RCM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Quarter Report: 2022 April (Form 10-Q)

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report and documents incorporated by reference into it may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are not historical facts but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our business and industry, and our beliefs and assumptions. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will,” “goal,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statement. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by us that any of our plans will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Such forward-looking information is also subject to various risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks arising from our providing service to the healthcare industry; the impact of and future effects of the COVlD-19 pandemic or other potential pandemics; having a significant portion of our condensed consolidated revenues contributed by a concentrated group of customer during the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022; credit and collection risks; our claim experience related to workers’ compensation and general liability insurance; the effects of changes in, or interpretations of laws and regulations governing, the healthcare industry, our workforce and the services that we provide, including state and local regulations pertaining to the taxability of our services and other labor-related matters such a minimum wage increases; the Company’s expectations with respect to selling, general, and administrative expense; and the risk factors described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 and Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, including this Form 10-Q. 

RCM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

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

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

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

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

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

1.    Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated interim financial statements of RCM Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (“RCM” or the “Company”) are unaudited. The year-end consolidated balance sheet was derived from the Company’s audited statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. These statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission pertaining to reports on Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended January 1, 2022 included in the Company’s Annual Report Form 10-K for such period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

The condensed consolidated financial statements for the unaudited interim periods presented include all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such interim periods.

Results for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year or any future period.

Fiscal Year

The Company follows a 52/53 week fiscal reporting calendar ending on the Saturday closest to December 31.  Both the current fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 (fiscal 2022) and the prior fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 (fiscal 2021) are 52-week reporting years.  The fiscal quarters for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 align as follows:

2.    Use of Estimates and Uncertainties

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, revenue and expenses and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company uses estimates to calculate an allowance for doubtful accounts on its accounts receivables, litigation, medical claims, vacation, goodwill impairment, if any, equity compensation, the tax rate applied and the valuation of certain assets and liability accounts.  In addition, the Company reviews its estimated costs to complete a contract and adjusts those costs when necessary. These estimates can be significant to the operating results and financial position of the Company.  The estimates are based upon various factors including current and historical trends, as well as other pertinent industry and regulatory authority information, including the potential future effects of COVID-19.  Management regularly evaluates this information to determine if it is necessary to update the basis for its estimates and to adjust for known changes.

The Company has risk participation arrangements with respect to workers compensation and health care insurance.  The amounts included in the Company’s costs related to this risk participation are estimated and can vary based on changes in assumptions, the Company’s claims experience or the providers included in the associated insurance programs.

The Company can be affected by a variety of factors including uncertainty relating to the performance of the general economy, competition, demand for the Company’s services, adverse litigation and claims and the hiring, training and retention of key employees.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s carrying value of financial instruments, consisting primarily of accounts receivable, transit accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, transit accounts payable and borrowings under line of credit approximates fair value due to their liquidity or their short-term nature and the line of credit’s variable interest rate.  The Company does not have derivative products in place to manage risks related to foreign currency fluctuations for its foreign operations or for interest rate changes.

The Company re-measures the fair value of the contingent consideration at each reporting period and any change in the fair value from either the passage of time or events occurring after the acquisition date, is recorded in earnings in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

3.     Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  Revenue is recognized when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring services promised in a contract to a customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those services.  Performance obligations in our contracts represent distinct or separate service streams that we provide to our customers.  

We evaluate our revenue contracts with customers based on the five-step model under ASC 606: (1) Identify the contract with the customer; (2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) Determine the transaction price; (4) Allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations; and (5) Recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.

The Company derives its revenue from several sources.  The Company’s Engineering Services, Life Sciences and Information Technology segments perform consulting and project solution services.  The Healthcare segment specializes in long-term and short-term staffing and placement services to hospitals, schools and long-term care facilities amongst others.  All of the Company’s segments perform staff augmentation services and derive revenue from permanent placement fees. The majority of the Company’s revenue is invoiced on a time and materials basis.

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by revenue source for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021:

3.     Revenue Recognition (Continued)

Time and Material

The Company’s IT and Healthcare segments predominantly recognize revenue through time and material work while its Engineering segment recognizes revenue through both time and material and fixed fee work. The Company’s time and material contracts are typically based on the number of hours worked at contractually agreed upon rates, therefore revenue associated with these time and materials contracts are recognized based on hours worked at contracted rates. 

Fixed Fee

From time to time and predominantly in our Engineering segment, the Company will enter into contracts requiring the completion of specific deliverables.  The Company has master services agreements with many of its customers that broadly define terms and conditions. Actual services performed under fixed fee arrangements are typically delivered under purchase orders that more specifically define terms and conditions related to that fixed fee project. While these master services agreements can often span several years, the Company’s fixed fee purchase orders are typically performed over six to nine month periods.  In instances where project services are provided on a fixed-price basis, revenue is recorded in accordance with the terms of each contract.  In certain instances, revenue is invoiced at the time certain milestones are reached, as defined in the contract.  Revenue under these arrangements are recognized as the costs on these contracts are incurred.  From time-to-time, amounts paid in excess of revenue earned and recognized are recorded as deferred revenue, included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Additionally, some contracts contain “Performance Fees” (bonuses) for completing a contract under budget.  Performance Fees, if any, are recorded when earned.  Some contracts also limit revenue and billings to specified maximum amounts.  Provisions for contract losses, if any, are made in the period such losses are determined.  For contracts where there is a specific deliverable and the work is not complete and the revenue is not recognized, the costs incurred are deferred as a prepaid asset.  The associated costs are expensed when the related revenue is recognized.

Permanent Placement Services

The Company earns permanent placement fees from providing permanent placement services.  These fees are typically based on a percentage of the compensation paid to the person placed with the Company’s client.

Deferred Revenue

There was $2.5 million of deferred revenue as of April 2, 2022.  Deferred revenue was $3.4 million as of January 1, 2022. Revenue is recognized when the service has been performed.  Deferred revenue may be recognized over a period exceeding one year from the time it was recorded on the balance sheet.  For the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, the Company recognized $0.9 million of deferred revenue recorded at the beginning of the period.  For the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021, the Company recognized $0.3 million of deferred revenue recorded at the beginning of the period.

4.     Accounts Receivable, Transit Accounts Receivable and Transit Accounts Payable

The Company’s accounts receivable are comprised as follows:

Unbilled receivables primarily represent revenue earned whereby those services are ready to be billed as of the balance sheet ending date.  Work-in-progress primarily represents revenue earned under contracts which the Company contractually invoices at future dates.

From time to time, the Company’s Engineering segment enters into agreements to provide, among other things, construction management and engineering services.  Pursuant to these agreements, the Company a) may engage subcontractors to provide construction or other services; b) typically earns a fixed percentage of the total project value; and c) assumes no ownership or risks of inventory.  In such situations, the Company acts as an agent under the provisions of FASB ASC 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and therefore recognizes revenue on a “net-basis.”  The Company records revenue on a “net” basis on relevant engineering and construction management projects, which require subcontractor/procurement costs or transit costs. In those situations, the Company charges the client a negotiated fee, which is reported as net revenue when earned. 

Under the terms of the agreements, the Company is typically not required to pay the subcontractor until after the corresponding payment from the Company’s end-client is received. Upon invoicing the end-client on behalf of the subcontractor or staffing agency, the Company records this amount simultaneously as both a “transit account receivable” and “transit account payable,” as the amount when paid to the Company is due to and generally paid to the subcontractor within a few days. The Company typically does not pay a given transit account payable until the related transit account receivable is collected. The Company is typically obligated to pay the subcontractor or staffing agency whether or not the client pays the Company.  The Company’s transit accounts payable generally exceeds the Company’s transit accounts receivable but absolute amounts and spreads fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the normal course of business.  The transit accounts receivable was $1.1 million and related transit accounts payable was $2.7 million, for a net payable of $1.6 million, as of April 2, 2022.  The transit accounts receivable was $1.0 million and related transit accounts payable was $2.1 million, for a net payable of $1.1 million, as of January 1, 2022.

5.     Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on the straight-line method at rates calculated to provide for retirement of assets at the end of their estimated useful lives.  Computer hardware and software, and furniture and office equipment are typically depreciated over five years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset or the lease term. 

Property and equipment are comprised of the following:

The Company periodically writes off fully depreciated and amortized assets.  The Company wrote off fully depreciated and amortized assets of $49 and $451 during the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021, respectively.  Depreciation and amortization expense of property and equipment for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 was $238 and $266, respectively.

6.     Acquisitions and Divestitures

The Company has acquired numerous companies throughout its history and those acquisitions have generally included significant future contingent consideration. The Company gives no assurance that it will make acquisitions in the future or that if it does make acquisitions, such acquisitions will be successful. 

Future Contingent Payments

As of April 2, 2022, the Company had two active acquisition agreements whereby additional contingent consideration may be earned by the former shareholders: 1) effective October 1, 2017, the Company acquired all of the stock of PSR Engineering Solutions d.o.o. Beograd (Voždovac) (“PSR”) and 2) effective September 30, 2018, the Company acquired certain assets of Thermal Kinetics Engineering, PLLC and Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC (together, “TKE”). The Company estimates future contingent payments at April 2, 2022 as follows:

6.     Acquisitions and Divestitures (Continued)

Future Contingent Payments (Continued)

For acquisitions that involve contingent consideration, the Company records a liability equal to the fair value of the estimated contingent consideration obligation as of the acquisition date. The Company determines the acquisition date fair value of the contingent consideration based on the likelihood of paying the additional consideration. The fair value is estimated using projected future operating results and the corresponding future earn-out payments that can be earned upon the achievement of specified operating objectives and financial results by acquired companies using Level 3 inputs and the amounts are then discounted to present value. These liabilities are measured quarterly at fair value, and any change in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding adjustment to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations.

Estimates of future contingent payments are subject to significant judgment and actual payments may materially differ from estimates.  The Company estimates future contingent consideration payments based on forecasted performance and recorded the fair value of those expected payments as of April 2, 2022.  Contingent consideration related to acquisitions is recorded at fair value (level 3) with changes in fair value recorded in other (expense) income, net.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company remeasured the value of its contingent consideration. The primary driver for remeasuring the contingent consideration was the performance by TKE, acquired by RCM in 2018.  This remeasurement led to a $1.7 million reduction to the contingent consideration liability relating to the TKE acquisition. TKE had high yearly performance targets to achieve earn-out consideration.  Two factors primarily contributed to TKE not hitting its performance targets.  The first was the COVID-19 pandemic which overlapped earn-out years two and three.  TKE had numerous projects in its pipeline that were delayed or eliminated by prospective clients.   The second factor relates to a specific client in earn-out year three.  This client was dissatisfied with the product output, and TKE agreed to fix the equipment. The additional cost caused TKE to miss its earn-out target.  Based on these factors, the Company decided to amend its asset purchase agreement with TKE, whereby TKE may receive maximum contingent consideration of $0.7 million, with portions earnable based on performance in fiscal years 2022 and 2023.

Potential future contingent payments to be made to all active acquisitions after April 2, 2022 are capped at a cumulative maximum of $0.7 million. The Company did not pay contingent consideration during the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021.

6.     Acquisitions and Divestitures (Continued)

Sale of Assets

On July 30, 2021, the Company sold the principal assets and certain liabilities of its Pickering and Kincardine offices, located in Ontario, Canada. These two offices were often referred to as Canada Power Systems and principally provided engineering services to two major nuclear power providers in Canada. The two Canada Power Systems offices were part of a reporting unit within the Company’s Engineering segment. The Company will continue to offer other engineering services in Canada and similar services in the United States.  The Company evaluated this transaction under ASC 205-20, discontinued operations and determined it did not meet the requirements to be treated as such.  For the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021, these two offices generated revenue of $2.4 million. The purchase agreement provides for a typical indemnity escrow held by an independent escrow agent in the amount of $0.8 million. The escrow has not been recognized in the Company’s financial statements, as the Company does not control the escrow. Provided there are no asserted indemnity claims, the Company expects to receive the $0.8 million about 18 months from the purchase date.

7.     Goodwill

Goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in business combinations.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis as of the last day of the Company's fiscal year or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change indicating that the fair value of goodwill may be below the carrying amount.  The Company reviewed industry and market conditions, reporting unit specific events as well as overall financial performance and determined that no indicators of impairment of goodwill existed during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022.  As such, no impairment loss on the Company’s intangible assets during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 was recorded as a result of such review.

The carrying amount of goodwill as of April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 is as follows:

8.     Line of Credit

The Company and its subsidiaries amended and restated its Revolving Credit Facility with Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania on October 18, 2019.  As amended and restated, the Revolving Credit Facility provides for a $45.0 million revolving credit facility, has no sub-limit for letters of credit, and expires on August 8, 2023.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at one of two alternative rates, as selected by the Company at each incremental borrowing.  These alternatives are: (i) LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), plus applicable margin, typically borrowed in fixed 30-day increments or (ii) the agent bank’s prime rate generally borrowed over shorter durations.  At the option of Citizens Bank, LIBOR can be replaced with SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate). Citizens Bank has not indicated when this switch may occur, but in any event, the Company does not believe there will be any material impact on its borrowing rate. The Company also pays unused line fees based on the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility that is not drawn.  Unused line fees are recorded as interest expense.  The effective weighted average interest rate, including unused line fees, for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 were 1.6% and 2.4%, respectively.

All borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are collateralized by all of the assets of the Company and a pledge of the stock of its subsidiaries.  The Revolving Credit Facility also contains various financial and non-financial covenants, such as a covenant that restricts the Company’s ability to borrow in order to pay dividends. As of April 2, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility (as amended).     

Borrowings under the line of credit as of April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were $15.3 million and $14.2 million, respectively.  At both April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 there were letters of credit outstanding for $1.9 million.  At April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022, the Company had availability for additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility of $27.8 million and $28.9 million, respectively.

9.     Per Share Data

The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the weighted-average shares outstanding used for diluted earnings per share.  The number of weighted-average shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 was determined as follows:

For all periods presented, there were no anti-dilutive shares included in the calculation of common stock equivalents as there were no stock options outstanding.

Unissued shares of common stock were reserved for the following purposes:

10.  Share-Based Compensation

At April 2, 2022, the Company had two share-based employee compensation plans. The Company measures the fair value of share-based awards, if and when granted, based on the Black-Scholes method and using the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.  Awards typically vest over periods ranging from one to five years and expire within 10 years of issuance.  The Company may also issue immediately vested equity awards.  Share-based compensation expense related to time-based awards is amortized in accordance with applicable vesting periods using the straight-line method. The Company expenses performance-based awards only when the performance metrics are likely to be achieved and the associated awards are therefore likely to vest.  Performance-based share awards that are likely to vest are also expensed on a straight-line basis over the vesting period but may vest on a retroactive basis or be reversed, depending on when it is determined that they are likely to vest, or in the case of a reversal when they are later determined to be unlikely to vest or forfeited. 

Share-based compensation expense for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022, and April 3, 2021, was $403 and $362, respectively.  Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s income statement.

10.  Share-Based Compensation (Continued)

As of April 2, 2022, the Company had $1.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to all time-based non-vested share-based awards outstanding. The Company expects to recognize this expense over approximately five years.  These amounts do not include a) the cost of any additional share-based awards granted in future periods or b) the impact of any potential changes in the Company’s forfeiture rate. 

Incentive Share-Based Plans

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

The Company implemented the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”) with shareholder approval, effective January 1, 2001.  Under the Purchase Plan, employees meeting certain specific employment qualifications are eligible to participate and can purchase shares of common stock semi-annually through payroll deductions at the lower of 85% of the fair market value of the stock at the commencement or end of the offering period.  The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock through payroll deductions for up to 10% of qualified compensation, subject to maximum purchases in any one fiscal year of 3,000 shares.

In fiscal 2015, the Company amended the Purchase Plan with shareholder approval to increase the aggregate number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Purchase Plan by an additional 300,000 shares so that the total number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Plan shall be 1,100,000 shares and to extend the expiration date of the Purchase Plan to December 31, 2025.  In fiscal 2018, the Company amended the Purchase Plan with shareholder approval to increase the aggregate number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Purchase Plan by an additional 300,000 shares so that the total number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Plan shall be 1,400,000 shares.  In fiscal 2021, the Company amended the Purchase Plan with shareholder approval to increase the aggregate number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Purchase Plan by an additional 400,000 shares so that the total number of shares of stock reserved for issuance or transfer under the Plan shall be 1,800,000 shares and the termination date of the Purchase Plan was extended to December 31, 2030.

The Company has two offering periods in the Purchase Plan coinciding with the Company’s first two fiscal quarters and the last two fiscal quarters. Actual shares are issued on the first business day of the subsequent offering period for the prior offering period payroll deductions.  The number of shares issued on January 3, 2022 (the first business day following the previous offering period) was 37,133.  As of April 2, 2022, there were 410,977 shares available for issuance under the Purchase Plan. 

2014 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (the 2014 Plan)

The 2014 Plan, approved by the Company’s shareholders in December 2014, initially provided for the issuance of up to 625,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to officers, non-employee directors, employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, or consultants and advisors utilized by the Company.  In fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2020, the Company amended and restated the 2014 Plan with shareholder approval to increase the aggregate number of shares of stock reserved for issuance under the Plan by an additional 500,000 and 850,000 shares, respectively, so that the total number of shares of stock reserved for issuance under the Plan is 1,975,000 shares.  The expiration date of the Plan is December 17, 2030, unless the 2014 Plan is terminated earlier by the Board or is extended by the Board with the approval of the stockholders.  The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determines the vesting period at the time of grant. 

10.  Share-Based Compensation (Continued)

2014 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan (the 2014 Plan) (Continued)

As of April 2, 2022, under the 2014 Plan, 369,953 time-based shares were outstanding, 75,000 performance-based restricted share units were outstanding and 2,924 shares were available for awards thereunder.

The market value of equity grants issued for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 was $1.9 million and $835, respectively.  These amounts are based on the equity price on the last trading day in the period presented.

Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards

From time-to-time the Company issues time-based restricted stock awards.  These time-based restricted stock awards typically include dividend accrual equivalents, which means that any dividends paid by the Company during the vesting period become due and payable after the vesting period assuming the grantee’s restricted stock award fully vests.  Dividends for these grants are accrued on the dividend payment dates and included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.  As of April 2, 2022, there were no accrued dividends.  Dividends for time-based restricted stock units that ultimately do not vest are forfeited.   

The following summarizes the activity in the time-based restricted stock units under the 2014 Plan during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022:

Based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $10.95 per share on April 1, 2022 (the last trading day prior to April 2, 2022), the intrinsic value of the time-based non-vested restricted stock units at April 2, 2022 was approximately $4.1 million. As of April 2, 2022, there was approximately $0.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to time-based restricted stock units, which is expected to be recognized over the average weighted remaining vesting period of the restricted stock units through fiscal 2027.

During the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, the Company did not award immediately vested share awards.  During the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021, the Company awarded 125,000 immediately vested share awards at an average price of $2.17.

10.  Share-Based Compensation (Continued)

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units

From time-to-time, the Company issues performance-based restricted stock units to its executives.  Performance-based restricted stock units are typically vested based on certain multi-year performance metrics as determined by the Board of Directors Compensation Committee. These performance-based restricted stock units typically include dividend accrual equivalents, which means that any dividends paid by the Company during the vesting period become due and payable after the vesting period on any stock awards that actually vest, if any.  Dividends for these grants are accrued on the dividend payment dates and included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.  As of April 2, 2022, there were no accrued dividends for performance-based restricted stock units.  Dividends for performance-based restricted stock units that ultimately do not vest are forfeited.   

To date, the Company has issued performance-based restricted stock units only under the 2014 Plan.  The following summarizes the activity in the performance-based restricted stock units during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022:

As of April 2, 2022, there was one outstanding grant for performance-based restricted stock units. The target number of shares for this grant of performance-based restricted stock units is 100,000 shares but may be increased to 125,000 shares depending on the performance metrics achieved. No more than 75,000 shares may come from the 2014 Plan. Any additional amount over 75,000 shares must come from future amounts approved by the Company's shareholders.  The Company assesses at each reporting date whether achievement of any performance condition is probable and recognizes the expense when achievement of the performance condition becomes probable.  The Company will then recognize the appropriate expense cumulatively in the year performance becomes probable and recognize the remaining compensation cost over the remaining requisite service period. If at a later measurement date the Company determines that performance-based restricted stock awards deemed as likely to vest are deemed as unlikely to vest, the expense recognized will be reversed. 

The Company has estimated as of April 2, 2022 that a total of 125,000 performance-based stock units will be earned for fiscal 2022 performance metrics. The total expense recorded for the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2022 for performance-based stock units was $0.2 million. The total expense recorded for the thirteen weeks ended April 3, 2021 for performance-based stock units was $0.1 million.

11.  Treasury Stock Transactions

On January 13, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock constituting, in the aggregate, up to an amount not to exceed $7.5 million.  All of these repurchases are conducted under the safe harbor from liability under certain market manipulation rules provided by Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange act of 1934, as amended. On November 12, 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors further increased the total amount available to repurchase shares up to an amount not to exceed $19.1 million (including the initial $7.5 million authorized), consistent with the maximum limitation set forth by the Company’s revolving line of credit. The program is designed to provide the Company with enhanced flexibility over the long term to optimize its capital structure. Shares of the common stock may be repurchased in the open market or through negotiated transactions. The program may be terminated or suspended at any time at the discretion of the Company. 

During the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, the Company purchased 406,480 shares at an average price of $6.84 per share.  During the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021, the Company purchased 344,172 shares at an average price of $2.65 per share. As of April 2, 2022, the Company has $7.3 million available for future treasury stock purchases.

12.  New Accounting Standards and Updates from the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”)                        

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The new standard amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available-for-sale debt securities.  In February 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-02, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 119 and Update to SEC Section on Effective Date Related to Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which amends the effective date of the original pronouncement for smaller reporting companies.  ASU 2016-13 and its amendments will be effective for the Company for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company believes the adoption will modify the way the Company analyzes financial instruments, but it does not anticipate a material impact on results of operations. The Company is in the process of determining the effects the adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This standard only applies to contracts and other transactions that reference London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. This guidance provides temporary optional expedients and exceptions to accounting guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease entities’ financial reporting burdens as the market transitions from the LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

13.  Segment Information

The Company follows ASC 280, “Segment Reporting,” which establishes standards for companies to report information about operating segments, geographic areas and major customers.  The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies (see Note 1 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2022).

Segment operating income (loss) includes selling, general and administrative expenses directly attributable to that segment as well as charges for allocating corporate costs to each of the operating segments.  The following tables reflect the results of the reportable segments consistent with the Company’s management system:

13.  Segment Information (Continued)

The Company derives a majority of its revenue from offices in the United States. Revenues reported for each operating segment are all from external customers.  The Company is domiciled in the United States and its segments operate in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Serbia. Revenue by geographic area for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 are as follows:   

Total assets by geographic area as of the reported periods are as follows:

14.  Income Taxes  

The Company recognized $2.5 million of income tax expense for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, as compared to $0.4 million for the comparable prior year period.  The consolidated effective income tax rate for the current period was 27.4% as compared to 26.1% for the comparable prior year period. The projected fiscal 2022 income tax rates as of April 2, 2022, were approximately 27.7%, 26.7 % and 15.1 % in the United States, Canada and Serbia, respectively. The relative income or loss generated in each jurisdiction can materially impact the overall effective income tax rate of the Company, particularly the ratio of Canadian and Serbian pretax income versus U.S. pretax income.  The comparable prior year period estimated income tax rates were 28.0%, 26.5% and 15.1% in the United States, Canada and Serbia, respectively. 

Differences between the effective tax rate and the applicable U.S. federal statutory rate may arise, primarily from the effect of state and local income taxes, share-based compensation, and potential tax credits available to the Company. The actual 2022 effective tax rate may vary from the estimate depending on the actual operating income earned in various jurisdictions, the potential availability of tax credits, and the exercise of stock options and vesting of share-based awards.

From time to time, the Company is a defendant in various legal actions that arise in the ordinary business course.  These matters may relate to professional liability, tax, compensation, contract, competitor disputes, and employee-related matters and include individual and class action lawsuits, as well as inquiries and investigations by governmental agencies regarding the Company’s employment and compensation practices. Additionally, some of the Company’s clients may also become subject to claims, governmental inquiries and investigations, and legal actions relating to the Company’s professional services. Depending upon the particular facts and circumstances, the Company may also be subject to indemnification obligations under its contracts with such clients relating to these matters.

As such, the Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of losses and possible recoveries.  The Company may not be covered by insurance as it pertains to some or all of these matters.  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 Company records a liability when management believes an adverse outcome from a loss contingency is both probable and the amount, or a range, can be reasonably estimated. From time to time, the Company must estimate the potential loss even though the party adverse to the Company has not asserted any specific amounts.  Significant judgment is required to determine both probability of loss and the estimated amount. The Company reviews its loss contingencies at least quarterly and adjusts its accruals and/or disclosures to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, or other new information, as deemed necessary. Once established, a provision may change in the future due to new developments or changes in circumstances and could increase or decrease the Company’s earnings in the period that the changes are made. 

The Company is exposed to various asserted claims as of April 2, 2022, where the Company believes it has a probability of loss. Additionally, the Company is exposed to other asserted claims whereby an amount of loss has not been declared, and the Company cannot determine the potential loss. Any of these various claims could result in an unfavorable outcome or settlement that exceeds the accrued amounts. However, the Company believes that such matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As of April 2, 2022, the Company has accrued $1.9 million for asserted claims. 

In April 2022, a client of the Company’s Industrial Processing Group alleged that a system partially designed by the Company is not operating as intended, and that the Company is responsible. The Company is attempting to find a mutually agreeable solution but has not determined if it has any liability. In the event of liability, the Company believes its damages are contractually limited to $3.3 million. Since the Company has not determined that a loss is probable, the Company has not accrued any liability for this project.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which continues to present various health, business and other challenges throughout the United States. As a result, we have temporarily closed or reduced many of our office locations, with much of our workforce working from home. The duration and ultimate magnitude of the disruption remains uncertain. Therefore, we experienced a negative impact during fiscal 2020 and in fiscal 2021 for certain of our business lines.  The COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact our business, results of operations, and financial position in fiscal 2022 and possibly beyond.  The related financial impact, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.

Leases are recorded in accordance with FASB ASC 842, Leases which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and an operating right of use liability for all leases with terms greater than 12 months and requires disclosures by lessees and lessors about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. For leases where the Company is the lessee, right of use assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Right of use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The right of use asset also consists of any lease incentives received. The lease terms used to calculate the right of use asset and related lease liability include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an operating expense while the expense for finance leases is recognized as depreciation expense and interest expense using the accelerated interest method of recognition. The Company has lease agreements which require payments for lease and non-lease components. The Company has elected to account for these as a single lease component with the exception of its real estate leases.

The components of lease expense were as follows:

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:

Supplemental balance sheet information as of April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 related to leases was as follows:

Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

Private Securities Litigation Reform Act Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements included herein and in other reports and public filings made by RCM Technologies, Inc. (“RCM” or the “Company”) are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the adoption by businesses of new technology solutions; the use by businesses of outsourced solutions, such as those offered by the Company, in connection with such adoption; the Company’s strategic and business initiatives and growth strategies; and the outcome of litigation (at both the trial and appellate levels) and arbitrations, or other business disputes, involving the Company. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements, as well as others made by the Company, which may be identified by words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “estimate,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” and similar expressions, are only predictions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results and financial position to differ materially from such statements.  Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation:  (i) unemployment and general economic conditions affecting the provision of life sciences, information technology and engineering services and solutions and the placement of temporary staffing personnel; (ii) the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; (iii) the Company’s ability to continue to attract, train and retain personnel qualified to meet the requirements of its clients; (iv) the Company’s ability to identify appropriate acquisition candidates, complete such acquisitions and successfully integrate acquired businesses; (v) the Company’s relationships with and reliance upon significant customers, and ability to collect accounts receivable from such customers; (vi) risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations and changes in exchange rates, particularly with respect to the Canadian dollar; (vii) uncertainties regarding amounts of deferred consideration and earnout payments to become payable to former shareholders of acquired businesses; (viii) the adverse effect a potential decrease in the trading price of the Company’s common stock would have upon the Company’s ability to acquire businesses through the issuance of its securities; (ix) the Company’s ability to obtain financing on satisfactory terms; (x) the reliance of the Company upon the continued service of its executive officers; (xi) the Company’s ability to remain competitive in the markets that it serves; (xii) the Company’s ability to maintain its unemployment insurance premiums and workers compensation premiums; (xiii) the risk of claims being made against the Company associated with providing temporary staffing services; (xiv) the Company’s ability to manage significant amounts of information and periodically expand and upgrade its information processing capabilities; (xv) the risk of cyber attacks on our information technology systems or those of our third party vendors; (xvi) the Company’s ability to remain in compliance with federal and state wage and hour laws and regulations; (xvii) uncertainties in predictions as to the future need for the Company’s services; (xviii) uncertainties relating to the allocation of costs and expenses to each of the Company’s operating segments; (ixx) the costs of conducting and the outcome of litigation, arbitrations and other business disputes involving the Company, and the applicability of insurance coverage with respect to any such litigation; (xx) the results of, and costs relating to, any interactions with shareholders of the Company who may pursue specific initiatives with respect to the Company’s governance and strategic direction, including without limitation a contested proxy solicitation initiated by such shareholders, or any similar such interactions; and (xxi) other economic, competitive, health and governmental factors affecting the Company’s operations, markets, products and services.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision of these forward-looking statements to reflect these trends or circumstances after the date they are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

COVID-19 Considerations

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a pandemic, which continues to present various health, business and other challenges throughout the United States. As a result, we have temporarily closed or reduced many of our office locations, with a significant portion of our workforce working from home. The duration and ultimate magnitude of the disruption remains uncertain. We experienced a negative impact during fiscal 2020 and, for certain of our business lines, in fiscal 2021.  The COVID-19 pandemic may negatively impact our business, results of operations, and financial position in fiscal 2022 and possibly beyond.  The related financial impact, if any, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. 

The Company believes its Engineering and the Life Sciences and Information Technology segments have seen a decline in their field services work as their personnel have experienced constrained access to client facilities. It is difficult to determine the impact on revenue from the loss in field services work. The Company believes that an undetermined amount of field services work will eventually return as a portion of that work is mission-critical to our clients. While the Company has recently seen signs of improvement, given the uncertainties around COVID-19, the Company can give no assurances that it will see an increase in field services revenue.  Additionally, the Company believes that COVID-19 has had a significant adverse impact on the budgets of many of its Aerospace and Utilities clients. The Company’s Aerospace clients have seen an impact to their commercial lines of business.  A number of the Company’s Utility clients have been impacted by their customers’ inability to pay their monthly electric bills.

It is difficult to assess both the current and future impact from COVID-19 to the Specialty Health Care segment, due to the high degree of uncertainty around COVID-19 and the duration and extent of the pandemic, especially as it may impact schools where many of our personnel work. While the Specialty Health Care segment has a small number of billable professionals performing services from home, in particular, through its telehealth services offerings, most of its billable staff works at client locations. The majority of the Specialty Health Care segment’s services are historically delivered at schools and health care facilities. The Company believes that demand for much of its services is very high as a result of COVID-19. However, health care professionals, such as nurses and doctors, are scarce and difficult to recruit. Also, the Company believes that any major changes in the pandemic, such as a new variant, could adversely impact revenue. For example, if the Specialty Health Care segment’s school clients were to return to virtual learning as we experienced in 2020 and portions of 2021, the Specialty Health Care segment could experience a material decline in revenue. Conversely, the Specialty Health Care clients’ demand for the Company’s services may decline in the event the pandemic fully transitions to an endemic.

The Company’s priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic are protecting the health and safety of our employees and, especially in the healthcare segment, deploying our resources, including the talents of our employees, to help the communities we serve meet and overcome the current challenges.  Our ability to continue to operate without any significant negative operational impact from the COVID-19 pandemic will in part depend on our ability to protect our employees and our supply chain.  The Company has endeavored to follow the recommended actions of government and health authorities to protect our employees, with particular measures in place for those working in our customer facilities. 

While our revenue, gross profit and operating income were negatively impacted in fiscal 2020 on a consolidated basis and, for certain business lines, in fiscal 2021, we have maintained the consistency of our operations, to a substantial degree, from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We intend to continue to adhere to our employee safety measures as we seek to ensure that any disruptions to our operations remain as limited as possible during the pandemic.  However, the uncertainty resulting from the pandemic could result in an unforeseen disruption to our workforce and supply chain (for example, an inability of a key supplier or transportation supplier to source and transport materials) that could negatively impact our operations.  Any material changes to labor rates for the Company’s workforce may have a material negative impact to revenue, gross profit and operating income.

Overview

RCM participates in a market that is cyclical in nature and sensitive to economic changes.  As a result, the impact of economic changes on revenue and operations can be substantial, resulting in significant volatility in the Company’s financial performance. 

The Company believes it has developed and assembled an attractive portfolio of capabilities, established a proven record of performance and credibility and built an efficient pricing structure.  The Company is committed to optimizing its business model as a single-source premier provider of business and technology solutions with a strong vertical focus offering an integrated suite of services through a global delivery platform.

The Company believes that most companies recognize the importance of advanced technologies and business processes to compete in today’s business climate.  However, the process of designing, developing and implementing business and technology solutions is becoming increasingly complex.  The Company believes that many businesses today are focused on return on investment analysis in prioritizing their initiatives.  This has had an adverse impact on spending by current and prospective clients for many emerging new solutions.

Nonetheless, the Company continues to believe that businesses must implement more advanced life sciences, information technology and engineering solutions to upgrade their systems, applications and processes so that they can maximize their productivity and optimize their performance in order to maintain a competitive advantage.  Although working under budgetary, personnel and expertise constraints, companies are driven to support increasingly complex systems, applications and processes of significant strategic value.  This has given rise to a demand for outsourcing.  The Company believes that its current and prospective clients are continuing to evaluate the potential for outsourcing business critical systems, applications and processes. 

The Company provides project management and consulting services, which are billed based on either agreed-upon fixed fees or hourly rates, or a combination of both.  The billing rates and profit margins for project management and solutions services are generally higher than those for professional consulting services. The Company generally endeavors to expand its sales of higher margin solutions and project management services.  The Company also realizes revenue from client engagements that range from the placement of contract and temporary technical consultants to project assignments that entail the delivery of end-to-end solutions.  These services are primarily provided to the client at hourly rates that are established for each of the Company’s consultants based upon their skill level, experience and the type of work performed.

The majority of the Company’s services are provided under purchase orders.  Contracts are utilized on certain of the more complex assignments where the engagements are for longer terms or where precise documentation on the nature and scope of the assignment is necessary.  Although contracts normally relate to longer-term and more complex engagements, they do not obligate the customer to purchase a minimum level of services and are generally terminable by the customer on 60 to 90 days’ notice.  The Company, from time to time, enters into contracts requiring the completion of specific deliverables.  Typically these contracts are for less than one year.  The Company recognizes revenue on these deliverables at the time the client accepts and approves the deliverables.

Overview (Continued)

Costs of services consist primarily of salaries and compensation-related expenses for billable consultants and employees, including payroll taxes, employee benefits and insurance.  Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits of personnel responsible for business development, recruiting, operating activities, and training, and include corporate overhead expenses.  Corporate overhead expenses relate to salaries and benefits of personnel responsible for corporate activities, including the Company’s corporate marketing, administrative and financial reporting responsibilities and acquisition program. The Company records these expenses when incurred.  Corporate overhead expenses are allocated to the segments based on revenue for the purpose of segment financial reporting.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us 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 amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. In our consolidated financial statements, estimates are used for, but not limited to, accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts, goodwill, long-lived intangible assets, accounting for stock options and restricted stock awards, insurance liabilities, accounting for income taxes and accrued bonuses.

A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in our Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2022. Certain of our accounting policies are considered critical, as these policies require significant, difficult or complex judgments by management, often requiring the use of estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Such policies are summarized in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2022.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

A discussion of the recently issued accounting pronouncements is set forth in Note 13, New Accounting Standards, in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference.

Forward-looking Information

The Company’s growth prospects are influenced by broad economic trends.  The pace of customer capital spending programs, new product launches and similar activities have a direct impact on the need for engineering, life sciences and information technology services. When the U.S., Canadian or global economies decline, the Company’s operating performance could be adversely impacted.  In addition, global events such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic also have a substantial impact on our operations and financial results.  The Company believes that its fiscal discipline, strategic focus on targeted vertical markets and diversification of service offerings provides some insulation from adverse trends.  However, general economic declines could result in the need for future cost reductions or changes in strategy.

Additionally, changes in government regulations could result in prohibition or restriction of certain types of employment services or the imposition of new or additional employee benefits, licensing or tax requirements with respect to the provision of employment services that may reduce the Company’s future earnings. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase the fees charged to its clients in a timely manner and in a sufficient amount to cover increased costs as a result of any of the foregoing.

The consulting and employment services market is highly competitive with limited barriers to entry. The Company competes in global, national, regional and local markets with numerous competitors in all of the Company’s service lines.  Price competition in the industries the Company serves is significant, and pricing pressures from competitors and customers are increasing. The Company expects that the level of competition will remain high in the future, which could limit the Company’s ability to maintain or increase its market share or profitability.

Thirteen Week Period Ended April 2, 2022 Compared to Thirteen Week Period Ended April 3, 2021

A summary of operating results for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 is as follows (in thousands):

The Company follows a 52/53 week fiscal reporting calendar ending on the Saturday closest to December 31. The fiscal quarters ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 consisted of thirteen weeks each. 

Revenue.  Revenue increased 84.0%, or $37.4 million, for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021 (the “comparable prior year period”).  Revenue increased $5.4 million in the Engineering segment, $31.1 million in the Specialty Health Care segment and $0.9 million in the Life Sciences and Information Technology segment.  See more detailed disclosure by segment in our Segment Discussion.

Cost of Services and Gross Profit.  Cost of services increased 73.7%, or $24.8 million, for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to the comparable prior year period. Cost of services increased primarily due to the increase in revenue.  Cost of services as a percentage of revenue for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 was 71.4% and 75.6%, respectively.  See Segment Discussion for further information regarding changes in cost of services and gross profit.

Selling, General and Administrative.  Selling, general and administrative (“SGA”) expenses were $14.1 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to $9.1 million for the comparable prior year period.  As a percentage of revenue, SGA expenses were 17.2% for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 and 20.5% for the comparable prior year period.   See Segment Discussion for further information on SGA expense changes.

Other Expense.  Other expense consists of interest expense, unused line fees and amortized loan costs on the Company’s line of credit, net of interest income, imputed interest on contingent consideration and gains and losses on foreign currency transactions.  Other expense, net increased by a negligible amount as compared to the comparable prior year period.  Interest expense decreased primarily due to decreased borrowing, and also due to a decreased average borrowing rate under the Company’s line of credit.

Thirteen Week Period Ended April 2, 2022 Compared to Thirteen Week Period Ended April 3, 2021 (Continued)

Income Tax Expense (Benefit).  The Company recognized $2.5 million of income tax expense for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, as compared to $0.4 million of income tax benefit for the comparable prior year period.  The consolidated effective income tax rate for the current period was 27.4% as compared to 26.1% for the comparable prior year period.  The projected fiscal 2022 income tax rates as of April 2, 2022, were approximately 27.7%, 26.7% and 15.1% in the United States, Canada, and Serbia, respectively. The relative income or loss generated in each jurisdiction can materially impact the overall effective income tax rate of the Company, particularly the ratio of Canadian and Serbian pretax income versus U.S. pretax income.  The effective income tax rate can also be impacted by discrete permanent differences affecting any period presented.

Differences between the effective tax rate and the applicable U.S. federal statutory rate may arise, primarily from the effect of state and local income taxes, share-based compensation, and potential tax credits available to the Company. The actual 2022 effective tax rate may vary from the estimate depending on the actual operating income earned in various jurisdictions, the potential availability of tax credits, and the exercise of stock options and vesting of share-based awards.

Segment Discussion

Engineering

Engineering revenues of $19.9 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 increased 37.5%, or $5.4 million, compared to the comparable prior year period.  The increase in revenue was comprised of the following: increases in Aerospace revenue of $4.2 million, Industrial Processing revenue of $2.6 million, and Energy Services revenue of $1.0 million, offset by the decrease in revenue resulting from the sale of the Canadian Power Systems Group of $2.4 million.  The increase in Aerospace revenue was primarily due to a new outsourcing engagement with one of the Company’s long-time customers and the Company’s entrance into the burgeoning rocket industry. The increase in Industrial Processing revenue was primarily due to spending increases by several major customers seeking to upgrade their ethanol related production capability. Gross profit increased by 63.2%, or $2.0 million, as compared to the comparable prior year period. Gross profit increased because of the increase in revenue and an increase in gross profit margin. Gross profit margin of 26.3% for the current period increased from 22.2% for the comparable prior year period. The increase in gross profit margin was due to three factors: 1) decreased revenue from the Canadian Power Systems Group, as the prior year gross profit margin was dilutive at 20.6%; 2) improved project execution across all three of the Engineering business lines; and 3) a concerted effort to improve gross profit margin through better managing utilization and focusing on higher gross profit margin opportunities. The Engineering segment’s SGA expense of $4.1 million increased by $1.0 million due to investment in new personnel to reposition and generate future growth. The Engineering segment experienced operating income of $1.0 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, as compared to an operating loss of $0.1 million for the comparable prior year period.

On July 30, 2021, the Company sold the principal assets and certain liabilities of its Pickering and Kincardine offices, located in Ontario, Canada. These two offices were often referred to as the Canadian Power Systems business and principally provided engineering services to two major nuclear power providers in Canada.  The two Canadian Power Systems offices were part of a reporting unit within the Company’s Engineering segment. The Company will continue to offer other engineering services in Canada and similar services in the United States.  For the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021, these two offices generated revenue of $2.4 million.

Thirteen Week Period Ended April 2, 2022 Compared to Thirteen Week Period Ended April 3, 2021 (Continued)

Segment Discussion (Continued)

Specialty Health Care

Specialty Health Care revenue of $52.2 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 increased 146.9%, or $31.1 million, as compared to the comparable prior year period.  The increase in revenue was driven by both the Company’s school and non-school clients. Revenue from school clients for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 was $41.5 million as compared to $14.1 million for the comparable prior year period. Revenue from non-school clients for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 was $10.7 million as compared to $7.0 million for the comparable prior year period. Revenue increases were due to the reopening of Specialty Health Care School clients and unprecedented demand for health care professionals across all types of clients served. The Specialty Health Care segment’s gross profit increased by 197.8%, or $10.0 million, to $15.0 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, as compared to $5.0 million for the prior year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the increase in revenue, but also a higher gross profit margin. Gross profit margin for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 increased to 28.7% as compared to 23.8% for the comparable prior year period.  The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to more normalized revenue and the high demand for certain services.  Specialty Health Care experienced operating income of $6.9 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, as compared to $0.9 million for the comparable prior year period. The primary reason for the increase in operating income was the increase to gross profit, offset by an increase in SGA expense. SGA expense increased by $3.9 million to $8.0 million, as compared to $4.1 million in the comparable prior year period. The increase in SGA expense was primarily due to increasing our workforce to help meet increased demand.

Life Sciences and Information Technology

Life Sciences and Information Technology revenue of $9.9 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 increased 10.4%, or $0.9 million, as compared to $9.0 million for the comparable prior year period. The increase in Life Sciences and Information Technology revenue was primarily driven by the Company’s Life Sciences practice. The Company believes that the Life Sciences industry has not seen a negative impact from COVID-19. Gross profit of $3.2 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 increased 22.2%, or $0.6 million, as compared to $2.6 million for the comparable prior year period. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the increase in revenue, as well as an increase in gross profit margin.  The Life Sciences and Information Technology gross profit margin for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 was 32.2% as compared to 29.1% for the comparable prior year period.  The Company attributes the gross profit margin increase to higher revenue from its Life Sciences practice and a concerted effort to increase gross profit margin through its managed service offerings. SGA expense increased by $0.1 million to $2.1 million, as compared to $2.0 million in the comparable prior year period. The increase in SGA expense was a driven by increased expenditures in sales and recruiting. The Life Sciences and Information Technology segment experienced operating income of $1.1 million as compared to $0.6 million for the comparable prior year period. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenue and gross profit, and also the decrease in SGA expense.

Thirteen Week Period Ended April 2, 2022 Compared to Thirteen Week Period Ended April 3, 2021 (Continued)

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table summarizes the major captions from the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):

Operating Activities

Operating activities provided $2.5 million of cash for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to using $9.1 million in the comparable prior year period.  The major components of cash provided by operating activities in the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 and the comparable prior year period are as follows: net income, and changes in accounts receivable, the net of transit accounts payable and transit accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses and accrued payroll and related costs, and deferred revenue.

For the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, the Company experienced net income of $6.5 million as compared to $1.0 million for the comparable prior year period.  An increase in accounts receivables in the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 used $10.2 million of cash as compared to $9.1 million in the comparable prior year period. The Company primarily attributes this increase in accounts receivables for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 to the increase in revenue for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to the thirteen week period ended January 1, 2022. 

While highly variable, the Company’s transit accounts payable typically exceeds the Company’s transit accounts receivable, but absolute amounts and differences fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter in the normal course of business.  The net of transit accounts payable and transit accounts receivable was a net payable of $1.6 million as of April 2, 2022 and a net payable of $1.1 million as of January 1, 2022, providing $0.5 million of cash during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022.  The net of transit accounts payable and transit accounts receivable was a net payable of $0.6 million as of April 3, 2021 and a net payable of $2.4 million as of January 2, 2021, using $1.8 million of cash during the thirteen week period ended April 3, 2021. 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets provided cash of $0.1 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to $0.5 million of cash for the comparable prior year period.  The Company attributes changes to prepaid expenses and other current assets, if any, to general timing of payments in the normal course of business. Since certain expenses are paid before a fiscal year concludes and are amortized over the next fiscal year, prepaid expenses and other current assets generally tend to increase at the end of a fiscal year and decrease during the first half.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

Operating Activities (Continued)

An increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $1.0 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to providing negligible cash for the comparable prior year period.  The Company attributes these changes to typical fluctuations in the normal course of business.

Changes in accrued payroll and related costs provided cash of $5.4 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to providing negligible cash for the comparable prior year period.  There are four primary factors that generally impact accrued payroll and related costs: 1) there is a general correlation to operating expenses as payroll and related costs is the Company’s largest expense group, so as operating costs increase or decrease, absent all other factors, so will the accrued payroll and related costs; 2) the Company pays the majority of its payroll every two weeks and normally has thirteen weeks in a fiscal quarter, which means that the Company normally has a major payroll on the last business day of every other quarter; 3) the timing of various payroll related payments varies in the normal course of business; and 4) most of the Company’s senior management participate in annual incentive plans and while progress advances are sometimes made during the fiscal year, these accrued bonus balances, to the extent they are projected to be achieved, generally accumulate throughout the year.  A significant portion of these incentive plan accruals are typically paid at the beginning of one fiscal year, pertaining to the prior fiscal year.   The Company’s last major payroll for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 was paid on March 25, 2022.  During fiscal 2020, the Company deferred $3.3 million of employer payroll taxes under the CARES Act. Half of these deferred payroll taxes were paid in December 2021 and the remaining portion must be paid in December 2022.

Historically, the Company has experienced small deferred revenue balances that have been included in accounts payable and accrued expenses.  During the second half of fiscal 2021, the Company’ Industrial Processing group secured several contracts with significant front-loaded payments, thereby generating larger deferred revenue balances than typically generated. The Company’s deferred revenue balance as of April 2, 2022 was $2.5 million, as compared to $3.4 million as of April 3, 2021, using cash from operations of $0.9 million for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022. 

Investing Activities

Investing activities used $0.2 million of cash for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 and used negligible cash for the comparable prior year period.  Investing activities used $0.2 million for the purchase of property and equipment in the current period as compared to a negligible amount in the prior year comparable period.

Financing Activities

Financing activities used $1.6 million of cash for the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to providing $9.3 million in the comparable prior year period.  The Company made net borrowings under its line of credit of $1.1 million during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022 as compared to $10.1 million in the comparable prior year period.  The Company used $2.8 million to repurchase shares of its common stock in the current period as compared to $0.9 million in the comparable prior year period.  The Company generated cash of $0.1 million from sales of shares from its equity plans for the current period and the comparable prior year period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

Financing Activities (Continued)

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at one of two alternative rates, as selected by the Company at each incremental borrowing.  These alternatives are: (i) LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate), plus applicable margin, typically borrowed in fixed 30-day increments or (ii) the agent bank’s prime rate generally borrowed over shorter durations.  At the option of Citizens Bank, LIBOR can be replaced with SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate). The LIBOR alternative is being phased out in 2022.  Citizens Bank has not indicated when this switch will occur, but in any event, the Company does not believe there will be any material impact on its borrowing rate. The Company also pays unused line fees based on the amount of the Revolving Credit Facility that is not drawn.  Unused line fees are recorded as interest expense.  The effective weighted average interest rate, including unused line fees, for the thirteen week periods ended April 2, 2022 and April 3, 2021 were 1.6% and 2.4%, respectively.

All borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility are collateralized by all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries and a pledge of the stock of its subsidiaries.  The Revolving Credit Facility also contains various financial and non-financial covenants, such as a covenant that restricts the Company’s ability to borrow in order to pay dividends. As of April 2, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility (as amended).  The Company believes that it will maintain compliance with its financial covenants for the foreseeable future.   

Borrowings under the line of credit as of April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 were $15.3 million and $14.2 million, respectively.  At both April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022 there were letters of credit outstanding for $1.9 million.  At April 2, 2022 and January 1, 2022, the Company had availability for additional borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility of $27.8 million and $28.9 million, respectively.

In addition to borrowings and sales of shares from its equity plans, the Company may raise capital through sales of shares of common stock under its at the market issuance program (the “ATM Program”) established under its May 2021 At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with B. Riley Securities, Inc., as the agent (the “Agent”).  The ATM Program allows the Company to offer and sell shares of the common stock having an aggregate sales price of up to $17.9 million from time to time through the Agent.  The Company may also decide to increase the value of shares available to sell if the Company’s stock price increases.  To date, the Company has not sold any shares under the ATM Program. 

Impact to Line of Credit from COVID-19

The Company has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 as more fully described in Footnote 15 as well as the Segment Discussion, and Liquidity and Capital Resources sections in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. The Company believes that its current line of credit is adequate to provide the necessary liquidity if COVID-19 negatively impacts its operations.  While the Company does expect to be in compliance with its financial covenants in the line of credit for the foreseeable future, the Company can give no assurance that the line of credit will be available to the Company.

Current Liquidity and Revolving Credit Facility

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, maintain our assets, fund our operations, and meet the other general cash needs of our business. Our liquidity is impacted by general economic, financial, competitive, and other factors beyond our control. Our liquidity requirements consist primarily of funds necessary to pay our expenses, principally labor-costs, and other related expenditures. We generally satisfy our liquidity needs through cash provided by operations and, when necessary, our revolving line of credit from Citizens Bank. The Company believes it has a great deal of flexibility to reduce its costs if it becomes necessary. The Company believes that it can satisfy its liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

Current Liquidity and Revolving Credit Facility (Continued)

The Company’s liquidity and capital resources as of April 2, 2022, included accounts receivable and total current asset balances of $58.8 million and $63.1 million, respectively. Current liabilities were $35.7 million as of April 2, 2022 and were exceeded by total current assets by $27.4 million.

The Company experiences volatility in its daily cash flow and, at times, relies on the revolving line of credit to provide daily liquidity for the Company’s financial operations. As of April 2, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants contained in the Revolving Credit Facility.  The Company believes that it will maintain compliance with its financial covenants for the foreseeable future. 

Commitments and Contingencies

The Company anticipates that its primary uses of capital in future periods will be for working capital purposes.  Funding for any long-term and short-term capital requirements as well as future acquisitions will be derived from one or more of the Revolving Credit Facility (or a replacement thereof), funds generated through operations or future financing transactions.  The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business, which may or may not be covered by insurance.  Were an unfavorable final outcome to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on our financial position, liquidity, and the results of operations.

The Company’s business strategy is to achieve growth both internally through operations and externally through strategic acquisitions.  The Company from time to time engages in discussions with potential acquisition candidates. The Company has acquired numerous companies throughout its history and those acquisitions have generally included significant future contingent consideration. As the size of the Company and its financial resources increase however, acquisition opportunities requiring significant commitments of capital may arise. In order to pursue such opportunities, the Company may be required to incur debt or issue potentially dilutive securities in the future.  No assurance can be given as to the Company’s future acquisition and expansion opportunities or how such opportunities will be financed.

The Company is exposed to various asserted claims as of April 2, 2022, where the Company believes it has a probability of loss. Additionally, the Company is exposed to other asserted claims whereby an amount of loss has not been declared, and the Company cannot determine the potential loss. Any of these various claims could result in an unfavorable outcome or settlement that exceeds the accrued amounts. However, the Company believes that such matters will not, either individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on its business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. As of April 2, 2022, the Company has accrued $1.9 million for asserted claims. 

In April 2022, a client of the Company’s Industrial Processing Group alleged that a system partially designed by the Company is not operating as intended, and that the Company is responsible. The Company is attempting to find a mutually agreeable solution but has not determined if it has any liability. In the event of liability, the Company believes its damages are contractually limited to $3.3 million. Since the Company has not determined that a loss is probable, the Company has not accrued any liability for this project.

The Company utilizes SAP software for its financial reporting and accounting system which was implemented in 1999 and has not undergone significant upgrades since its initial implementation. The Company is implementing an upgrade of its current system during fiscal 2022. The Company estimates this upgrade or replacement of its financial reporting and accounting system will cost between $0.5 million and $1.0 million. These estimates are subject to material change.

Liquidity and Capital Resources (Continued)

Future Contingent Payments

The Company’s current commitments consist primarily of lease obligations for office space.  The Company believes that its capital resources are sufficient to meet its present obligations and those to be incurred in the normal course of business for at least the next 12 months.

The Company leases office facilities and various equipment under non-cancelable leases expiring at various dates through November 2027.  Certain leases are subject to escalation clauses based upon changes in various factors. 

Maturities of lease liabilities are as follows:

As of April 2, 2022, the Company had two active acquisition agreements whereby additional contingent consideration may be earned by the former shareholders: 1) effective October 1, 2017, the Company acquired all of the stock of PSR Engineering Solutions d.o.o. Beograd (Voždovac) (“PSR”) and 2) effective September 30, 2018, the Company acquired certain assets of Thermal Kinetics Engineering, PLLC and Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC (together, “TKE”). The Company estimates future contingent payments at April 2, 2022 as follows:

Estimates of future contingent payments are subject to significant judgment and actual payments may materially differ from estimates.  Potential future contingent payments to be made to all active acquisitions after April 2, 2022 are capped at a cumulative maximum of $0.7 million.  The Company estimates future contingent consideration payments based on forecasted performance and recorded the fair value of those expected payments as of April 2, 2022.  During the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, the Company measured the intangibles acquired at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  Contingent consideration related to acquisitions is recorded at fair value (level 3) with changes in fair value recorded in other (expense) income, net.

The Company’s exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the Company’s investment portfolio and debt instruments, which primarily consist of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Company does not have any derivative financial instruments in its portfolio.  The Company places its investments in instruments that meet high credit quality standards. The Company is adverse to principal loss and ensures the safety and preservation of its invested funds by limiting default risk, market risk and reinvestment risk.  As of April 2, 2022, the Company’s investments consisted of cash and money market funds.  The Company does not use interest rate derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate changes.  Based on the Company’s variable-rate line of credit balances during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, if the interest rate on the Company’s variable-rate line of credit (using an incremental borrowing rate) during the period had been 1.0% higher, the Company’s interest expense on an annualized basis would have increased by $0.2 million.  The Company does not expect any material loss with respect to its investment portfolio.

The Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that those disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

A controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.

As management prepares and executes its virtual financial close process, there could be related implications on the internal controls performed specifically in conjunction with the preparation, review, and filing of this report. There is a risk that moving to a virtual environment in response to COVID-19 could result in certain controls (e.g., financial closing and reporting controls) being overridden or performed less frequently, or that management could be designing and implementing new controls in response to new risks. In addition, in instances where relevant controls fail, and there are no compensating controls in place, there may be fewer opportunities to timely identify or remediate control deficiencies. There were otherwise no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the thirteen week period ended April 2, 2022, that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

See discussion of Contingencies in Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report.

For information regarding factors that could affect the Company’s business, see the risk factors discussed under Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022. 

None.

Not applicable.

None.

__________

*      Filed herewith

**   Furnished herewith

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