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Business Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Business Acquisitions

8. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

In line with the Company’s strategic growth initiatives, the Company acquired several businesses during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. The results of each of those acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements beginning on the respective acquisition dates. Each transaction qualified as an acquisition of a business and was accounted for as a business combination. All acquisitions resulted in the recognition of goodwill. The Company paid these premiums resulting in such goodwill for a number of reasons, including expected synergies from combining operations of the acquiree and the Company while also growing the Company’s customer base, acquiring assembled workforces, expanding its presence in certain markets and expanding and advancing its product and service offerings. The Company recorded the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair value, with the difference between the fair value of the net assets acquired and the acquisition consideration reflected as goodwill.

The identifiable intangible assets for acquisitions are valued using the excess earnings method discounted cash flow approach for customer relationships, the relief from royalty method for trade names, the patent, external proprietary software and developed technology, the “with and without” method for covenants not to compete and the replacement cost method for the internal proprietary software by incorporating Level 3 inputs as described under the fair value hierarchy of ASC 820. These unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about which assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset on a non-recurring basis. These assets will be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives.

Other purchase price obligations (primarily deferred purchase price liabilities and target working capital liabilities or receivables) are included on the consolidated statements of financial position in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, other non-current liabilities or accounts receivable-net in the case of working capital deficits. Contingent consideration outstanding from acquisitions are included on the consolidated statements of financial position in business acquisition contingent consideration, current or in business acquisitions contingent consideration, long-term. The contingent consideration elements of the purchase price of the acquisitions are related to earn-outs which are based

on the expected achievement of revenue or earnings thresholds as of the date of the acquisition and for which the maximum potential amount is limited.

The Company considers several factors when determining whether or not contingent consideration liabilities are part of the purchase price, including the following: (i) the valuation of its acquisitions is not supported solely by the initial consideration paid, (ii) the former stockholders of acquired companies that remain as key employees receive compensation other than contingent consideration payments at a reasonable level compared with the compensation of the Company’s other key employees and (iii) contingent consideration payments are not affected by employment termination. The Company reviews and assesses the estimated fair value of contingent consideration at each reporting period.

The Company may be required to make up to $9.5 million in aggregate earn-out payments between the years 2023 and 2026 in connection with certain of its business acquisitions, up to $4.0 million of which may be paid in cash.

Transaction costs related to business combinations totaled $1.9 million, $2.1 million and $4.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively. These costs are expensed within selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

2022 Acquisitions

Environmental Standards, Inc. (“Environmental Standards”)—In January 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Environmental Standards, Inc. by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. Environmental Standards is a provider of environmental consulting and data validation services. Environmental Standards is based in Valley Forge, PA with satellite locations nationwide.
 

Industrial Automation Group, Inc. (“IAG”)—In January 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Industrial Automation Group, Inc. by acquiring certain of its employees and a covenant not to compete. IAG is based in Atlanta, GA. IAG provides highly specialized engineering services which are additive to the Company’s water treatment and renewable energy technology implementations.

TriAD Environmental Consultants, Inc. (“TriAD”)—In August 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of TriAD Environmental Consultants, Inc. by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. TriAD is a provider of environmental consulting services. TriAD is based in Nashville, TN.

AirKinetics, Inc. (“AirKinetics”)—In September 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of AirKinetics, Inc. by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. AirKinetics is a provider of emissions testing services. AirKinetics is based in Anaheim, CA.

Huco Consulting, Inc. (“Huco”)—In November 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Huco Consulting, Inc. by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. Huco primarily specializes in the implementation of environment, health and safety software for industrial, commercial and government clients. Huco is based in Houston, TX.

The upfront cash payment made to acquire all of these acquisitions was funded through cash on hand.

The following table summarizes the elements of the purchase price of the acquisitions completed during 2022:

 

 

Cash

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Other
Purchase
Price
Components

 

 

Contingent
Consideration

 

 

Total
Purchase
Price

 

Environmental Standards

 

$

14,473

 

 

$

 

 

$

544

 

 

$

1,166

 

 

$

16,183

 

All other 2022 acquisitions

 

 

15,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,134

 

 

 

1,500

 

 

 

17,905

 

Total

 

$

29,744

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,678

 

 

$

2,666

 

 

$

34,088

 

The other purchase price components of the Environmental Standards purchase price consist of a surplus working capital amount and a seller make-whole for taxes related to a 338(h)(10) election. The other purchase price components of all the other acquisitions purchase price

mainly consist of working capital amounts.
 

The preliminary purchase price attributable to the 2022 acquisitions was allocated as follows:

 

 

Environmental Standards

 

 

All Other 2022 Acquisitions

 

 

Total(1)

 

Cash

 

$

295

 

 

$

824

 

 

$

1,119

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

 

5,200

 

 

 

2,646

 

 

 

7,846

 

Other current assets

 

 

456

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

572

 

Current assets

 

 

5,951

 

 

 

3,586

 

 

 

9,537

 

Property and equipment

 

 

168

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

183

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset—net

 

 

2,895

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

3,110

 

Customer relationships

 

 

5,807

 

 

 

5,812

 

 

 

11,619

 

Trade names

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

1,649

 

Covenants not to compete

 

 

269

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

919

 

Goodwill

 

 

4,131

 

 

 

8,412

 

 

 

12,543

 

Total assets

 

 

20,231

 

 

 

19,329

 

 

 

39,560

 

Current liabilities

 

 

1,720

 

 

 

1,314

 

 

 

3,034

 

Operating lease liability—net of
   current portion

 

 

2,328

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

2,438

 

Total liabilities

 

 

4,048

 

 

 

1,424

 

 

 

5,472

 

Purchase price

 

$

16,183

 

 

$

17,905

 

 

$

34,088

 

______________________________

(1) The Company is continuing to obtain information to complete the valuation of certain of these acquisitions' assets and liabilities.

For the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2022, the results of operations since the acquisition dates have been combined with those of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes revenue and pre-tax income of $20.2 million and $2.9 million, respectively, related to these acquisitions.

Environmental Standards and Huco are included in the Company’s Assessment, Permitting and Response segment, IAG and TriAD are included in the Remediation and Reuse segment and AirKinetics is included in the Measurement and Analysis segment.

The weighted average useful lives for the acquired companies’ identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

 

Customer Relationships

Tradenames

Covenants Not to Compete

Environmental Standards

7

2

5

All other 2022 acquisitions

7

2

5

Goodwill associated with the Environmental Standards acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes.

2021 Acquisitions

MSE Group, LLC (“MSE”)—In January 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of MSE Group, LLC by acquiring 100.0% of its membership interests. MSE is a provider of environmental assessment, permitting and remediation services primarily to the U.S. federal government. MSE is based in Orlando, FL with additional offices in Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, San Antonio, TX, and Wilmington, NC, and satellite locations nationwide. The upfront cash payment made to acquire MSE was funded through cash on hand and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 71,740 shares of common stock.

Vista Analytical Laboratory, Inc. (“Vista”)—In June 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Vista Analytical Laboratory, Inc. (“Vista”) by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. Vista provides specialty analytical services related to Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) and other semi-volatile organic compounds. Vista is based in Dorado Hills, CA. The upfront cash payment made to acquire Vista was funded through cash on hand and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 9,322 shares of common stock.

Environmental Intelligence, LLC (“EI”) —In July 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of Environmental Intelligence, LLC (“EI”) by acquiring 100.0% of its membership interests. EI provides environmental consulting services and is recognized for its innovative work in wildlife mitigation and biological assessments. EI is based in Laguna Beach, CA and enhances Montrose’s ecological planning and service

capabilities in California and the US West Coast. The upfront cash payment made to acquire EI was funded through cash on hand and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 43,100 shares of common stock.

SensibleIoT, LLC (“Sensible”) —In August 2021, the Company completed the business acquisition of SensibleIoT, LLC (“Sensible”) by acquiring 100.0% of its membership interests. Sensible is a technology platform that connects sensors and sources of environment data to a central, proprietary database that enables real-time client interaction. Sensible provides Montrose with an advanced ability to integrate environmental services and enhance environmental data analytics for clients. The upfront cash payment made to acquire Sensible was funded through cash on hand and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 19,638 shares of common stock.

Environmental Chemistry, Inc. (“ECI”) —In October 2021, the Company completed the business acquisition of Environmental Chemistry, Inc. (“ECI”) by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. ECI provides a full suite of environmental laboratory analytical services to industrial, governmental, and engineering/consulting clients. Combined with the Company’s existing Houston, TX laboratory, ECI (located also in Houston, TX) will enable Montrose to provide air, water and soil analytical services in the gulf coast region. The upfront cash payment made to acquire ECI was funded through cash on hand.

Horizon Water and Environment, LLC (“Horizon”)— In November 2021, the Company completed the business acquisition of Horizon Water and Environment, LLC (“Horizon”) by acquiring 100.0% of its membership interests. Horizon is an environmental consulting firm specializing in planning, watershed science, and environmental compliance for water and natural resource projects. The upfront cash payment made to acquire Horizon was funded through cash on hand and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 34,921 shares of common stock.

The following table summarizes the elements of purchase price of the acquisitions completed during 2021:

 

 

Cash

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Other
Purchase
Price
Components

 

 

Contingent
Consideration

 

 

Total
Purchase
Price

 

MSE

 

$

9,082

 

 

$

2,271

 

 

$

10,701

 

 

$

1,804

 

 

$

23,858

 

EI

 

 

20,721

 

 

 

2,274

 

 

 

(63

)

 

 

 

 

 

22,932

 

All other 2021 acquisitions

 

 

29,683

 

 

 

3,775

 

 

 

1,228

 

 

 

5,600

 

 

 

40,286

 

   Total

 

$

59,486

 

 

$

8,320

 

 

$

11,866

 

 

$

7,404

 

 

$

87,076

 

The other purchase price components of the MSE purchase price consist of a surplus working capital amount, a seller make-whole for taxes related to a 338(h)(10) election, an integration payment liability and a purchase price true up related to MSE’s financial performance in the fourth quarter of 2020. The other purchase price components of the EI purchase price consist of a surplus working capital amount. The other

purchase price components of all the other acquisitions purchase price mainly consist of working capital amounts and 338(h)(10) election liabilities.

The purchase price attributable to the 2021 acquisitions was allocated as follows:

 

 

MSE

 

 

EI

 

 

All Other 2021 Acquisitions

 

 

Total

 

Cash

 

$

2,810

 

 

$

250

 

 

$

693

 

 

$

3,753

 

Accounts receivable and contract
    assets

 

 

2,980

 

 

 

4,675

 

 

 

4,133

 

 

 

11,788

 

Other current assets

 

 

31

 

 

 

84

 

 

 

289

 

 

 

404

 

Current assets

 

 

5,821

 

 

 

5,009

 

 

 

5,115

 

 

 

15,945

 

Property and equipment

 

 

513

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

1,168

 

 

 

1,713

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset—net

 

 

740

 

 

 

106

 

 

 

2,233

 

 

 

3,079

 

Customer relationships

 

 

8,720

 

 

 

10,073

 

 

 

12,830

 

 

 

31,623

 

Trade names

 

 

521

 

 

 

996

 

 

 

1,958

 

 

 

3,475

 

Covenants not to compete

 

 

922

 

 

 

511

 

 

 

1,248

 

 

 

2,681

 

Acquired technology

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

321

 

 

 

321

 

Goodwill

 

 

8,176

 

 

 

8,960

 

 

 

19,569

 

 

 

36,705

 

Total assets

 

 

25,413

 

 

 

25,687

 

 

 

44,442

 

 

 

95,542

 

Current liabilities

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

2,719

 

 

 

2,351

 

 

 

6,077

 

Operating lease liability—net of
   current portion

 

 

548

 

 

 

36

 

 

 

1,805

 

 

 

2,389

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,555

 

 

 

2,755

 

 

 

4,156

 

 

 

8,466

 

Purchase price

 

$

23,858

 

 

$

22,932

 

 

$

40,286

 

 

$

87,076

 

For the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2021, the results of operations since the acquisition dates have been combined with those of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 includes revenue and pre-tax income of $33.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to these acquisitions. MSE is included in the Company’s Remediation and Reuse segment, Vista, Sensible and ECI are included in the Company’s Measurement and Analysis segment and EI and Horizon are included the Company’s Assessment, Permitting and Response segment.

The weighted average useful lives for the acquired companies’ identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

 

 

Customer Relationships

Tradenames

Covenants
Not to Compete

Developed Technology

MSE

2-7

2

5

n/a

EI

10

5

5

n/a

All other 2021 acquisitions

10

n/a-3

n/a-5

n/a-5

Goodwill associated with all of these acquisitions is deductible for income tax purposes.

2020 Acquisitions

The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C.—In April 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, L.L.C. (“CTEH”) by acquiring 100.0% of its membership interests. CTEH is an environmental consulting company headquartered in Arkansas that specializes in environmental response and toxicology. The cash payment made to acquire CTEH was funded through the issuance of the Convertible and Redeemable Series A-2 Preferred Stock (Note 18) and the common stock portion of the purchase price was funded through the issuance of 791,139 shares of common stock.

Leed Environmental Inc.— In September 2020, the Company acquired certain testing assets, and operations from Leed Environmental Inc. (“LEED”). LEED provides environmental project management and coordination services. LEED expands the Company’s remediation capabilities in the Northeast region of the United States. The cash payment made to acquire LEED was funded via cash on hand.

American Environmental Testing Co.— In September 2020, the Company acquired certain assets and operations of American Environmental Testing Co. (“AETC”), a stack testing company in Utah. AETC expands the Company’s air measurement and analysis capabilities in the West Coast region. The cash payment made to acquire AETC was funded via cash on hand.

The following table summarizes the elements of purchase price of the acquisitions completed during 2020:

 

 

Cash

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Other
Purchase
Price
Components

 

 

Contingent
Consideration

 

 

Total
Purchase
Price

 

CTEH

 

$

175,000

 

 

$

25,000

 

 

$

(1,939

)

 

$

44,994

 

 

$

243,055

 

All other 2020 acquisitions

 

 

450

 

 

 

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

210

 

 

 

810

 

   Total

 

$

175,450

 

 

$

25,000

 

 

$

(1,789

)

 

$

45,204

 

 

$

243,865

 

CTEH first year earnout was calculated at twelve times CTEH’s 2020 EBITDA (as defined in the purchase agreement) in excess of $18.3 million, with a maximum first year earn-out payment of $50.0 million, which was fully achieved. The second year earn-out was calculated at ten times CTEH’s 2021 EBITDA in excess of actual 2020 EBITDA (with actual 2020 EBITDA subject to a minimum of $18.3 million and a maximum of $22.5 million), with a maximum second year earn-out payment of $30.0 million, which was fully achieved. The 2020 earn out was initially payable 100.0% in common stock, but as a result of the completion of the Company’s IPO (Note 1), at the Company’s election, 50.0% was payable in cash. In April 2021, the 2020 earn-out payment was made with 50.0% paid in cash and the remaining 50.0% paid in common stock of the Company (Notes 15 and 19). The 2021 earn-out was 100.0% paid in cash in March 2022.

The purchase price attributable to the 2020 acquisitions was allocated as follows:

 

 

CTEH

 

 

All Other 2020
Acquisitions

 

 

Total

 

Cash

 

$

1,527

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,527

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

 

17,059

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,059

 

Other current assets

 

 

1,265

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,265

 

Current assets

 

 

19,851

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,851

 

Property and equipment

 

 

7,042

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

7,117

 

Customer relationships

 

 

56,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

56,000

 

Trade names

 

 

4,200

 

 

 

 

 

 

4,200

 

Covenants not to compete

 

 

4,000

 

 

 

109

 

 

 

4,109

 

Proprietary software

 

 

14,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

14,700

 

Goodwill

 

 

146,983

 

 

 

626

 

 

 

147,609

 

Total assets

 

 

252,776

 

 

 

810

 

 

 

253,586

 

Current liabilities

 

 

9,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,721

 

Total liabilities

 

 

9,721

 

 

 

 

 

 

9,721

 

Purchase price

 

$

243,055

 

 

$

810

 

 

$

243,865

 

For the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2020, the results of operations since the acquisition dates have been combined with those of the Company. The Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes revenue and pre-tax income of $82.4 million and $11.7 million, respectively, related mainly to the CTEH acquisition. CTEH, LEED and AETC are included in the Company’s Assessment, Permitting and Response, Remediation and Reuse and Measurement and Analysis segments, respectively.

The weighted average useful lives for the CTEH acquired customer relationships, internal proprietary software, acquired tradenames, covenants not to compete and external proprietary software are 15 years, 3 years, 5 year, 5 years and 5 years, respectively. The weighted average useful lives for the acquired covenants not to compete for the other acquisitions is 4 years.

Goodwill associated with all of these acquisitions is deductible for income tax purposes.

Supplemental Unaudited Pro-FormaThe unaudited consolidated financial information summarized in the following table gives effect to the 2022, 2021, and 2020 acquisitions assuming they occurred on January 1, 2020. These unaudited consolidated pro forma operating results include results from certain acquired companies that have not been audited and whose accounting policies prior to acquisition may differ from those of the Company. As a result, these unaudited consolidated pro forma operating results may not be comparable to revenues and earnings had these consolidated pro forma results been audited and consistent accounting policies applied. These unaudited consolidated pro forma operating

results do not assume any impact from revenue, cost or other operating synergies that are expected or may have been realized as a result of the acquisitions. These unaudited consolidated pro forma operating results include the results from Discontinued Service Lines and Discontinued O&M Contracts through the applicable date of discontinuance. These unaudited consolidated pro forma operating results are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2020, nor does the information project results for any future period.

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

Acquisitions
Pro-Forma
(Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated
Pro-Forma
(Unaudited)

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

544,416

 

 

$

9,912

 

 

$

554,328

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(31,819

)

 

 

1,899

 

 

 

(29,920

)

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

546,413

 

 

$

50,808

 

 

$

597,221

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(25,325

)

 

 

6,860

 

 

 

(18,465

)

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

328,243

 

 

$

114,293

 

 

$

442,536

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(57,949

)

 

 

23,176

 

 

 

(34,773

)

During the first quarter of 2020, the Company determined to reduce the footprint of its environmental lab in Berkeley, California, and to exit its non-specialized municipal water engineering service line and its food waste biogas engineering service line, the Discontinued Service Lines. Furthermore, during the second quarter of 2022, the Company determined to exit all legacy water treatment and biogas operations and maintenance contracts, collectively, the Discontinued O&M Contracts. Revenues from Discontinued Service Lines and Discontinued O&M Contracts included in as reported revenues in the above table were $3.6 million, $12.1 million and $17.1 million in the years ended December 31, 2022, December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.