businesses. Since 1998, we have completed 20 acquisitions.

 

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We believe that our industry includes a number of small regional companies in a highly fragmented market. We believe that we have significant experience and expertise in identifying, negotiating, completing and integrating acquisitions and view the acquisition of these smaller competitors as a key part of our growth strategy.

On February 28, 2011, our subsidiary, Gerens Hill International, S.A. (“Gerens”), indirectly acquired 60 percent of the outstanding shares of common stock of Engineering S.A., one of the largest project management firms in Brazil with approximately 400 professionals. It has main offices in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo and an additional office in Parauapebas. Engineering S.A. provides project management, construction management and engineering consulting services throughout Brazil. Total consideration amounted to 22,200,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $13,392,000). We are in the process of allocating the purchase price to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The results of operations Engineering S.A. are not material to our consolidated results of operations.

During 2010, we made three acquisitions: McLachlan Lister Pty. Ltd. (“MLL”), the Construction Management Division of dck North America, LLC (“dck”) and TCM Group, Inc. (“TCM”). These acquisitions provide us with additional geographical presence in the Asia Pacific region and the United States. Aggregate consideration amounted to $24,117,000, consisting of cash of $18,705,000, contingent consideration amounting to $2,850,000 and deferred payments amounting to $2,562,000. The contingent consideration will be payable if two of the acquired companies achieve certain operating profit targets in 2011. The contingent consideration has been accrued and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. In the event that the companies do not achieve the required level of earnings, the contingent consideration will be adjusted through a charge or credit to the 2011 consolidated statement of earnings. We acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to $9,950,000 and $11,540,000, respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 6.6 years. The intangible assets consist of client related intangibles of $5,531,000 with lives ranging from five to ten years, contract intangibles of $3,909,000 with lives ranging from two to three-and–a-half years and a trade name intangible of $510,000 with a two-year life. Goodwill, amounting to $6,592,000, of which $3,272,000 is deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management segment and goodwill amounting to $5,356,000, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Construction Claims segment. The results of operations of the acquired companies are not material to our consolidated results of operations.

During 2009, we purchased two companies: Boyken International, Inc. (“Boyken”) and TRS Consultants, Inc. (“TRS”). Aggregate consideration amounted to $6,236,000, consisting of cash of $2,500,000, 429,241 shares of our common stock amounting to $2,736,000 and contingent consideration amounting to $1,000,000. The contingent consideration will be paid in the event one of the acquired companies achieves operating profit of $1,000,000 in 2010, 2011 or 2012. The contingent consideration has been accrued and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. In the event that the company does not achieve the required level of earnings, the contingent consideration will be written off through a credit to the 2012 consolidated statement of earnings. We acquired intangible assets and goodwill

 

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amounting to $3,572,000 and $2,809,000, respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 7.2 years. The intangible assets consist of client related intangibles of $2,332,000 with a 10 year life and contract intangibles of $1,240,000 with a two-year life. Goodwill, of which $1,512,000 is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management segment. These acquisitions provide us with a greater geographical presence in the United States. The results of operations of the acquired companies are not material to our consolidated results of operations.

During 2008, we purchased six companies for aggregate consideration amounting to $46,093,000, consisting of cash of $40,842,000, 82,436 shares of our common stock amounting to $1,300,000, and contingent consideration amounting to $2,872,000. The contingent consideration was settled in 2009 for cash of $1,138,000 and 132,479 shares of our common stock aggregating $1,650,000. In addition, the sellers of one of the acquired companies had the opportunity to receive additional consideration of up to $8,413,000 under an earn-out arrangement payable at the rate of $4,364,000 in 2009 and $4,049,000 in 2010 based on the acquired company’s financial performance in 2008 and 2009. Based on that company’s performance in 2008, an earn-out payment of $1,526,000 was paid in 2009. The company’s financial results in 2009 did not achieve the level necessary to require an earn-out payment.

Clients

Our clients consist primarily of the United States and other national governments, state and local governments, and the private sector. The following table sets forth our breakdown of CFR attributable to these categories of clients for each of the past three fiscal years:

Consulting Fee Revenue By Client Type:

 

     2010      2009      2008  
     (dollars in thousands)  

U.S. federal government

   $ 24,731         6.5%       $ 45,493         12.5%       $ 45,048         13.5%   

U.S. state, local and regional government

     55,075         14.4%         39,003         10.7%         34,876         10.4%   

Foreign government

     120,226         31.5%         104,764         28.8%         61,561         18.4%   

Private sector

     182,067         47.6%         174,750         48.0%         192,397         57.7%   
                                                     

Total

   $         382,099         100.0%       $         364,010         100.0%       $         333,882         100.0%   
                                                     

Our five largest clients accounted for 15.4%, 3.0%, 3.0%, 2.4% and 2.4% of our CFR during fiscal year 2010. During fiscal year 2009 our five largest clients accounted for 13.1%, 9.4%, 4.0%, 2.9% and 1.7% of our CFR and during fiscal year 2008 our five largest clients accounted for 9.8%, 4.5%, 2.2%, 1.3% and 1.2% of our CFR.

Business Development

The process for acquiring business from each of these categories of clients is principally the same, by participating in a competitive request-for-proposal (“RFP”) process, with the primary difference among clients being that the process for public sector clients is significantly more formal and complex than for private sector clients as a result of government procurement rules and regulations that govern the public sector process.

 

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Although a significant factor in our business development consists of our standing in our industry, including existing relationships and reputation based on performance on completed projects, our marketing department undertakes a variety of activities in order to expand our exposure to potential new clients. These activities include media relations, advertising, promotions, market sector initiatives and maintaining our website and related web marketing. Media relations include placing articles that feature us and our personnel in trade publications and other media outlets. Our promotions include arranging speaking engagements for our personnel, participation in trade shows and other promotional activities. Market sector initiatives are designed to broaden our exposure to specific sectors of the construction industry, such as, for example, participating in or organizing industry seminars targeted to one sector of an industry.

For the year ended December 31, 2010, CFR from U.S. and foreign government contracts represented approximately 52.4% of our total CFR. Doing business with governments is complex and requires the ability to comply with intricate regulations and satisfy periodic audits. We believe that the ability to understand these requirements and to successfully conduct business with government agencies is a barrier to entry for smaller, less experienced competitors. Most government contracts, including those with foreign governments, are subject to termination by the government, to government audits and to continued appropriations.

We are required from time to time to obtain various permits, licenses and approvals in order to conduct our business in some of the jurisdictions where we operate. The inability to obtain any particular permits, licenses or governmental approvals would not have a material effect on our business. Our business of providing construction management and construction claims services are not subject to significant regulation by state, federal or foreign governments.

Contracts

The price provisions of our contracts can be grouped into three broad categories: cost-plus, time and materials, and fixed-price.

Cost-plus contracts provide for reimbursement of our costs and overhead plus a predetermined fee. Under some cost-plus contracts, our fee may be based partially on quality, schedule and other performance factors.

We also enter into contracts whereby we bill our clients monthly at hourly billing rates. The hourly billing rates are determined by contract terms. For governmental clients, the hourly rates are generally calculated as salary costs plus overhead costs plus a negotiated profit percentage. For commercial clients, the hourly rate can be taken from a standard fee schedule by staff classification or it can be a discount from this schedule. In some cases, primarily for foreign work, a fixed monthly staff rate is negotiated rather than an hourly rate. This monthly rate is a build-up of staffing costs plus overhead and a profit. Hill accounts for these contracts on a time-and-materials method, recognizing revenue as costs are incurred.

Fixed price contracts are accounted for using the “percentage-of-completion” method, wherein revenue is recognized as costs are incurred.

 

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Backlog

We believe a strong indicator of our future performance is our backlog of uncompleted projects under contract or awarded. Our backlog represents management’s estimate of the amount of contracts and awards in hand that we expect to result in future consulting fee revenue. Project management backlog is evaluated by management, on a project-by-project basis, and is reported for each period shown based upon the binding nature of the underlying contract, commitment or letter of intent, and other factors, including the economic, financial and regulatory viability of the project and the likelihood of the contract being extended, renewed or cancelled. Construction claims backlog is based largely on management’s estimates of future revenue based on known construction claims assignments and historical results for new work. Because a significant number of construction claims may be awarded and completed within the same period, our actual construction claims revenue has historically exceeded backlog by a significant amount.

Our backlog is important to us in anticipating and planning for our operational needs. Backlog is not a measure defined in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and our methodology for determining backlog may not be comparable to the methodology used by other companies in determining their backlog.

We currently have active contracts in Libya, Egypt, and certain areas in the Middle East. As of December 31, 2010, the total backlog attributable to these areas is $60,408,000, $37,835,000 and $196,335,000, respectively. Due to the recent political unrest in Libya, we have suspended our operations in, and removed substantially all of our personnel from Libya. We are unable to predict when, or if, the work in Libya will resume. The outcome of unrest in Libya as well as in Egypt and areas in the Middle East could have a significant impact upon our backlog and future earnings.

At December 31, 2010, our backlog was approximately $675,000,000 compared to approximately $620,000,000 at December 31, 2009. We estimate that approximately $275,000,000, or 40.7%, of the backlog at December 31, 2010 will be recognized during our 2011 fiscal year.

The schedule below includes backlog under two categories: (1) contracts for which work authorizations have been or are expected to be received and (2) contracts awarded to us where some or all of the work has not yet been authorized. As of December 31, 2010, approximately $530,000,000, or 78.6%, of our backlog was in category (1) and approximately $145,000,000 or 21.4%, of our backlog was in category (2). We do not track whether contracts included in our backlog are fully funded, incrementally funded, or unfunded.

Included in category (2) of our backlog is the maximum amount of all indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (“ID/IQ”), or task order, contracts, or a lesser amount if we do not reasonably expect to be issued task orders for the maximum amount of such contracts. Also included in category (2) of our backlog is the amount of anticipated revenue in option years beyond the base term of our contracts if we reasonably expect our clients to exercise such option years. Although backlog reflects business that we consider to be firm, cancellations or

 

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scope adjustments may occur. Further, substantially all of our contracts with our clients may be terminated at will, in which case the client would only be obligated to us for services provided through the termination date. The impact of terminations and modifications on our realization of revenue from our backlog has not been significant. Furthermore, reductions of our backlog as a result of contract terminations and modifications may be more than offset by additions to the backlog.

We adjust backlog to reflect project cancellations, deferrals and revisions in scope and cost (both upward and downward) known at the reporting date; however, future contract modifications or cancellations may increase or reduce backlog and future revenue.

 

     Total Backlog      12-Month Backlog  
     (dollars in thousands)  

As of December 31, 2010:

           

Project Management

   $ 639,000         94.7    $ 243,000         88.4

Construction Claims

     36,000         5.3         32,000         11.6   
                                   

Total

   $ 675,000         100.0    $ 275,000         100.0
                                   

As of September 30, 2010:

           

Project Management

   $ 561,000         93.7    $ 219,000         85.9

Construction Claims

     38,000         6.3         36,000         14.1   
                                   

Total

   $ 599,000         100.0    $ 255,000         100.0
                                   

As of December 31, 2009:

           

Project Management

   $ 583,000         94.0    $ 249,000         88.3

Construction Claims

     37,000         6.0         33,000         11.7   
                                   

Total

   $ 620,000         100.0    $ 282,000         100.0
                                   

Competition

The project management and claims consulting industries are highly competitive. We compete for contracts, primarily on the basis of technical capability, with numerous entities, including design or engineering firms, general contractors, other “pure” construction management companies, other claims consulting firms, the “Big Four” and other accounting firms, management consulting firms and other entities. Compared to us, many of these competitors are larger, well-established companies that have broader geographic scope and greater financial and other resources. During 2010, some of our largest project management competitors included: AECOM Technology Corp.; Bovis Lend Lease, Inc.; Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.; Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc.; Turner Construction Corp.; and URS Corp. Some of our largest claims consulting competitors last year included: Exponent, Inc.; FTI Consulting, Inc.; and Navigant Consulting, Inc.

Insurance

We maintain insurance covering professional liability, as well as for claims involving bodily injury and property damage. We have historically enjoyed a favorable loss ratio in all lines of insurance and our management considers our present limits of liability, deductibles and

 

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reserves to be adequate. We endeavor to reduce or eliminate risk through the use of quality assurance/control, risk management, workplace safety and similar methods to eliminate or reduce the risk of losses on a project. Although our actual rates have decreased, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience increases in the dollar amount of our insurance premiums because of the increase in our revenue.

Management

We are led by an experienced management team with significant experience in the construction industry. Additional information about our executive officers is set forth below.

Executive Officers

 

Name

   Age     

Position

Irvin E. Richter

     66      

Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer

David L. Richter

     44      

President and Chief Operating Officer, Director

Thomas J. Spearing III

     44      

President, Project Management Group (Americas)

Raouf S. Ghali

     49      

President, Project Management Group (International)

Frederic Z. Samelian

     63      

President, Construction Claims Group

John Fanelli III

     56      

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Ronald F. Emma

     59      

Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

William H. Dengler, Jr.

     44      

Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Catherine H. Emma

     51      

Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer

Michael J. Petrisko

     45      

Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer

IRVIN E. RICHTER has been Chairman of our Board of Directors since 1985 and he has been Chief Executive Officer and a member of our Board of Directors since he founded the company in 1976. In 2002, Mr. Richter was selected as a Fellow by the Construction Management Association of America (“CMAA”) for his contributions to the construction management industry. He is a member of the World Presidents’ Organization and the Construction Industry Round Table. He is the author of several books including Handbook of Construction Law & Claims and International Construction Claims: Avoiding and Resolving Disputes. He has served or does serve on a number of Boards of Directors, including Rutgers University, Temple University Hospital, CMAA, incNETWORKS, Inc., Energy Storage & Power and Proton Therapy, Inc. Mr. Richter holds a B.A. in government from Wesleyan University and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law at Camden, and he has been named a Distinguished Alumnus at both schools.

DAVID L. RICHTER has been President and Chief Operating Officer since April 2004, and he has been a member of our Board of Directors since February 1998. Prior to his current position, he was President of our Project Management Group from April 2001 to March 2004. Before that, Mr. Richter was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from August 1999 to March 2001 and Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary from April 1995 to August 1999. Prior to joining us, he was an attorney with the New York City law firm

 

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of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP from 1992 to 1995. Mr. Richter is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Southern New Jersey Development Council and served on the Board of Directors of the CMAA from 2001 to 2007. He earned a B.S. in management, a B.S.E. in civil engineering and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Richter is a son of Irvin E. Richter.

THOMAS J. SPEARING III has been President of our Project Management Group (Americas) since April 2009. Before that, he was Hill’s Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, from September 2007 to March 2009. Prior to joining Hill, Mr. Spearing worked for more than ten years with STV Group, Inc., most recently as Principal-in-Charge of its western region. Before that, Mr. Spearing was a Vice President of business development with Hill. Mr. Spearing earned his B.B.A. in computer and information science from Temple University, his B.S. in construction management and his B.S. in civil engineering from Spring Garden College, and his M.S. in management from Rosemont College. He is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association, the Women’s Transportation Seminar, the New Jersey Business & Industry Association, the Southern New Jersey Development Council, and the New Jersey Alliance for Action, among others.

RAOUF S. GHALI has been President of our Project Management Group (International) since January 2005. Before that, he was Senior Vice President in charge of project management operations in Europe and the Middle East from June 2001 to December 2004. Before that, Mr. Ghali was a Vice President with us from September 1993 to May 2001. Prior to joining us, he worked for Walt Disney Imagineering from 1988 to 1993. Mr. Ghali has a B.S. degree in business administration and economics and an M.S. in business organizational management from the University of LaVerne.

FREDERIC Z. SAMELIAN has been President of our Construction Claims Group since January 2005. Before that, he was a Senior Vice President with us from March 2003 until December 2004. Before that, Mr. Samelian was President of Conex International, Inc., a construction dispute resolution firm, from March 2002 to March 2003 and from April 2000 to February 2001, an Executive Director with Greyhawk North America, Inc., a construction management and consulting firm, from March 2001 to February 2002, and a Director with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from September 1998 to March 2000. Before that, he had worked with Hill from 1983 to August 1998. He served as Hill’s President and Chief Operating Officer from September 1996 to August 1998. Mr. Samelian has a B.A. in international affairs from George Washington University and an M.B.A. from Southern Illinois University. He is a Project Management Professional certified by the Project Management Institute and he is a licensed General Building Contractor in California.

JOHN FANELLI III has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since September 2006. Before that, Mr. Fanelli was Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of CDI Corp. from June 2005 until June 2006, and he was Vice President and Corporate Controller of CDI Corporation (a subsidiary of CDI Corp.) from October 2003 until June 2006. CDI Corp. is a New York Stock Exchange-traded professional services and outsourcing firm based in Philadelphia with expertise in engineering, technical services and information technology. From February 2003 until October 2003, Mr. Fanelli was a financial consultant to

 

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Berwind Corporation, an investment management company based in Philadelphia which owns a diversified portfolio of manufacturing and service businesses and real estate. Before that, Mr. Fanelli was employed for 18 years by Hunt Corporation, then a New York Stock Exchange-traded manufacturer and marketer of office products. At Hunt, he served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer from 1995 until February 2003, and before that as Director of Budgeting, Financial Analysis and Control, from 1985 to 1995. Before that, for eight years Mr. Fanelli was employed with Coopers & Lybrand in various accounting and auditing positions. Mr. Fanelli earned his B.S. in accounting from LaSalle University, and he is a Certified Public Accountant in Pennsylvania.

RONALD F. EMMA has been Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since January 2007. Mr. Emma had been Hill’s Senior Vice President of Finance from August 1999 to January 2007. Before that, he was Hill’s Vice President of Finance since 1979. Before joining Hill, he was Assistant Controller of General Energy Resources, Inc., a mechanical contracting firm, and prior to that was a Staff Accountant with the accounting firm of Haskins & Sells. Mr. Emma has a B.S. in accounting from St. Joseph’s University and is a Certified Public Accountant in New Jersey.

WILLIAM H. DENGLER, JR. has been Senior Vice President and General Counsel since March 2007. Mr. Dengler was previously Vice President and General Counsel from January 2002 to March 2007, and Corporate Counsel from April 2001 to December 2001. Mr. Dengler also serves as corporate secretary to Hill and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining Hill, Mr. Dengler served as Assistant Counsel to former New Jersey Governors Donald DiFrancesco and Christine Todd Whitman from September 1999 to April 2001. Mr. Dengler earned his B.A. in political science from Western Maryland College and his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law at Camden. He is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, as well as before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court.

CATHERINE H. EMMA has been Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since January 2007. Ms. Emma had been Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer from August 2005 to January 2007. Before that, she served as Hill’s Vice President of Human Resources and Administration. Ms. Emma has been with Hill since 1982. She is certified by the Society for Human Resource Management as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and has held professional memberships with Tri-State Human Resources, the Society for Human Resource Management and the BNA Human Resources Personnel Policies Forum. Ms. Emma is the wife of Ronald F. Emma.

MICHAEL J. PETRISKO has been Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since January 2009. Before that, he was our Vice President and Chief Information Officer from May 2007 to December 2008. Before that, Mr. Petrisko was Director of Global IT Operations for AECOM Technology Corp. from September 2005 to May 2007 and Vice President and Chief Information Officer for DMJM Harris, Inc., a subsidiary of AECOM Technology Corp., a global architecture, engineering and construction management firm, from January 2002 to September 2005. Before that he was Director of Technical Services for Foster Wheeler Corp., an engineering and construction services firm, from April 1999 to January

 

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2002. Mr. Petrisko studied management information technology at Thomas Edison State College and he is a member of the New Jersey Society of Information Management.

Employees

At March 1, 2011, we had 3,060 personnel. Of these individuals, 2,296 worked in our Project Management Group, 496 worked in our Construction Claims Group and 268 worked in our Corporate Group. Our personnel at March 1, 2011 included 2,445 full-time employees, 218 part-time employees and 397 independent contractors. Our future success will depend significantly on our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified personnel. We are not a party to any collective bargaining agreements and we have not experienced any strikes or work stoppages. We consider our relationship with our employees to be satisfactory.

Access to Company Information

We electronically file our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy any of the reports that are filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains periodic reports, proxy statements, information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.

We make available, free of charge, through our website or by responding to requests addressed to our Legal Department, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended. These reports are available as soon as practicable after such material is filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our primary website is www.hillintl.com. We post the charters for our audit, compensation and governance and nominating committees, corporate governance principles and code of ethics on our website. The information contained on our website, or on other websites linked to our website, is not part of this document.

 

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Item 1A. Risk Factors

Our business involves a number of risks, some of which are beyond our control. The risks and uncertainties described below could individually or collectively have a material adverse effect on our business, assets, profitability or prospects. While these are not the only risks and uncertainties we face, we believe that the more significant risks and uncertainties are as follows:

Acts of terrorism and threats of armed conflicts in or around various areas in which we operate could limit or disrupt markets and our operations, including disruptions resulting from the evacuation of personnel, cancellation of contracts, or the loss of personnel.

Acts of terrorism and threats of armed conflicts in or around various areas in which we operate could limit or disrupt markets and our operations, including disruptions resulting from the evacuation of personnel, cancellation of contracts, or the loss of personnel. Such events may cause further disruption to financial and commercial markets and may generate greater political and economic instability in some of the geographic areas in which we operate. In addition, any possible reprisals as a consequence of the wars and ongoing military action in the Middle East, such as acts of terrorism in the United States or elsewhere, could have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated results of operations.

We currently have active contracts in Libya, Egypt and certain areas of the Middle East. Due to the recent political unrest in Libya, we have suspended our operations in, and removed substantially all of our personnel from Libya. We are unable to predict when, or if, the work in Libya will resume. At December 31, 2010, the accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in the area is as follows: Libya $61,445,000, Egypt $5,467,000, and the Middle East $41,265,000. We are unable to determine the effect these crises will have on the collectibility of the aforementioned accounts receivable. We believe that the amounts due will be collected, however, if we are unable to do so, there could be a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

Recent global economic trends could adversely affect our business, liquidity and financial results.

Recent global economic conditions, including disruption of financial markets, could adversely affect our business and results of operations, primarily by limiting our access to credit and disrupting our clients’ businesses. The reduction in financial institutions’ willingness or ability to lend has increased the cost of capital and reduced the availability of credit. Although we currently believe that the financial institutions with whom we do business, will be able to fulfill their commitments to us, there is no assurance that those institutions will be able to continue to do so, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, continuation or worsening of general market conditions in the United States or other national economies important to our businesses may adversely affect our clients’ level of spending, ability to obtain financing, and ability to make timely payments to us for our services, which could require us to increase our allowance for doubtful accounts, negatively impact our days sales outstanding and adversely affect our results of operations.

 

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If our clients delay in paying or fail to pay amounts owed to us, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated financial condition.

Accounts receivable represent the largest asset on our balance sheet. While we take steps to evaluate and manage the credit risks relating to our clients, economic downturns or other events can adversely affect the markets we serve and our clients ability to pay, which could reduce our ability to collect all amounts due from clients. If our clients delay in paying or fail to pay us a significant amount of our outstanding receivables, it could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated financial condition.

International operations and doing business with foreign governments expose us to legal, political and economic risks in different countries and currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial results.

Our international operations contributed 73.6%, 80.0% and 77.7% of our consulting fee revenue for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. There are risks inherent in doing business internationally, including:

 

   

Lack of developed legal systems to enforce contractual rights;

   

Foreign governments may assert sovereign or other immunity if we seek to assert our contractual rights thus depriving us of any ability to seek redress against them;

   

Greater risk of uncollectible accounts and longer collection cycles;

   

Currency exchange rate fluctuations;

   

Restrictions on the transfer of cash from certain foreign countries;

   

Imposition of governmental controls;

   

Political and economic instability;

   

Changes in U.S. and other national government policies affecting the markets for our services and our ability to do business with certain foreign governments or their political leaders;

   

Changes in regulatory practices, tariffs and taxes;

   

Potential non-compliance with a wide variety of non-U.S. laws and regulations; and

   

General economic, political and civil conditions in these foreign markets.

Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We operate in many different jurisdictions and we could be adversely affected by violations of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws.

The U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar worldwide anti-corruption laws, including the U.K. Bribery Act of 2010, generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our internal policies mandate compliance with these anti-corruption laws. The policies also are applicable to agents through which we do business in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions. We operate in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree, and in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-corruption laws may conflict

 

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with local customs and practices. Despite our training and compliance programs, we cannot assure you that our internal control policies and procedures always will protect us from reckless or criminal acts committed by our employees or agents. Our continued expansion outside the U.S., including in developing countries, could increase the risk of such violations in the future. Violations of these laws, or allegations of such violations, could disrupt our business, subject us to fines, penalties and restrictions and otherwise result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Our business sometimes requires our employees to travel to and work in high security risk countries, which may result in employee injury, repatriation costs or other unforeseen costs.

Many of our employees often travel to and work in high security risk countries around the world that are undergoing or that may undergo political, social and economic upheavals resulting in war, civil unrest, criminal activity or acts of terrorism. As a result, we may be subject to costs related to employee injury, repatriation or other unforeseen circumstances. Further, circumstances in these countries could make it difficult or impossible to attract and retain qualified employees. Our inability to attract and retain qualified employees to work in these counties could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We depend on long-term government contracts, many of which are funded on an annual basis. If appropriations are not made in subsequent years of a multiple-year contract, we will not realize all of our potential revenue and profit from that project.

A significant portion of our consulting fee revenue is derived from contracts with federal, state, local and foreign governments. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, approximately 52.3%, 52.0%, and 42.4%, respectively, of our consulting fee revenue were derived from such contracts.

Most government contracts are subject to the continuing availability of legislative appropriation. Legislatures typically appropriate funds for a given program on a year-by-year basis, even though contract performance may take more than one year. As a result, at the beginning of a program, the related contract is only partially funded, and additional funding is normally committed only as appropriations are made in each subsequent fiscal year. These appropriations and the timing of payment of appropriated amounts may be influenced by, among other things, the state of the economy, budgetary and other political issues affecting the particular government and its appropriations process, competing priorities for appropriation, the timing and amount of tax receipts and the overall level of government expenditures. If appropriations are not made in subsequent years on government contracts, then we will not realize all of our potential revenue and profit from those contracts.

Because we depend on government contracts for a significant portion of our consulting fee revenue, our inability to win profitable government contracts could harm our operations and adversely affect our net earnings.

In 2010, U.S. federal government contracts and state and local government contracts contributed approximately 6.5% and 14.4%, respectively, of our total consulting fee revenue, and foreign government contracts contributed approximately 31.5% of our total consulting fee

 

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revenue. Our inability to win profitable government contracts could harm our operations and adversely affect our net earnings. Government contracts are typically awarded through a heavily regulated procurement process. Some government contracts are awarded to multiple competitors, causing increases in overall competition and pricing pressure. In turn, the competition and pricing pressure may require us to make sustained post-award efforts to reduce costs under these contracts. If we are not successful in reducing the amount of costs we anticipate, our profitability on these contracts may be negatively impacted. Also, some of our federal government contracts require U.S. government security clearances. If we or certain of our personnel were to lose these security clearances, our ability to continue performance of these contracts or to win new contracts requiring a clearance may be negatively impacted.

We depend on contracts that may be terminated by our clients on short notice, which may affect our ability to recognize all of our potential revenue and profit from the project.

Substantially all of our contracts are subject to termination by the client either at its convenience or upon our default. If one of our clients terminates a contract at its convenience, then we typically are able to recover only costs incurred or committed, settlement expenses and profit on work completed prior to termination, which could prevent us from recognizing all of our potential revenue and profit from that contract. If one of our clients terminates the contract due to our default, we could be liable for excess costs incurred by the client in re-procuring services from another source, as well as other costs.

Our contracts with governmental agencies are subject to audit, which could result in adjustments to reimbursable contract costs or, if we are charged with wrongdoing, possible temporary or permanent suspension from participating in government programs.

Our books and records are subject to audit by the various governmental agencies we serve and by their representatives. These audits can result in adjustments to reimbursable contract costs and allocated overhead. In addition, if as a result of an audit, we or one of our subsidiaries is charged with wrongdoing or the government agency determines that we or one of our subsidiaries is otherwise no longer eligible for federal contracts, then we or, as applicable, that subsidiary, could be temporarily suspended or, in the event of convictions or civil judgments, could be prohibited from bidding on and receiving future government contracts for a period of time. Furthermore, as a U.S. government contractor, we are subject to an increased risk of investigations, criminal prosecution, civil fraud, whistleblower lawsuits and other legal actions and liabilities, the results of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We submit change orders to our clients for work we perform beyond the scope of some of our contracts. If our clients do not approve these change orders, our net earnings could be adversely impacted.

We typically submit change orders under some of our contracts for payment for work performed beyond the initial contractual requirements. The clients may not approve or may contest these change orders and we cannot assure you that these claims will be approved in whole, in part or at all. If these claims are not approved, our net earnings could be adversely impacted.

 

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Because our backlog of uncompleted projects under contract or awarded is subject to unexpected adjustments and cancellations, including the amount, if any, of future appropriations by the applicable contracting governmental agency, it is an uncertain indicator of our future revenue and profits.

At December 31, 2010, our backlog of uncompleted projects under contract or awarded was approximately $675,000,000. We cannot assure you that the backlog attributed to uncompleted projects under contract will be realized as revenue or, if realized, will result in profits.

Many projects may remain in our backlog for an extended period of time because of the size or long-term nature of the contract. In addition, from time to time projects are scaled back or cancelled. These types of backlog reductions adversely affect the revenue and profit that we ultimately receive. Included in our backlog is the maximum amount of all indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (“ID/IQ”), or task order, contracts, or a lesser amount if we do not reasonably expect to be issued task orders for the maximum amount of such contracts. We cannot provide any assurance that we will in fact be awarded the maximum amount of such contracts.

We depend on the continued services of certain executive officers. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain the services of these individuals.

We are dependent upon the efforts and service of certain executive officers, particularly Irvin E. Richter, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and David L. Richter, our President and Chief Operating Officer, because of their knowledge, experience, skills and relationships with major clients and other members of our management team. Irvin E. Richter has served as our Chief Executive Officer since 1976. If we lost the services of one or both of these individuals for any reason, that could have an adverse effect on our operations.

Our ability to grow and compete in our industry will be harmed if we do not retain the continued service of our key management, sales and technical personnel and identify, hire and retain additional qualified personnel.

There is intense competition for qualified management, sales and technical personnel in the industry sectors in which we compete. We may not be able to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel who are necessary for the development of our business or to replace qualified personnel. Any growth we experience is expected to place increased demands on our resources and will likely require the addition of personnel and the development of additional expertise by existing personnel. Also, some of our personnel hold security clearance levels required to obtain government projects and, if we were to lose some or all of these personnel, they may be difficult to replace. Loss of the services of, or failure to recruit, key personnel could limit our ability to complete existing projects successfully and to compete for new projects.

 

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Our dependence on subcontractors, partners and specialists could adversely affect our business.

We rely on third-party subcontractors as well as third-party strategic partners and specialists to complete our projects. To the extent that we cannot engage such subcontractors, partners or specialists or cannot engage them on a competitive basis, our ability to complete a project in a timely fashion or at a profit may be impaired. If we are unable to engage appropriate strategic partners or specialists in some instances, we could lose the ability to win some contracts. In addition, if a subcontractor or specialist is unable to deliver its services according to the negotiated terms for any reason, including the deterioration of its financial condition or over-commitment of its resources, we may be required to purchase the services from another source at a higher price. This may reduce the profit to be realized or result in a loss on a project for which the services were needed.

If our partners fail to perform their contractual obligations on a project, we could be exposed to legal liability, loss of reputation or reduced profits.

We sometimes enter into joint venture agreements and other contractual arrangements with outside partners to jointly bid on and execute a particular project. The success of these joint projects depends on the satisfactory performance of the contractual obligations of our partners. If any of our partners fails to satisfactorily perform its contractual obligations, we may be required to make additional investments and provide additional services to complete the project. If we are unable to adequately address our partner’s performance issues, then our client could terminate the joint project, exposing us to legal liability, loss of reputation or reduced profits.

Our services expose us to significant risks of liability and our insurance policies may not provide adequate coverage.

Our services involve significant risks of professional and other liabilities that may substantially exceed the fees that we derive from our services. In addition, we sometimes contractually assume liability under indemnification agreements. We cannot predict the magnitude of potential liabilities from the operation of our business.

We currently maintain comprehensive general liability, umbrella and professional liability insurance policies. Professional liability policies are “claims made” policies. Thus, only claims made during the term of the policy are covered. Additionally, our insurance policies may not protect us against potential liability due to various exclusions and retentions. Partially or completely uninsured claims, if successful and of significant magnitude, could have a material adverse affect on our business.

 

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We have acquired and may continue to acquire businesses as strategic opportunities arise and may be unable to realize the anticipated benefits of those acquisitions.

Since 1998, we have acquired 20 businesses and our strategy is to continue to expand and diversify our operations with additional acquisitions as strategic opportunities arise. Some of the risks that may affect our ability to realize any anticipated benefits from businesses that we acquire include:

 

   

Unexpected losses of key personnel or clients of the acquired business;

   

Difficulties arising from the increasing scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations;

   

Undisclosed or unknown liabilities associated with the acquired business;

   

Diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns; and

   

Adverse effects on existing business relationships with clients.

In addition, managing the growth of our operations will require us to continually increase and improve our operational, financial and human resources management and our internal systems and controls. If we are unable to manage growth effectively or to successfully integrate acquisitions, that could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We may be required to write-off all or a portion of the remaining value of our goodwill or other intangibles of companies we have acquired.

Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, we review our intangible assets, including goodwill, for impairment at least annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of our goodwill or other intangible assets may not be recoverable, include a sustained decline in our stock price and market capitalization, reduced future cash flow estimates and slower growth rates in our industry. We may be required to record a significant non-cash impairment charge in our financial statements during the period in which any impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets is determined, negatively impacting our results of operations and stockholders’ equity.

If our internal controls prove to be ineffective, it could impact our business and operating results.

The Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of the inherent limitations of internal controls or otherwise, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business and operating results could be harmed and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations.

 

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Our use of accounting estimates involves judgment and could impact our financial results.

The application of generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions about certain items and future events that directly affect our reported financial condition. Our most critical accounting estimates are described in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under “Critical Accounting Policies.” In addition, as discussed in Note 16, “Commitments and Contingencies,” we make certain estimates including decisions related to legal proceedings and reserves. These estimates and assumptions involve the use of judgment. As a result, actual financial results may differ.

We cannot be certain that we will be able to raise capital or obtain debt financing to execute future acquisitions or to meet required capital needs.

We are currently party to a revolving credit agreement to assist in funding working capital needs and for potential future acquisitions. This agreement contains certain financial covenants with respect to minimum net worth, total funded debt to EBITDA ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio, billed accounts receivable to senior secured indebtedness ratio, as well as other covenants. If our operating results are not as positive as we expect, that could cause us to be in violation of these covenants. In addition, our current revolving credit agreement may not provide us with sufficient credit to meet all of the future financial needs of our business. There is no guarantee that we could increase the availability under our current revolving credit agreement or obtain alternative debt or equity financing on terms that would be acceptable to us, or at all.

The market price for our common stock could be volatile and could decline, resulting in a substantial or complete loss of your investment.

The stock markets, including the New York Stock Exchange on which our common stock is listed, have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. As a result, the market price of our common stock could be similarly volatile, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease in the value of their shares, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects. The price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including:

 

   

Our operating performance and the performance of other similar companies;

   

Actual or anticipated differences in our operating results;

   

Changes in our revenue or earnings estimates or recommendations by securities analysts;

   

Publication of research reports about us or our industry by securities analysts;

   

Additions and departures of key personnel;

   

Speculation in the press or investment community;

   

Actions by institutional shareholders;

   

Changes in accounting principles;

 

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Terrorist acts and other events affecting political, economic or civil conditions in one or more foreign countries in which we operate; and

   

General market conditions, including factors unrelated to our performance.

Future sales of our common and preferred stock may depress the price of our common stock.

As of March 1, 2011, there were 38,253,570 shares of our common stock outstanding. An additional 2,708,480 shares of our common stock may be issued upon the exercise of options held by employees, management and directors. We also have the authority to issue up to 1,000,000 shares of preferred stock with terms that are determined by our Board of Directors, and additional options and warrants to purchase shares of our common stock without stockholder approval. Sales of a substantial number of these shares in the public market, or factors relating to the terms we may determine for our preferred stock, options or warrants, could decrease the market price of our common stock. In addition, the perception that such sales might occur may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Future issuances or sales of our common stock could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.

 

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 2. Properties

Our executive and operating offices are located at 303 Lippincott Centre, Marlton, New Jersey 08053. We lease all of our office space and do not own any real property. The telephone number at our executive office is (856) 810-6200. In addition to our executive offices, we have approximately 100 operating leases for office facilities throughout the world. Due to acquisition and growth we may have more than one operating lease in the cities in which we are located. Additional space may be required as our business expands geographically, but we believe we will be able to obtain suitable space as needed.

 

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Following are our principal worldwide office locations and the geographic regions in which we reflect their operations:

 

U.S./Canada

       

Middle East

Altamonte Springs, FL

   Toronto, Canada    Abu Dhabi, UAE

Atlanta, GA

   Vancouver, Canada    Damascus, Syria

Baltimore, MD

   Washington, DC    Doha, Qatar

Bellevue, WA

      Dubai, UAE

Bensalem, PA

   Europe    Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Boston, MA

   Athens, Greece    Manama, Bahrain

Columbus, OH

   Baku, Azerbaijan    Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Dallas, TX

   Barcelona, Spain    Sharq, Kuwait

Danbury, CT

   Belgrade, Serbia   

Granite Bay, CA

   Birmingham, UK    North Africa

Houston, TX

   Bristol, UK    Cairo, Egypt

Irvine, CA

   Bucharest, Romania    Casablanca, Morocco

Jacksonville, FL

   Cardiff, Wales    Tripoli, Libya

Las Vegas, NV

   Daresbury, UK   

Los Angeles, CA

   Dusseldorf, Germany    Asia/Pacific

Marlton, NJ

   Edinburgh, Scotland    Beijing, China

Miami, FL

   Exeter, UK   

Brisbane, Australia

Modesto, CA

   Glasgow, Scotland    Danang City, Vietnam

Montgomeryville, PA

   Istanbul, Turkey    Hong Kong, China

New Orleans, LA

   Leeds, UK    Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

New York, NY

   London, UK    Perth, Australia

North Canton, OH

   Madrid, Spain    Shanghai, China

Ontario, CA

   Manchester, UK    Singapore

Orlando, FL

   Munich, Germany    Sydney, Australia

Palm Coast, FL

   Rijeka, Croatia    Tokyo, Japan

Perrysburg, OH

   Tbilisi, Georgia   

Philadelphia, PA

   Teesside, UK   

Phoenix, AZ

   Warsaw, Poland   

Pittsburgh, PA

   Winchester, UK   

Portland, OR

     

Portsmouth, OH

   Latin America   

Sacramento, CA

   Mexico City, Mexico   

San Ramón, CA

   Parauapebas, Brazil   

Spokane, WA

   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil   

State College, PA

   Sao Paulo, Brazil   

Tampa, FL

   Trinidad and Tobago   

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

Litigation

On July 16, 2009, Al Areen Desert Resort Holding Company (“Al Areen”) filed a complaint with the Ministry of Justice & Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom of Bahrain against us alleging breach of contract and other causes of action in connection with its performance of a construction project known as Al Areen Desert Spa and Resort (the “Project”), seeking the sum of approximately 10,200,000 Bahraini dinars (approximately $27,052,000 at December 31, 2010) in damages. We provided project management services on the Project and Al Areen failed to pay us 679,000 Bahraini dinars (approximately $1,801,000 at December 31, 2010) for services rendered on the Project. We served notice of termination on April 28, 2009. On September 26, 2009, we filed a Request for Arbitration with the International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration, seeking the sum of 679,000 Bahraini dinars. We have reserved approximately $531,000 against the receivable, however, we believe that Al Areen’s claim is without merit and, based on our current understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, no accrual has been made because we consider the chance of loss to be remote.

General Litigation

From time to time, we are a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions which arise in the normal course of business. As such we are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the provision required for these commitments and contingencies, if any, which would be charged to earnings, is made after careful analysis of each matter. The provision may change in the future due to new developments or changes in circumstances. Changes in the provision could increase or decrease our earnings in the period the changes are made. It is our opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved).

 

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PART II

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

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HIL. The following table sets forth the range of high and low closing sale prices on the New York Stock Exchange for the periods indicated.

 

     Common Stock  
     High      Low  

2010:

     

Fourth Quarter

   $ 6.47       $ 4.39   

Third Quarter

     5.10         3.60   

Second Quarter

     6.70         3.94   

First Quarter

     6.56         4.85   

2009:

     

Fourth Quarter

   $   7.80       $   6.10   

Third Quarter

     8.01         3.95   

Second Quarter

     4.43         2.98   

First Quarter

     8.23         2.35   

Stockholders

As of March 1, 2011, there were 104 holders of record of our common stock. However, a single record stockholder account may represent multiple beneficial owners, including owners of shares in street name accounts. As a result, we believe there are more than 5,000 beneficial owners of our common stock.

Dividends

We have not paid any dividends on our common stock. The payment of dividends in the future will be contingent upon our revenue and earnings, if any, capital requirements and general financial condition of our business. The payment of any dividends is within the discretion of our Board of Directors. It is the present intention of our Board to retain all earnings, if any, for use in our business operations and other capital needs and, accordingly, we do not anticipate declaring any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans

The table setting forth this information is included in Part III – Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

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Performance Graph

The performance graph and table below compare the cumulative total return of our common stock for the period December 31, 2005 to December 31, 2010 with the comparable cumulative total returns of the Russell 2000 Index and a peer group, which consists of the following ten companies: AECOM Technology Corp. (ACM), Michael Baker Corp. (BKR), Exponent, Inc. (EXPO), Fluor Corporation (FLR), ICF International, Inc. (ICFI), Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (JEC), Navigant Consulting, Inc. (NCI), Tutor Perini Corp. (TPC), Tetra Tech, Inc. (TTEK), and URS Corp. (URS).

LOGO

 

    

2006

    

2007

    

2008

    

2009

    

2010

 

Hill International, Inc

   $ 126.70       $ 251.09       $ 124.74       $ 110.57       $ 114.64   

Russell 2000 Index

     118.35         116.52         77.14         98.11         124.45   

Peer Group

     111.21         194.75         130.30         123.67         147.15   

 

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following is selected financial data from Hill’s audited consolidated financial statements for each of the last five years. This data should be read in conjunction with Hill’s consolidated financial statements (and related notes) appearing elsewhere in this report and with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”. The data presented below is in thousands, except for earnings per share data.

 

    2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Income Statement Data:

         

Consulting fee revenue

  $ 382,099      $ 364,010      $ 333,882      $ 203,118      $ 129,987   

Reimbursable expenses

    69,659        57,772        46,600        87,205        67,485   
                                       

Total revenue

    451,758        421,782        380,482        290,323        197,472   
                                       

Cost of services

    213,349        209,052        183,485        107,447        71,552   

Reimbursable expenses

    69,659        57,772        46,600        87,205        67,485   
                                       

Total direct expenses

    283,008        266,824        230,085        194,652        139,037   
                                       

Gross profit

    168,750        154,958        150,397        95,671        58,435   
Selling, general and administrative expenses         151,634            136,683            131,857            80,280            48,142   

Equity in earnings of affiliates

    (1,503     (8,222     (3,658     (2,221     (1,080
                                       

Operating profit

    18,619        26,497        22,198        17,612        11,373   

Interest (income) expense, net

    3,144        1,737        (134     433        312   
                                       
Earnings before provision for income taxes     15,475        24,760        22,332        17,179        11,061   

Provision for income taxes

    481        4,577        3,654        2,788        2,534   
                                       

Consolidated net earnings

    14,994        20,183        18,678        14,391        8,527   
Less: net earnings - non controlling interests     778        713        1,027        247        (53
                                       
Net earnings attributable to Hill International, Inc.   $ 14,216      $ 19,470      $ 17,651      $ 14,144      $ 8,580   
                                       

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.36      $ 0.49      $ 0.43      $ 0.53      $ 0.50   
                                       
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding     39,258        39,659        40,809        26,720        17,240   
                                       
Diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.36      $ 0.49      $ 0.43      $ 0.45      $ 0.46   
                                       
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding     39,824        40,124        41,148        31,387        18,489   
                                       

 

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    12/31/2010     12/31/2009     12/31/2008     12/31/2007     12/30/2006  
Selected Balance Sheet Data:          
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 39,406      $ 30,923      $ 20,430      $ 66,128      $ 11,219   

Accounts receivable, net

    180,856        130,900        118,124        83,151        61,159   

Current assets

    237,466        183,602        161,492        162,428        83,344   

Total assets

    370,851        291,539        254,041        207,199          118,993   

Current liabilities

    104,465        82,657        80,563        59,648        50,835   

Total debt

    74,959        28,244        18,887        3,312        11,287   

Equity:

         

Hill International, Inc.

      161,091          155,635          135,506          128,371        46,036   

Noncontrolling interests

    7,005        4,005        3,510        259        286   
                                       

Total equity

  $ 168,096      $ 159,640      $ 139,016      $ 128,630      $ 46,322   
                                       

 

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

Overview

We currently have active contracts in Libya, Egypt and certain areas of the Middle East. Due to the recent political unrest in Libya, we have suspended our operations in, and removed substantially all of our personnel from Libya. We are unable to predict when, or if, the work in Libya will resume. At December 31, 2010, the accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in the region was as follows: Libya $61,445,000, Egypt $5,467,000 and the Middle East $41,264,000. At February 28, 2011, after giving effect to subsequent collections and additional work performed, accounts receivable was as follows: Libya $59,446,000, Egypt $6,054,000 and the Middle East $33,058,000. We are unable to determine the effect these crises will have on the collectibility of the aforementioned accounts receivable. We believe that the amounts due will be collected, however, if we are unable to do so, there could be a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

Our revenue consists of two components: consulting fee revenue (“CFR”) and reimbursable expenses. Reimbursable expenses are reflected in equal amounts in both total revenue and total direct expenses. Because these revenue/costs are subject to significant fluctuation from year to year, we measure the performance of many of our key operating metrics as a percentage of CFR, as we believe that this is a better and more consistent measure of operating performance than total revenue.

CFR increased $18,089,000, or 5.0%, from $364,010,000 in 2009 to $382,099,000 in 2010. CFR for the project management segment increased $9,655,000 principally due to strong organic growth in North Africa and the Americas and the acquisitions of Boyken, TRS, dck and TCM. These increases were partially offset by decreases in the Middle East, primarily Iraq. CFR for the construction claims segment increased $8,434,000 due primarily to the acquisition of MLL and strong organic growth in the Middle East.

Reimbursable expenses increased $11,887,000, or 20.6%, from $57,772,000 in 2009 to $69,659,000 in 2010 principally due to the higher use of subcontractors in the Northeast and Western regions.

Cost of services increased $4,297,000, or 2.1%, from $209,052,000 in 2009 to $213,349,000 in 2010 as a result of an increase in employees and other direct expenses needed to support the increase in CFR.

Gross profit increased $13,792,000, or 8.9%, from $154,958,000 in 2009 to $168,750,000 in 2010 due to the increases in CFR. Gross profit as a percent of CFR increased from 42.6% in 2009 to 44.2% in 2010 principally due to higher average gross margin percentages for the companies acquired in 2010.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $14,951,000, or 10.9%, principally due to $11,580,000 in selling, general and administrative expenses from the acquired companies and an increase of $4,353,000 in staff costs in support of expanded operations and growth.

 

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Equity in earnings of affiliates decreased $6,719,000 from $8,222,000 in 2009 to $1,503,000 in 2010 due primarily to the wind-down of the Iraq Reconstruction Program work for our affiliate, Stanley Baker Hill. The program ended in the fourth quarter of 2010.

Income taxes decreased $4,096,000, or 89.5%, from $4,577,000 in 2009 to $481,000 in 2010 as our pre-tax income decreased $9,285,000, or 38.0%, from $24,760,000 in 2009 to $15,475,000 in 2010. The effective tax rate was 3.1% in 2010 compared with 18.5% in 2009.

Net earnings attributable to Hill decreased $5,254,000, or 27.0%, from $19,470,000 in 2009 to $14,216,000 in 2010. Diluted earnings per common share were $0.36 in 2010 based upon 39,824,000 diluted common shares outstanding compared to $0.49 in 2009 based upon 40,124,000 diluted common shares outstanding.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require us to make subjective decisions, assessments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the judgment increases, such judgments become even more subjective. While we believe our assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, actual results may be materially different than estimated.

Revenue Recognition

We generate revenue primarily from providing professional services to our clients. Revenue is generally recognized upon the performance of services. In providing these services, we may incur reimbursable expenses, which consist of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties as well as travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. We will include reimbursable expenses in computing and reporting our total contract revenue as long as we remain responsible to the client for the fulfillment of the contract and for the overall acceptability of all services provided.

We earn our revenue from cost-plus, fixed-price and time-and-materials contracts. If estimated total costs on any contract indicate a loss, we charge the entire estimated loss to operations in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to revenue, estimated costs to complete contracts, including penalties, incentive awards, change orders, claims, anticipated losses, and other effects are recorded in the accounting period in which the events indicating a loss are known and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such revisions could occur at any time and the effects may be material.

The majority of our contracts are for work where we bill the client monthly at hourly billing rates. The hourly billing rates are determined by contract terms. For governmental clients, the hourly rates are generally calculated as either (i) a negotiated multiplier of our direct labor costs or (ii) as direct labor costs plus overhead costs plus a negotiated profit percentage. For commercial clients, the hourly rates are generally taken from a standard fee schedule by staff

 

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classification or they can be at a negotiated discount from this schedule. In some cases, primarily for foreign work, a fixed monthly staff rate is negotiated rather than an hourly rate. This monthly rate is determined based upon a buildup of direct labor costs plus overhead and profit. We account for these contracts on a time-and-expenses method, recognizing revenue as costs are incurred.

We account for fixed-price contracts on the “percentage-of-completion” method, wherein revenue is recognized as costs are incurred. Under the percentage-of-completion method for revenue recognition, we estimate the progress towards completion to determine the amount of revenue and profit to be recognized. We generally utilize a cost-to-cost approach in applying the percentage-of-completion method, where revenue is earned in proportion to total costs incurred divided by total costs expected to be incurred.

Under the percentage-of-completion method, recognition of profit is dependent upon the accuracy of estimates. We have a history of making reasonably dependable estimates of contract revenue, the extent of progress towards completion and contract completion costs on our long-term construction management contracts. However, due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is possible that actual completion costs may vary from estimates.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable and maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our clients to make required payments. Estimates used in determining accounts receivable allowances are based on specific client account reviews and historical experience of credit losses. We also apply judgment including assessments about changes in economic conditions, concentration of receivables among clients and industries, recent write-off trends, rates of bankruptcy, and credit quality of specific clients. Unanticipated changes in the financial condition of clients, the resolution of various disputes, or significant changes in the economy could impact the reserves required. At December 31, 2010 and 2009, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $9,457,000 and $9,780,000, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level at least annually. We have determined that we have two reporting units, the Project Management unit and the Construction Claims unit. We made that determination based on the similarity of the services provided, the methodologies in delivering our services and the similarity of the client base in each of these units. Generally, we perform an impairment assessment during our third fiscal quarter. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires significant judgments including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for Hill, the period over which cash flows will occur, and determination of the weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. Changes in future market conditions, our business

 

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strategy, or other factors could impact upon the future values of Hill’s reporting units, which could result in future impairment charges. Based on the valuation as of July1, 2010, the fair values of the Project Management unit and Construction Claims unit substantially exceeded their carrying values.

We amortize other intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and review the long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the related carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Determining whether impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, their amount and the asset’s residual value, if any. In turn, measurement of an impairment loss requires a determination of fair value, which is based on the best information available. We use internal discounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available and independent appraisals, as appropriate, to determine fair value. We derive the required cash flow estimates from our historical experience and our internal business plans and apply an appropriate discount rate.

Income Taxes

We make judgments and interpretations based on enacted tax laws, published tax guidance, as well as estimates of future earnings. These judgments and interpretations affect the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation allowance. We evaluated the deferred tax assets and determined on the basis of objective factors that the net assets will be realized through future years’ taxable income. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates and assessments, additional valuation allowances may be required.

We will recognize a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if management’s assessment is that the position is “more likely than not” (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term “tax position” refers to a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for interim or annual periods.

Stock Options

We recognize compensation expense for all stock-based awards. The awards include stock options and restricted stock grants.

While fair value may be readily determinable for awards of stock, market quotes are not available for long-term, nontransferable stock options because these instruments are not traded. We currently use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of options. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including but not limited to stock price volatility, expected life and stock option exercise behavior.

 

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Contingencies

Estimates are inherent in the assessment of our exposure to insurance claims that fall below policy deductibles and to litigation and other legal claims and contingencies, as well as in determining our liabilities for incurred but not reported insurance claims. Significant judgments by us and reliance on third-party experts are utilized in determining probable and/or reasonably estimable amounts to be recorded or disclosed in our financial statements. The results of any changes in accounting estimates are reflected in the financial statements of the period in which the changes are determined. We do not believe that material changes to these estimates are reasonably likely to occur.

Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to

Year Ended December 31, 2009

Consulting Fee Revenue (“CFR”)

 

     2010      2009      Change  
     (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

   $     286,466         75.0%       $     276,811         76.0%       $ 9,655         3.5%   

Construction Claims

     95,633         25.0%         87,199         24.0%         8,434         9.7%   
                                               

Total

   $ 382,099         100.0%       $ 364,010         100.0%       $     18,089         5.0%   
                                               

The increase in Hill’s CFR in 2010 compared to 2009 was comprised of a 1.5% organic decrease primarily from decreases in the Middle East and Europe partially offset by increases in North Africa and the Americas and 6.5% growth from acquisitions. CFR was negatively impacted by changes in exchange rates which decreased the reported amount by approximately $3,600,000.

During 2010, Hill’s project management CFR increase reflected an organic decrease of 2.7% primarily in the Middle East which was more than offset by a 6.2% increase due to the acquisitions of Boyken, TRS, dck and TCM. The dollar increase in project management CFR consisted of a $24,982,000 increase in domestic projects and a decrease of $15,327,000 in foreign projects. The increase in domestic projects consisted primarily of the acquisitions of Boyken, TRS, dck and TCM along with increases in the Northeast and Western regions. The decrease in foreign project management CFR was primarily due to decreases of $22,635,000 in Iraq, where Hill’s work on the Iraq Reconstruction Program was completed in the fourth quarter of 2010, and $6,834,000 in the rest of the Middle East where work decreased due to weaker economic conditions during 2010. This was partially offset by an increase of $18,698,000 in North Africa due to expansions of contracts in Libya and Egypt.

During 2010, Hill’s construction claims CFR increase reflected an organic 2.5% increase and 7.2% growth from the acquisition of MLL. The organic growth was primarily due to an increase of $5,257,000 in the Middle East and an increase of $1,589,000 in the Western Region of the U.S.

 

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Reimbursable Expenses

 

    2010      2009      Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $     66,330        95.2%       $     55,176        95.5%       $     11,154         20.2%   

Construction Claims

    3,329        4.8%         2,596        4.5%         733         28.2%   
                                            

Total

  $ 69,659        100.0%       $ 57,772        100.0%       $ 11,887         20.6%   
                                            

Reimbursable expenses consist of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties and travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. These items are reflected as separate line items in both our revenue and cost of services captions in our consolidated statements of earnings. The increase in project management reimbursable expenses was partially due to a $10,679,000 increase in reimbursable subcontractors’ fees primarily in the Northeast and Western regions. The increase in construction claims reimbursable expenses is primarily due to the use of subcontractors at MLL.

Cost of Services

 

    2010    

% of

CFR

    2009    

% of

CFR

    Change  
                      (dollars in thousands)                    

Project Management

  $ 171,124        80.2%        59.7%      $ 168,449        80.6%        60.9%      $ 2,675        1.6%   

Construction Claims

    42,225        19.8%        44.2%        40,603        19.4%        46.6%        1,622        4.0%   
                                             

Total

  $     213,349        100.0%        55.8%      $     209,052        100.0%        57.4%      $     4,297        2.1%   
                                             

Cost of services consists of labor expenses for time charged directly to contracts and non-reimbursable job related travel and out-of-pocket expenses. The increase in project management cost of services is primarily due to an increase in direct cost of $9,266,000 in North Africa along with an increase in work in that area and an increase of $9,011,000 for Boyken, TRS, dck and TCM partially offset by a decrease of $14,508,000 in direct cost in Iraq due to the decreased work volume at that location.

The increase in the cost of services for construction claims was due primarily to increases of $3,093,000 in the Middle East and $2,583,000 at MLL partially offset by a decrease of $3,233,000 in the United Kingdom.

Gross Profit

 

    2010     % of
CFR
    2009     % of
CFR
    Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $ 115,342        68.4%        40.3%      $ 108,362        69.9%        39.1%      $ 6,980        6.4%   

Construction Claims

    53,408        31.6%        55.8%        46,596        30.1%        53.4%        6,812        14.6%   
                                             

Total

  $     168,750        100.0%        44.2%      $     154,958        100.0%        42.6%      $     13,792        8.9%   
                                             

 

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The increase in project management gross profit included increases of $12,234,000 from domestic operations, partially offset by decreases of $5,254,000 in foreign operations. The increase in domestic operations included increases of $8,182,000 for Boyken, TRS, dck and TCM and $1,517,000 in the Northeast region. The decrease in foreign operations reflected decreases of $8,127,000 in Iraq, $5,475,000 in the Middle East and $2,302,000 in Poland, all driven by decreased CFR. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $9,432,000 in North Africa.

The increase in construction claims gross profit of $6,812,000 was primarily due to an increase of $3,712,000 from MLL and $2,164,000 in the Middle East.

Selling, General and Administrative

(“SG&A”) Expenses

 

     2010      2009      Change  
     (dollars in thousands)  
           

% of
CFR

           

% of
CFR

               

SG&A Expenses

   $     151,634         39.7%       $     136,683         37.5%       $     14,951         10.9%   
                                   

The increase in SG&A expenses is partially attributable to an increase of $11,580,000 from the acquisitions of Boyken, TRS, dck, TCM and MLL. The significant components of the change are as follows:

 

   

An increase in unapplied labor expense of $10,996,000 including $6,643,000 from Boyken, TRS, dck, TCM and MLL and $4,353,000 in organic increases in labor to support the growth in operations. Unapplied labor represents the labor cost of operating staff for time charged to business development, administration, vacation, holidays and other non-billable tasks.

 

   

An increase in amortization expense of $2,007,000 primarily due to $1,783,000 for Boyken, TRS, dck, TCM and MLL and an increase of $328,000 for Gerens due to the December 2009 purchase by Hill of an additional 4% interest in that company. Amortization relates to acquired intangibles, such as, trade names, client relationships and acquired contract rights.

 

   

An increase in administrative travel of $759,000 due to increased international travel, including $255,000 of administrative travel relating to the companies we acquired in 2010.

 

   

An increase of $1,128,000 in rent expense primarily from the acquired operations.

 

   

An increase in legal fees of $1,343,000 including $910,000 related to acquisition due diligence and other related costs as well as international legal and tax matters.

 

   

A decrease of $2,923,000 for bad debt expense because higher charges occurred in 2009 primarily from the Middle East and North Africa.

 

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Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Our share of the earnings of affiliates, decreased $6,719,000, from $8,222,000 in 2009 to $1,503,000 in 2010, primarily due to decreased work in Iraq by Stanley Baker Hill, LLC (“SBH”).

Our share of the earnings of SBH decreased $6,030,000, from $7,201,000 in 2009 to $1,171,000 in 2010. SBH is a joint venture between Stanley Consultants, Inc. (“Stanley”), Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. (“Baker”) and us. Stanley, Baker and we each own an equal one-third interest in SBH. SBH had a contract for an indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity for construction management and general architect-engineer services for facilities in Iraq with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Iraq Reconstruction Program ended in late 2010.

Our share of the earnings of Hill TMG decreased $717,000, from $1,017,000 in 2009 to $300,000 in 2010. Hill TMG is a joint venture formed in May 2008 between Talaat Moustafa Group Holding Co. (“TMG”) and Hill. Hill TMG is managing the construction of several of TMG’s largest developments in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East. Work on these projects wound down to a minimal level during 2010.

Operating Profit:

 

    2010     2009     Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  
         

% of
CFR

         

% of
CFR

             

Project Management before equityin earnings of affiliates

  $ 34,568        12.1%      $ 35,095        12.7%      $ (527     (1.5 )% 

Equity in earnings of affiliates

    1,503        0.5%        8,222        3.0%        (6,719     (81.7 )% 
                             

Total Projects

    36,071        12.6%        43,317        15.6%        (7,246     (16.7 )% 

Construction Claims

    10,011        10.5%        8,277        9.5%        1,734        20.9  % 

Corporate

    (27,463       (25,097       (2,366     9.4  % 
                             

Total

  $     18,619        4.9%      $     26,497        7.3%      $     (7,878)        (29.7 )% 
                             

The decrease in Project Management operating profit primarily included decreases of $14,074,000 in Iraq and $3,235,000 in the Middle East in line with the decreases in CFR and equity in earnings of affiliates discussed above. This was partially offset by an increase of $9,571,000 in North Africa.

The increase in Construction Claims operating profit primarily included increases in the Western region of the U.S and the acquisition of MLL, partially offset by a decrease in the United Kingdom.

The increase in Corporate expenses primarily consisted of an increase in labor cost of $506,000 in support of the company’s growth, an increase of $368,000 for costs relating to

 

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centralizing global payroll processes and controls and an increase of $910,000 in legal fees primarily related to acquisitions and international legal and tax matters.

Interest Expense (Income), net

Net interest expense increased $1,407,000 to $3,144,000 in 2010 as compared with net interest expense of $1,737,000 in 2009, primarily due to increased borrowing under the Company’s senior credit facility driven by the acquisitions and the purchase of treasury stock.

Income Taxes

In 2010, income tax expense decreased by $4,096,000 to $481,000 compared to $4,577,000 in 2009. The effective income tax expense rates for 2010 and 2009 were 3.1% and 18.5%, respectively. Our effective tax rate continues to remain low because a substantial portion of our profit comes from foreign operations which are taxed at lower rates, if at all. In addition, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $4,148,000 in the current year related to a net operating loss from U.S. operations. Of the total tax benefit, $1,048,000 is recorded as an income tax receivable due to the ability of the Company to carryback a portion of the taxable loss to offset taxable income in the 2008 and 2009 federal income tax returns. The main reason for the loss was the decline in profit from the Iraq Reconstruction Program that ended in late 2010.

In addition, four items materially affected the Company’s effective tax rate during 2010. The Company realized substantial benefits from the reversal of a prior year’s uncertain tax position amounting to $1,654,000 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations upon the filing of certain income tax returns. An income tax benefit of $1,416,000 resulted from adjustments to agree the 2009 book amount to the actual amounts reported on the tax returns, primarily related to foreign operations. In addition, a tax benefit was recognized in the amount of $329,000 representing the tax effect on unrealized foreign exchange losses generated in the United Kingdom which are included as a deduction on the local tax returns. These benefits were offset by an increase in the reserves for uncertain tax positions of $5,368,000, related primarily to uncertain tax positions of foreign operations. Excluding these items our effective tax rate would have been a benefit of 9.6% in 2010.

In 2009, the Company realized substantial benefits from the reversal of a prior year’s uncertain tax position amounting to $1,741,000 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations upon the filing of certain income tax returns. An income tax benefit of $1,650,000, net of an income tax payment of $495,000 arising from the audit of a prior year tax return, resulted from adjustments to agree the 2008 book amount to the actual amounts reported on the tax returns, primarily related to foreign operations. These benefits were partially offset by the recognition of an $887,000 tax effect on unrealized foreign exchange gains generated in the United Kingdom, which are included as income in the local tax returns, and an increase in the reserves for uncertain tax positions of $900,000, primarily related to uncertain tax positions of foreign operations. Excluding these items our effective tax rate would have been 25.0% in 2009.

 

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Net Earnings Attributable to Hill

Our net earnings for 2010 were $14,216,000, or $0.36 per diluted common share based upon 39,824,000 diluted common shares outstanding, as compared to net earnings for 2009 of $19,470,000, or $0.49 per diluted common share based upon 40,124,000 diluted common shares outstanding. The diluted earnings per share for 2010 were impacted by a change in diluted shares outstanding as a result of (i) the issuance of 1,000,000 shares in connection with the earn-out provisions of the merger agreement with Arpeggio and (ii) the repurchase of 2,181,792 common shares under our stock repurchase program. The diluted earnings per share for 2009 were impacted by a change in diluted shares outstanding as a result of (i) the issuance of 1,000,000 shares in connection with the earn-out provisions of the merger agreement with Arpeggio and (ii) the repurchase of 2,487,743 common shares under our stock repurchase program. Net earnings decreased by $5,254,000, or 27.0%, which was principally due to a decrease in equity in earnings of affiliates due primarily to the Iraq Reconstruction Program coming to an end in late 2010.

Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared to

Year Ended December 31, 2008

Consulting Fee Revenue (“CFR”)

 

    2009      2008      Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $ 276,811        76.0%       $ 247,326        74.1%       $ 29,485        11.9%   

Construction Claims

    87,199        24.0%         86,556        25.9%         643        0.7%   
                                           

Total

  $     364,010        100.0%       $     333,882        100.0%       $     30,128        9.0%   
                                           

The increase in Hill’s CFR in 2009 compared to 2008 was comprised of 6.1% organic growth primarily from the Middle East and North Africa and 2.9% growth from acquisitions. CFR was negatively impacted by changes in exchange rates which decreased the reported amount by approximately $13,000,000.

During 2009, Hill’s project management CFR growth was comprised of 9.0% organic growth and 2.9% growth from acquisitions. The dollar increase in project management CFR consisted of a $33,306,000 increase in foreign projects and a decrease of $3,821,000 in domestic projects. The increase in foreign project management CFR was primarily due to a $26,789,000 increase generated in North Africa and $8,153,000 in the Middle East. Growth in North Africa was primarily due to two large contracts in Libya. Growth in our CFR in the Middle East had been strong primarily due to our involvement with the Iraq reconstruction efforts funded by the United States government and significant new work in Qatar. The decrease in domestic project management CFR was primarily due to decreased work in the Texas and New Jersey regions, partially offset by increased work in the Southwest region.

During 2009, Hill’s construction claims CFR increase of 0.7% was comprised of an organic 2.3% decrease offset by 3.0% growth from the acquisitions of PCI and Chitester. The dollar

 

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increase in construction claims CFR was primarily attributable to an increase in foreign construction claims CFR of $553,000 driven primarily by increased work in the Middle East and a decrease in CFR for the UK and Europe. The increase in domestic construction claims CFR of $90,000 was due primarily to PCI and Chitester which were acquired during the third and fourth quarters of 2008, respectively.

Reimbursable Expenses

 

    2009      2008      Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $ 55,176        95.5%       $ 42,607        91.4%       $ 12,569        29.5

Construction Claims

    2,596        4.5%         3,993        8.6%         (1,397     (35.0 )% 
                                           

Total

  $     57,772        100.0%       $     46,600        100.0%       $     11,172        24.0
                                           

Reimbursable expenses consist of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties and travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. These items are reflected as separate line items in both our revenue and cost of services captions in our consolidated statements of earnings. The increase in project management reimbursable expenses was partially due to a $12,790,000 increase in reimbursable subcontractors’ fees primarily in New York, Philadelphia and the Middle East. The decrease in construction claims reimbursable expenses was due to the decreased use of subcontractors overseas primarily in the UK and the Middle East.

Cost of Services

 

     2009    

% of

CFR

    2008    

% of

CFR

    Change  
        (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $ 168,449        80.6%        60.9%      $ 146,199        79.7%        59.1%      $ 22,250        15.2%   

Construction Claims

    40,603        19.4%        46.6%        37,286        20.3%        43.1%        3,317        8.9%   
                                             

Total

  $     209,052        100.0%        57.4%      $     183,485        100.0%        55.0%      $     25,567        13.9%   
                                             

Cost of services consists of labor expenses for time charged directly to contracts and non-reimbursable job related travel and out-of-pocket expenses. The increase in project management cost of services was primarily due to an increase in direct labor of $10,686,000 required to produce the higher volume of CFR and an increase in other direct costs of $7,919,000 in North Africa due to increased work.

The increase in the cost of services for construction claims was due primarily to an increase in direct labor of $1,397,000 in the Middle East due to increased CFR and an increase in other direct costs of $1,762,000 in the UK.

 

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Gross Profit

 

    2009    

% of

CFR

    2008    

% of

CFR

    Change  
    (dollars in thousands)  

Project Management

  $ 108,362        69.9%        39.1%      $ 101,127        67.2%        40.9%      $ 7,235        7.2

Construction Claims

    46,596        30.1%        53.4%        49,270        32.8%        56.9%        (2,674     (5.4 )% 
                                             

Total

  $     154,958        100.0%        42.6%      $     150,397        100.0%        45.0%      $     4,561        3.0
                                             

The increase in project management gross profit included $10,324,000 from foreign project management primarily attributable to increases in the Middle East, Europe and North Africa due to the increased CFR discussed above which was partially offset by decreased domestic gross profit of $3,100,000 primarily in New Jersey and Texas.

The decrease in construction claims gross profit of $2,674,000 included a decrease of $2,270,000 in the United Kingdom primarily due to the impact of a decrease of approximately 15% in the average British pound to U.S. dollar exchange rate from 2008 to 2009.

The decrease in the construction claims gross profit as a percentage of CFR was due primarily to decreases in the Middle East and in the United Kingdom. In the Middle East, average salary costs for new hires in the latter part of 2008 were higher than the existing staff resulting in lower margins. In the United Kingdom, the use of outside experts on one large project was billed at margins significantly lower than internal staff.

Selling, General and Administrative

(“SG&A”) Expenses

 

     2009      2008      Change  
     (dollars in thousands)  
           

% of
CFR

           

% of
CFR

               

SG&A Expenses

   $     136,683         37.5%       $     131,857         39.5%       $     4,826         3.7%   
                                   

The increase in SG&A expenses was partially attributable to an increase of $2,199,000 from the 2008 acquisitions of Gerens, Euromost, Chitester and PCI. The significant components of the change were as follows:

 

   

An increase in unapplied labor of $1,411,000 including $1,104,000 for Gerens, Euromost, Chitester and PCI. Unapplied labor represents the labor cost of operating staff for time charged to business development, administration, vacation, holiday and other non-billable tasks.

 

   

An increase in indirect labor expense of $4,206,000 supporting the increase in revenue of the operating segments.

 

   

An increase of $1,796,000 for bad debt expense including increases in the Middle East and North Africa of $1,283,000.

 

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A decrease of $1,296,000 in business development travel and related expenses due to cost reduction efforts.

 

   

A decrease in legal fees of $1,079,000 including a decrease of $533,000 for one domestic matter, and a decrease of $367,000 related to various international legal and tax matters.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliates

Our share of the earnings of affiliates, increased $4,564,000, from $3,658,000 in 2008 to $8,222,000 in 2009, primarily due to increased work in Iraq and the full year effect of Hill TMG which was formed in mid-2008.

Our share of the earnings of SBH, increased $4,136,000, from $3,065,000 in 2008 to $7,201,000 in 2009. SBH had a contract for an indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity for construction management and general architect-engineer services for facilities in Iraq with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Our share of the earnings of Hill TMG increased $424,000, from $593,000 in 2008 to $1,017,000 in 2009. Hill TMG is a joint venture formed in May 2008 between Talaat Moustafa Group Holding Co. (“TMG”), and Hill. Hill TMG managed the construction of several of TMG’s largest developments in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Operating Profit:

 

     2009      2008      Change  
     (dollars in thousands)  
          

% of
CFR

          

% of
CFR

              

Project Management before equity in earnings of affiliates

   $     35,095        12.7%       $     34,419        13.9%       $ 676        2.0%    

Equity in earnings of affiliates

     8,222        3.0%         3,658        1.5%         4,564        124.8%    
                                

Total Projects

     43,317        15.6%         38,077        15.4%         5,240        13.8%    

Construction Claims

     8,277        9.5%         9,480        11.0%         (1,203     (12.7)%   

Corporate

     (25,097        (25,359        262        (1.0)%   
                                

Total

   $ 26,497        7.3%       $ 22,198        6.6%       $     4,299        19.4%    
                                

Total operating profit increased principally due to higher CFR, gross profit and equity in earnings of affiliates, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses in the project management group.

Operating profit for the Project Management Group increased primarily due to an increase of $9,850,000 in foreign project management partially offset by a decrease of $4,610,000 for domestic operations. The increase in foreign project management included an increase of $7,572,000 in North Africa including an increase of $425,000 in equity from earnings of affiliates and an increase in Iraq of $5,294,000 including an increase in equity from earnings of affiliates of $4,136,000. The decrease in domestic project management included decreases of $4,288,000 in New Jersey and Texas where CFR decreased by $6,230,000.

 

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Operating profit for the Construction Claims Group decreased due to a decrease of $658,000 from foreign operations and a decrease of $545,000 from domestic operations. The decrease in foreign claims management operating profit included a decrease of $1,043,000 in the United Kingdom caused primarily by the impact of a decrease of approximately 15% in the average British pound to U.S. dollar exchange rate from 2008 to 2009. The decrease in domestic claims operating profit included decreases of $1,053,000 in New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Las Vegas, partially offset by increases of $764,000 from Chitester and PCI which were acquired in 2008.

Corporate expenses decreased due to the following:

 

   

A net increase of $2,071,000 in indirect labor due to the full-year impact of the 2008 new hires, partially offset by staff reductions in 2009.

 

   

A decrease of $734,000 in legal fees including a decrease of $533,000 for one domestic matter and a decrease of $367,000 for related to various international legal and tax matters.

 

   

A decrease of $462,000 in administrative travel expenses due to cost cutting measures including planned reductions on non-billable travel.

 

   

A decrease of $456,000 for computer software, maintenance and consulting support as a result of cost efficiencies.

 

   

A decrease of $377,000 in advertising costs as a result of cost cutting measures.

 

   

A decrease of $232,000 in accounting fees due to a reduction in audit fees and Sarbanes-Oxley related consulting.

Interest Expense (Income), net

Net interest expense increased $1,871,000 to $1,737,000 in 2009 as compared with a net interest income of $134,000 in 2008, primarily due to increased borrowing under the Company’s senior credit facility to support our working capital needs and to provide funds for acquisitions in 2008.

Income Taxes

In 2009, income tax expense increased by $923,000 to $4,577,000 compared to $3,654,000 in 2008.

The effective income tax expense rates for 2009 and 2008 were 18.5% and 16.4%, respectively. Our effective tax rate continues to remain low since a substantial portion of our profit comes from foreign operations which are taxed at lower rates, if at all.

In addition, three items materially affected the Company’s effective tax rate during 2009. The Company realized substantial benefits from the reversal of a prior year’s uncertain tax position amounting to $1,741,000 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations upon the filing of certain income tax returns. An income tax benefit of $1,650,000, net of an income tax

 

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payment of $495,000 arising from the audit of a prior year tax return, resulted from adjustments to agree the 2008 book amount to the actual amounts reported on the tax returns, primarily related to foreign operations. These benefits were partially offset by the recognition of an $887,000 tax effect on unrealized foreign exchange gains generated in the United Kingdom which are included as income on the local tax returns and an increase in the reserves for uncertain tax positions of $900,000, related primarily to uncertain tax positions of foreign operations. Excluding these items our effective tax rate would have been 25.0% in 2009.

In 2008, the Company realized substantial benefits from the reversal of a prior year’s uncertain tax position amounting to $2,506,000 and unrealized foreign exchange losses of $1,700,000 generated in the United Kingdom. These benefits were partially offset by a modification of $1,638,000 to the cash to accrual adjustment which was required when the Company became a publicly-held entity in 2006. Excluding these items our effective tax rate would have been 27.2% in 2008.

Net Earnings Attributable to Hill

Our net earnings for 2009 were $19,470,000, or $0.49 per diluted common share based upon 40,124,000 diluted common shares outstanding, as compared to net earnings for 2008 of $17,651,000, or $0.43 per diluted common share based upon 41,148,000 diluted common shares outstanding. The diluted earnings per share for 2009 were impacted by a change in diluted shares outstanding as a result of (i) the issuance of 1,000,000 shares in connection with the earn-out provisions of the merger agreement with Arpeggio and (ii) the repurchase of 2,487,743 common shares under our stock repurchase program. Net earnings improved by $1,819,000 or 10.3%, which was principally due to an increase in CFR, and an increase in gross profit, partially offset by higher SG&A expenses as a result of our overall growth and a higher effective income tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have historically funded our business activities with cash flow from operations and borrowings under various credit facilities.

Credit Facilities

We have a credit facility providing the ability to borrow up to $100,000,000. The credit facility has been made pursuant to the terms of a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) dated as of June 30, 2009 among the Company, Bank of America, N.A., Capital One, N.A., The PrivateBank and Trust Company and PNC Bank N.A. The Credit Agreement also provides for a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $30,000,000. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are collateralized by all of our assets, including, without limitation, accounts receivable, equipment, securities, financial assets and the proceeds of the foregoing, as well as by a pledge of 65% of the outstanding capital stock of our wholly owned subsidiary, Hill International S.A. The Credit Agreement expires on June 30, 2012. We incurred costs of approximately $1,741,000 in connection with establishing the new credit facility. Such costs have been deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the life of the loan.

 

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The Credit Agreement provides for Base Rate loans and Eurodollar Rate loans. Base Rate loans bear interest at a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) the highest of (i) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5%, (ii) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate” and (iii) the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.00%, plus (b) an Applicable Rate which may vary between 1.75% and 2.50% depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio at the time of the borrowing. Eurodollar Rate loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate plus an Applicable Rate which may vary between 2.75% and 3.50% depending on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio at the time of the borrowing.

The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants regarding our consolidated net worth, consolidated leverage ratio, consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and the ratio of consolidated billed and unbilled accounts receivable to consolidated senior indebtedness, as well as other covenants and certain restrictions on the incurrence of debt, on the making of investments, on the payment of dividends, on transactions with affiliates and other affirmative and negative covenants and events of default customary for facilities of its type. At December 31, 2010, we were in violation of the loan covenants related to additional debt and consolidated leverage ratio. We have received a waiver of those violations from the lenders.

At December 31, 2010, total borrowings under the Credit Agreement amounted to $61,300,000 with interest at 4.72%. As of December 31, 2010, we had $12,509,000 in outstanding letters of credit which reduced availability under the credit facility. Due to the limitations of the ratio of our consolidated billed and unbilled accounts receivable to consolidated senior indebtedness, total remaining availability at December 31, 2010 was $13,261,000.

We currently have five additional credit facilities with international financial institutions as follows:

 

   

A credit facility with a bank in the Middle East for 11,500,000 AED (approximately $3,131,000 at December 31, 2010) collateralized by certain overseas receivables. The interest rate on that facility is the three-month Emirates InterBank Offer Rate (“EIBOR”), which at December 31, 2009 was 1.64%, plus 3.0%, (or 4.64%) but no less than 5.50%. At December 31, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility. The facility also allows for up to 150,000,000 AED (approximately $40,836,000 at December 31, 2010) in Letters of Guarantee of which 93,992,000 AED (approximately $25,588,000) was utilized December 31, 2010. This facility expired on August 27, 2010 and is being renewed on a month to month basis.

 

   

A revolving credit loan payable with a European bank up to €1,000,000 (approximately $1,330,000 at December 31, 2010), with interest rates at 2.50% plus Egnatia Bank’s prime rate of 6.0% (or 8.50%) at December 31, 2010 collateralized by certain of our assets. The facility also allows for letters of guarantee up to €4,500,000

 

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(approximately $5,985,000) of which €1,098,000 (approximately $1,460,000) had been utilized at December 31, 2010. The loan has an expiration date of April 30, 2011. We intend to renew this facility prior to the expiration date.

 

   

An unsecured credit facility with a bank in Spain for €750,000 (approximately $997,000 at December 31, 2010). The interest rate on that facility is the three-month EURIBOR rate which at December 31, 2010 was 1.01 %, plus 1.75%, or 2.76%. At December 31, 2010 there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility which expires on December 24, 2011.

 

   

A revolving credit loan payable to Barclays Bank PLC up to £500,000 (approximately $772,000 at December 31, 2010) with interest at 2.0% plus the Bank of England rate of 0.5% (or 2.5%) at December 31, 2010 collateralized by cross guarantees of all United Kingdom companies. Aggregate of all debt owing to the bank will be, at all times, covered 3 times by the aggregate value of the UK accounts receivable less than 90 days old and excluding any receivables which are due from any associate or subsidiary company. The loan has an indeterminate term and is subject to annual review by the bank.

 

   

A revolving credit facility with 12 banks in Spain (“Financing Entities”) providing for total borrowings of up to €4,870,000 (approximately $6,477,000) with interest at 6.5% which was fully utilized at December 31, 2010. The total amount being financed by each Financing Entity is between €379,000 (approximately $504,000) and €639,000 (approximately $850,000). The facility expires on December 17, 2016. The maximum available amount will be reduced to 75.0% at December 31, 2014 and 50.0% at December 31, 2015. To guarantee the obligations of Gerens resulting from the Credit Contracts, Gerens took out a guarantee in favor of each one of the Financing Entities, which, additionally, and solely in the case of an unremedied failure to make payment, and at the request of each of the Financing Entities, shall grant a first ranking pledge over a given percentage of corporate shares of Hill International Brasil Participações Ltda. for the principal, interest, fees, expenses or any other amount owed by virtue of the Credit Contracts, coinciding with the percentage of credit of each Financing Entity with respect to the total outstanding borrowings.

Uncertainties With Respect to Operations in North Africa and the Middle East

We currently have active contracts in Libya, Egypt and certain areas of the Middle East. Due to the recent political unrest in Libya, we have suspended our operations in, and removed substantially all of our personnel from Libya. We are unable to predict when, or if, the work in Libya will resume. At December 31, 2010, the accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in the region was as follows: Libya $61,445,000, Egypt $5,467,000 and the Middle East $41,265,000. We are unable to determine the effect these crises will have on the collectibility of the aforementioned accounts receivable. We believe that the amounts due will be collected, however, if we are unable to do so, there could be a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

 

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Additional Capital Requirements

Acquisitions

On February 28, 2011, our subsidiary, Gerens Hill International, S.A. acquired an indirect 60% interest in Engineering S.A., a firm located in Brazil, for cash amounting to 22,200,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $13,392,000 on that date). Minimum additional payments are due on each of April 30, 2012 and 2013 in the amount of 7,400,000 Brazilian Reais (approximately $4,464,000 each). Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to pay 5,000,000 Brazilian Reais ($3,016,000) in addition to the minimum payments.

Operations

We experience lags between receipt of fees from our clients and payment of our costs. In order to continue our growth, and in light of the cash obligations described above, we have a credit agreement that allows for borrowings up to $100,000,000 with a consortium of banks led by Bank of America. At December 31, 2010, availability under the credit agreement was $13,261,000. However, we may seek additional debt financing beyond this amount.

Sources of Additional Capital

At December 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents amounted to approximately $39,406,000, of which $1,721,000 is on deposit in the U.S. and $37,685,000 on deposit in foreign locations, some of which may restrict its availability. Under certain circumstances, we may be able to increase availability under our Credit Agreement by up to $50,000,000. We cannot provide any assurance that this or any other sources of financing will be available, or if available, that the financing will be on terms acceptable to us.

Cash Flow Activity during the Year Ended December 31, 2010

For the year ended 2010, our cash increased by $8,483,000 to $39,406,000. Cash used in operations was $15,665,000, cash used in investing activities was $17,799,000 and cash provided by financing activities was $38,249,000. We also experienced an increase in cash of $3,698,000 from the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $15,665,000. Cash used in operations is comprised of consolidated net earnings of $14,994,000 adjusted by non-cash items and working capital changes such as:

 

   

depreciation and amortization of $10,001,000;

 

   

equity in earnings of affiliates of $1,503,000;

 

   

bad debt expense of $2,234,000;

 

   

a deferred tax benefit of $4,950,000;

 

   

stock-based compensation expense of $1,159,000; and

 

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issuance of restricted stock of $1,033,000.

Working capital changes which increased cash included the following:

 

   

a decrease in accounts receivable—affiliates of $3,933,000 due to the timing of collections from SBH and Hill TMG;

 

   

a decrease in prepaid and other current assets of $1,041,000 primarily due to the timing of payments for various selling, general and administrative expenses;

 

   

an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $19,592,000, principally due to the growth of the business;

 

   

an increase in retainage payable of $1,017,000 principally related to the timing of retainage payments in New York.

Working capital changes which decreased cash included the following:

 

   

an increase in accounts receivable of $56,811,000 due primarily to the delay of collections in Libya and to acquisitions;

 

   

a decrease in other current liabilities of $3,732,000; and

 

   

a decrease in deferred revenue of $1,935,000, principally due to the timing of advance payments on projects overseas.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $17,799,000. We spent $4,372,000 to purchase computers, office equipment, furniture and fixtures and used $15,687,000, net of cash acquired, on the MLL, dck and TCM acquisitions. We also received $2,624,000 as distributions from affiliates, principally SBH.

Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $38,249,000. We received $43,208,000 in net borrowings under our credit facilities and we also received $215,000 from the exercise of stock options and purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. We made payments on notes payable amounting to $1,972,000. We also spent $9,328,000 to repurchase 2,182,000 shares of our common stock under our repurchase program. Due to bank increased $3,619,000 due to the timing of certain payments which were disbursed but not immediately funded by the bank.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that is to be applied to financial asset transfers on or after the effective date, which was January 1, 2010 for our financial statements. The standard limits the circumstances in which a financial asset may be de-recognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset or has

 

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continuing involvement with the transferred asset. The concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, which had previously facilitated sale accounting for certain asset transfers, has been eliminated. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, FASB amended an accounting standard which deals with accounting for variable interest entities. The amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The amendment changes the process for how an enterprise determines which party consolidates a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to a primarily qualitative analysis. The amendment defines the party that consolidates the VIE (the primary beneficiary) as the party with (1) the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. Upon adoption of the amendment, reporting enterprises must reconsider their conclusions on whether an entity should be consolidated and should a change result, the effect on net assets will be recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Quarterly Fluctuations

Our operating results vary from period to period as a result of the timing of projects and the growth of our business. We do not believe that our business is seasonal.

Inflation

Although we are subject to fluctuations in the local currencies of the counties in which we operate, we do not believe that inflation will have a significant effect on our results of operations or our financial position.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

    (in thousands)    Total      2011      2012 - 2013      2014 - 2015      2016 and
later
 

Performance and advance payment bonds (1)

   $ 26,659       $ 14,320       $ 12,153       $       $ 186   

Bid bonds (2)

     3,800         3,800                           

Letters of credit (3)

     12,545         10,966         1,245         334           
                                            
   $ 43,004       $ 29,086       $ 13,398       $ 334       $ 186   
                                            

 

  (1)

Represents guarantee of service performance bonds issued through international banks required under certain international contracts.

  (2)

Represents bid bonds issued through international banks as part of the bidding process for new work to demonstrate our financial strength. These bonds are usually outstanding for short periods.

  (3)

Represents letters of credit issued through a domestic bank in connection with securing a judgment against us and in support for certain performance, advance payments and bid bonds.

 

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Contractual Obligations

 

(in thousands)    Total      2011      2012 - 2013      2014 – 2015      2016 and
later
 

Long-term debt obligations

   $ 70,056       $ 2,278         $  61,303         $  3,238       $ 3,237   

Interest expense on notes payable (1)

     6,583         3,349         2,287         737         210   

Operating lease obligations (2)

     38,972         10,660         12,975         5,884         9,453   
                                            
   $ 115,611       $ 16,287         $  76,565         $  9,859       $   12,900   
                                            

 

  (1)

Estimated using the interest rates in effect at December 31, 2010.

  (2)

Represents future minimum rental commitments under non-cancelable leases which comprise the majority of the operating lease obligations presented above. The Company expects to fund these commitments with existing cash and cash flow from operations.

 

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations and changes in interest rates.

Foreign Exchange Rates

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk resulting from our operations outside of the U.S. which are denominated in British pounds sterling, Euros, U.A.E. dirhams, Libyan dinars, Polish zloty as well as other currencies. We do not comprehensively hedge our exposure to currency rate changes; however, we limit exposure to foreign currency fluctuations in most of our contracts through provisions that require client payments to be in currencies corresponding to the currency in which costs are incurred. As a result, we currently do not hedge foreign currency cash flows for contract work performed, although we may do so in the future. The functional currency of our significant foreign operations is the local currency.

Interest Rates

All of our borrowings under our revolving credit facilities bear interest at variable rates. If market interest rates had changed by 100 basis points, interest expense and our cash flows would have changed by $531,000 and $515,000, respectively.

 

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     December 31, 2010     December 31, 2009  
Assets     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 39,406      $ 30,923   

Cash - restricted

     2,527        2,690   

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $9,457 and $9,780

     180,856        130,900   

Accounts receivable - affiliate

     3,230        7,163   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     8,834        10,146   

Income taxes receivable

     1,138        902   

Deferred income tax assets

     1,475        878   
                

Total current assets

     237,466        183,602   

Property and equipment, net

     11,926        11,576   

Cash - restricted, net of current portion

     4,040        1,711   

Retainage receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 and $38

     3,102        1,774   

Acquired intangibles, net

     26,709        21,885   

Goodwill

     57,310        46,025   

Investments

     10,962        13,196   

Deferred income tax assets

     8,918        4,162   

Other assets

     10,418        7,608   
                

Total assets

   $ 370,851      $ 291,539   
                
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity     

Due to bank

   $ 4,903      $ 1,449   

Current maturities of notes payable

     2,278        1,972   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     72,215        53,158   

Income taxes payable

     2,931        4,722   

Deferred revenue

     15,620        15,401   

Deferred income taxes

     396        432   

Other current liabilities

     6,122        5,523   
                

Total current liabilities

     104,465        82,657   

Notes payable, net of current maturities

     67,778        24,823   

Retainage payable

     3,701        2,684   

Deferred income taxes

     11,275        8,728   

Deferred revenue

     1,747        2,537   

Other liabilities

     13,789        10,470   
                

Total liabilities

     202,755        131,899   
                

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

     -          -     

Common stock, $.0001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized, 44,686,148 shares and 43,530,113 shares issued at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

     4        4   

Additional paid-in capital

     123,762        121,230   

Retained earnings

     79,643        65,427   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (14,552     (12,588
                
     188,857        174,073   

Less treasury stock of 6,433,651 shares at December 31, 2010 and 4,251,854 shares at December 31, 2009, at cost

     (27,766     (18,438
        

Hill International, Inc. share of equity

     161,091        155,635   

Noncontrolling interests

     7,005        4,005   
                

Total equity

     168,096        159,640   
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 370,851      $ 291,539   
                

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years ended December 31,  
     2010     2009     2008  

Consulting fee revenue

   $     382,099      $     364,010      $     333,882   

Reimbursable expenses

     69,659        57,772        46,600   
                        

Total revenue

     451,758        421,782        380,482   
                        

Cost of services

     213,349        209,052        183,485   

Reimbursable expenses

     69,659        57,772        46,600   
                        

Total direct expenses

     283,008        266,824        230,085   
                        

Gross profit

     168,750        154,958        150,397   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     151,634        136,683        131,857   

Equity in earnings of affiliates

     (1,503     (8,222     (3,658
                        

Operating profit

     18,619        26,497        22,198   

Interest expense (income), net

     3,144        1,737        (134
                        

Earnings before provision for income taxes

     15,475        24,760        22,332   

Provision for income taxes

     481        4,577        3,654   
                        

Consolidated net earnings

     14,994        20,183        18,678   

Less: net earnings - non controlling interests

     778        713        1,027   
                        

Net earnings attributable to Hill International, Inc.

   $ 14,216      $ 19,470      $ 17,651   
                        

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.36      $ 0.49      $ 0.43   
                        

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding

     39,258        39,659        40,809   
                        

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.36      $ 0.49      $ 0.43   
                        

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

     39,824        40,124        41,148   
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(in thousands)

 

    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-in Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Earnings/(Loss)
    Treasury Stock     Shares Held in Escrow   Hill
Share of
Stockholders’
Equity
    Noncontrolling
Interests
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
    Shares Issued     Amount           Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount      

Balance - December 31, 2007

    38,953      $ 4      $ 106,481      $ 28,306      $ 257        599      $ (3,327     755      $(3,350)   $ 128,371      $ 259      $ 128,630   

Net earnings

    -        -        -        17,651        -        -        -        -      -     17,651        1,027        18,678   

Noncontrolling interests arising from acquisition of Gerens

    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        2,582        2,582   

Issuance of common stock for earnout

    2,300        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        -        -   

Stock-based compensation expense

    -        -        1,630        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,630        -        1,630   

Issuance of restricted stock

    67        -        1,099        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,099        -        1,099   

Stock options exercised

    19        -        146        -        -        -        -        -      -     146        -        146   

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

    159        -        959        -        -        -        -        -      -     959        -        959   

Shares issued in satisfaction of contingent consideration

    134        -        1,955        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,955        -        1,955   

Shares issued for acquisition of PCI

    83        -        1,300        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,300        -        1,300   

Transfer of shares held in escrow

    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        (452   3,350     3,350        -        3,350   

Purchase of treasury stock

    -        -        -        -        -        1,165        (5,939     -      -     (5,939     -        (5,939

Tax effect of imputed interest

    -        -        985        -        -        -        -        -      -     985        -        985   

Other comprehensive loss

    -        -        -        -        (16,001     -        -        -      -     (16,001     (358     (16,359
                                                                                           

Balance - December 31, 2008

    41,715        4        114,555        45,957        (15,744     1,764        (9,266     303      -     135,506        3,510        139,016   

Net earnings

    -        -        -        19,470        -        -        -        -      -     19,470        713        20,183   

Issuance of common stock for earnout

    1,000        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        -        -   

Issuance of restricted stock

    66        -        1,013        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,013        -        1,013   

Stock issued to Board of Directors

    66        -        274        -        -        -        -        -      -     274        -        274   

Stock-based compensation expense

    -        -        825        -        -        -        -        -      -     825        -        825   

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

    121        -        372        -        -        -        -        -      -     372        -        372   

Shares issued in satisfaction of contingent consideration

    133        -        1,650        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,650        -        1,650   

Shares issued for acquisitions

    429        -        2,736        -        -        -        -        -      -     2,736        -        2,736   

Tax effect of imputed interest

    -        -        131        -        -        -        -        -      -     131        -        131   

Tax effect of restricted stock

    -        -        (326     -        -        -        -        -      -     (326     -        (326

Purchase of treasury stock

    -        -        -        -        -        2,488        (9,172     -      -     (9,172     -        (9,172

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    -        -        -        -        3,156        -        -        -      -     3,156        (218     2,938   
                                                                                           

Balance - December 31, 2009

    43,530        4        121,230        65,427        (12,588     4,252        (18,438     303      -     155,635        4,005        159,640   

Net earnings

    -        -        -        14,216        -        -        -        -      -     14,216        778        14,994   

Issuance of common stock for earnout

    1,000        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        -        -   

Issuance of restricted stock

    63        -        1,033        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,033        -        1,033   

Stock issued to Board of Directors

    35        -        150        -        -        -        -        -      -     150        -        150   

Stock-based compensation expense

    -        -        1,063        -        -        -        -        -      -     1,063        -        1,063   

Shares issued under employee stock purchase plan

    53        -        215        -        -        -        -        -      -     215        -        215   

Exercise of stock options

    5        -        12        -        -        -        -        -      -     12        -        12   

Tax effect of imputed interest

    -        -        313        -        -        -        -        -      -     313        -        313   

Tax effect of restricted stock

    -        -        (254     -        -        -        -        -      -     (254     -        (254

Purchase of treasury stock

    -        -        -        -        -        2,182        (9,328     -      -     (9,328     -        (9,328

Acquisition of additional interest in subsidiary

    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        (166     (166

Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests

    -        -        -        -        -        -        -        -      -     -        2,495        2,495   

Other comprehensive loss

    -        -        -        -        (1,964     -        -        (290   -     (1,964     (107     (2,071
                                                                                           

Balance - December 31, 2010

    44,686      $ 4      $ 123,762      $  79,643      $ (14,552     6,434      $ (27,766     13      $    -         $ 161,091      $ 7,005      $ 168,096   
                                                                                           

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Consolidated net earnings

   $ 14,994      $ 20,183      $ 18,678   

Foreign currency translation, net of tax

     (2,216     2,967        (16,359

Other, net

     145        (29     -     
                        

Comprehensive earnings

     12,923        23,121        2,319   

Comprehensive earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

     670        495        669   
                        

Comprehensive earnings attributable to Hill International, Inc.

   $ 12,253      $ 22,626      $ 1,650   
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008

(In thousands)

 

     2010     2009     2008  

Cash flows from operating activities:

      

Consolidated net earnings

   $ 14,994      $ 20,183      $ 18,678   
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:       

Depreciation and amortization

     10,001        7,343        6,385   

Equity in earnings of affiliates

     (1,503     (8,222     (3,658

Provision for bad debts

     2,234        5,156        3,361   

Deferred tax (benefit) provision

     (4,950     319        (4,004

Stock based compensation

     1,159        1,098        1,630   

Issuance of restricted stock

     1,033        1,013        1,099   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

      

Accounts receivable

     (56,811     (13,925     (23,940

Accounts receivable – affiliate

     3,933        1,973        (5,742

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,041        (1,229     (4,278

Income taxes receivable

     (271     (321     (29

Retainage receivable

     (1,328     (859     (95

Other assets

     (2,687     480        (1,652

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     19,592        2,071        3,078   

Income taxes payable

     (992     1,822        (3,531

Deferred revenue

     (1,935     (2,435     1,621   

Other current liabilities

     (3,732     (1,301     (1,302

Retainage payable

     1,017        1,059        544   

Other liabilities

     3,540        (42     1,029   
                        

Net cash flow (used in) provided by operating activities

     (15,665     14,183        (10,806
                        

Cash flows from investing activities:

      

Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (15,687     (3,806     (36,937

Distributions from affiliate

     2,624        7,359        2,844   

Contribution to affiliate

     (198     (284     -     

Payments for purchase of property and equipment

     (4,372     (2,779     (6,882

Purchase of additional interest in subsidiary

     (166     -          -     
                        

Net cash flow (used in) provided by investing activities

     (17,799     490        (40,975
                        

Cash flows from financing activities:

      

Due to bank

     3,619        (1,471     2,047   

Payments on notes payable

     (1,972     (1,219     (901

Net borrowings on revolving loans

     43,208        10,186        13,888   

Deferred loan costs

     -          (1,741     -     

Capital contribution from noncontrolling interests

     2,495        -          -     

Proceeds from stock issued under employee stock purchase plan

     215        372        113   

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     12        -          -     

Purchase of treasury stock under stock repurchase program

     (9,328     (9,172     (5,939
                        

Net cash flow provided by (used in) financing activities

     38,249        (3,045     9,208   
                        

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     3,698        (1,135     (3,125
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     8,483        10,493        (45,698

Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of year

     30,923        20,430        66,128   
                        

Cash and cash equivalents – end of year

   $ 39,406      $ 30,923      $ 20,430   
                        

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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HILL INTERNATIONAL, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Company

Hill International, Inc. (“Hill” or the “Company”) is a construction consulting firm headquartered in Marlton, New Jersey that provides both fee-based project management and construction claims consulting services to clients worldwide. Hill’s clients include the U.S. federal government, U.S. state and local governments, foreign governments and the private sector. The Company is organized into two key operating divisions: the Project Management Group and the Construction Claims Group.

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(a)      Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Hill International, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company was incorporated in Delaware on April 2, 2004 as Arpeggio Acquisition Corporation (“Arpeggio”), a specified purpose acquisition corporation, the objective of which was to acquire an operating business in the United States or Canada.

Merger and Accounting Treatment

On June 28, 2006, Arpeggio consummated a merger with Hill International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Old Hill”), in which Old Hill merged with and into Arpeggio pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger dated December 5, 2005, as amended (the “Merger Agreement”), among Arpeggio, Old Hill and certain stockholders of Old Hill. The stockholders of Old Hill received 14,500,000 shares of Arpeggio’s common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding common shares of Old Hill.

Twelve percent or 1,740,000 of the 14,500,000 shares of Arpeggio common stock issued to the Old Hill stockholders at the time of the merger were placed into escrow to secure the indemnity rights of Arpeggio under the Merger Agreement and are governed by the terms of an escrow agreement. The shares were divided into two tranches: (a) 1,450,000 shares to cover non-tax indemnities (“Basic Indemnity Shares”) and (b) 290,000 shares to cover tax indemnities (“Tax Indemnity Shares”). These shares, minus any shares applied in satisfaction of a claim for indemnification, were to be returned to the stockholders on the following dates: April 30, 2007 for the Basic Indemnity Shares and December 31, 2010 for the Tax Indemnity Shares. As of December 31, 2010, a total of 1,656,965 of the Basic Indemnity Shares have been released to the stockholders and a total of 69,540 shares have been placed in treasury in satisfaction of certain indemnification claims. The remaining 13,495 Basic Indemnity Shares have been retained in escrow.

 

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The Merger Agreement also provides for Old Hill’s stockholders to receive up to an additional 6,600,000 shares of the combined company’s common stock, contingent upon the combined company attaining certain earnings targets for 2006 through 2009. The Company met the earnings targets for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2006 and for the years ended December 31, 2007, 2008 and 2009, and therefore the Company issued 2,300,000 shares of its common stock in each of 2007 and 2008 and issued 1,000,000 shares in each of 2009 and 2010.

(b)      Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The estimates affecting the consolidated financial statements that are particularly significant include revenue recognition, allocation of purchase price to acquired intangibles and goodwill, recoverability of long-lived assets, income taxes, allowance for doubtful accounts and commitments and contingencies.

(c)      Foreign Currency Translations and Transactions

Assets and liabilities of all foreign operations are translated at year-end rates of exchange, and the statements of operations are translated at the average rates of exchange for the year. Gains or losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are accumulated in a separate component of stockholders’ equity until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.

Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the entity’s local currency) are included in net earnings.

(d)      Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of financial instruments, which primarily consists of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and due to bank, approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates its fair value as the interest rate is variable.

(e)      Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and investments in money market funds and investment grade securities held with high quality financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

 

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(f)      Restricted Cash

Restricted cash primarily represents advance payments from clients required to be maintained in foreign bank accounts to serve as collateral for bonds or guarantees on several projects. The cash will remain restricted until the respective project has been completed, which typically is greater than one year.

(g)      Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and accounts receivable.

The Company maintains its cash accounts with high quality financial institutions. Although the Company currently believes that the financial institutions, with which it does business, will be able to fulfill their commitments to it, there is no assurance that those institutions will be able to continue to do so.

The Company provides professional services, under contractual arrangements, to domestic and foreign governmental units, institutions and the private sector. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its clients and does not require collateral beyond customary retainers.

At December 31, 2010, the accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in Libya, Egypt and the Middle East amounted to $61,445,000, $5,467,000 and $41,265,000, respectively. We believe that the amounts due will be collected, however, if future events preclude our ability to do so, there could be a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

The Company had one client that accounted for 13% of total revenue in 2010, one client that accounted for 11% of total revenue in 2009 and no client that accounted for 10% or more of total revenue in 2008.

The Company had one client that accounted for 33% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2010 and one client that accounted for 17% of accounts receivable at December 31, 2009.

The Company has several contracts with U.S. federal government agencies that accounted for 6%, 11%, and 12% of total revenue during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

(h)      Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is an estimate prepared by management based on identification of the collectibility of specific accounts and the overall condition of the receivable portfolios. When evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, the Company specifically analyzes trade receivables, including retainage receivable, historical bad debts, client credits, client concentrations, client credit worthiness, current economic trends, political risks in foreign countries and changes in client payment terms. If the financial

 

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condition of clients were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize more of its receivables in the future than previously estimated, an adjustment to the allowance would increase earnings in the period such determination was made. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjustments are recorded as deemed necessary.

(i)      Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

 

    

Method

  

Estimated Useful Life

Furniture and equipment

   Straight-line   

10 years

Leasehold improvements

   Straight-line   

Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term

Computer equipment and software

   Straight-line    3 to 5 years

Automobiles

   Straight-line    5 years

The Company capitalizes costs associated with internally developed and/or purchased software systems that have reached the application development stage and meet recoverability tests. Capitalized costs include external direct costs of materials and services utilized in developing or obtaining internal-use software, payroll and payroll-related expenses for employees who are directly associated with and devote time to the internal-use software project. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases no later than the point at which the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Costs for general and administrative, overhead, maintenance and training, as well as the cost of software that does not add functionality to existing systems, are expensed as incurred.

Upon retirement or other disposition of these assets, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in results of operations. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and renewals of minor items are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.

(j)      Retainage Receivable

Retainage receivable represents balances billed but not paid by clients pursuant to retainage provisions in the construction management contracts and will be due upon completion of specific tasks or the completion of the contract. The current portion of retainage receivable is included in accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets. The long-term portion of retainage receivable is included in retainage receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

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(k)      Long-Lived Assets

Acquired intangible assets consist of contract rights, client related intangibles and trade names arising from the Company’s acquisitions. Contract rights represent the fair value of contracts in progress and backlog of an acquired entity. These assets are amortized over their estimated lives which range from three to ten years.

The Company reviews long-lived assets to be held-and-used for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows over the remaining useful life of a long-lived asset is less than its carrying amount, the asset is considered to be impaired. Impairment losses are measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. When fair values are not available, the Company estimates fair value using the expected future cash flow discounted at a rate commensurate with the risks associated with the recovery of the asset. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

(l)      Goodwill

Goodwill consists of the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations accounted for as purchases.

The Company performs an annual impairment test for goodwill. The first step of the impairment test requires that the Company determine the fair value of each reporting unit, and compare the fair value to the reporting unit’s carrying amount. To the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an indication exists that the reporting unit’s goodwill may be impaired and the Company must perform a second more detailed assessment. The second assessment involves allocating the reporting unit’s fair value to all of its recognized and unrecognized assets and liabilities in order to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill as of the assessment date. The implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is then compared to the carrying amount of goodwill to quantify an impairment charge as of the assessment date.

Application of the goodwill impairment test requires significant judgments including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for the businesses, the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and/or conclusions on goodwill impairment for each reporting unit. The Company performed its annual impairment test effective July 1, 2010 and noted no impairment for either of its reporting units. In the future, the Company will continue to perform the annual test during its fiscal third quarter unless events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred before that time.

 

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(m)      Investments

Gerens Hill International, S.A.

In connection with the 2008 acquisition of Gerens Hill International, S.A. (“Gerens”), the Company obtained the following cost method investments:

 

   

Concessia, Cartera y Gestion de Infrastructuras, S.A. – Gerens paid $1,602,000 for a 5.16% interest in this entity. This entity invests in the equity of companies which finance, construct and operate various public and private infrastructure projects. The payment represents 25% of the total required capital contribution. Gerens has accrued the remaining commitment of approximately $4,805,000 and has included that amount in the cost of the investment and in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

   

Neuvo Hospital de Burgos, S.A. – Gerens paid $2,247,000 for a 5% interest in this entity. Upon completion of construction, this entity will operate the hospital for a period of up to 27 years. The payment represents 92% of the total required capital contribution. Gerens has accrued the remaining commitment of approximately $187,000 and has included that amount in the cost of the investment and in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

   

Nuevo Parque de Bomberos Mallorca, S.A. – Gerens’ investment amounts to approximately $298,000 which represents a 10% fully-paid interest in this entity which will construct and finance certain public works facilities located in Mallorca. Upon completion of the construction phase, the facilities will be sold to the municipality.

Stanley Baker Hill, LLC

The Company owns a one-third interest in Stanley Baker Hill, LLC (“SBH”), which is accounted for using the equity method. SBH was formed in February 2004 for the purpose of providing various architect-engineer and construction management services in connection with the Iraq Reconstruction Program. The Iraq Reconstruction Program has been completed and this joint venture is in the process of being liquidated.

Hill/TMG Joint Venture

The Company owns a 50% interest in the members’ equity of Hill/TMG Joint Venture (“Hill TMG”), which is accounted for using the equity method. Hill TMG was formed in May 2008 between Talaat Moustafa Group Holding Co. (“TMG”) and Hill. Hill TMG is managing the construction of several of TMG’s largest developments in Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Other

The Company will, in the ordinary course, form joint ventures for specific projects. These joint ventures typically require limited or no investment and provide a pass-through for the Company’s billings. Any distributions in excess of the Company’s billings are accounted for as income when received.

 

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(n)      Due to Bank

Under the Company’s cash-management system, certain cash accounts reflect credit balances to the extent checks were disbursed but not immediately funded at the bank. The Company manages this process daily and ensures all checks are funded when presented. The amounts of these credit balances were approximately $4,903,000 and $1,449,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(o)      Deferred Revenue

In certain instances the Company may collect advance payments from clients for future services. Upon receipt, the payments are reflected as deferred revenue in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As the services are performed, the Company reduces the balance and recognizes revenue.

(p)      Deferred Rent

Rent expenses for operating leases which include scheduled rent increases is determined by expensing the total amount of rent due over the life of the operating lease on a straight-line basis. The difference between the rent paid under the terms of the lease and the rent expensed on a straight-line basis is recorded as a liability. The non-current portion of deferred rent at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $1,741,000 and $1,057,000, respectively, and is included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The current portion of deferred rent at December 31, 2010 and 2009 was $375,000 and $262,000, respectively, and is included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

(q)      Income Taxes

The Company estimates income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates. This process involves estimating its actual current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company assesses the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent it believes recovery is not likely, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. To the extent the Company establishes a valuation allowance in a period, it must include an expense within the tax provision in the consolidated statements of earnings. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more likely to be realized in future years. If the Company determines in the future that it is more likely that the deferred tax assets subject to the valuation allowance will be realized, then the previously provided valuation allowance will be adjusted.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if management’s assessment is that the position is “more likely than not” (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term “tax position” refers to a position in a previously

 

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filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for interim or annual periods.

(r)      Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily from providing professional services to its clients. Revenue is generally recognized upon the performance of services. In providing these services, the Company may incur reimbursable expenses, which consist principally of amounts paid to subcontractors and other third parties and travel and other job related expenses that are contractually reimbursable from clients. The Company has determined that it will include reimbursable expenses in computing and reporting its total revenue as long as the Company remains responsible to the client for the fulfillment of the contract and for the overall acceptability of all services provided.

The Company earns its revenue from time-and-materials, cost-plus and fixed-price contracts. If estimated total costs on any contract indicate a loss, the Company charges the entire estimated loss to operations in the period the loss becomes known. The cumulative effect of revisions to revenue, estimated costs to complete contracts, including penalties, incentive awards, change orders, claims, anticipated losses, and others are recorded in the accounting period in which the events indicating a loss are known and the loss can be reasonably estimated. Such revisions could occur at any time and the effects may be material.

Time-and-Materials Contracts

Under its time-and-materials contracts, the Company negotiates hourly billing rates and charges its clients based on the actual time that the Company spends on a project. In addition, clients reimburse the Company for its actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs in connection with its performance under the contract. Its profit margins on time-and-materials contracts fluctuate based on actual labor and overhead costs that the Company directly charges or allocates to contracts compared with negotiated billing rates. Revenue on these contracts are recognized based on the actual number of hours the Company spends on the projects plus any actual out-of-pocket costs of materials and other direct incidental expenditures that the Company incurs on the projects. Its time-and-materials contracts also generally include annual billing rate adjustment provisions.

Cost-Plus Contracts

The Company has two major types of cost-plus contracts:

Cost-Plus Fixed Fee

Under cost-plus fixed fee contracts, the Company charges its clients for its costs, including both direct and indirect costs, plus a fixed negotiated fee. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed fee contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a fixed profit component. The total estimated cost plus the negotiated fee represents the total contract value. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual labor costs, based on hours of labor effort, plus non-labor costs the Company incurs, plus the portion of the fixed fee the

 

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Company has earned to date. The Company invoices for its services as revenue is recognized or in accordance with agreed-upon billing schedules. Aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed fee contracts may vary based on the actual number of labor hours worked and other actual contract costs incurred. However, if actual labor hours and other contract costs exceed the original estimate agreed to by its client, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to the additional costs (see “Change Orders and Claims”).

Cost-Plus Fixed Rate

Under its cost-plus fixed rate contracts, the Company charges clients for its costs plus negotiated rates based on its indirect costs. In negotiating a cost-plus fixed rate contract, the Company estimates all recoverable direct and indirect costs and then adds a profit component, which is a percentage of total recoverable costs to arrive at a total dollar estimate for the project. The Company recognizes revenue based on the actual total number of labor hours and other costs the Company expends at the cost plus the fixed rate the Company negotiated. Similar to cost-plus fixed fee contracts, aggregate revenue from cost-plus fixed rate contracts may vary and the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive additional revenue relating to any additional costs that exceed the original contract estimate (see “Change Orders and Claims”).

Labor costs and subcontractor services are the principal components of its direct costs on cost-plus contracts, although some include materials and other direct costs. Some of these contracts include a provision that the total actual costs plus the fee will not exceed a guaranteed price negotiated with the client. Others include rate ceilings that limit the reimbursement for general and administrative costs, overhead costs and materials handling costs. The accounting for these contracts appropriately reflects such guaranteed price or rate ceilings.

Firm Fixed-Price (“FFP”) Contracts

The Company’s FFP contracts have historically accounted for most of its fixed-price contracts. Under FFP contracts, the Company’s clients pay it an agreed amount negotiated in advance for a specified scope of work. The Company recognizes revenue on FFP contracts using the percentage-of-completion method (recognizing revenue as costs are incurred). Profit margins the Company recognizes in all periods prior to completion of the project on any FFP contract depend on the accuracy of the Company’s estimates of approximate revenue and expenses and will increase to the extent that its current estimates of aggregate actual costs are below amounts previously estimated. Conversely, if the Company’s current estimated costs exceed prior estimates, its profit margins will decrease and the Company may realize a loss on a project. In order to increase aggregate revenue on the contract, the Company generally must obtain a change order, contract modification, or successfully prevail in a claim in order to receive payment for the additional costs (see “Change Orders and Claims”).

 

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Change Orders and Claims

Change orders are modifications of an original contract that effectively change the provisions of the contract without adding new provisions. Either the Company or its client may initiate change orders. They may include changes in specifications or design, manner of performance, facilities, equipment, materials, sites and period of completion of the work. Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price that the Company seeks to collect from its clients or others for client-caused delays, errors in specifications and designs, contract terminations, change orders that are either in dispute or are unapproved as to both scope and price, or other causes of unanticipated additional contract costs.

Change orders and claims occur when changes are experienced once contract performance is underway. Change orders are sometimes documented and terms of such change orders are agreed with the client before the work is performed. Sometimes circumstances require that work progresses before agreement is reached with the client. Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized when they are incurred. Change orders and claims are included in total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order or claim will result in a bona fide addition to contract value that can be reliably estimated. No profit is recognized on claims until final settlement occurs; unapproved change orders are evaluated as claims. This can lead to a situation where costs are recognized in one period and revenue is recognized when client agreement is obtained or claims resolution occurs, which can be in subsequent periods.

The Company has contracts with the U.S. government that contain provisions requiring compliance with the U.S. Federal Acquisition Regulations (“FAR”). These regulations are generally applicable to all of its federal government contracts and are partially or fully incorporated in many local and state agency contracts. They limit the recovery of certain specified indirect costs on contracts subject to the FAR. Cost-plus contracts covered by the FAR provide for upward or downward adjustments if actual recoverable costs differ from the estimate billed under forward pricing arrangements. Most of its federal government contracts are subject to termination at the convenience of the client. Contracts typically provide for reimbursement of costs incurred and payment of fees earned through the date of such termination.

Federal government contracts which are subject to the FAR and some state and local governmental agencies require audits, which are performed for the most part by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”). The DCAA audits the Company’s overhead rates, cost proposals, incurred government contract costs, and internal control systems. During the course of its audits, the DCAA may question incurred costs if it believes the Company has accounted for such costs in a manner inconsistent with the requirements of the FAR or Cost Accounting Standards and recommend that its U.S. government corporate administrative contracting officer disallow such costs. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant disallowed costs as a result of such audits. However, the Company can provide no assurance that the DCAA audits will not result in material disallowances of incurred costs in the future.

 

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(s)      Share-Based Compensation

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the estimated fair value of options to purchase the Company’s common stock. The compensation expense, less estimated forfeitures, is being recognized over the service period on a straight-line basis. The Company’s policy is to use newly issued shares to satisfy the exercise of stock options.

(t)      Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Such expenses for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 are approximately $631,000, $535,000 and $849,000, respectively.

(u)      Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per common share has been computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share incorporates the incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury stock method.

Dilutive stock options increased average common shares outstanding by approximately 566,000 shares, 465,000 shares and 339,000 shares for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Options to purchase 1,325,000 shares, 788,000 shares and 113,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were not included in the calculation of common shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive.

(v)      Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that is to be applied to financial asset transfers on or after the effective date, which was January 1, 2010 for the Company’s financial statements. The standard limits the circumstances in which a financial asset may be de-recognized when the transferor has not transferred the entire financial asset or has continuing involvement with the transferred asset. The concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, which had previously facilitated sale accounting for certain asset transfers, has been eliminated. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, FASB amended an accounting standard which deals with accounting for variable interest entities. The amendment is effective for reporting periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The amendment changes the process for how an enterprise determines which party consolidates a variable interest entity (“VIE”) to a primarily qualitative analysis. The amendment defines the party that consolidates the VIE (the primary beneficiary) as the party with (1) the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. Upon adoption of the amendment, reporting enterprises must reconsider their conclusions on whether an entity should be consolidated and should a change

 

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result, the effect on net assets will be recorded as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of this amendment did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Note 3 - Acquisitions

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company expenses all acquisition-related costs, as well as restructuring costs for which it is not obligated at acquisition date, rather than including such costs as a component of the purchase consideration. During 2010 and 2009, the Company expensed $1,352,000 and $65,000, respectively, of acquisition-related costs. During 2008, the Company expensed $621,000 of costs related to due diligence efforts for completed and discontinued acquisitions.

During 2010, the Company made three acquisitions. The following summarizes those transactions:

 

   

On June 8, 2010, the Company acquired McLachlan Lister Pty. Ltd. (“MLL”), a firm that provides management consulting and project management services throughout Australia. MLL, which has approximately 50 employees, is based in Sydney with an additional office in Brisbane. The acquisition strengthens the Company’s existing construction claims business and provides opportunities for the project management business in Australia. Total consideration amounted to approximately 15,388,000 Australian dollars (A$) ($13,080,000 at the exchange rate on the date of acquisition), consisting of A$9,393,000 ($7,984,000) in cash, an excess net worth payment of approximately A$995,000 ($846,000) paid on October 8, 2010, a A$2,000,000 ($1,700,000) note payable due June 8, 2011 and contingent consideration amounting to A$3,000,000 ($2,550,000). The contingent consideration is payable if MLL achieves earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) of at least A$2,500,000 ($2,125,000) during the twelve month period ending June 30, 2011. The contingent consideration has been accrued in full and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. In the event MLL does not achieve the targeted EBIT, the contingent consideration will be written off through a credit to the 2011 consolidated statement of earnings. The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to A$6,182,000 ($5,255,000) and A$6,286,000 ($5,356,000), respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 8.8 years. The acquired intangible assets consist of a client relationship intangible of A$5,275,000 ($4,484,000) with a ten-year life, a contract intangible of A$540,000 ($459,000) with a two-year life and a trade name intangible of A$367,000 ($312,000) with a two-year life. Goodwill, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Construction Claims operating segment.

 

   

On July 6, 2010, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the Construction Management Division of dck North America, LLC (“dck”). The acquired business, with approximately 90 employees, provides program management, agency construction management and construction inspection services primarily on transportation and building projects in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Florida. The acquisition

 

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extends our geographic reach and significantly strengthens our highway and bridge practice in the United States. Total consideration amounted to approximately $5,385,000, consisting of $4,885,000 in cash and a deferred payment, due July 8, 2011, amounting to $500,000 secured by a letter of credit in favor of the seller. The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to $2,052,000 and $3,273,000, respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 5.2 years. The acquired intangible assets consist of a client relationship intangible of $571,000 with a ten-year life, a contract intangible of $1,283,100 with a three and one-half year life and a trade name intangible of $198,000 with a two-year life. Goodwill, which is deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management operating segment.

 

   

Effective November 1, 2010, the Company acquired TCM Group, Inc. (“TCM”), a firm which provides project management, construction management and related services primarily on transportation, water utilities, public buildings and other infrastructure projects in southern California. TCM, which has approximately 50 employees, is headquartered in Ontario, California. The acquisition enhances the Company’s presence and expands its infrastructure capabilities in that region. Consideration amounted to $6,000,000 (the “preliminary consideration”) consisting of cash of $4,500,000 and a promissory note of $1,500,000 plus a payment of $490,000 for excess accounts receivable plus a deferred payment of up to $362,000. The promissory note is payable if the acquired business attains operating profit of $1,000,000 for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2011. If the operating profit is less than the targeted amount, the preliminary consideration will be reduced by the percentage to which TCM failed to achieve the target. Based upon forecasted results for 2011, it appears that TCM will attain operating profit of $800,000, which will cause the preliminary consideration to be reduced to $4,800,000, and, accordingly, the promissory note has been recorded at $300,000 in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2010. In the event TCM’s actual operating profit varies from the forecasted amount, the contingent consideration will be adjusted through a charge or credit to the 2011 consolidated statement of earnings. The deferred payment is payable if certain contracts are awarded to TCM prior to May 1, 2011; the Company has accrued the full deferred payment which is included in other current liabilities at December 31, 2010. Based on the above, total consideration amounted to $5,652,000. The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to $2,643,000 and $2,911,000, respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 3.4 years. The acquired intangible assets consist of the client relationship intangible of $476,000 with a five-year life and a contract intangible of $2,167,000 with a three year life. Goodwill, which is not deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management operating segment.

The consolidated financial statements include the operating results of these businesses from their respective dates of acquisition. Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions have not been presented because they are not material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.

 

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During 2009, the Company purchased two companies for aggregate consideration amounting to $6,236,000, consisting of cash of $2,500,000, 429,241 shares of the Company’s common stock amounting to $2,736,000 and contingent consideration amounting to $1,000,000. The contingent consideration will be paid in the event one of the acquired companies achieves operating profit of $1,000,000 in 2010, 2011 or 2012. The contingent consideration has been accrued and is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009. In the event that the company does not achieve the required level of earnings, the contingent consideration will be written-off through a credit to the 2012 consolidated statement of earnings. The Company acquired intangible assets and goodwill amounting to $3,572,000 and $2,809,000, respectively. The acquired intangible assets have a weighted average life of 7.2 years. The intangible assets consist of client related intangibles of $2,332,000 with a ten year life and contract intangibles of $1,240,000 with a two year life. Goodwill, of which $1,512,000 is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes, has been allocated to the Project Management segment. These acquisitions provide us with a greater geographical presence in the United States and expanded market sector expertise. The results of operations of the acquired companies are not material to the consolidated results of operations of the Company.

Note 4 - Receivables

 

     December 31,  
     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Billed

     $164,938        $    122,657   

Retainage, current portion

     3,604        2,181   

Unbilled

     21,771        15,842   
                
     190,313        140,680   

Allowance for doubtful accounts

     (9,457     (9,780
                

Total

     $180,856        $130,900   
                

Unbilled receivables primarily represent revenue earned on contracts, which the Company is contractually precluded from billing until predetermined future dates.

Included in billed receivables are $2,620,000 and $1,658,000 of amounts due from various branches of the U.S. federal government and $76,479,000 and $10,738,000 of receivables from foreign governments at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.

At December 31, 2010, the accounts receivable related to the work performed under contracts in Libya, Egypt and the Middle East amounted to $61,445,000 $5,467,000 and $41,265,000, respectively. Due to the political unrest in Libya, we are unable to determine the effect this crisis will have on our ability to collect this receivable. We believe that the amounts due will be collected, however, if future events preclude our ability to do so, there could be a significant adverse impact on our results of operations and liquidity.

 

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Note 5 - Property and Equipment

 

     December 31,  
     2010     2009  
     (in thousands)  

Furniture and equipment

   $   7,505      $ 7,994   

Leasehold improvements

     2,343        1,406   

Computer equipment and software

     17,111        14,639   

Automobiles

     1,219        771   
                
     28,178        24,810   

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (16,252     (13,234
                

Property and equipment, net

   $ 11,926      $   11,576   
                

The Company capitalized approximately $127,000 and $845,000 of internal-use software acquisition and development costs during the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 amounted to $4,513,000, $3,862,000 and $3,222,000, respectively, of which $918,000, $886,000 and $757,000 was charged to cost of services for the respective periods and the balance is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.