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Business Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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, 2023, 2022 and 2021. 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, 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 $7.1 million in aggregate earn-out payments between the years 2024 and 2026, of which up to $1.5 million may be paid only in cash, up to $4.5 million may be paid only in common stock and up to $1.1 million may be paid, at the Company's option, in cash or common stock.

Transaction costs related to business combinations totaled $6.9 million, $1.9 million and $2.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. These costs are expensed within selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

2023 Acquisitions

Frontier Analytical Laboratories (“Frontier”) —In January 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Frontier by acquiring certain of its assets and operations. Frontier is a specialized environmental laboratory based in El Dorado Hills, CA.

Environmental Alliance, Inc. (“EAI”)—In February 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of EAI by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. EAI provides environmental remediation and consulting services, and is based in Wilmington, DE.

GreenPath Energy LTD (“GreenPath”) —In May 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of GreenPath by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. GreenPath is a leading optical gas imaging and leak detection and management services firm and is based in Calgary, Canada.

Matrix Solutions, Inc. ("Matrix") —In June 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Matrix by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. Matrix is one of Canada’s leading environmental consulting and engineering companies and is based in Calgary, Canada.

Vandrensning ApS. ("Vandrensning") —In July 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Vandrensning by acquiring 100.0% of its common stock. Vandrensning, based outside Copenhagen, Denmark, specializes in water treatment solutions.

The following table summarizes the elements of the purchase price of the acquisitions completed during 2023:

 

 

 

Cash

 

 

Common
Stock

 

 

Other
Purchase
Price
Components

 

 

Contingent
Consideration

 

 

Total
Purchase
Price

 

Matrix

 

$

46,563

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,019

 

(1)

$

 

 

$

48,582

 

All other 2023 acquisitions

 

 

22,077

 

 

 

2,598

 

 

 

450

 

 

 

1,096

 

 

 

26,221

 

   Total

 

$

68,640

 

 

$

2,598

 

 

$

2,469

 

 

$

1,096

 

 

$

74,803

 

______________________________

(1) Includes $1.3 million in holdback amounts payable to the seller. Cash funds to be used for payment have been classified as restricted cash in the Company's consolidated statement of financial position.

The upfront cash payment made to acquire the acquisitions completed during 2023 was funded through cash on hand. The other purchase price components mainly consist of deferred purchase price liabilities and working capital amounts.

 

 

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

 

 

Matrix
(As initially reported)

 

 

Matrix Measurement Period Adjustments

 

 

Matrix (As Adjusted)

 

 

All Other 2023
Acquisitions
(As Initially Reported)

 

 

All Other 2023
Acquisitions Measurement Period Adjustments

 

 

All Other 2023
Acquisitions (As Adjusted)

 

 

Total(1)

 

Cash

 

$

1,524

 

 

$

1,524

 

 

$

1,524

 

 

$

929

 

 

$

 

 

$

929

 

 

$

2,453

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

 

15,752

 

 

 

 

 

 

15,752

 

 

 

3,441

 

 

 

(19

)

 

 

3,422

 

 

 

19,174

 

Other current assets

 

 

2,094

 

 

 

(262

)

 

 

1,832

 

 

 

439

 

 

 

(86

)

 

 

353

 

 

 

2,185

 

Current assets

 

 

19,370

 

 

 

1,262

 

 

 

19,108

 

 

 

4,809

 

 

 

(105

)

 

 

4,704

 

 

 

23,812

 

Property and equipment

 

 

2,231

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,231

 

 

 

1,705

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,705

 

 

 

3,936

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset

 

 

14,760

 

 

 

(9,981

)

 

 

4,779

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

 

 

 

4,825

 

Customer relationships

 

 

 

 

 

12,781

 

 

 

12,781

 

 

 

7,741

 

 

 

(560

)

 

 

7,181

 

 

 

19,962

 

Trade names

 

 

 

 

 

2,151

 

 

 

2,151

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

 

 

 

222

 

 

 

2,373

 

Covenants not to compete

 

 

 

 

 

2,198

 

 

 

2,198

 

 

 

631

 

 

 

(121

)

 

 

510

 

 

 

2,708

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

 

 

 

444

 

 

 

444

 

Goodwill

 

 

36,118

 

 

 

(8,834

)

 

 

27,284

 

 

 

11,702

 

 

 

1,800

 

 

 

13,502

 

 

 

40,786

 

Total assets

 

 

72,479

 

 

 

(423

)

 

 

70,532

 

 

 

27,300

 

 

 

1,014

 

 

 

28,314

 

 

 

98,846

 

Current liabilities

 

 

11,267

 

 

 

(668

)

 

 

10,599

 

 

 

978

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

958

 

 

 

11,557

 

Operating lease liability—net of
   current portion

 

 

12,500

 

 

 

(2,175

)

 

 

10,325

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

10,357

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

 

 

 

896

 

 

 

896

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,103

 

 

 

1,103

 

 

 

1,999

 

Other non-current liabilities

 

 

130

 

 

 

 

 

 

130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130

 

Total liabilities

 

 

23,897

 

 

 

(1,947

)

 

 

21,950

 

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

1,083

 

 

 

2,093

 

 

 

24,043

 

Purchase price

 

$

48,582

 

 

$

1,524

 

 

$

48,582

 

 

$

26,290

 

 

$

(69

)

 

$

26,221

 

 

$

74,803

 

______________________________

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

The weighted average useful lives for the 2023 acquired companies’ identifiable intangible assets are as follows:

 

Customer Relationships

Tradenames

Covenants Not to Compete

Proprietary Software

Matrix

12

2.5

5

n/a

GreenPath

12

1

5

5

All other 2023 acquisitions

7

2

5

n/a

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

Frontier and GreenPath are included in the Company’s Measurement and Analysis segment. EAI, Matrix and Vandrensning are included in the Company’s Remediation and Reuse segment.

For the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2023, 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, 2023 includes revenue and pre-tax income of $69.1 million and $8.8 million, respectively, related to these acquisitions.

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 provides highly specialized engineering services which are additive to the Company’s water treatment and renewable energy technology implementations. IAG is based in Atlanta, GA.

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 the 2022 acquisitions was funded through cash on hand.

The following table summarizes the elements of the original 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)

 

1,500

 

 

 

17,905

 

   Total

 

$

29,744

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,678

 

 

$

2,666

 

 

$

34,088

 

___________________________

(1) Amounts do not consider measurement period adjustments of $0.2 million recorded during 2023. See column "All Other 2022 Acquisitions Measurement Period Adjustments during 2023" in table below for further details.

The other purchase price components of the Environmental Standards purchase price consisted of a surplus working capital amount and other deferred liabilities. The other purchase price components of all the other acquisitions purchase price mainly consisted of working capital

amounts.
 

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

 

 

Environmental Standards

 

 

All Other 2022 Acquisitions
(As Initially Reported)

 

 

All Other 2022 Acquisitions Measurement Period Adjustments during 2023

 

 

All Other 2022 Acquisitions
(As Adjusted)

 

 

Total

 

Cash

 

$

295

 

 

$

824

 

 

$

 

 

$

824

 

 

$

1,119

 

Accounts receivable and contract assets

 

 

5,200

 

 

 

2,646

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,646

 

 

 

7,846

 

Other current assets

 

 

456

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

 

 

572

 

Current assets

 

 

5,951

 

 

 

3,586

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,586

 

 

 

9,537

 

Property and equipment

 

 

168

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

183

 

Operating lease right-of-use asset—net

 

 

2,895

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

 

 

 

215

 

 

 

3,110

 

Customer relationships

 

 

5,807

 

 

 

5,812

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,812

 

 

 

11,619

 

Trade names

 

 

1,010

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

1,649

 

Covenants not to compete

 

 

269

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

 

 

 

650

 

 

 

919

 

Goodwill

 

 

4,131

 

 

 

8,412

 

 

 

(159

)

 

 

8,253

 

 

 

12,384

 

Total assets

 

 

20,231

 

 

 

19,329

 

 

 

(159

)

 

 

19,170

 

 

 

39,401

 

Current liabilities

 

 

1,720

 

 

 

1,314

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,314

 

 

 

3,034

 

Operating lease liability—net of
   current portion

 

 

2,328

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

 

 

 

110

 

 

 

2,438

 

Total liabilities

 

 

4,048

 

 

 

1,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,424

 

 

 

5,472

 

Purchase price

 

$

16,183

 

 

$

17,905

 

 

$

(159

)

 

$

17,746

 

 

$

33,929

 

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 2022 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

While initially anticipating making IRC §338(h)(10) elections, with respect to various acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company later decided against such elections during 2023. Therefore, goodwill associated with the IAG acquisition is the sole 2022 transaction for which goodwill 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 the final 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 consisted 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 consisted of a surplus working capital amount. The other

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

The final 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 was deductible for income tax purposes.

Supplemental Unaudited Pro-FormaThe unaudited consolidated financial information summarized in the following table gives effect to the 2023, 2022, and 2021 acquisitions assuming they occurred on January 1, 2021. 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 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, 2021, nor does the information project results for any future period.

 

 

 

As reported

 

 

Acquisitions
Pro-Forma
(Unaudited)

 

 

Consolidated
Pro-Forma
(Unaudited)

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

624,208

 

 

$

25,852

 

 

$

650,060

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(30,859

)

 

 

809

 

 

 

(30,050

)

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

544,416

 

 

$

93,357

 

 

$

637,773

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(31,819

)

 

 

5,535

 

 

 

(26,284

)

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

546,413

 

 

$

128,466

 

 

$

674,879

 

Net (loss) income

 

 

(25,325

)

 

 

11,457

 

 

 

(13,868

)