Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

6. Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2016		2015
Balance at beginning of year	$	143,874	$	140,341
Additions (See Note 4)		5,334		3,533
Balance at end of year	$	149,208	$	143,874

We perform our annual impairment testing on October 1, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. As discussed in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” we have the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value.

During our annual impairment testing on October 1, we performed a quantitative assessment where the fair value of each reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow model combined with a market valuation approach. We assigned a weighting of 50% to the discounted cash flow analysis and 50% to the public company approach for the year ended December 31, 2016. Based on this assessment, we concluded that the fair value of each of the reporting units was greater than its carrying value.

During 2015 and 2014, we performed a qualitative assessment for each reporting unit, which considered various factors, including changes in the carrying value of the reporting unit, forecasted operating results, long-term growth rates and discount rates. Additionally, we considered qualitative key events and circumstances (i.e. macroeconomic environment, industry and market specific conditions, cost factors and events specific to the reporting unit, etc.). Based on this assessment, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of the reporting units was greater than its carrying value. Accordingly, no further testing was required.

Prior to our annual goodwill impairment test in 2014, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $0.7 million during the second quarter of 2014. Based on market activity declines and write-downs incurred on several jobs, we determined that the operating environment, conditions and performance at our operating unit based in California could no longer support the related goodwill balance. When the carrying value of a given reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The fair value was estimated using a discounted cash flow model combined with market valuation approaches.

As of October 1, 2016, the fair value exceeded the carrying value by a significant margin for all of our reporting units with a goodwill balance.

There are significant inherent uncertainties and management judgment involved in estimating the fair value of each reporting unit. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to estimate the fair value of our reporting units, it is possible that a material change could occur. If actual results are not consistent with our current estimates and assumptions, or the current economic outlook worsens, goodwill impairment charges may be recorded in future periods.

Identifiable Intangible Assets, Net

Identifiable intangible assets consist of the following (dollars in thousands):


	Estimated	2016				2015
	Useful Lives	Gross Book		Accumulated		Gross Book		Accumulated
	in Years	Value		Amortization		Value		Amortization
Customer relationships	1 - 15	$	57,230	$	(36,758)	$	53,334	$	(31,960)
Backlog	1 - 2		3,600		(3,433)		1,600		(1,412)
Noncompete agreements	2 - 7		2,890		(2,890)		2,890		(2,890)
Tradenames	2 - 25		31,640		(9,844)		27,995		(8,478)
Total		$	95,360	$	(52,925)	$	85,819	$	(44,740)

The amounts attributable to customer relationships, noncompete agreements and tradenames are amortized to “Selling, General and Administrative Expenses” on a pattern of economic benefit or a straight‑line method over periods from two to twenty‑five years. The amounts attributable to backlog are being amortized to “Cost of Services” on a proportionate method over the remaining backlog period. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $8.2 million, $7.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2016, future amortization expense of identifiable intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):


Year ended December 31—
2017	$	5,702
2018		4,861
2019		4,246
2020		3,751
2021		3,300
Thereafter		20,575
Total	$	42,435

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

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