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ROLLINS INC - Annual Report: 2018 (Form 10-K)

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

     

 

FORM 10-K

 

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

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018

 

Commission file No. 1-4422

     

 

ROLLINS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   51-0068479
(State or other jurisdiction of   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)    
     
2170 Piedmont Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia   30324
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

     

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (404) 888-2000

 

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

     
    Name of each
         Title of each class                 Exchange on which registered     
Common Stock, $1 Par Value   The New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes o No x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x   Accelerated filer o  
Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)  
Emerging growth company o        
           
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

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

The aggregate market value of Rollins, Inc. Common Stock held by non-affiliates on June 30, 2018 was $5,080,852 based on the reported last sale price of common stock on June 30, 2018, which is the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

Rollins, Inc. had 327,532,811 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of January 31, 2019.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Rollins, Inc. are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14.

 
 
Rollins, Inc.
Form 10-K
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
Table of Contents
        Page
Part I        
Item 1.   Business.   3
Item 1.A.   Risk Factors.   6
Item 1.B.   Unresolved Staff Comments.   9
Item 2.   Properties.   9
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings.   10
Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures.   10
Item 4.A.   Executive Officers of the Registrant.   10
         
Part II        
Item 5.   Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.   11
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data.   13
Item 7.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.   14
Item 7.A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.   22
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.   26
Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.   63
Item 9.A.   Controls and Procedures.   63
Item 9.B.     Other Information.   63
         
Part III        
Item 10.   Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.   63
Item 11.   Executive Compensation.   64
Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.   64
Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence.   64
Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services.   64
         
Part IV        
Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.   65
    Signatures.   68
    Schedule II.   70
    Exhibit Index.   71
2
 

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Rollins, Inc. (the “Company”) was originally incorporated in 1948 under the laws of the state of Delaware as Rollins Broadcasting, Inc.

The Company is an international service company with headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia, providing pest and termite control services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries to both residential and commercial customers in North America, Australia, and Europe with international franchises in Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. Services are performed through a contract that specifies the pricing arrangement with the customer.

 

For a listing of the Company’s Subsidiaries, see Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Notes to the Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8, of this Form 10-K).

The Company has only one reportable segment, its pest and termite control business. Revenue, operating profit and identifiable assets for this segment, which includes the United States, Canada, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico are included in Item 8 of this document, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” on pages 26 and 27. The Company’s results of operations and its financial condition are not reliant upon any single customer or a few customers or the Company’s foreign operations.

Three-for-Two Stock Split

All share and per share data presented have been adjusted to account for the three-for-two stock split effective December 10, 2018.

Common Stock Repurchase Program

At the July 24, 2012 Quarterly Board of Directors’ meeting, the Board authorized the purchase of 11.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not repurchase shares on the open market. In total, there are 7.6 million additional shares authorized to be repurchased under prior Board approval. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

 

Backlog

Backlog services and orders are usually provided within the month following the month of order receipt, except in the area of prepaid pest control and bait monitoring services, which are usually provided within twelve months of order receipt. The Company does not have a material portion of its business that may be subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of a governmental entity.

 

December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
Backlog  $5,837   $4,875   $5,303 

Franchising Programs

Orkin Franchises

 

The Company continues to expand its growth through Orkin’s franchise program. This program is primarily used in smaller markets where it is currently not economically feasible to locate a conventional Orkin branch. Domestic franchisees are subject to a contractual buyback provision at Orkin’s option with a pre-determined purchase price using a formula applied to revenues of the franchise. International franchise agreements also contain an optional buyback provision; however, the franchisee has the prior right of renewal of agreement. The Company, through its wholly-owned Orkin subsidiary, began its Orkin franchise program in the U.S. in 1994, and established its first international franchise in 2000. It has since been expanded to Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico.

3
 
   At December 31, 
Orkin franchise  2018   2017   2016 
Domestic franchises   47    47    50 
International franchises   86    81    70 
Total Orkin franchises   133    128    120 

Critter Control Franchises

 

The Company expands its animal control growth through Critter Control’s franchise program. The Company has purchased several Critter Control locations from its franchise owners while renaming and converting several Trutech locations to Critter Control. The majority of Critter Control’s locations are franchised. Critter Control has franchises in the United States and two in Canada as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

   At December 31, 
Critter Control franchises  2018   2017   2016 
Critter Control franchises   80    89    94 

Orkin Australia Franchises

 

The Company has Australian franchises through Orkin Australia’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Murray Pest Control and Scientific Pest Management.

   At December 31, 
Orkin Australia franchises  2018   2017   2016 
Total Orkin Australia franchises   10    11    7 

 

Seasonality

The business of the Company is affected by the seasonal nature of the Company’s pest and termite control services. The increase in pest presence and activity, as well as the metamorphosis of termites in the spring and summer (the occurrence of which is determined by the timing of the change in seasons), has historically resulted in an increase in the revenue of the Company’s pest and termite control operations during such periods as evidenced by the following chart.

   Total Net Revenues 
(in thousands)  2018   2017   2016 
First quarter  $408,742   $375,247   $352,736 
Second quarter   480,461    433,555    411,133 
Third quarter   487,739    450,442    423,994 
Fourth quarter   444,623    414,713    385,614 
Years ended December 31,  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477 
4
 

Inventories

The Company has relationships with a national pest control product distributor and other vendors for pest and termite control treatment products. The Company maintains a sufficient level of chemicals, materials and other supplies to fulfill its immediate servicing needs and to alleviate any potential short-term shortage in availability from its national network of suppliers.

 

Competition

The Company believes that Rollins, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Orkin, Orkin Canada, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Western Pest Services, The Industrial Fumigant Company, Crane Pest Control, Waltham Services, Trutech, PermaTreat, Orkin Australia, Critter Control, Safeguard Pest Control, Northwest Pest Control, OPC Services, and Aardwolf Pestkare competes favorably with competitors as the world’s largest pest and termite control company. The Company’s competitors include Terminix, Ecolab, Rentokil and Anticimex.

The principal methods of competition in the Company’s pest and termite control markets are quality of service, customer proximity and guarantee terms, reputation for safety, technical proficiency, and price.

Research and Development

Expenditures by the Company on research activities relating to the development of new products or services are not significant. Some of the new and improved service methods and products are researched, developed and produced by unaffiliated universities and companies. Also, a portion of these methods and products are produced to the specifications provided by the Company.

The Company maintains a close relationship with several universities for research and validation of treatment procedures and material selection.

The Company conducts tests of new products with the specific manufacturers of such products. The Company also works closely with leading scientists, educators, industry consultants and suppliers to improve service protocols and materials.

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations

The Company’s pest control business is subject to various legislative and regulatory enactments that are designed to protect the environment, public health and consumers. Compliance with these requirements has not had a material negative impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”)

This federal law (as amended) grants to the states the responsibility to be the primary agent in enforcement and conditions under which pest control companies operate. Each state must meet certain guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency in regulating the following: licensing, record keeping, contracts, standards of application, training and registration of products. This allows each state to institute certain features that set their regulatory programs in keeping with special interests of the citizens’ wishes in each state. The pest control industry is impacted by these federal and state regulations.

Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (“FQPA”)

The FQPA governs the manufacture, labeling, handling and use of pesticides and does not have a direct impact on how the Company conducts its business.

5
 

Environmental Remediation

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), also known as Superfund, is the primary Federal statute regulating the cleanup of inactive hazardous substance sites and imposing liability for cleanup on the responsible parties. Responsibilities governed by this statute include the management of hazardous substances, reporting releases of hazardous substances, and establishing the necessary contracts and agreements to conduct cleanup. Customarily, the parties involved will work with the EPA and under the direction of the responsible state agency to agree and implement a plan for site remediation. Consistent with the Company’s responsibilities under these regulations, the Company undertakes environmental assessments and remediation of hazardous substances from time to time as the Company determines its responsibilities for these purposes. As these situations arise, the Company accrues management’s best estimate of future costs for these activities. Based on management’s current estimates of these costs, management does not believe these costs are material to the Company’s financial condition or operating results.

 

Employees

The number of persons employed by the Company as of January 31, 2019 was approximately 14,000.

December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
Employees   13,734    13,126    12,153 

Available Information

Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports, are available free of charge on our website at www.rollins.com, under the heading “Investor Relations – Filings and Reports – SEC Filings,” as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Item 1.A.    Risk Factors

Our business depends on our strong brands, and failing to maintain and enhance our brands could hurt our ability to retain and expand our base of customers.

Our strong brands, Rollins, Orkin, HomeTeam Pest Defense, Western Pest Services, Northwest Pest Control, The Industrial Fumigant Company, Crane Pest Control, Waltham Services, Trutech, PermaTreat, Critter Control, Allpest, Safeguard Pest Control, Aardwolf Pestkare, OPC Services, and other strong brands have significantly contributed to the success of our business. Maintaining and enhancing our brands increases our ability to enter new markets and launch new and innovative services that better serve the needs of our customers. Our brands may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including, among others, reputational issues and product/technical failures. Further, if our brands are significantly damaged, our business, operating results, and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected. Maintaining and enhancing our brands will depend largely on our ability to remain a service leader and continue to provide high-quality, pest control products and services that are truly useful and play a meaningful role in people’s lives.

 

Economic conditions may adversely affect our business.

Pest and termite services represent discretionary expenditures to many of our residential customers. As consumers restrict their discretionary expenditures, we may suffer a decline in revenues from our residential service lines. Economic downturns can also adversely affect our commercial customers, including food service, hospitality and food processing industries whose business levels are particularly sensitive to adverse economies. For example, we may lose commercial customers and related revenues because of consolidation or cessation of commercial businesses or because these businesses switch to a lower cost provider.

Expanding into international markets presents unique challenges and our expansion efforts with respect to international operations may not be successful.

An element of our strategy includes further expansion into international markets. Our ability to successfully operate in international markets may be adversely affected by political, economic and social conditions beyond our control, local laws and customs, and legal and regulatory constraints, including compliance with applicable anti-corruption and currency laws and regulations, of the countries or regions in which we currently operate or intend to operate in the future. Risks inherent in our existing and future international operations also include, among others, the costs and difficulties of managing international operations, difficulties in identifying and gaining access to local suppliers, suffering possible adverse tax consequences from changes in tax laws or the unfavorable resolution of tax assessments or audits, maintaining product quality and greater difficulty in enforcing intellectual property rights. Additionally, foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations thereof may have an adverse effect on the financial results of our international operations.

6
 

Our inability to attract and retain skilled workers may impair growth potential and profitability.

Our ability to remain productive and profitable will depend substantially on our ability to attract and retain skilled workers. Our ability to expand our operations is in part impacted by our ability to increase our labor force. The demand for skilled employees is high, and the supply is very limited. A significant increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction in our skilled labor force, increases in wage rates paid by us, or both. If either of these events occurred, our capacity and profitability could be diminished, and our growth potential could be impaired.

We may not be able to maintain our competitive position in the pest control industry in the future.

We operate in a highly competitive industry. Our revenues and earnings may be affected by changes in competitors’ prices, and general economic issues. We compete with other large pest control companies, as well as numerous smaller pest control companies, for a finite number of customers. We believe that the principal competitive factors in the market areas that we serve are service quality, and product availability, terms of guarantees, reputation for safety, technical proficiency and price. Although we believe that our experience and reputation for safety and quality service are excellent, we cannot assure investors that we will be able to maintain our competitive position.

 

Our operations could be affected by pending and ongoing litigation.

In the normal course of business, some of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a number of lawsuits or arbitrations, which allege that plaintiffs have been damaged. The Company does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual year.

Our operations could be affected if there is unauthorized access of personal, financial, or other data or information about our customers, employees, third parties, or of Company’s proprietary of confidential information. We could be subject to interruption of our business operations, private litigation, reputational damage and costly penalties.

 

Our information technology systems, as well as the information technology systems of our third party business partners and service providers, can contain personal, financial, health, or other information that is entrusted to us by our customers and employees. Our information technology systems also contain Company’s and its wholly-owned subsidiaries’ proprietary and other confidential information related to our business, such as business plans and product development initiatives. We rely on, among other things, commercially available vendors, cyber protection systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of this information and data. The systems currently used for transmission and approval of payment card transactions, and the technology utilized in payment cards themselves, all of which can put payment card data at risk, meet standards set by the payment card industry (“PCI”). We continue to evaluate and modify our systems and protocols for data security compliance purposes, and such standards may change from time to time. Activities by third parties, advances in computer and software capabilities and encryption technology, new tools and discoveries and other events or developments may facilitate or result in a compromise or breach of our systems. Any compromises, breaches or errors in applications related to our systems or failures to comply with applicable standards could cause damage to our reputation and interruptions in our operations, including our customers’ ability to pay for our services and products by credit card or their willingness to purchase our services and products and could result in a violation of applicable laws, regulations, orders, industry standards or agreements and subject us to costs, penalties and liabilities which could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Also, a breach of data security could expose us to customer litigation and costs related to the reporting and handling of such a breach.

7
 

Our operations may be adversely affected if we are unable to comply with regulatory and environmental laws.

Our business is significantly affected by environmental laws and other regulations relating to the pest control industry and by changes in such laws and the level of enforcement of such laws. We are unable to predict the level of enforcement of existing laws and regulations, how such laws and regulations may be interpreted by enforcement agencies or court rulings, or whether additional laws and regulations will be adopted. We believe our present operations substantially comply with applicable federal and state environmental laws and regulations. We also believe that compliance with such laws has had no material adverse effect on our operations to date. However, such environmental laws are changed frequently. We are unable to predict whether environmental laws will, in the future, materially affect our operations and financial condition. Penalties for noncompliance with these laws may include cancellation of licenses, fines, and other corrective actions, which would negatively affect our future financial results.

We may not be able to identify, complete or successfully integrate acquisitions.

Acquisitions have been and may continue to be an important element of our business strategy. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to identify and acquire acceptable acquisition candidates on terms favorable to us in the future. We cannot assure investors that we will be able to integrate successfully the operations and assets of any acquired business with our own business. Any inability on our part to integrate and manage the growth from acquired businesses could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are affected by adverse weather conditions.

Our operations are directly impacted by the weather conditions worldwide. The business of the Company is affected by the seasonal nature of the Company’s pest and termite control services. The increase in pest presence and activity, as well as the metamorphosis of termites in the spring and summer (the occurrence of which is determined by the timing of the change in seasons), has historically resulted in an increase in the revenue and income of the Company’s pest and termite control operations during such periods. The business of the Company is also affected by extreme weather such as drought which can greatly reduce the pest population for extended periods.

Our franchisees, subcontractors, and vendors could take actions that could harm our business.

Our franchisees, subcontractors, and vendors are contractually obligated to operate their businesses in accordance with the standards set forth in our agreements with them. Each franchising brand also provides training and support to franchisees. However, franchisees, subcontractors, and vendors are independent third parties that we do not control, and who own, operate and oversee the daily operations of their businesses. As a result, the ultimate success of any franchise operation rests with the franchisee. If franchisees do not successfully operate their businesses in a manner consistent with required standards, royalty payments to us will be adversely affected and our brands’ image and reputation could be harmed. This could adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Similarly, if subcontractors, vendors and franchisees do not successfully operate their businesses in a manner consistent with required laws, standards and regulations, we could be subject to claims from regulators or legal claims for the actions or omissions of such third-party distributors, subcontractors, vendors and franchisees. In addition, our relationship with our franchisees, subcontractors, and vendors could become strained (including resulting in litigation) as we impose new standards or assert more rigorous enforcement practices of the existing required standards. These strains in our relationships or claims could have a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

From time to time, we receive communications from our franchisees regarding complaints, disputes or questions about our practices and standards in relation to our franchised operations and certain economic terms of our franchise arrangements. If franchisees or groups representing franchisees were to bring legal proceedings against us, we would vigorously defend against the claims in any such proceeding. Our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely impacted and the price of our common stock could decline.

8
 

Our brand recognition could be impacted if we are not able to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights that are material to our business.

Our ability to compete effectively depends in part on our rights to service marks, trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property rights we own or license, particularly our registered brand names and service marks, Orkin®, Orkin Canada®, AcuridSM, Western Pest Services®, the Industrial Fumigant Company®, HomeTeam Pest Defense®, TAEXX®, Critter Control®, Northwest Pest Control®, Allpest®, Murray®, Safeguard® and others. We have not sought to register or protect every one of our marks either in the United States or in every country in which they are or may be used. Furthermore, because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws, we may not receive the same protection in other countries as we would in the United States. If we are unable to protect our proprietary information and brand names, we could suffer a material adverse impact on our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights and protect our proprietary information, or to defend against claims by third parties that our products, services or activities infringe their intellectual property rights.

The Company’s management has a substantial ownership interest; public stockholders may have no effective voice in the Company’s management.

The Company has elected the “Controlled Company” exemption under Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual. The Company is a “Controlled Company” because a group that includes the Company’s Chairman of the Board, R. Randall Rollins, and his brother, Gary W. Rollins, who is the Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and a director of the Company, and certain companies under their control, controls in excess of fifty percent of the Company’s voting power. As a “Controlled Company,” the Company need not comply with certain NYSE rules.

Rollins, Inc.’s executive officers, directors and their affiliates hold directly, or through indirect beneficial ownership, in the aggregate, approximately 56 percent of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock. As a result, these persons will effectively control the operations of the Company, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions such as acquisitions and approval of matters requiring stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership could also have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control of the Company at a premium.

Our management has a substantial ownership interest, and the availability of the Company’s common stock to the investing public may be limited.

The availability of Rollins’ common stock to the investing public would be limited to those shares not held by the executive officers, directors and their affiliates, which could negatively impact Rollins’ stock trading prices and affect the ability of minority stockholders to sell their shares. Future sales by executive officers, directors and their affiliates of all or a portion of their shares could also negatively affect the trading price of our common stock.

Provisions in Rollins, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws may inhibit a takeover of the Company.

Rollins, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws and other documents contain provisions including advance notice requirements for stockholder proposals and staggered terms for the Board of Directors. These provisions may make a tender offer, change in control or takeover attempt that is opposed by the Company’s Board of Directors more difficult or expensive.

 

Item 1.B.    Unresolved Staff Comments

None

 

Item 2.    Properties.

The Company’s administrative headquarters are owned by the Company, and are located at 2170 Piedmont Road, N.E., Atlanta, Georgia 30324. The Company owns or leases over 500 branch offices and operating facilities used in its business as well as the Rollins Training Center located in Atlanta, Georgia, the Rollins Customer Service Center located in Covington, Georgia, and the Pacific Division Administration and Training Center in Riverside, California. None of the branch offices, individually considered, represents a materially important physical property of the Company. The facilities are suitable and adequate to meet the current and reasonably anticipated future needs of the Company.

9
 

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings.

In the normal course of business, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a number of lawsuits, claims or arbitrations which allege that the subsidiaries’ services caused damage. In addition, the Company defends employment related cases and claims from time to time. We are involved in certain environmental matters primarily arising in the normal course of business. We are actively contesting each of these matters.

Management does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual quarter or year.

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.A.    Executive Officers of the Registrant.

Each of the executive officers of the Company was elected by the Board of Directors to serve until the Board of Directors’ meeting immediately following the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until his or her earlier removal by the Board of Directors or his or her resignation. The following table lists the executive officers of the Company and their ages, offices within the Company, and the dates from which they have continually served in their present offices with the Company.

Name   Age   Office with Registrant  

Date First Elected
to Present Office

R. Randall Rollins (1)   87   Chairman of the Board of Directors   10/22/1991
Gary W. Rollins (1) (2)   74   Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer   7/24/2001
John F. Wilson (3)   61   President and Chief Operating Officer   1/23/2013
Paul E. Northen (4)   54   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer   1/26/2016
Elizabeth B. Chandler (5)   55   Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary   1/1/2018

 

(1)R. Randall Rollins and Gary W. Rollins are brothers.
(2)Gary W. Rollins was elevated to Vice Chairman Rollins in January 2013. He was elected to the office of Chief Executive Officer in July 2001. In February 2004, he was named Chairman of Orkin, LLC.
(3)John Wilson joined the Company in 1996 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility, serving as a technician, sales inspector, branch manager, region manager, vice president and division president. His most senior positions have included Vice President of Rollins, Inc., Southeast Division President, Atlantic Division Vice President and Central Commercial region manager. Mr. Wilson was elevated to President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2013.
(4)Paul E. Northen joined Rollins in 2015 as CFO and Corporate Treasurer. He was promoted to Vice President of Rollins, Inc. in January 2016. He began his career with UPS in 1985 and brings a wealth of Tax, Risk Management and Audit experience as well as strong international exposure to Rollins. Prior to joining Rollins, Mr. Northen was Vice President of International Finance and Accounting-Global Business Services for UPS. He previously held the positions of CFO of UPS’ Asia Pacific Region based in Hong Kong, and as Vice President of Finance in UPS’ Pacific and Western Regions.
(5)Elizabeth (Beth) Brannen Chandler joined Rollins in 2013 as Vice President and General Counsel. In 2016, Beth assumed responsibility for the Risk Management and Internal Audit groups. She was appointed to Corporate Secretary in January 2018. Before joining Rollins, Mrs. Chandler was vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary for Asbury Automotive. Prior to working with Asbury, Mrs. Chandler served as city attorney for the City of Atlanta; and she served as vice president, assistant general counsel and corporate secretary for Mirant Corp.
10
 

PART II

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

 

The Common Stock of the Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is traded on the Philadelphia, Chicago and Boston Exchanges under the symbol ROL.

As of January 31, 2019, there were 3,502 holders of record of the Company’s common stock. However, a large number of our shareholders hold their shares in “street name” in brokerage accounts and, therefore, do not appear on the shareholder list maintained by our transfer agent.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company did not repurchase shares on the open market. In total, there remain 7.6 million additional shares authorized to be repurchased under prior Board approval. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

 

           Total number of shares   Maximum number of 
   Total number   Weighted   purchased as part of   shares that may yet be 
   of shares   average price   publicly announced   purchased under the 
Period  purchased (1)   paid per share   repurchase plans (2)   repurchase plans 
October 1 to 31, 2018      $        7,610,416 
November 1 to 30, 2018               7,610,416 
December 1 to 31, 2018               7,610,416 
Total      $        7,610,416 

 

(1)Includes repurchases from employees for the payment of taxes on vesting of restricted shares in the following amounts: October 2018: 0; November 2018: 0; and December 2018: 0.

 

(2)The Company has a share repurchase plan adopted in 2012, to repurchase up to 11.25 million shares of the Company’s common stock. The plan has no expiration date.
11
 

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

 

The following graph sets forth a five year comparison of the cumulative total stockholder return based on the performance of the stock of the Company as compared with both a broad equity market index and an industry index. The indices included in the following graph are the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Commercial Services Index.

 

 

COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*

 

Rollins, Inc., S&P 500 Index and S&P 500 Commercial Services & Supplies composite index            

 

Cumulative Total Shareholder
Return $ at Fiscal Year End
  2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018 
Rollins, Inc.   100.00    111.17    132.63    176.07    245.82    289.79 
S&P 500   100.00    113.69    115.26    129.05    157.22    150.33 
S&P 500 Commercial Services & Supplies   100.00    114.86    111.07    139.68    168.82    169.65 

 

ASSUMES INITIAL INVESTMENT OF $100

*TOTAL RETURN ASSUMES REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS

NOTE: TOTAL RETURNS BASED ON MARKET CAPITALIZATION

12
 

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data

The following summary financial data of Rollins highlights selected financial data and should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included elsewhere in this document.

All share and per share data presented in the following table have been adjusted for the three-for-two stock splits effective March 10, 2015 and December 10, 2018.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA 
(In thousands except per share data) 
Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016   2015   2014 
Revenues  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477   $1,485,305   $1,411,566 
Income before taxes   310,733    294,502    260,636    243,178    219,484 
Net income  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369   $152,149   $137,664 
Earnings per share – Basic  $0.71   $0.55   $0.51   $0.47   $0.42 
Earnings per share – Diluted  $0.71   $0.55   $0.51   $0.47   $0.42 
Dividends per share  $0.47   $0.37   $0.33   $0.28   $0.23 
OTHER DATA:                         
Net cash provided by operating activities  $286,272   $235,370   $226,525   $196,356   $194,146 
Net cash used in investing activities   (101,375)   (154,175)   (76,842)   (69,942)   (89,471)
Net cash used in financing activities   (162,283)   (130,263)   (136,371)   (97,216)   (106,519)
Depreciation   30,364    27,381    24,725    19,354    16,627 
Amortization of intangible assets   36,428    29,199    26,177    25,168    26,882 
Capital expenditures  $(27,179)  $(24,680)  $(33,081)  $(39,495)  $(28,739)
BALANCE SHEET DATA AT END OF YEAR:                         
Current assets  $286,021   $262,795   $290,171   $269,434   $241,194 
Total assets   1,094,124    1,033,663    916,538    848,651    808,162 
Stockholders’ equity  $711,908   $653,924   $568,545   $524,029   $462,676 
Number of shares outstanding at year-end   327,308    326,988    326,688    327,830    327,425 

 

13
 

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

 

Presentation

This discussion should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this document. The following discussion (as well as other discussions in this document) contains forward-looking statements. Please see “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.

The Company

Rollins, Inc. (the “Company”) was originally incorporated in 1948 under the laws of the state of Delaware as Rollins Broadcasting, Inc. The Company is an international service company with headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia, providing pest and termite control services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries to both residential and commercial customers in North America, Australia, and Europe with international franchises in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico. Services are performed through a contract that specifies the treatment and the pricing arrangement with the customer.

 

The Company has only one reportable segment, its pest and termite control business. The Company’s results of operations and its financial condition are not reliant upon any single customer or a few customers or the Company’s foreign operations.

Overview

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

               % Better/(worse) compared 
   (in thousands)   to prior year 
Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016   2018   2017 
Revenues  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477    8.8    6.4 
Cost of services provided   894,437    819,943    772,348    (9.1)   (6.2)
Depreciation and amortization   66,792    56,580    50,902    (18.0)   (11.2)
Sales, general and administrative   550,698    503,433    490,528    (9.4)   (2.6)
Gain on sales of assets, net   (875)   (242)   (777)   261.6    (68.9)
Interest income, net   (220)   (259)   (160)   (15.1)   61.9 
Income before income taxes   310,733    294,502    260,636    5.5    13.0 
Provisions for income taxes   79,070    115,378    93,267    31.5    (23.7)
Net income  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369    29.3    7.0 

 

General Operating Comments

2018 marked the Company’s 21st consecutive year of improved revenues and profits. Revenues for the year rose 8.8 percent to $1.822 billion compared to $1.674 billion for the prior year. Income before income taxes increased 5.5% to $310.7 million compared to $294.5 million the prior year. Net income increased 29.3% to $231.7 million, with earnings per diluted share of $0.71 compared to $179.1 million, or $0.55 per diluted share for the prior year.

All of the Company’s business lines experienced growth for the year, with residential pest control revenues up 9.1%, commercial pest control revenues up 6.0% and termite and ancillary services revenues up 12.8%, each compared to 2017.

 

Results of Operations—2018 Versus 2017

Overview

The Company’s revenues increased to $1.822 billion in 2018, an 8.8% increase compared to 2017. Gross margin decreased to 50.9% for 2018 from 51.0% in 2017. Sales, general and administrative expense were 30.2% of revenues in 2018 compared to 30.1% in 2017. The Company’s depreciation and amortization margin increased 0.3 percentage points to 3.7% in 2018 compared to 3.4% in 2017. Rollins’ net income of $231.7 million in 2018 was an increase of $52.5 million or 29.3% over $179.1 million in 2017. Net profit margin improved to 12.7% in 2018 from 10.7% in 2017. Rollins continued to expand our global brand recognition with acquisitions in the United States, Canada, Singapore, and Australia as well as expanding our Orkin international franchise program in numerous countries around the globe. The Company is now in 57 countries and continues to seek new international opportunities.

14
 

Revenues

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 were $1.822 billion, an increase of $147.6 million or 8.8% from 2017 revenues of $1.674 billion. Growth occurred across all service lines with our Canadian and Australian companies being hindered by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Growth and pricing accounted for approximately 5.3% of our increase and our acquisitions contributed the remaining revenue growth. Commercial pest control represented approximately 39% of the Company’s revenue in 2018 and grew 6.0%. Acquisitions from foreign companies, which are primarily commercial, contributed to the increase, as well as increases in sales, an emphasis on closing leads, and better cancellation rates. Commercial pest control was negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange rates as our foreign companies are heavily commercial. Residential pest control, which represented approximately 42% of the Company’s revenue, increased 9.1% driven by an increase in sold units, lead closure, a better cancellation rate, and pricing, as well as increased TAEXX® homebuilder installations, and acquisitions. The Company’s termite business, which represented approximately 18% of the Company’s revenue, grew 12.8% in 2018 due to acquisitions, increases in termite baiting and pretreatments, and ancillary service sales (such as moisture control, insulation and deck and gutter work).

The Company implemented its traditional price increase program in June 2018. Around 1% of the Company’s revenue increase is attributable to pricing actions. Approximately 80% of the Company’s pest control revenue was recurring in 2018, as well as 2017.

The Company’s foreign operations accounted for approximately 8% of total revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company established new franchises in several international countries around the globe in 2018 for a total of 86 Orkin international franchises, two Canadian Critter Control franchises, and ten Orkin Australia franchises at December 31, 2018, compared to 81 Orkin international franchises, two Canadian Critter Control franchises and eleven Orkin Australia Franchises at December 31, 2017.

International and domestic franchising revenue was less than 1% of the Company’s revenues for 2018. Orkin had 133 and 128 franchises (domestic and international) at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company had 80 Critter Control franchises at December 31, 2018, down 9 from 2017. Critter Control Operations, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has begun the process of purchasing Critter Control franchises. Revenue from franchising was up 30.4% in 2018 compared to 2017 as we expand Orkin’s international footprint and recognition of initial franchise fees, partially offset by the decreases associated with acquired franchises from Critter Control.

Cost of Services Provided

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, cost of services provided increased $74.5 million or 9.1%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. Gross margin for the year decreased to 50.9% for 2018 compared to 51.0% for 2017 due to unfavorable personnel related costs as we increased our 401k match to employees and experienced an increase in group insurance premiums in 2018 and an increase in payroll taxes and FICA taxes. Administrative Salaries were up due to increased office wages as well as an increase in restricted share amortization as we granted our long-term employees time-lapse restricted stock which is amortized over one year. The Company experienced higher fleet costs as gasoline prices per gallon rose and miles driven increased with acquisitions and additional work, which was partially offset by the usage of our routing and scheduling system. Leased vehicle costs increased as we added to our fleet and leased vehicle prices increased. Professional services and Maintenance and repairs increased due to outside consultants and maintenance contracts on various IT projects and equipment.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, depreciation and amortization increased $10.2 million, or 18.0% compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. The dollar increase was primarily due to depreciation increasing $3.0 million or 10.9% as we depreciate acquired and purchased assets and depreciation from various IT related projects. Amortization of intangible assets increased $7.2 million or 24.8% for 2018 due to the additional amortization of customer contracts of several acquisitions over the last year including a full year of Northwest Pest Control, acquired late 2017, and the 2018 acquisition of OPC Services as well as several smaller foreign and domestic companies.

Sales, General and Administrative

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $47.3 million, or 9.4% compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2017. SG&A increased to 30.2% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to 30.1% in 2017. The Company increased its 401k match to employees and granted a one-time vested stock grant during the year which increased personnel related costs and administrative salaries, respectively. Group insurance premiums were up for the year as well as payroll taxes. The company’s acquisitions and rising gasoline costs and lease expenses raised our fleet costs and the Company had increased use of outside professional services in IT projects as well as other projects.

15
 

Gain on Sales of assets, Net

Gain on sales of assets, net increased to $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to $0.2 million in 2017. The Company recognized gains from the sale of owned vehicles and owned property in 2018 and 2017.

 

Interest Income, Net

Interest income, net for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Interest income for each year is due to interest received on cash balances in the Company’s various cash accounts.

Taxes

 

The Company’s 2018 net income was positively affected by the TCJA which was signed in to law on December 22, 2017. The estimated positive impact of the enactment of the TCJA was a $38.4 million decrease to tax expense, which was a direct increase to net income. 2017 had an $11.6 million increase in tax as follows: $8.0 million from transition tax on foreign earnings, $2.9 million from the revaluation of deferred tax assets, and $0.7 million from reductions in tax benefits on stock compensation. This resulted in a $0.05 per diluted share decrease in net income for the 2018 fiscal year.

 

Results of Operations—2017 Versus 2016

Overview

The Company’s revenues increased to $1.674 billion in 2017, a 6.4% increase compared to 2016. Gross margin increased to 51.0% for 2017 from 50.9% in 2016. Sales, general and administrative expense were 30.1% of revenues in 2017 compared to 31.2% in 2016. The Company’s depreciation and amortization margin increased 0.2 percentage points to 3.4% in 2017 compared to 3.2% in 2016. Rollins’ net income of $179.1 million in 2017 was an increase of $11.7 million or 7.0% over $167.4 million in 2016. Net profit margin improved to 10.7% in 2017 from 10.6% in 2016. Rollins continued to expand our global brand recognition with acquisitions in the United States and Canada as well as expanding our Orkin international franchise program in numerous countries around the globe. The Company was in 53 countries at the end of 2017 and continues to seek new international opportunities.

Revenues

Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 were $1.674 billion, an increase of $100.5 million or 6.4% from 2016 revenues of $1.573 billion. Growth occurred across all service lines and brands with our Canadian and Australian companies being hindered by unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Organic growth and pricing accounted for approximately 4.5% of our increase and our acquisitions contributed the remaining revenue growth. Commercial pest control represented approximately 40% of the Company’s revenue in 2017 and grew 5.1% due to increases in sales, an emphasis on closing leads, increased bed bug revenue, and acquisitions. Commercial pest control was negatively impacted by foreign currency exchange as Orkin Canada and Rollins Australia are heavily commercial. Residential pest control, which represented approximately 42% of the Company’s revenue, increased 6.4% driven by an increase in lead closure, pricing, as well as increased TAEXX® homebuilder installations, and acquisitions. The Company’s termite business, which represented approximately 18% of the Company’s revenue, grew 9.7% in 2017 due to acquisitions, increases in drywood fumigations and ancillary service sales (such as moisture control and insulation).

The Company implemented its traditional price increase program in June 2017. Less than 2% of the Company’s revenue increase is attributable to pricing actions. Approximately 80% of the Company’s pest control revenue was recurring in 2017 as well as 2016.

16
 

The Company’s foreign operations accounted for approximately 8% and 7% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company established new franchises in several international countries around the globe in 2017 for a total of 81 Orkin international franchises, two Canadian Critter Control franchises, and eleven Australian franchises operated by Murray Pest Control and Scientific Pest Management at December 31, 2017, compared to 70 Orkin international franchises, two Canadian Critter Control franchises and seven Australian Franchises at December 31, 2016.

International and domestic franchising revenue was less than 1% of the Company’s revenues for 2017. Orkin had 128 and 120 franchises (domestic and international) at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company had 89 Critter Control franchises at December 31, 2017, down 5 from 2016. Critter Control Operations, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has begun the process of purchasing Critter Control franchises. Revenue from franchises was down 2.9% in 2017 compared to 2016 as we acquire franchises from Critter Control.

Cost of Services Provided

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 cost of services provided increased $47.6 million or 6.2%, compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. Gross margin for the year increased to 51.0% for 2017 compared to 50.9% for 2016 due to favorable service salary cost as we utilize BOSS, our CRM and operating system and VRM to improve our customer routing and scheduling to maximize efficiencies. We had lower administrative salaries as we maximize our efficiencies and lower insurance and claims as we saw reductions in our actuarial calculations on future losses and lower vehicle loss expenses. The favorable margins were partially offset by higher fleet costs as gasoline prices rose and leased vehicle costs as we replace our fleet and materials and supplies as we increase termite treatments. We experienced good cost controls across most spending categories during 2017 compared to 2016.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, depreciation and amortization increased $5.7 million, or 11.2% compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. The dollar increase was primarily due to depreciation increasing $2.7 million or 10.7% as we continue to depreciate our CRM software BOSS, while amortization of intangible assets increased $3.0 million or 11.5% for 2017 due to the additional amortization of customer contracts of Northwest Pest Control, as well as several other acquisitions over the last year.

Sales, General and Administrative

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, sales, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $12.9 million, or 2.6% compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016. SG&A decreased to 30.1% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to 31.2% in 2016. The Company had a one-time tax event to dissolve its subsidiary, Kinro Investment Inc. in 2016. This increased SG&A expense $9.1 million or 0.6 percentage points due to the one-time tax event that was offset as a credit in income tax expense. Administrative salaries were relatively flat to prior year as we reduced the number of temporary personnel working on the BOSS system. Personnel related costs were marginally lower as we experienced leveling of our premiums. Gains in these areas were partially offset by higher sales salaries, fleet expense, and contractor expenses for various projects as well as the aforementioned 2016 foreign tax withholding expense.

Gain on Sales of assets, Net

Gain on sales of assets, net decreased to $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared to $0.8 million in 2016. The Company recognized gains from the sale of owned vehicles and owned property in 2017 and 2016.

 

Interest Income, Net

Interest income, net for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. Interest income for each year is due to interest received on cash balances in the Company’s various cash accounts.

Taxes

 

The Company’s effective tax rate increased to 39.2% in 2017 compared to 35.8% in 2016, due primarily to the effects of the TCJA in 2017, a one-time tax event in 2016 and differences in state and foreign income taxes. The estimated impact of the enactment of the TCJA was an $11.6 million increase to tax expense, which was a direct decrease to net income. The $11.6 million increase in tax was as follows: $8.0 million from transition tax on foreign earnings, $2.9 million from the revaluation of deferred tax assets, and $0.7 million from reductions in tax benefits on stock compensation. The increase due to the TCJA was partially offset by a reduction related to the implementation of ASU 2016-09 that was a $4.0 million benefit.

17
 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and Cash Flow

Cash from operating activities is the principal source of cash generation for our businesses.

The most significant source of cash in Rollins’ cash flow from operations is customer-related activities, the largest of which is collecting cash resulting from services sales. The most significant operating use of cash is to pay our suppliers, employees, tax authorities and others for a wide range of material and services.

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were $115.5 million, $107.1 million, and $142.8 million, respectively.

 

   2018   2017   2016 
Net cash provided by operating activities  $286,272   $235,370   $226,525 
Net cash used in investing activities   (101,375)   (154,175)   (76,842)
Net cash used in financing activities   (162,283)   (130,263)   (136,371)
Effect of exchange rate on cash   (14,179)   13,333    (5,101)
Net increase(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  $8,435   $(35,735)  $8,211 

 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

The Company’s operations generated cash of $286.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily from net income of $231.7 million, compared with cash provided by operating activities of $235.4 million in 2017 and $226.5 million in 2016. The Company believes its current cash and cash equivalents balances, future cash flows expected to be generated from operating activities, available borrowings under its $175.0 million credit facility, and access to additional financing as needed, will be sufficient to finance its current operations and obligations, and fund expansion of the business for the foreseeable future.

The Company’s made no contributions to the Rollins, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries’ defined benefit retirement plans (the “Plans”) during the year ended December 31, 2018. The Plans were fully-funded with a prepaid balance. No contributions were made in 2017 and $3.3 million was made during 2016, respectively, as a result of the Plans’ funding status. The Company’s management is not expecting to make a contribution during fiscal year 2019. In the opinion of management, additional Plan contributions, if any, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company has initiated the process to transition its Pension Plan to an Insurance provider. The timeline will take approximately 6-9 months from December 31, 2018. The Company’s Pension Plan is currently more than 100% funded.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

The Company used $101.4 million on investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $154.2 million and $76.8 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively, and of that, invested approximately $27.2 million in capital expenditures during 2018 compared to $24.7 million and $33.1 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively. Capital expenditures for the year consisted primarily of property purchases, equipment replacements and technology related projects. The Company expects to invest between $25 million and $30 million in 2019 in capital expenditures. During 2018, the Company and its subsidiaries acquired several small to mid-sized companies for a total of $76.8 million compared to $130.2 million and $46.3 million in acquisitions during 2017 and 2016, respectively. The expenditures for the Company’s acquisitions were funded with cash on hand. The Company continues to seek new acquisitions.

18
 

Cash Used in Financing Activities

The Company used cash of $162.3 million on financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to $130.3 million and $136.4 million during 2017 and 2016, respectively. A total of $152.7 million was paid in cash dividends ($0.47 per share) during the year ended December 31, 2018 including a special dividend paid in December 2018 of $0.09 per share, compared to $122.0 million in cash dividends paid ($0.37 per share) during the year ended December 31, 2017, including a special dividend paid in December 2017 of $0.07 per share and $109.0 million paid in cash dividends ($0.33 per share) during the year ended December 31, 2016, including a special dividend paid in December 2016 of $0.07 per share.

The Company did not purchase shares on the open market during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 while using $22.7 million to repurchase 1.3 million shares of its common stock at a weighted average price of $18.13 per share during 2016. There remain 7.6 million shares, adjusted for the December 10, 2018 three-for-two stock split, authorized to be repurchased under prior Board approval. The Company repurchased $9.5 million, $8.2 million, and $8.4 million of common stock for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, from employees for the payment of taxes on vesting restricted shares.

The Company’s $115.5 million of total cash at December 31, 2018 is primarily cash held at various banking institutions. Approximately $53.6 million is held in cash accounts at international bank institutions and the remaining $61.9 million is primarily held in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured non-interest-bearing accounts at various domestic banks which at times may exceed federally insured amounts.

The Company’s international business is expanding and we intend to continue to grow the business in foreign markets in the future through reinvestment of foreign deposits and future earnings as well as acquisitions of unrelated companies. Repatriation of cash from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is not a part of the Company’s current business plan.

The Company maintains a large cash position in the United States while having no third-party debt to service. Rollins maintains adequate liquidity and capital resources, without regard to its foreign deposits, that are directed to finance domestic operations and obligations and to fund expansion of its domestic business.

The Company expects to close on the acquisition of Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc. during the first or second quarters of 2019. The Company intends to fund purchase of the acquisition with a combination of cash on hand, use of its revolving credit agreement and a new term loan. The Closing of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties of the sellers, the performance of the obligations of the sellers and the receipt of regulatory clearance.

For Information regarding our Revolving Credit Agreement see Note 4 – Debt of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K).

Litigation

For discussion on the Company’s legal contingencies, see 15 – Commitments and Contingencies to the accompanying financial statements.

 

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements, Contractual Obligations and Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

Other than the operating leases disclosed in the table that follows, the Company has no material off balance sheet arrangements.

The impact that the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods is as follows:

   Payments due by period 
       Less than           More than 
Contractual obligations (in thousands)  Total   1 year   1-3 years   4-5 years   5 years 
Business combinations related liabilities  $31,380   $21,474   $8,441   $1,465   $ 
Non-cancelable operating leases   97,612    28,751    32,487    20,140    16,234 
Unrecognized tax positions (1)   3,747    3,747             
Total (2)  $132,739   $53,972   $40,928   $21,605   $16,234 
(1)These amounts represent expected payments with interest for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2018.
(2)Minimum pension funding requirements are not included as funding will not be required.
19
 

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company views critical accounting policies to be those policies that are very important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations, and that require management’s most difficult, complex or subjective judgments. The circumstances that make these judgments difficult or complex relate to the need for management to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We believe our critical accounting policies to be as follows:

Accrual for Termite Contracts—The Company maintains an accrual for termite claims representing the estimated costs of reapplications, repairs and associated labor and chemicals, settlements, awards and other costs relative to termite control services. Factors that may impact future cost include termiticide life expectancy and government regulation. It is significant that the actual number of claims has decreased in recent years due to changes in the Company’s business practices. However, it is not possible to precisely predict future significant claims. Accruals for termite contracts are included in other current liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

Accrued Insurance—The Company retains, up to specified limits, certain risks related to general liability, workers’ compensation and vehicle liability. The estimated costs of existing and future claims under the retained loss program are accrued based upon historical trends as incidents occur, whether reported or unreported (although actual settlement of the claims may not be made until future periods) and may be subsequently revised based on developments relating to such claims. The Company contracts with an independent third party actuary on a semi-annual basis to provide the Company an estimated liability based upon historical claims information. The actuarial study is a major consideration in establishing the reserve, along with management’s knowledge of changes in business practice and existing claims compared to current balances. Management’s judgment is inherently subjective and a number of factors are outside management’s knowledge and control. Additionally, historical information is not always an accurate indication of future events. The Company continues to be proactive in risk management to develop and maintain ongoing programs to reduce claims. Initiatives that have been implemented include pre-employment screening and an annual motor vehicle report required on all its drivers, post-offer physicals for new employees, pre-hire, random and post-accident drug testing, increased driver training and a post-injury nurse triage program for employees.

Revenue Recognition— the Company’s Revenue recognition policy is to recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those products or services. We enter into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, each of which are distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

More on the Company’s revenue recognition policy can be found in the Company’s Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 1., Summary of Significant Accounting Policies with the heading Revenue Recognition.

Contingency Accruals—The Company is a party to legal proceedings with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 450 “Contingencies,” Management estimates and accrues for its liability and costs associated with the litigation. Estimates and accruals are determined in consultation with outside counsel. Because it is not possible to accurately predict the ultimate result of the litigation, judgments concerning accruals for liabilities and costs associated with litigation are inherently uncertain and actual liabilities may vary from amounts estimated or accrued. However, in the opinion of management, the outcome of the litigation will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Contingency accruals are included in other current liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

 

Defined benefit pension plans — In 2005, the Company ceased all future benefit accruals under the Rollins, Inc. defined benefit plan, although the Company remains obligated to provide employees benefits earned through June 2005. The Company also includes the Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employee Pension Plan to the Company’s financial statements. Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employees Pension Plan was amended, effective September 1, 2018, to freeze future benefit accruals for all participants. The Company accounts for these defined benefit plans in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 715 “Compensation- Retirement Benefits”, and engages an outside actuary to calculate its obligations and costs. With the assistance of the actuary, the Company evaluates the significant assumptions used on a periodic basis including the estimated future return on plan assets, the discount rate, and other factors, and makes adjustments to these liabilities as necessary.

20
 

The Company chooses an expected rate of return on plan assets based on historical results for similar allocations among asset classes, the investments strategy, and the views of our investment adviser. Differences between the expected long-term return on plan assets and the actual return are amortized over future years. Therefore, the net deferral of past asset gains or losses ultimately affects future pension expense. The Company’s assumption for the expected return on plan assets is 7.0% which is unchanged from the prior year.

 

In regards to the Rollins, Inc. Defined Benefit plan the company utilizes a termination liability approach. This approach reflects the estimated impact of the distribution of benefits due to a standard termination. Plan liabilities will be settled through the purchase of annuities from an insurance provider or through the distribution of lump sum payments to eligible participants that elect to receive such a form of payment. Discount rates of 3.90% per year for participants in pay status and 4.11% per year for participants with deferred benefits were selected by the Plan Sponsor to determine the benefit obligation resulting from plan termination annuity purchases. The discount rates reflect the single effective interest rate that produces the same present value as that produced when the expected future cash flows for participants expected to elect an annuity are discounted with the FTSE Yield Curve (formerly Citigroup) as of the measurement date. To determine the benefit obligation resulting from plan termination lump sum payments, the expected future cash flows for lump sum eligible participants, determined with the IRC 417(e) Mortality Table for 2019, were discounted with the IRC 417(e) segment interest rates for the month of November 2018 (3.43%, 4.46%, and 4.88%). Only 50% of active, 30% of deferred vested, and 25% of retired participants that will be eligible to receive a lump sum distribution of their pension benefit upon plan termination, are assumed to elect this form of payment.

 

The discount rate of 4.00% as of December 31, 2017 was updated as of December 31, 2018 to:

i)3.90%, based on current market conditions, for participants in pay status expected to elect a plan termination annuity,
ii)4.11%, based on current market conditions, for active and terminated participants with deferred benefits expected to elect a plan termination annuity,
iii)The IRC 417(e) interest rates for the month of November 2018 (3.43%, 4.46%, and 4.88), based on plan provisions, for all lump sum eligible expected to elect a plan termination lump sum.

 

Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employees Pension Plan utilizes a yield curve approach. The approach utilizes an economic model whereby the Company’s expected benefit payments over the life of the plans is forecast and then compared to a portfolio of corporate bonds that will mature at the same time that the benefit payments are due in any given year. The economic model then calculates the one discount rate to apply to all benefit payments over the life of the plan which will result in the same total lump sum as the payments from the corporate bonds. The discount rate was 4.05% as of December 31, 2018 compared to 4.05% in 2017 and 4.35% in 2016. A lower discount rate increases the present value of benefit obligation.

 

As set forth in Note 16 to the Company’s financial statements, included among the asset categories for the Plan’s investments are real estate, and alternative investments comprised of investments in real estate and hedge funds. These investments are categorized as investments at net asset value (“NAV”) and are valued using significant non-observable inputs which do not have a readily determinable fair value. In accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-12 “Investments In Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (Or Its Equivalent),” these investments are valued based on the net asset value per share calculated by the funds in which the plan has invested. These valuations are subject to judgments and assumptions of the funds which may prove to be incorrect, resulting in risks of incorrect valuation of these investments. The Company seeks to mitigate against these risks by evaluating the appropriateness of the funds’ judgments and assumptions by reviewing the financial data included in the funds’ financial statements for reasonableness.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the defined benefit plans were fully-funded and the recorded change within accumulated other comprehensive income increased stockholders’ equity by $14.8 million before tax and $11.0 million after tax.

 

Recent Accounting Guidance

See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting policies of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K) for further discussion.

21
 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding (i) management's belief that the Company competes favorably with competitors; (ii) the expectation for the Company's corporate tax rate for 2018; (iii) the Company's maintenance of sufficient supplies to fulfill its immediate needs and to alleviate potential short-term shortages in such supplies; (iv) any environmental remediation costs estimated to be incurred are not material to the Company's financial condition or operating results, (v) the adequacy of the Company's facilities to meet its future needs; (vi) the outcome of litigation, as discussed in the Legal Proceedings section and elsewhere and the Company's belief that such litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or liquidity; (vii) the belief that the Company has adequate liquid assets, funding sources and insurance accruals to satisfy any claims; (viii) the Company's expectation to continue its payment of cash dividends; (ix) plans regarding acquisitions and franchise expansion; (x) the adequacy of the Company's resources and borrowings to fund operations, obligations, and expansions; (xi) management's belief that the Company is not expected to make a contribution to the Pension Plans or amortize net loss in 2019, and that the Company expects to transition its Pension Plan to an Insurance provider approximately 6-9 months from December 31, 2018; (xii) the Company's projected 2019 capital expenditures; (xiii) the plans to grow the business in foreign markets through reinvestment of foreign deposits and future earnings and through acquisitions of unrelated companies with no expectation of repatriation of cash from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries; (xiv) the Company's expectation to maintain compliance with the covenants contained in its Revolving Credit Agreement throughout 2019; (xv) the impact and amount of the Company's contractual obligations; (xvi) management's expectations regarding termite claims and factors that impact future costs from those claims; (xvii) the expected cost of termite renewals; (xviii) the expected collectability of accounts receivable; (xix) the expected tax consequences and the impact of the TCJA; (xx) expectations and plans regarding any losses from franchisees; (xxi) the impact of recent accounting pronouncements; (xxii) and interest rate risks and foreign exchange currency risk on the Company's financial position, results of operations and liquidity; (xxiii) the ability of the Company to utilize all of its foreign net operating losses and the possibility that the Company's unrecognized tax benefits will increase in the next 12 months; (xxiv) expectation that the Company’s proposed acquisition of Clark will close in the first or second quarter of 2019, be funded with a combination of cash on hand, proceeds from its revolving credit agreement and a new term loan and receive appropriate regulatory approvals, including the expiration of the applicable waiting period under the HSR Act; (xxv) the Company’s intention to complete the Clark acquisition as soon as practicable following receipt of regulatory clearance from the FTC; and (xxvi) expectation that subject to post-closing adjustments, the final purchase of the proposed Clark acquisition is expected to be in the area of $400 million, including the real estate assets. The actual results of the Company could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements because of various risks, timing and uncertainties including, without limitation, the possibility of an adverse ruling against the Company in pending litigation; general economic conditions; market risk; changes in industry practices or technologies; the degree of success of the Company's termite process reforms and pest control selling and treatment methods; the Company's ability to identify and integrate potential acquisitions; climate and weather trends; competitive factors and pricing practices; potential increases in labor costs; changes in various government laws and regulations, including environmental regulations; the timing to consummate the proposed Clark acquisition; the risk that the regulatory clearance required for the proposed Clark acquisition may be delayed, not obtained or obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; and the risk that a condition to the closing of the proposed Clark acquisition may not be satisfied. All of the foregoing risks and uncertainties are beyond the ability of the Company to control, and in many cases the Company cannot predict the risks and uncertainties that could cause its actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements.

 

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Market Risk

On October 31, 2012, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement with SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A. for an unsecured line of credit of up to $175.0 million, which includes a $75.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and a $25.0 million swingline subfacility. The Credit Agreement was amended on October 30, 2014 to extend the maturity date to October 31, 2018 and add three optional one year extensions. On October 27, 2015 the Company exercised a one year extension option to extend the maturity date to October 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under the line of credit or under the swingline subfacility. The Company maintains approximately $32.9 million in letters of credit. These letters of credit are required by the Company’s fronting insurance companies and/or certain states, due to the Company’s self-insured status, to secure various workers’ compensation and casualty insurance contracts coverage. The Company believes that it has adequate liquid assets, funding sources and insurance accruals to accommodate such claims.

22
 

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

To the Stockholders of Rollins, Inc.:

The management of Rollins, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Rollins, Inc. maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance, at a reasonable cost, that assets are safeguarded against loss or unauthorized use and that the financial records are adequate and can be relied upon to produce financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The internal control system is augmented by written policies and procedures, an internal audit program and the selection and training of qualified personnel. This system includes policies that require adherence to ethical business standards and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of internal controls over financial reporting, as of December 31, 2018 based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management’s assessment is that Rollins, Inc. maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018.

The independent registered public accounting firm, Grant Thornton LLP has audited the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, and has also issued their report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, included in this report on page 24.

 

/s/ Gary W. Rollins   /s/ Paul E. Northen

Gary W. Rollins

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

Paul E. Northen

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

Atlanta, Georgia

March 1, 2019

23
 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders’

Rollins, Inc.

 

Opinion on internal control over financial reporting

 

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Rollins, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for opinion

 

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and limitations of internal control over financial reporting

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Atlanta, Georgia

March 1, 2019

 

24
 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

Board of Directors and Stockholders’

Rollins, Inc.

 

Opinion on the financial statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position of Rollins, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive earnings, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, and the related notes and financial statement schedule included under item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”), and our report dated March 1, 2019 expressed an unqualified opinion.

Basis for opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2004.

 

Atlanta, Georgia

March 1, 2019

 

25
 

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(in thousands except share information)        
December 31,  2018   2017 
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $115,485   $107,050 
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $13,285 and $11,814, respectively   104,016    97,802 
Financing receivables, short-term, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,845 and $1,535, respectively   18,454    17,263 
Materials and supplies   15,788    14,983 
Other current assets   32,278    25,697 
Total Current Assets   286,021    262,795 
Equipment and property, net   136,885    134,088 
Goodwill   368,481    346,514 
Customer contracts, net   178,075    152,869 
Trademarks and tradenames, net   54,140    49,998 
Other intangible assets, net   11,043    11,550 
Financing receivables, long-term, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,536 and $1,357 respectively   28,227    20,414 
Prepaid pension   5,274    17,595 
Deferred income taxes   6,915    18,420 
Other assets   19,063    19,420 
Total Assets  $1,094,124   $1,033,663 
LIABILITIES          
Accounts payable  $27,168   $26,161 
Accrued insurance   27,709    28,018 
Accrued compensation and related liabilities   77,741    73,016 
Unearned revenue   116,005    109,029 
Other current liabilities   50,406    58,345 
Total current liabilities   299,029    294,569 
Accrued insurance, less current portion   33,867    34,245 
Long-term accrued liabilities   49,320    50,925 
Total Liabilities   382,216    379,739 
Commitments and Contingencies          
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY          
Preferred stock, without par value; 500,000 authorized, zero shares issued        
Common stock, par value $1 per share; 375,000,000 shares authorized, 327,308,079 and 326,988,265 shares issued, respectively   327,308    326,988 
Paid-in-capital   85,386    81,405 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (71,078)   (45,956)
Retained earnings   370,292    291,487 
Total Stockholders’ Equity   711,908    653,924 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity  $1,094,124   $1,033,663 

 

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

26
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(in thousands except per share data)            
Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
REVENUES               
Customer services  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477 
COSTS AND EXPENSES               
Cost of services provided   894,437    819,943    772,348 
Depreciation and amortization   66,792    56,580    50,902 
Sales, general and administrative   550,698    503,433    490,528 
Gain on sales of assets, net   (875)   (242)   (777)
Interest income   (220)   (259)   (160)
    1,510,832    1,379,455    1,312,841 
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES   310,733    294,502    260,636 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES               
Current   71,442    96,742    96,515 
Deferred   7,628    18,636    (3,248)
    79,070    115,378    93,267 
NET INCOME  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369 
INCOME PER SHARE - BASIC  $0.71   $0.55   $0.51 
INCOME PER SHARE - DILUTED  $0.71   $0.55   $0.51 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic   327,291    326,982    327,366 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted   327,291    326,982    327,366 
DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE  $0.47   $0.37   $0.33 

 

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

27
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(in thousands)            
Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
NET INCOME  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369 
Other comprehensive earnings/(loss), net of tax               
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans   (11,050)   14,159    1,705 
Foreign currency translation adjustments   (14,072)   9,960    (602)
Other comprehensive earnings/(loss)   (25,122)   24,119    1,103 
Comprehensive earnings  $206,541   $203,243   $168,472 

 

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

28
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(In thousands)                                
                       Accumulated         
                      Other         
   Common Stock   Treasury   Paid-   Comprehensive   Retained     
   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   In-Capital   Income (Loss)   Earnings   Total 
Balance at December 31, 2015   328,130   $328,130    (300)  $(300)  $69,762   $(71,178)  $197,615   $524,029 
Net Income                               167,369    167,369 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax                                        
Pension Liability Adjustment                       1,705        1,705 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments                       (602)       (602)
Cash Dividends                           (109,002)   (109,002)
Common Stock Purchased (1)   (1,254)   (1,254)                   (21,465)   (22,719)
Common Stock Retired   (300)   (300)   300    300                  
Stock Compensation   582    582            12,027        (194)   12,415 
Employee Stock Buybacks   (470)   (470)           (8,036)       157    (8,349)
Excess Tax Benefit on Share-based payments                   3,699            3,699 
Balance at December 31, 2016   326,688   $326,688       $   $77,452   $(70,075)  $234,480   $568,545 
Net Income                               179,124    179,124 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax                                        
Pension Liability Adjustment                       14,159        14,159 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments                       9,960        9,960 
Cash Dividends                           (122,017)   (122,017)
Stock Compensation   651    651            11,965        (217)   12,399 
Employee Stock Buybacks   (351)   (351)           (8,012)       117    (8,246)
Balance at December 31, 2017   326,988   $326,988       $   $81,405   $(45,956)  $291,487   $653,924 
Net Income                               231,663    231,663 
Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax                                        
Pension Liability Adjustment                       (11,050)       (11,050)
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments                       (14,072)       (14,072)
Cash Dividends                           (152,742)   (152,742)
Stock Compensation   605    605            13,323        (202)   13,726 
Employee Stock Buybacks   (285)   (285)           (9,342)       86    (9,541)
Balance at December 31, 2018   327,308   $327,308       $    $85,386   $(71,078)  $370,292   $711,908 

 

(1)    Charges to Retained Earnings are from purchases of the Company’s Common Stock.

 

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

29
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

(in thousands)            
Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES            
Net Income  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:               
Depreciation, amortization and other non-cash charges   64,675    55,533    49,894 
Provision for deferred income taxes   7,628    18,636    (3,248)
Stock based compensation expense   13,726    12,399    12,415 
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments           (3,699)
Provision for bad debts   13,606    10,455    11,257 
Changes in assets and liabilities:               
Trade accounts receivables and other accounts receivables   (12,549)   (13,661)   (15,868)
Financing receivables   (10,784)   (6,527)   (6,133)
Materials and supplies   (374)   (837)   (671)
Other current assets   (7,121)   1,448    (1,464)
Other non-current assets   11,329    (5,137)   (1,934)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (23,820)   (25,691)   13,327 
Unearned revenue   4,901    1,222    2,842 
Accrued insurance   (686)   4,039    2,949 
Pension funding           (3,256)
Long-term accrued liabilities   (5,922)   4,367    2,745 
Net cash provided by operating activities   286,272    235,370    226,525 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES               
Cash used for acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired   (76,769)   (130,189)   (46,308)
Capital expenditures   (27,179)   (24,680)   (33,081)
Cash from sale of franchises   343    519    699 
Derivative Investments   297    (264)    
Proceeds from sale of assets   1,840    370    1,663 
Investment tax credits   93    69    185 
Net cash used in investing activities   (101,375)   (154,175)   (76,842)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES               
Payment of dividends   (152,742)   (122,017)   (109,002)
Cash paid for common stock purchased   (9,541)   (8,246)   (31,068)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payments           3,699 
Net cash used in financing activities   (162,283)   (130,263)   (136,371)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   (14,179)   13,333    (5,101)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   8,435    (35,735)   8,211 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year   107,050    142,785    134,574 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year  $115,485   $107,050   $142,785 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information               
Cash paid for interest  $25   $   $13 
Cash paid for income taxes, net  $77,351   $90,702   $88,766 

 

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

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Supplemental Disclosures of Non-Cash Items

Pension—Non-cash (increases)/decreases in the minimum pension liability which were credited to other comprehensive income were ($14.8) million, $19.0 million, and $3.0 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Business Combinations —There were $18.1 million in non-cash acquisitions of assets in business combinations for the year ended December 31, 2018, $34.0 million in 2017 and $11.4 million for 2016.

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, Rollins, Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Description—Rollins, Inc. (the “Company”) was originally incorporated in 1948 under the laws of the state of Delaware as Rollins Broadcasting, Inc.

The Company is an international service company with headquarters located in Atlanta, Georgia, providing pest and termite control services through its wholly-owned subsidiaries to both residential and commercial customers in North America, Australia, and Europe with international franchises in Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, Canada, Australia, and Mexico. Services are performed through a contract that specifies the pricing arrangement with the customer.

Orkin, LLC. (“Orkin”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company founded in 1901, is the world’s largest pest and termite control company. It provides customized services from over 400 locations. Orkin either serves customers directly or through franchise operations, in the United States, Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico providing essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects to homes and businesses, including hotels, food service establishments, food manufacturers, retailers and transportation companies. Orkin operates under the Orkin®, and Orkin Canada® trademarks and the AcuridSM service mark. The Orkin® brand name makes Orkin the most recognized pest and termite company throughout the United States. The Orkin Canada brand name provides similar brand recognition throughout Canada.

 

Orkin Canada, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Orkin founded in 1952, was acquired by Orkin in 1999. Orkin Canada is Canada’s largest pest control provider and a leader in the development of fast, effective and environmentally responsible pest control solutions.

Western Pest Services (“Western”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company founded in 1928, was acquired by Rollins, Inc. in 2004. Western is primarily a commercial pest control service company and its business complements most of the services Orkin offers, focusing on the northeastern United States.

The Industrial Fumigant Company (“IFC”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company founded in 1937, was acquired by Rollins, Inc. in 2005. IFC is a leading provider of pest management and sanitation services and products to the food and commodity industries.

 

HomeTeam Pest Defense (“HomeTeam”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company established in 1996, was acquired by Rollins, Inc. in April 2008. At the time of the acquisition, HomeTeam, with its unique Taexx® tubes in the wall pest control system, was recognized as a premier pest control business and ranked as the 4th largest company in the industry. HomeTeam services home builders nationally.

 

Rollins Australia (“Rollins Australia”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, acquired Allpest WA (“Allpest”), in February 2014. Allpest was established in 1959 and is headquartered in Perth, Australia. Allpest provides traditional commercial, residential, and termite service as well as consulting services on border protection related to Australia’s biosecurity program and provides specialized services to Australia’s mining and oil and gas sectors.

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Critter Control, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was acquired by Rollins, Inc. on February 27, 2015. Critter Control was established in 1983 and is headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan. The business is primarily franchised, operating in 40 states and 2 Canadian provinces.

 

Rollins UK was formed as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company to acquire Safeguard Pest Control (“Safeguard”). Safeguard, which was acquired in June 2016, is a pest control company established in the United Kingdom in 1991 with a history of providing superior pest control, bird control, and specialist services to residential and commercial customers.

Northwest Pest Control, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company founded in 1951, was acquired by Rollins, Inc. in August 2017. Northwest specializes in residential and commercial termite control, pest control, mosquito control, wildlife services, lawn care, insulation, and HVAC services, focusing on the Southeast United States.

 

The Company has several smaller wholly-owned subsidiaries that in total make up less than 5% of the Company’s total revenues.

The Company has only one reportable segment, its pest and termite control business. Revenue, operating profit and identifiable assets for this segment, includes the United States, Canada, Australia, Central America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa, and Mexico. The Company’s results of operations and its financial condition are not reliant upon any single customer, few customers or foreign operations.

Principles of Consolidation—The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Rollins, Inc. and our wholly-owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). The Company does not consolidate the financial statements of any company in which it has an ownership interest of 50% or less. The Company is not the primary beneficiary of, nor does it have a controlling financial interest in, any variable interest entity. Accordingly, the Company has not consolidated any variable interest entity. The Company reclassified certain prior period amounts, none of which were material, to conform to the current period presentation. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

Subsequent Events—The Company evaluates its financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued.

 

On January 7, 2019, Rollins, Inc. (the “Company”) and certain of its affiliates entered into certain agreements providing for the acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of a pest control business as follows: (a) a Stock Purchase Agreement among the Company, Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc. (“Clark Pest Control”), JJT King, Inc., and the stockholders of Clark Pest Control pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Clark Pest Control, (b) a Real Estate Purchase Agreement between RCI-King, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Clarkson California Properties pursuant to which an affiliate of the Company will acquire certain real estate used in Clark Pest Control’s business, and (c) an Asset Purchase Agreement between King Distribution, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Geotech Supply Co., LLC pursuant to which an affiliate of the Company will acquire certain assets used in the business of distributing certain equipment and supplies related to the pest control business of Clark Pest Control. Subject to post-closing adjustments, the final purchase is expected to be in the area of $400 million including the real estate assets. The purchase price was negotiated at arm’s-length and the agreement contains customary representations, warranties, noncompetition agreements and holdback provisions.

The Closing of the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including the truth and accuracy of the representations and warranties of the sellers, the performance of the obligations of the sellers and the receipt of regulatory clearance. The Company intends to fund purchase of the Acquisition with a combination of cash on hand, use of its revolving credit agreement and a new term loan. The Company expects the acquisition to close during the first or second quarters of 2019. 

Estimates Used in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements—The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying notes and financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition—The Company’s Revenue recognition policy is to recognize revenue upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those products or services. We enter into contracts that can include various combinations of products and services, each of which are distinct and accounted for as separate performance obligations. Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.

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Nature of Goods and Services and Performance Obligations

The Company contracts with its customers to provide the following goods and services, each of which is a distinct performance obligation:

Pest control services - Rollins provides pest control services to protect residential and commercial properties from common pests, including rodents and insects. Pest control generally consists of assessing a customer’s property for conditions that invite pests, tackling current infestations, and stopping the life cycle to prevent future invaders. Revenue from pest control services is recognized as services are rendered.

The Company’s revenue recognition policies are designed to recognize revenues upon satisfaction of the performance obligation at the time services are performed. For certain revenue types, because of the timing of billing and the receipt of cash versus the timing of performing services, certain accounting estimates are utilized. Residential and commercial pest control services are primarily recurring in nature on a monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly basis, while certain types of commercial customers may receive multiple treatments within a given month. In general, pest control customers sign an initial one-year contract, and revenues are recognized at the time services are performed. The Company defers recognition of advance payments and recognizes the revenue as the services are rendered. The Company classifies discounts related to the advance payments as a reduction in revenues.

Termite control services (including traditional and baiting) - Rollins provides both conventional and baiting termite protection services. Traditional termite protection uses “Termidor” liquid treatment and/or dry foam and Orkin foam to treat voids and spaces around the property, while baiting termite protection uses baits to disrupt the molting process termites require for growth and offers ongoing protection. Revenue from initial termite treatment services is recognized as services are provided.

Maintenance/monitoring/inspection - In connection with the initial service offerings, Rollins provides recurring maintenance, monitoring or inspection services to help protect consumer’s property for any future sign of termite activities after the original treatment. This recurring service is a service-type warranty under ASC 606 as it is routinely sold and purchased separately from the initial treatment services and is typically purchased or renewed annually.

Termite baiting revenues are recognized based on the transfer of control of the individual units of accounting. At the inception of a new baiting services contract, upon quality control review of the installation, the Company recognizes revenue for the installation of the monitoring stations, initial directed liquid termiticide treatment and servicing of the monitoring stations. A portion of the contract amount is deferred for the undelivered monitoring performance obligation. This portion is recognized as income on a straight-line basis over the remaining contract term, which results in recognition of revenue that depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control of the service. The allocation of the purchase price to the two deliverables is based on the relative stand-alone selling price. There are no contingencies related to the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions. Baiting renewal revenue is deferred and recognized over the annual contract period on a straight-line basis that depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control of the service.

Revenue received for conventional termite renewals is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the remaining contract term that depicts the Company’s performance in transferring control of the service; and, the cost of reinspections, reapplications and repairs and associated labor and chemicals are expensed as incurred. For outstanding claims, an estimate is made of the costs to be incurred (including legal costs) based upon current factors and historical information. The performance of reinspections tends to be close to the contract renewal date and while reapplications and repairs involve an insubstantial number of the contracts, these costs are incurred over the contract term. As the revenue is being deferred, the future cost of reinspections, reapplications and repairs and associated labor and chemicals applicable to the deferred revenue are expensed as incurred. The Company accrues for noticed claims. The costs of providing termite services upon renewal are compared to the expected revenue to be received and a provision is made for any expected losses.

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Miscellaneous services (e.g., cleaning, etc.) - In certain agreements with customers, Rollins may offer other miscellaneous services, including restroom cleaning (e.g., eliminating foul odors, grease and grime which could attract pests), training (e.g., seminars covering good manufacturing practices and product stewardship), etc. Revenue from miscellaneous services is recognized when services are provided.

Products - Depending on customer demand, Rollins may separately sell pest control and/or termite protection products, such as traps. Revenue from product sales is recognized upon transfer of control of the asset.

Equipment rental (or lease) - Depending on customer demand, Rollins may lease certain pest control and/or termite protection equipment. Revenue from equipment rentals are recognized over the period of the rental/lease. Revenue from equipment rentals represent less than 1.0% of the Company’s revenues for each reported period.

Right to access intellectual property (Franchise) - The right to access Rollins’ intellectual property is an essential part of Orkin’s franchising agreements. These agreements provide the franchisee (the customer) a license to use the Rollins’ name and trademark when advertising and selling services to end customers in their normal course of business. Orkin Franchise agreements contain a clause allowing Orkin to purchase certain assets of the franchisee. This is only an offer for Orkin to re-purchase the assets originally provided by Orkin to the franchisee and is not a performance obligation or a form of consideration. International and domestic franchising revenue was less than 1.0% of the Company’s annual revenues.

All Orkin domestic franchises have a guaranteed repurchase clause that the Orkin franchise may be repurchased by Orkin at a later date once it has been established. The Company amortizes the initial franchise fee over the initial franchise term. Deferred Orkin franchise fees were $1.6 million at December 31, 2018 and $3.4 million December 31, 2017.

Royalties from Orkin franchises are accrued and recognized as revenues are earned on a monthly basis. Revenue from Orkin franchises was $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $5.4 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Contract Balances

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. We record unearned revenue when revenue is recognized subsequent to billing. For multi-year agreements, we generally invoice customers annually at the beginning of each annual coverage period. The balance of long-term accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, was $28.2 million as of December 31, 2018 and $20.4 million at December 31, 2017 and is included in financed receivables as a long-term asset on our consolidated statements of financial position.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. We determine the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience, and other currently available evidence. Activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts can be found on Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

Unearned revenue is comprised mainly of unearned revenue related to the Company’s termite baiting offering, conventional renewals, and year-in-advance pest control services for which we have been paid in advance and earn the revenue when we transfer control of the product or service.

Refer to Note 12 - Unearned Revenue for further information, including changes in unearned revenue for the year.

Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 60 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of invoicing, we have determined our contracts generally do not include a significant financing component. The primary purpose of our invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing our products and services, not to receive financing from our customers or to provide customers with financing.

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Practical Expedients and Exemptions

We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.

We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed. All revenues are reported net of sales taxes.

 

The Company’s foreign operations accounted for approximately 8% of revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts— The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the expected collectability of accounts receivable. Management uses historical collection results as well as accounts receivable aging in order to determine the expected collectability of accounts receivable. Substantially all of the Company’s receivables are due from pest control and termite services in the United States and selected international locations. The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts is determined using a combination of factors to ensure that our receivables are not overstated due to uncollectability. The Company’s established credit evaluation procedures seek to minimize the amount of business we conduct with higher risk customers. Provisions for doubtful accounts are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. Accounts are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines that amounts are uncollectible and recoveries of amounts previously written off are recorded when collected. Significant recoveries will generally reduce the required provision in the period of recovery. Therefore, the provision for doubtful accounts can fluctuate significantly from period to period. There were no large recoveries in 2018, 2017, and 2016. We record specific provisions when we become aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position. If circumstances related to customers change, our estimates of the realizability of receivables would be further adjusted, either upward or downward.

 

Advertising—Advertising costs are charged to sales, general and administrative expense during the year in which they are incurred.

 

Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Advertising  $69,875   $66,115   $61,258 
                

Cash and Cash Equivalents— The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments, included in cash and cash equivalents, are stated at cost, which approximates fair market value.

The Company’s $115.5 million of total cash at December 31, 2018, is primarily cash held at various banking institutions. Approximately $53.6 million is held in cash accounts at international bank institutions and the remaining $61.9 million is primarily held in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insured non-interest-bearing accounts at various domestic banks which at times may exceed federally insured amounts.

The Company’s international business is expanding and we intend to continue to grow the business in foreign markets in the future through reinvestment of foreign deposits and future earnings as well as acquisitions of unrelated companies. Repatriation of cash from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is not a part of the Company’s current business plan.

The Company maintains a large cash position in the United States while having no third-party debt to service. Rollins maintains adequate liquidity and capital resources, without regard to its foreign deposits, that are directed to finance domestic operations and obligations and to fund expansion of its domestic business for the foreseeable future.

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At December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands) (in US dollars)        
Cash held in foreign bank accounts  $53,613   $57,790 
           

Marketable Securities— From time to time, the Company maintains investments held by several large, well-capitalized financial institutions. The Company’s investment policy does not allow investment in any securities rated less than “investment grade” by national rating services.

Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designations as of each balance sheet date. Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale because the Company does not have the intent to hold the securities to maturity. Available-for-sale securities are stated at their fair values, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as in earnings. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary on available-for-sale securities are included as a component of interest income.

The Company had no marketable securities other than those held in the defined benefit pension plan and the non-qualified deferred compensation plan at December 31, 2018 and 2017. See Note 16 for further details.

Materials and Supplies— Materials and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out method.

Income Taxes—The Company provides for income taxes based on FASB ASC topic 740 “Income Taxes”, which requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements or tax returns. The Company provides an allowance for deferred tax assets when it determines that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be utilized. The Company establishes additional provisions for income taxes when, despite the belief that tax positions are fully supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Equipment and Property— Equipment and Property are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation, and are provided principally on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Annual provisions for depreciation are computed using the following asset lives: buildings, 10 to 40 years; and furniture, fixtures, and operating equipment, 2 to 10 years. Expenditures for additions, major renewals and betterments are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. The cost of assets retired or otherwise disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the accounts in the year of disposal with the resulting gain or loss credited or charged to income. The annual provisions for depreciation, below, have been reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the line item entitled Depreciation and Amortization.

Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Depreciation  $30,364   $27,381   $24,725 
                

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets— In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and other”, the Company classifies intangible assets into three categories: (1) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization; (2) intangible assets with indefinite lives not subject to amortization; and (3) goodwill. The Company does not amortize intangible assets with indefinite lives or goodwill. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate the assets might be impaired. Such conditions may include an economic downturn or a change in the assessment of future operations. The Company performs impairment tests of goodwill at the Company level. Such impairment tests for goodwill include comparing the fair value of the appropriate reporting unit (the Company) with its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying value, then the Company will compare the implied fair value of goodwill to its carrying value. Impairment losses are recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. The Company performs impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets by comparing the fair value of each indefinite-lived intangible asset unit to its carrying value. The Company recognizes an impairment charge if the asset’s carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company completed its most recent annual impairment analysis as of September 30, 2018. Based upon the results of these analyses, the Company has concluded that no impairment of its goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives was indicated.

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment”, the Company’s long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives assigned to long-lived assets, including customer contracts and assets that may be subject to a management plan for disposition.

Insurance—The Company retains, up to specified limits, certain risks related to general liability, workers’ compensation and vehicle liability. The estimated costs of existing and future claims under the retained loss program are accrued based upon historical trends as incidents occur, whether reported or unreported (although actual settlement of the claims may not be made until future periods) and may be subsequently revised based on developments relating to such claims. The Company contracts with an independent third party actuary on a semi-annual basis to provide the Company an estimated liability based upon historical claims information. The actuarial study is a major consideration in establishing the reserve, along with management’s knowledge of changes in business practice and existing claims compared to current balances. Management’s judgment is inherently subjective and a number of factors are outside management’s knowledge and control. Additionally, historical information is not always an accurate indication of future events.

Accrual for Termite Contracts—The Company maintains an accrual for termite claims representing the estimated costs of reapplications, repairs and associated labor and chemicals, settlements, awards and other costs relative to termite control services. Factors that may impact future costs include termiticide life expectancy and government regulation. It is significant that the actual number of claims has decreased in recent years due to changes in the Company’s business practices. However, it is not possible to precisely predict future significant claims. An accrual for termite contracts is included in other current liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

Contingency Accruals—The Company is a party to legal proceedings with respect to matters in the ordinary course of business. In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies,” management estimates and accrues for its liability and costs associated with the litigation. Estimates and accruals are determined in consultation with outside counsel. Because it is not possible to accurately predict the ultimate result of the litigation, judgments concerning accruals for liabilities and costs associated with litigation are inherently uncertain and actual liability may vary from amounts estimated or accrued. However, in the opinion of management, the outcome of the litigation will not have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Contingency accruals are included in other current liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

 

Three-for-two stock split—The Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting on October 23, 2018, authorized a three-for-two stock split by the issuance on December 10, 2018 of one additional common share for each two common shares held of record at November 9, 2018. All share and per share data appearing in the consolidated financial statements and related notes are restated for the three-for-two stock split.

 

Earnings Per Share—the FASB ASC Topic 260-10 “Earnings Per Share-Overall,” requires a basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share presentation. Further, all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are considered participating securities and an entity is required to include participating securities in its calculation of basic earnings per share.

 

The Company has periodically issued share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and therefore are considered participating securities. See Note 17 for further information on restricted stock granted to employees.

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The basic and diluted calculations are the same as there were no stock options included in diluted earnings per share as we have no stock options outstanding. Basic and diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the respective periods.

 

A reconciliation of weighted average shares outstanding along with the earnings per share attributable to restricted shares of common stock (participating securities) is as follows (in thousands except per share data). All share and per share information in the following chart are restated for the stock split effective December 10, 2018:

 

Years Ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
Net income available to stockholders  $231,663   $179,124   $167,369 
Less: Dividends paid               
Common Stock   (151,458)   (120,930)   (107,880)
Restricted shares of common stock   (1,284)   (1,087)   (1,122)
Undistributed earnings for the period  $78,921   $57,107   $58,367 
Allocation of undistributed earnings:               
Common stock  $78,255   $56,567   $57,722 
Restricted shares of common stock   666    540    645 
Basic and diluted shares outstanding:               
Common stock   324,529    323,890    323,745 
Restricted shares of common stock   2,762    3,091    3,619 
    327,291    326,981    327,366 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:               
Common stock:               
Distributed earnings  $0.47   $0.37   $0.33 
Undistributed earnings   0.24    0.18    0.18 
   $0.71   $0.55   $0.51 
Restricted shares of common stock               
Distributed earnings  $0.47   $0.35   $0.31 
Undistributed earnings   0.24    0.18    0.18 
   $0.71   $0.53   $0.49 

 

Translation of Foreign Currencies—Assets and liabilities reported in functional currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the year-end rate of exchange. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted-average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are charged or credited to other comprehensive income. Gains or losses from foreign currency transactions, such as those resulting from the settlement of receivables or payables, denominated in foreign currency are included in the earnings of the current period.

Stock-Based Compensation— The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718 “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” Time lapse restricted shares (TLRSs) have been issued to officers and other management employees under the Company’s Employee Stock Incentive Plan.

TLRSs provide for the issuance of a share of the Company’s Common Stock at no cost to the holder and generally vest after a certain stipulated number of years from the grant date, depending on the terms of the issue. Outstanding TLRSs vest in 20 percent increments starting with the second anniversary of the grant, over six years from the date of grant. During these years, grantees receive all dividends declared and retain voting rights for the granted shares. The agreements under which the restricted stock is issued provide that shares awarded may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions established under the plans have lapsed. The fair value of these awards is recognized as compensation expense, net of forfeitures, on a straight-line basis over six years.

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) results from foreign currency translations and minimum pension liability adjustments.

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Franchising Program – Rollins’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Orkin, had 47, 47 and 50 domestic franchises as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Transactions with Orkin’s domestic franchises involve sales of customer contracts to establish new Orkin franchises, initial franchise fees and royalties. The customer contracts and initial Orkin franchise fees are typically sold for a combination of cash and notes due over periods ranging up to five years. Notes receivable from Orkin franchises were $6.5 million at December 31, 2018 and $5.9 million at December 31, 2017. These amounts are included as financing receivables in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

Right to access intellectual property (Franchise) - The right to access Rollins’ intellectual property is an essential part of Orkin’s franchising agreements. These agreements provide the franchisee (the customer) a license to use the Rollins’ name and trademark when advertising and selling services to end customers in their normal course of business. Orkin Franchise agreements contain a clause allowing Orkin to purchase certain assets of the franchisee. This is only an offer for Orkin to re-purchase the assets originally provided by Orkin to the franchisee and is not a performance obligation or a form of consideration. International and domestic franchising revenue was less than 1.0% of the Company’s annual revenues.

The Company amortizes the initial franchise fee over the initial franchise term. Deferred Orkin franchise fees of $1.6 million at December 31, 2018 and $3.4 million December 31, 2017.

Royalties from Orkin franchises are accrued and recognized as revenues are earned on a monthly basis. Revenue from Orkin franchises was $8.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $5.4 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, Orkin had 86, 81, and 70 international franchises, respectively. Orkin’s international franchise program began with its first international franchise in 2000 and since has expanded to Central America, South America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia, the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa and Mexico.

The Company’s maximum exposure to loss (notes receivable from franchises less deferred franchise fees) relating to the Orkin franchises was $4.9 million, $2.5 million, and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Rollins’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Critter Control, had 80 and 89 franchises in the United States and Canada as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Transactions with Critter Control franchises involve sales of territories to establish new franchises, initial franchise fees and royalties. The territories and initial franchise fees are typically sold for a combination of cash and notes. Notes receivable from Critter Control franchises were $0.6 million and $0.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. These notes are not guaranteed. The Company anticipates that should there be any losses from franchisees these losses would be recouped by removing the individual franchisee and re-selling the abandoned territory. These amounts are included as financing receivables in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

Recent Accounting Guidance

Recently adopted accounting standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) and International Accounting Standards Board issued their converged standard on revenue recognition Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606. This ASU replaces nearly all existing U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition. The standard prescribes a five-step model for recognizing revenue, the application of which will require significant judgment. The FASB issued ASU 2015-14 in August 2015 which resulted in a deferral of the original effective date of ASU 2014-09. During 2016, the FASB issued four ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new revenue recognition guidance, including ASU 2016-08, Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), ASU 2016-10, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-12, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. These ASUs do not change the core principles in the revenue recognition guidance outlined above. ASU No. 2014-09 and the related ASUs referenced above are effective for Rollins, Inc. beginning January 1, 2018. The Company has completed its detailed review of all global revenue arrangements in accordance with these ASUs and the adoption of these ASUs January 1, 2018 has had no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company’s financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within annual periods. Earlier adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual reporting period. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018 it had no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently issued accounting standards to be adopted in 2019 or later

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842), which requires a lessee to recognize right-of-use assets (ROUs) and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. Leases will be classified as finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern and classification of expense recognition in the statement of income.

ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. An entity may elect to adopt the new standard using either 1) a modified retrospective approach with restated comparative period financial statements or 2) a prospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment recognized to the opening balance of retained earnings on the date of adoption. We anticipate adopting this standard on January 1, 2019, using the prospective approach. Consequently, the reporting for the comparative periods presented in the financial statements in which the new leases standard has been adopted will continue to be presented in accordance with current GAAP (Topic 840, Leases).

The new standard provides certain practical expedients in transition. We have elected the transition package of practical expedients, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct cost. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We elected the short-term lease recognition exemption. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize right of use assets or lease liabilities, for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition.

The Company expects the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets. The recognition and measurement of expenses and cash flows will not be materially impacted by the new standard. Upon adoption, the Company expects to recognize operating lease ROUs and liabilities of between $175.0 million and $195.0 million. The new standard has enhanced disclosure requirements, including additional disclosures regarding the nature of an entity’s leases, significant judgments and assumptions made when applying the standard, and the amounts recognized in the financial statements. The disclosure requirements will have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The updated accounting guidance requires changes to the recognition of credit losses on financial instruments not accounted for at fair value through net income. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill (i.e., Step 2 of the current goodwill impairment test) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (i.e., measure the charge based on the current Step 1). The standard in this update is effective for the Company’s financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning in 2020. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), which provides new guidance intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning in fiscal year 2020. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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2.    ACQUISITIONS

 

The Company has made 38 and 23 acquisitions during the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively, that are not material individually or in the aggregate to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The largest acquisition made during these periods is as follows:

 

The Company completed the acquisition of Northwest Pest Control effective August 1, 2017. Northwest was established in 1951 and services approximately 120,000 customers in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and North Carolina. Northwest Pest Control is the 17th largest pest control operator in the country, making it the largest Rollins acquisition since the Company acquired HomeTeam Pest Defense in 2008.

 

Total cash purchase price for the Company’s acquisitions in 2018 and 2017 were $76.8 million and $130.2 million, respectively.

 

The fair values of major classes of assets acquired and liabilities assumed along with the contingent consideration liability recorded during the valuation period of acquisition is included in the reconciliation of the total consideration as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
Accounts receivable  $3,558   $3,836 
Materials and supplies   556    312 
Equipment and property   7,374    3,027 
Goodwill   25,605    87,261 
Customer contracts   62,228    60,695 
Other intangible assets   6,936    20,086 
Current liabilities   (21,536)   (30,344)
Other assets and liabilities, net   (3,089)   1,209 
Total consideration paid   81,632    146,082 
Less: Contingent consideration liability   (4,863)   (15,893)
Total cash purchase price  $76,769   $130,189 
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3.    REVENUE

Adoption of ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. On January 1, 2018, and the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2017. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605.

There was no material impact on the Company’s financial statements as a result of adopting ASC 606 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

The following tables present our revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in thousands, unaudited).

Sales and usage-based taxes are excluded from revenues. No sales to an individual customer or in a country other than the United States accounted for more than 10% of the sales for the periods listed on the following table. Revenue, classified by the major geographic areas in which our customers are located, was as follows:

 

   (in thousands) 
   2018   2017   2016 
United States  $1,677,116   $1,541,336   $1,455,196 
Other countries   144,449    132,621    118,281 
Total Revenues  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477 

 

Revenue from external customers, classified by significant product and service offerings, was as follows:

 

   (in thousands) 
   2018   2017   2016 
Residential revenue  $773,932   $705,787   $663,776 
Commercial revenue   707,386    666,523    634,767 
Termite completions, bait monitoring, and renewals   332,573    294,982    269,431 
Other revenues   7,674    6,665    5,503 
Total Revenues  $1,821,565   $1,673,957   $1,573,477 

4.    DEBT

On October 31, 2012, the Company entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement with SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A. for an unsecured line of credit of up to $175.0 million, which includes a $75.0 million letter of credit subfacility, and a $25.0 million swingline subfacility. The Credit Agreement was amended on October 30, 2014 to extend the maturity date to October 31, 2018 and add three optional one year extensions. On October 27, 2015 the Company exercised a one year extension option to extend the maturity date to October 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2018, no borrowings were outstanding under the line of credit or under the swingline subfacility. The Company maintains approximately $32.9 million in letters of credit. These letters of credit are required by the Company’s fronting insurance companies and/or certain states, due to the Company’s self-insured status, to secure various workers’ compensation and casualty insurance contracts coverage. The Company believes that it has adequate liquid assets, funding sources and insurance accruals to accommodate such claims.

The Revolving Credit Agreement is guaranteed by certain of Rollins’ domestic-subsidiaries. The maturity date of the Credit Agreement is October 31, 2019, subject to up to two optional extensions of the Credit Agreement for one year each. Revolving loans under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest at one of the following two rates, at the Company’s election:

 

·the Base Rate, which shall mean the highest of (i) the per annum rate which the Administrative Agent publicly announces from time to time as its prime lending rate, (ii) the Federal Funds rate, plus 0.50% per annum, and (iii) the Adjusted LIBOR Rate (which equals LIBOR as increased to account for the maximum reserve percentages established by the U.S. Federal Reserve) determined on a daily basis for an interest period of one (1) month, plus 1.0% per annum.

 

·with respect to any Eurodollar borrowings, the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus an additional amount, which varies between .75% and 1.00%, based upon Rollins’ then-current debt-to-EBITDA ratio. As of December 31, 2018, the additional rate allocated was .75%.
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The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, certain financial covenants including covenants restricting the Company’s ability to incur certain indebtedness or liens, or to merge or consolidate with or sell substantially all of its assets to another entity. Further, the Revolving Credit Agreement contains financial covenants restricting the Company’s ability to permit the ratio of the Company’s consolidated debt to EBITDA to exceed certain limits.

The Company remained in compliance with applicable debt covenants at December 31, 2018 and expects to maintain compliance throughout 2019.

5.    TRADE RECEIVABLES

The allowance for doubtful accounts is principally calculated based on the application of estimated loss percentages to delinquency aging totals, based on contractual terms, for the various categories of receivables. Bad debt write-offs occur according to Company policies that are specific to pest control, commercial and termite accounts.

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Gross trade receivables  $117,301   $109,616 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   (13,285)   (11,814)
Net trade receivables  $104,016   $97,802 

 

At any given time, the Company may have immaterial amounts due from related parties, which are invoiced and settled on a regular basis.

6.    FINANCING RECEIVABLES

Rollins manages its financing receivables on an aggregate basis when assessing and monitoring credit risks. The Company’s credit risk is generally low with a large number of entities comprising Rollins’ customer base and dispersion across many different geographical regions. The credit quality of a potential obligor is evaluated at the loan origination based on an assessment of the individual’s Beacon/credit bureau score. Rollins requires a potential obligor to have good credit worthiness with low risk before entering into a contract. Depending upon the individual’s credit score the Company may accept with 100% financing or require a significant down payment or turndown the contract. Delinquencies of accounts are monitored each month. Financing receivables include installment receivable amounts which are due subsequent to one year from the balance sheet dates.

 

At December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Gross financing receivables, short-term  $20,299   $18,798 
Gross financing receivables, long-term   29,763    21,771 
Allowance for doubtful accounts   (3,381)   (2,892)
Net financing receivables  $46,681   $37,677 

 

Total financing receivables, net were $46.7 million and $37.7 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Financing receivables are generally charged-off when deemed uncollectable or when 180 days have elapsed since the date of the last full contractual payment. The Company’s charge-off policy has been consistently applied during the periods reported. Management considers the charge-off policy when evaluating the appropriateness of the allowance for doubtful accounts. Gross charge-offs as a percentage of average financing receivables were 3.8% and 4.3% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Due to the low percentage of charge-off receivables and the high credit worthiness of the potential obligor, the entire Rollins, Inc. financing receivables portfolio has a low credit risk.

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The Company offers 90 days same-as-cash financing to some customers based on their credit worthiness. Interest is not recognized until the 91st day at which time it is recognized retrospectively back to the first day if the contract has not been paid in full. In certain circumstances, such as when delinquency is deemed to be of an administrative nature, accounts may still accrue interest when they reach 180 days past due. As of December 31, 2018, there were six accounts that are greater than 180 days past due, which have been fully reserved.

Included in financing receivables are notes receivable from franchise owners. The majority of these notes are low risk as the repurchase of these franchises is guaranteed by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Orkin, Inc., and the repurchase price of the franchise is currently estimated and has historically been well above the receivable due from the franchise owner. Also included in notes receivables are franchise notes from other brands which are not guaranteed and do not have the same historical valuation.

The carrying amount of notes receivable approximates fair value as the interest rates approximate market rates for these types of contracts. Long-Term Installment receivables, net were $28.2 million and $20.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Rollins establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts to insure financing receivables are not overstated due to uncollectability. The allowance balance is comprised of a general reserve, which is determined based on a percentage of the financing receivables balance, and a specific reserve, which is established for certain accounts with identified exposures, such as customer default, bankruptcy or other events, that make it unlikely that Rollins will recover its investment. The general reserve percentages are based on several factors, which include consideration of historical credit losses and portfolio delinquencies, trends in overall weighted-average risk rating of the portfolio and information derived from competitive benchmarking.

The allowance for doubtful accounts related to financing receivables was as follows

 

At December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Balance, beginning of period  $2,892   $3,157 
Additions to allowance   2,161    1,424 
Deductions, net of recoveries   (1,672)   (1,689)
Balance, end of period  $3,381   $2,892 

 

The following is a summary of the past due financing receivables:

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
30-59 days past due  $1,566   $1,167 
60-89 days past due   777    385 
90 days or more past due   1,407    995 
Total  $3,750   $2,547 

 

The following is a summary of percentage of gross financing receivables:

December 31,  2018   2017 
Current   92.4%   93.7%
30-59 days past due   3.2%   2.9%
60-89 days past due   1.5%   0.9%
90 days or more past due   2.9%   2.5%
Total   100.0%   100.0%
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7.    EQUIPMENT AND PROPERTY

Equipment and property are presented at cost less accumulated depreciation and are detailed as follows:

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Buildings  $53,339   $51,023 
Operating equipment   103,429    91,430 
Furniture and fixtures   18,476    17,672 
Computer equipment and systems   177,441    163,220 
    352,685    323,345 
Less: accumulated depreciation   (240,320)   (213,809)
    112,365    109,536 
Land   24,520    24,552 
Net equipment and property  $136,885   $134,088 

 

Included in equipment and property, net at December 31, 2018 and 2017, are fixed assets held in foreign countries of $7.6 million, and $4.9 million, respectively.

Total depreciation expense was approximately $30.4 million in 2018, $27.4 million in 2017 and $24.7 million in 2016.

 

8.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

 

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade and notes receivables, accounts payable, and other short-term liabilities. The carrying amounts of these financial instruments approximate their fair values. The Company has financial instruments related to its defined benefit pension plan and deferred compensation plan detailed in Note 16.

 

The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs, and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant non-observable inputs.

 

The following table presents our non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018.

 

(in thousands)  Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Cash and cash equivalents  $148   $148   $   $ 
Total  $148   $148   $   $ 

 

The following table presents our non-qualified deferred compensation plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017.

 

(in thousands)  Total   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3 
Cash and cash equivalents  $95   $95   $   $ 
Total  $95   $95   $   $ 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, which are used to pay benefits and deferred compensation plan administrative expenses, are held in Money Market Funds.

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The Company has contingent considerations from acquisitions that approximate fair value and are Level 3.

 

At December 31, 2018 the Deferred Compensation Plan had 70 life insurance policies with a net face value of $43.4 million. The cash surrender value of these life insurance policies had a net realizable value of $18.3 million and $18.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The total deferred compensation plan assets, recorded in other assets on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position, were $18.4 million and $18.4 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

9.    GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets of businesses acquired. The carrying amount of goodwill was $368.5 million at December 31, 2018 and $346.5 million as of December 31, 2017. Goodwill increased for the year ended December 31, 2018 due primarily to acquisitions, partially offset by currency conversion of foreign goodwill. The carrying amount of goodwill in foreign countries was $54.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and $46.3 million as of December 31, 2017. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

 

(in thousands)    
Goodwill at December 31, 2016  $255,665 
Goodwill acquired   87,261 
Goodwill adjustments due to currency translation   3,588 
Goodwill at December 31, 2017  $346,514 
Goodwill acquired   25,605 
Goodwill adjustments due to currency translation   (3,638)
Goodwill at December 31, 2018  $368,481 

10.    CUSTOMER CONTRACTS, TRADENAMES AND TRADEMARKS, AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Customer contracts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of the agreements, as straight-line best approximates the ratio that current revenues bear to the total of current and anticipated revenues, based on the estimated lives of the assets. In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and other”, the expected lives of customer contracts were reviewed, and it was determined that customer contracts should be amortized over a life of 7 to 20 years dependent upon customer type. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization for customer contracts were as follows:

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Customer contracts  $339,864   $290,628 
Less: accumulated amortization   (161,789)   (137,759)
Customer contracts, net  $178,075   $152,869 

 

The carrying amount of customer contracts in foreign countries was $37.1 million as of December 31, 2018 and $29.8 million as of December 31, 2017.

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Trademarks and tradenames are amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of its useful life. The Company has determined the assets have useful lives between 7 and 20 years with non-amortizable, indefinite lived Tradenames of $40.5 million and $30.0 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization for trademarks and tradenames were as follows:

 

At December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Trademarks and tradenames  $58,471   $53,549 
Less: accumulated amortization   (4,331)   (3,551)
Trademarks and tradenames, net  $54,140   $49,998 

 

The carrying amount of trademarks and tradenames in foreign countries was $3.7 million as of December 31, 2018 and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017.

 

Other intangible assets include non-compete agreements and patents. Non-compete agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 3 to 20 years and patents are amortized on a straight-line basis over 15 years. The carrying amount and accumulated amortization for other intangible assets were as follows:

 

At December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Other intangible assets  $22,742   $22,231 
Less: accumulated amortization   (11,699)   (10,681)
Other intangible assets, net  $11,043   $11,550 

 

The carrying amount of other intangible assets in foreign countries was $1.6 million as of December 31, 2018 and $1.7 million as of December 31, 2017.

Included in the table above are non-amortizable, indefinite lived Internet domain names of $2.2 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Total amortization expense was approximately $36.4 million in 2018, $29.2 million in 2017 and $26.2 million in 2016.

Estimated amortization expense for the existing carrying amount of customer contracts and other intangible assets for each of the five succeeding fiscal years are as follows:

 

(in thousands)    
2019  $34,697 
2020   30,287 
2021   28,111 
2022   26,604 
2023   21,995 

11.    DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

 

The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. To manage this risk, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments from time to time. Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign interest rates and exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments from time to time to protect the value or fix the amount of certain obligations in terms of its functional currency, the U.S. dollar.

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Hedges of Foreign Exchange Risk

 

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in various foreign currencies against its functional currency, the US dollar. The Company uses foreign currency derivatives, specifically vanilla foreign currency forwards, to manage its exposure to fluctuations in the USD-CAD and AUD-USD exchange rates. Currency forward agreements involve fixing the foreign currency exchange rate for delivery of a specified amount of foreign currency on a specified date. The currency forward agreements are typically cash settled in US dollars for their fair value at or close to their settlement date.

 

The Company does not currently designate any of these foreign exchange forwards under hedge accounting, but rather reflects the changes in fair value immediately in earnings. Derivatives not designated as hedges are not speculative and are used to manage the Company’s exposure to foreign exchange rates. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings and were equal to a net gain of $0.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2018 and a net loss of $0.3 million in 2017. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had the following outstanding derivatives that were not designated as hedges in qualifying hedging relationships (in thousands except for number of instruments):

 

Non- Designated Derivatives Summary

 

(in thousands except for number of instruments)  Number of
Instruments
   Sell
Notional
   Buy
Notional
 
FX Forward Contracts               
Sell AUD/Buy USD Fwd Contract   8   $1,000   $724 
Sell CAD/Buy USD Fwd Contract   10   $6,550   $4,940 
Total   18       $5,664 

 

The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

   Tabular Disclosure of Fair Values of Derivative Instruments 
   Derivative Asset   Derivative Liabilities 
   Fair Value as of: 
   December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments                    
FX Forward Contracts                    
Balance Sheet Location  Other Assets   Other Assets   Other Current
Liabilities
   Other Current
Liabilities
 
Sell AUD/Buy USD Fwd Contract  $18   $   $(1)  $(9)
Sell CAD/Buy USD Fwd Contract  $121   $   $(4)  $(61)
Total  $139   $   $(5)  $(70)
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The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Income Statement as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):

 

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Income Statement for Derivatives Not Designated
as Hedging Instruments for the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Derivatives Not Designated as
Hedging Instruments
  Location of
Gain or (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
   Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income
Twelve Months Ended
December 31,
 
       2018   2017 
Sell AUD/Buy USD Fwd Contract   Other Inc/(Exp)   $67   $(29)
Sell CAD/Buy USD Fwd Contract   Other Inc/(Exp)    423    (304)
Total       $490   $(333)

NOTE 12.    UNEARNED REVENUE

Changes in unearned revenue were as follows:

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Balance at beginning of year  $117,614   $106,323 
Deferral of unearned revenue   166,053    151,139 
Recognition of unearned revenue   (156,592)   (139,848)
Balance at December 31,  $127,075   $117,614 

 

Deferred revenue recognized for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $156.6 million and $128.7 million, respectively.

Revenue allocated to remaining performance obligations represents contracted revenue that has not yet been recognized (“contracted not recognized revenue”), which includes both unearned revenue and revenue that will be billed and recognized in future periods. The Company has no material contracted not recognized revenue as of December 31, 2018 or December 31, 2017.

At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had long-term unearned revenue of $11.1 million and $8.6 million, respectively. Unearned short-term revenue is recognized over the next 12 month period. The majority of unearned long-term revenue is recognized over a period of five years or less with immaterial amounts recognized through 2025.

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13.    INCOME TAXES

The Company’s income tax provision consisted of the following:

 

For the years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Current:               
Federal  $49,911   $76,178   $69,102 
State   13,602    13,406    12,949 
Foreign   7,929    7,158    14,464 
Total current tax   71,442    96,742    96,515 
Deferred:               
Federal   6,091    17,249    (5,991)
State   1,957    1,610    2,892 
Foreign   (420)   (223)   (149)
Total deferred tax   7,628    18,636    (3,248)
Total income tax provision  $79,070   $115,378   $93,267 

 

The primary factors causing income tax expense to be different than the federal statutory rate for 2018, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

For the years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Income tax at statutory rate  $65,254   $103,075   $91,222 
State income tax expense (net of federal benefit)   12,984    9,979    8,876 
Foreign tax expense/(benefit)   1,186    (1,613)   9,857 
Foreign tax   (234)   (221)   (19,155)
Repatriation tax under TCJA   1,233    7,956     
Other   (1,353)   (3,798)   2,467 
Total income tax provision  $79,070   $115,378   $93,267 

 

Other includes the release of deferred tax liabilities, tax credits, valuation allowance, and other immaterial adjustments.

 

On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was signed into law. The TCJA reduced the corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and made numerous other tax law changes. In 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 which permitted the recording of provisional amounts related to the impact of the TCJA during a measurement period not to exceed one year. A provisional amount based on reasonable estimates was made with respect to the tax implications associated with the deemed repatriated earnings on foreign subsidiaries based on the initial analysis of the TCJA. Certain tax effects of the TCJA were recognized in year ended December 31, 2017 resulting in the recording of $11.6 million of additional tax expense. The additional tax of $11.6 million related to the following components: $8 million related to the imposition of a tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries due to implementation of a territorial tax system, $2.9 million related to re-measurement of deferred tax assets to the 21% tax rate, and $0.7 million related to reductions in tax benefits on stock compensation. During 2018 the Company completed the analysis the earnings and profits of foreign investments. This resulted in the recognition at year ended December 31, 2018 of an additional $1.2 million related to the imposition of a tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Company has elected to include the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) as part of tax expense in the year incurred.

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The Provision for Income Taxes resulted in an effective tax rate of 25.4% on Income Before Income Taxes for the year ended December 31, 2018. The effective rate differs from the annual federal statutory rate primarily because of state and foreign income taxes and adjustments due to the TCJA.

For 2017 and 2016 the effective tax rate was 39.2% and 35.8%, respectively. The effective income tax rate differs from the annual federal statutory tax rate primarily because of state and foreign income taxes, adjustments due to the TCJA partially offset by tax benefits associated with restricted stock, and the increase of available foreign tax credits.

During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company paid income taxes of $77.3 million, $90.7 million and $88.8 million, respectively, net of refunds.

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Deferred tax assets:          
Termite accrual  $812   $1,241 
Insurance and contingencies   18,136    18,374 
Unearned revenues   11,091    11,152 
Compensation and benefits   11,238    11,157 
State and foreign operating loss carryforwards   5,346    7,035 
Bad debt reserve   3,687    3,203 
Foreign tax credit   6,664    7,842 
Other   2,060    1,861 
Valuation allowance   (76)   (24)
Total deferred tax assets   58,958    61,841 
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Depreciation and amortization   (21,237)   (18,453)
Net Pension liability   (1,340)   (3,709)
Intangibles and other   (29,467)   (21,259)
Total deferred tax liabilities   (52,043)   (43,421)
Net deferred tax assets   6,915    18,420 

 

Analysis of the valuation allowance:

 

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)          
Valuation allowance at beginning of year  $24   $6,507 
Change in valuation allowance   52    (6,483)
Valuation allowance at end of year  $76   $24 

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for foreign and state income tax purposes of approximately $111.6 million, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these carryforwards will expire between 2019 and 2031. Management believes that it is unlikely to be able to utilize approximately $0.4 million of foreign net operating losses before they expire and has included a valuation allowance for the effect of these unrealizable operating loss carryforwards. The valuation allowance increased by $0.1 million due to foreign net operating leases.

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Earnings from continuing operations before income tax included foreign income of $22.7 million in 2018, $22.1 million in 2017 and $6.4 million in 2016. The Company’s international business is expanding and we intend to continue to grow the business in foreign markets in the future through reinvestment of foreign deposits and future earnings as well as acquisition of unrelated companies. Repatriation of cash from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is not part of the Company’s current business plan.

 

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2018 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is $0.0 million. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Balance at Beginning of Year  $3,148   $2,554 
Additions/(reductions) for tax positions of prior years   (594)   594 
Balance at End of Year  $2,554   $3,148 

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. In addition, the Company has subsidiaries in various state and international jurisdictions that are currently under audit for years ranging from 2012 through 2015. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S., income tax examinations for years prior to 2012.

 

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease in the next 12 months.

The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties were $1.0 million and $0.9 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. During 2018 the Company recognized interest and penalties of $0.1 million.

14.    ACCRUAL FOR TERMITE CONTRACTS

In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 450 “Contingencies,” the Company maintains an accrual for termite claims representing the estimated costs of reapplications, repairs and associated labor and chemicals, settlements, awards and other costs relative to termite control services. Factors that may impact future cost include termiticide life expectancy and government regulation.

A reconciliation of changes in the accrual for termite contracts is as follows:

For the years ended December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Beginning balance  $4,885   $4,800 
Current year provision   2,392    3,611 
Settlements, claims, and expenditures   (4,058)   (3,526)
Ending balance  $3,219   $4,885 

The accrual for termite contracts is included in other current liabilities, $2.2 million and $2.9 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively and long-term accrued liabilities, $1.0 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position.

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15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company leases buildings, vehicles and equipment under operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses. The Company’s operating leases expire at various dates through 2028:

For the years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Rental Expense  $79,631   $72,030   $66,774 
                

 Future commitments under operating leases are as summarized:

(in thousands)  Operating leases 
2019  $28,751 
2020   18,024 
2021   14,463 
2022   11,142 
2023   8,998 
Thereafter   16,234 
Total minimum obligation  $97,612 

In the normal course of business, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a number of lawsuits, claims or arbitrations which allege that the subsidiaries’ services caused damage. In addition, the Company defends employment related cases and claims from time to time. We are involved in certain environmental matters primarily arising in the normal course of business. We are actively contesting each of these matters.

 

Management does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual quarter or year.

16.    EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Rollins, Inc. Retirement Income Plan

The Company maintains several noncontributory tax-qualified defined benefit pension plans (the “Plans”) covering employees meeting certain age and service requirements. The Plans provide benefits based on the average compensation for the highest five years during the last ten years of credited service (as defined) in which compensation was received, and the average anticipated Social Security covered earnings. The Company funds the Plans with at least the minimum amount required by ERISA. The Company made no contribution for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and $3.3 million to the Plans during the year 2016.

In 2005, the Company ceased all future benefit accruals under the Rollins, Inc. Retirement Income Plan, although the Company remains obligated to provide employees benefits earned through June 2005. In 2016, the Plan was amended to allow certain vested participants the ability to elect for a limited time the commencement of their benefit in the form of a single-sum payment, not to exceed $35,000, or an annuity starting date of December 1, 2016. In total $8.8 million was paid by the Plan during the year ended December 31, 2016, under this program. The Plan did not offer any options for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

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The Company includes the Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employee Pension Plan in the Company’s financial statements. The Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employee Pension Plan was amended, effective September 1, 2018, to freeze future benefit accruals for all participants. The Company accounts for these defined benefit plans in accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 715 “Compensation- Retirement Benefits”, and engages an outside actuary to calculate its obligations and costs. With the assistance of the actuary, the Company evaluates the significant assumptions used on a periodic basis including the estimated future return on plan assets, the discount rate, and other factors, and makes adjustments to these liabilities as necessary.

The Company has initiated the process to transition its Pension Plan to an Insurance provider and does not expect to amortize a net loss in 2019. The timeline will take approximately 6-9 months from December 31, 2018. The Company’s Pension Plan is currently more than 100% funded.

In June 2005, the Company froze the Rollins, Inc. defined benefit pension plan. The Company currently uses December 31 as the measurement date for its defined benefit post-retirement plans. The funded status of the Plans and the net amount recognized in the statement of financial position are summarized as follows as of:

December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
CHANGE IN ACCUMULATED BENEFIT OBLIGATION          
Accumulated benefit obligation at beginning of year  $202,310   $197,222 
Service cost   37    58 
Interest cost   7,926    8,493 
Actuarial loss   11,175    6,762 
Benefits paid   (13,023)   (10,225)
Accumulated Benefit obligation at end of year   208,425    202,310 
CHANGE IN PLAN ASSETS          
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year   219,905    194,342 
Actual return on plan assets   6,817    35,788 
Benefits paid   (13,023)   (10,225)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year   213,699    219,905 
Funded status  $5,274   $17,595 

 

Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position consist of:    
     
December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Noncurrent assets  $5,274   $17,595 

 

Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income consists of:
 
December 31,  2018   2017 
(in thousands)        
Net actuarial loss  $76,362   $61,598 
           

The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit pension plans were $203.4 million and $202.3 million at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Accumulated benefit obligation and projected benefit obligation are materially the same for the Plans. Pre-tax (increases)/decreases in the pension liability which were (charged, net of tax) credited to other comprehensive income/(loss) were ($14.8) million, $19.0 million, and $3.0 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

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The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the accumulated benefit obligation and net benefit cost:

December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
ACCUMULATED BENEFIT OBLIGATION               
Discount rate   */4.00%   4.00%   4.45%
Rate of compensation increase   N/A    N/A    N/A 
NET BENEFIT COST               
Discount rate   4.05%   4.45%   4.70%
Expected return on plan assets   7.00%   7.00%   7.00%
Rate of compensation increase   N/A    N/A    N/A 

* In 2018, the Company used a termination liability approach in calculating the 2018 discount rate for the Rollins, Inc. Pension plan. The following assumptions were used 1) 3.90%, based on current market conditions, for participants in pay status expected to elect a plan termination annuity; 2) 4.11%, based on current market conditions, for active and terminated participants with deferred benefits expected to elect a plan termination annuity; 3) The IRC 417(e) interest rates for the month of November 2018 (3.43%, 4.46%, and 4.88), based on plan provisions, for all lump sum eligible expected to elect a plan termination lump sum. The Waltham Services, LLC Hourly Employee Pension Plan applied 4.05% discount rate based on yield curve analysis.

The return on plan assets reflects the weighted-average of the expected long-term rates of return for the broad categories of investments held in the plan. The expected long-term rate of return is adjusted when there are fundamental changes in the expected returns on the plan investments.

 

The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year.  In estimating this rate, the Company utilized a termination liability approach for fiscal year 2018 and a yield curve analysis for fiscal year’s 2017, and 2016.

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost are summarized as follows:

 

Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
(in thousands)            
Service cost  $37   $58   $71 
Interest cost   7,926    8,493    9,331 
Expected return on plan assets   (13,775)   (13,368)   (13,219)
Amortization of net loss   3,292    3,322    3,263 
Preliminary net periodic benefit cost/(income)  $(2,520)  $(1,495)  $(554)
Settlement expense       53     
Net periodic benefit cost  $(2,520)  $(1,442)  $(554)

The benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are summarized as follows:

 

(in thousands)  2018   2017   2016 
Pretax (income)/loss  $18,056   $(15,650)  $218 
Amortization of net loss   (3,292)   (3,322)   (3,263)
Total recognized in other comprehensive income   14,764    (18,972)   (3,045)
Total recognized in net periodic benefit (income)/cost and other comprehensive income  $12,244   $(20,414)  $(3,599)

At December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Plan’s assets were comprised of listed common stocks and U.S. government and corporate securities, real estate and other. Included in the assets of the Plan were shares of Rollins, Inc. Common Stock with a market value of $1.6 million and $32.0 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

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The Plans’ weighted average asset allocation at December 31, 2018 and 2017 by asset category, along with the target allocation for 2018, are as follows:

                               
      Target
allocations for
    Percentage of plan assets as of
December 31,
 
Asset category     2019     2018     2017  
Cash and cash equivalents     0.0 %    5.0 %     3.5 %     2.4 %
Equity securities - Rollins stock     0.0 %    40.0 %      0.4     14.7 %
Domestic equity - all other     0.0 % 40.0 %     0.7 %     21.8 %
International equity     0.0 % 30.0 %     0.2 %     16.4 %
Debt securities - core fixed income     15.0 % 100.0 %     91.1 %     35.2 %
Real estate     0.0 % 20.0 %     2.0 %     6.5 %
Alternative/Opportunistic/Special     0.0 % 20.0 %     2.1 %     3.0 %
Total                   100.0 %     100.0 %

 

For each of the asset categories in the pension plan, the investment strategy is identical – maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets with an acceptable level of risk in order to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits. The investment policy establishes a target allocation for each asset class which is rebalanced as required. The plans utilize a number of investment approaches, including individual market securities, equity and fixed income funds in which the underlying securities are marketable, and debt funds to achieve this target allocation. The Company and management are not considering making contributions to the pension plans during fiscal 2019.

 

Some of our assets, primarily our private equity, real estate, and hedge funds, do not have readily determinable market values given the specific investment structures involved and the nature of the underlying investments. For the December 31, 2018 plan asset reporting, publicly traded asset pricing was used where possible. For assets without readily determinable values, estimates were derived from investment manager statements combined with discussions focusing on underlying fundamentals and significant events. Additionally, these investments are categorized as NAV investments and are valued using significant non-observable inputs which do not have a readily determinable fair value. In accordance with ASU No. 2011-12 “Investments In Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (Or Its Equivalent),” these investments are valued based on the net asset value per share calculated by the funds in which the plan has invested. These valuations are subject to judgments and assumptions of the funds which may prove to be incorrect, resulting in risks of incorrect valuation of these investments. The Company seeks to mitigate against these risks by evaluating the appropriateness of the funds’ judgments and assumptions by reviewing the financial data included in the funds’ financial statements for reasonableness.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Given the funded status of the Rollins, Inc. Plan, the Company has modified the overall investment strategy to mitigate risk related to volatility with asset types by transitioning to a higher percentage of fixed income securities. As such, the Company's overall investment strategy is to achieve a mix of approximately 50 percent of investments to match long-term pension obligations and 50 percent for near term benefits payments, with a diversification of assets types, fund strategies and fund managers. With the modification of investment strategy, the Company has transitioned the majority of its assets to Fixed-income securities. Fixed-income securities include corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, sovereign bonds, and U.S. Treasuries. Equity securities primarily include investments in large-cap and small-cap companies domiciled domestically and internationally. Other types of investments include real estate funds and private equity funds that follow several different investment strategies. For each of the asset categories in the pension plan, the investment strategy is identical – maximize the long-term rate of return on plan assets with an acceptable level of risk in order to minimize the cost of providing pension benefits. The investment policy establishes a target allocation for each asset class which is rebalanced as required. The plans utilize a number of investment approaches, including but not limited to individual market securities, equity and fixed income funds in which the underlying securities are marketable, and debt funds to achieve this target allocation.

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The Company has initiated the process to transition its Pension Plan to an Insurance provider and does not expect to amortize a net loss in 2019. The timeline will take approximately 6-9 months from December 31, 2018. The Company’s Pension Plan is currently more than 100% funded. Discount rates of 3.90% per year for participants in pay status and 4.11% per year for participants with deferred benefits were selected by the Plan Sponsor to determine the benefit obligation resulting from plan termination annuity purchases. The discount rates reflect the single effective interest rate that produces the same present value as that produced when the expected future cash flows for participants expected to elect an annuity are discounted with the FTSE Yield Curve (formerly Citigroup) as of the measurement date. To determine the benefit obligation resulting from plan termination lump sum payments, the expected future cash flows for lump sum eligible participants, determined with the IRC 417(e) Mortality Table for 2019, were discounted with the IRC 417(e) segment interest rates for the month of November 2018 (3.43%, 4.46%, and 4.88%).

 

The following table presents our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2018. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. See Note 8 for a brief description of the three levels under the fair value hierarchy.

 

(in thousands)  Total   Level 1   Level 2   NAV 
(1)   Cash and cash equivalents  $7,438   $7,438         
(2)   Fixed income securities   194,739    170,249    474     24,490 
Domestic equity securities                    
Rollins, Inc. stock   1,582    1,582         
Other securities   789        789     
(3)   International equity securities   363        363     
(4)   Real estate   4,204            4,204 
(5)   Alternative/opportunistic/special   4,574            4,574 
Total  $213,689   $203,285   $1,626   $8,778 

 

The following table presents our plan assets using the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2017. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value.

(in thousands)  Total   Level 1   Level 2   NAV 
(1)   Cash and cash equivalents  $5,432   $5,432          
(2)   Fixed income securities   77,214        77,214      
Domestic equity securities                    
Rollins, Inc. stock   32,049    32,049          
Other securities   48,511    16,243    32,268      
(3)   International equity securities   36,156        36,156      
(4)   Real estate   14,074            14,074 
(5)   Alternative/opportunistic/special   6,469            6,469 
Total  $219,905   $53,724   $145,638   $20,543 

(1)Cash and cash equivalents, which are used to pay benefits and plan administrative expenses, are held in Rule 2a-7 money market funds.
(2)Fixed income securities are primarily valued using a market approach with inputs that include broker quotes, benchmark yields, base spreads and reported trades.
(3)International equity securities are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments in their respective markets.
(4)Real estate fund values are primarily reported by the fund manager and are based on valuation of the underlying investments, which include inputs such as cost, discounted future cash flows, independent appraisals and market based comparable data.
(5)Alternative/Opportunistic/Special funds can invest across the capital structure in both liquid and illiquid securities that are valued using a market approach based on the quoted market prices of identical instruments, or if no market price is available, instruments will be held at their fair market value (which may be cost) as reasonably determined by the investment manager, independent dealers, or pricing services.

There were no purchases, sales or transfers of assets classified as Level 3 in 2018 or 2017.

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The estimated future benefit payments over the next five years are as follows:

 

(in thousands)    
2019  $209,699 
2020   67 
2021   74 
2022   83 
2023   88 
Thereafter   639 
Total  $210,650 

 

Defined Contribution 401(k) Savings Plan

The Company sponsors a defined contribution 401(k) Savings Plan that is available to a majority of the Company’s full-time employees the first day of the calendar quarter following completion of three months of service. The Plan is available to non-full-time employees the first day of the calendar quarter following one year of service upon completion of 1000 hours in that year. The Plan changed to provide for a matching contribution of one dollar ($1.00) for each one dollar ($1.00) of a participants contributions to the Plan that do not exceed 3 percent of his or her eligible compensation (which include commissions, overtime, and bonuses) and fifty cents ($0.50) for each one dollar ($1.00) of a participant’s contributions to the Plan over the initial 3 percent that do not exceed 6 percent of his or her eligible compensation (which includes commissions, overtime and bonuses), up from a matching contribution of fifty cents ($0.50) for each one dollar ($1.00) of a participants contributions to the Plan that do not exceed 6 percent of his or her eligible compensation (which include commissions, overtime and bonuses) in 2017 and 2016. The charge to expense for the Company match was approximately $21.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $12.1 million and $11.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. At December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 approximately, 41.7%, 38.8%, and 36.4%, respectively of the plan assets consisted of Rollins, Inc. Common Stock. Total administrative fees paid by the Company for the Plan were less than $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.

 

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

 

The Deferred Compensation Plan provides that participants may defer up to 50% of their base salary and up to 85% of their annual bonus with respect to any given plan year, subject to a $2 thousand per plan year minimum. The Company may make discretionary contributions to participant accounts. The Company credited accounts of participants of long service to the Company with certain discretionary amounts (“Pension Plan Benefit Restoration Contributions”) in lieu of benefits that previously accrued under the Company’s Retirement Income Plan up to a maximum of $245 thousand.

 

Accounts will be credited with hypothetical earnings, and/or debited with hypothetical losses, based on the performance of certain “Measurement Funds.” Account values are calculated as if the funds from deferrals and Company credits had been converted into shares or other ownership units of selected Measurement Funds by purchasing (or selling, where relevant) such shares or units at the current purchase price of the relevant Measurement Fund at the time of the participant’s selection. Deferred Compensation Plan benefits are unsecured general obligations of the Company to the participants, and these obligations rank in parity with the Company’s other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The Company has established a “rabbi trust,” which it uses to voluntarily set aside amounts to indirectly fund any obligations under the Deferred Compensation Plan. To the extent that the Company’s obligations under the Deferred Compensation Plan exceed assets available under the trust, the Company would be required to seek additional funding sources to fund its liability under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

Generally, the Deferred Compensation Plan provides for distributions of any deferred amounts upon the earliest to occur of a participant’s death, disability, retirement or other termination of employment (a “Termination Event”). However, for any deferrals of salary and bonus (but not Company contributions), participants would be entitled to designate a distribution date which is prior to a Termination Event. Generally, the Deferred Compensation Plan allows a participant to elect to receive distributions under the Deferred Compensation Plan in installments or lump-sum payments.

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At December 31, 2018, the Deferred Compensation Plan had 70 life insurance policies with a net face value of $42.6 million. The cash surrender value of these life insurance policies were worth $17.3 million and $18.3 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

The estimated life insurance premium payments over the next five years are as follows:

(in thousands)    
2019  $172 
2020   0 
2021   417 
2022   590 
2023   206 
Total  $1,385 

Total expense related to deferred compensation was $180 thousand, $241 thousand, and $230 thousand in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The Company had $18.4 million and $18.4 million in deferred compensation assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, included within other assets on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position and $17.5 million and $18.4 million in deferred compensation liability as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, located within long-term accrued liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position. The amounts of assets were marked to fair value.

 

17.    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Stock Compensation Plans

Time Lapse Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units

 

Time lapse restricted shares (TLRSs) have been issued to officers and other management employees under the Company’s Employee Stock Incentive Plan. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the unvested portion of awards outstanding over the remainder of the service period. The compensation cost recorded for these awards is based on their closing stock price at the grant date less the cost of estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods to reflect actual forfeitures. Cash flows related to share-based payment awards to employees that result in tax benefits in excess of recognized cumulative compensation cost (excess tax benefits) are classified as a financing activity in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

TLRSs provide for the issuance of a share of the Company’s Common Stock at no cost to the holder and generally vest after a certain stipulated number of years from the grant date, depending on the terms of the issue. TLRSs vest in 20 percent increments starting with the second anniversary of the grant, over six years from the date of grant. During these years, grantees receive all dividends declared and retain voting rights for the granted shares. The agreements under which the restricted stock is issued provide that shares awarded may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions established under the plans have lapsed.

In April 2018, the Company granted a one-time issuance of TLRSs on a tiered Company tenure basis to U.S. based employees. The one-time grant vests 100 percent on the first anniversary date of the granted shares. The total shares granted were less than 0.1 million shares. During the year, grantees receive all dividends declared and retain voting rights for the granted shares. The agreements under which the one-time restricted stock is issued provide that shares awarded may not be sold or otherwise transferred until restrictions established under the plans have lapsed. 

All share and per share information has been adjusted for the three-for-two stock split effective December 10, 2018.

The Company issued time lapse restricted shares of 0.6, 0.7, and 0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

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The Company issues new shares from its authorized but unissued share pool. At December 31, 2018, approximately 5.9 million shares of the Company’s common stock were reserved for issuance. In accordance with the FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” the Company recognizes the fair value of the award on a straight line basis over the service periods of each award. The Company estimates restricted share forfeiture rates based on its historical experience.

 

The following table summarizes the components of the Company’s stock-based compensation programs recorded as expense ($ in thousands):

Years ended December 31,  2018   2017   2016 
Time lapse restricted stock:               
Pre-tax compensation expense  $13,726   $12,399   $12,415 
Tax benefit   (3,486)   (4,799)   (4,805)
Restricted stock expense, net of tax  $10,240   $7,600   $7,610 

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, $39.2 million and $32.9 million, respectively, of total unrecognized compensation cost related to time-lapse restricted shares are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 4.1 years and 3.9 years at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

The following table summarizes information on unvested restricted stock units outstanding as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:

   Number of Shares
(in thousands)
   Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value
 
Unvested Restricted Stock Grants        
Unvested as of December 31, 2015   4,126   $11.47 
Forfeited   (171)   13.03 
Vested   (1,318)   9.66 
Granted   755    17.63 
Unvested as of December 31, 2016   3,392    13.47 
Forfeited   (51)   14.92 
Vested   (1,018)   11.47 
Granted   703    22.97 
Unvested as of December 31, 2017   3,026    16.33 
Forfeited   (35)   19.05 
Vested   (910)   13.24 
Granted   643    32.25 
Unvested as of December 31, 2018   2,724   $21.08 
60
 

18.    ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS)

Accumulated other comprehensive income/ (loss) consist of the following (in thousands):

 

  

Pension
Liability
Adjustment

  

Foreign
Currency
Translation

  

Total

 
Balance at December 31, 2016  $(49,200)  $(20,875)  $(70,075)
Change during 2017:               
Before-tax amount   18,980    9,960    28,940 
Tax benefit   (4,821)       (4,821)
    14,159    9.960    24,119 
Balance at December 31, 2017   (35,041)   (10,915)   (45,956)
Change during 2018:               
Before-tax amount   (14,812)   (14,072)   (28,884)
Tax expense   3,762        3,762 
    (11,050)   (14,072)   (25,122)
Balance at December 31, 2018  $(46,091)  $(24,987)  $(71,078)
61
 

19.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

The Company provides certain administrative services to RPC, Inc. (“RPC”) (a company of which Mr. R. Randall Rollins is also Chairman and which is otherwise affiliated with the Company). The service agreements between RPC and the Company provide for the provision of services on a cost reimbursement basis and are terminable on 6 months’ notice. The services covered by these agreements include administration of certain employee benefit programs, and other administrative services. Charges to RPC (or to corporations which are subsidiaries of RPC) for such services and rent totaled approximately $0.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016.

 

The Company rents office, hanger and storage space to LOR, Inc. (“LOR”) (a company controlled by R. Randall Rollins and Gary W. Rollins). Charges to LOR (or corporations which are subsidiaries of LOR) for rent totaled $0.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 and $1.0 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, respectively.

 

In 2014, P.I.A. LLC, a company owned by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. R. Randall Rollins, purchased a Lear Model 35A jet and entered into a lease arrangement with the Company for Company use of the aircraft for business purposes. The lease is terminable by either party on 30 days’ notice. The Company pays $100 per month rent for the leased aircraft, and pays all variable costs and expenses associated with the leased aircraft, such as the costs for fuel, maintenance, storage and pilots. The Company has the priority right to use of the aircraft on business days, and Mr. Rollins has the right to use the aircraft for personal use through the terms of an Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement with the Company. During the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company paid approximately $0.7 million, $0.8 million, and $0.5 million in rent and operating costs for the aircraft respectively. During 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, the Company accounted for 100 percent of the use of the aircraft. All transactions were approved by the Company’s Nominating and Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

20.    UNAUDITED QUARTERLY DATA

(in thousands except per share data)  First   Second   Third   Fourth 
2018                    
Revenues  $408,742   $480,461   $487,739   $444,623 
Gross profit (Revenues less cost of services provided)  $202,599   $249,689   $251,452   $223,389 
Net income  $48,525   $65,542   $66,628   $50,968 
Income per share:                    
Income per share—Basic  $0.15   $0.20   $0.20   $0.16 
Income per share—Diluted  $0.15   $0.20   $0.20   $0.16 
2017                    
Revenues  $375,247   $433,555   $450,442   $414,713 
Gross profit (Revenues less cost of services provided)  $186,084   $229,075   $231,661   $207,194 
Net income  $40,270   $53,689   $51,430   $33,735 
Income per share:                    
Income per share—Basic  $0.12   $0.17   $0.16   $0.10 
Income per share—Diluted  $0.12   $0.17   $0.16   $0.10 
62
 

21.    CASH DIVIDEND

 

On January 22, 2019, the Board of Directors approved a 12.5% increase in the Company’s quarterly cash dividend per common share to $0.105 payable March 11, 2019 to stockholders of record at the close of business February 11, 2019. On October 23, 2018, the Board of Directors declared its regular $0.09 per share as well as a special year-end dividend of $0.09 per share both payable December 10, 2018 to stockholders of record at the close of business November 9, 2018. The Company expects to continue to pay cash dividends to the common stockholders, subject to the earnings and financial condition of the Company and other relevant factors.

 

Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures.

 

None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures—We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure, among other things, that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify the Company’s financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.

Based on management’s evaluation as of December 31, 2018, in which the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company participated, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective, at the reasonable assurance level to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting—Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting is contained on page 23.

Changes in Internal Controls—There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2018 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect these controls.

Item 9B.    Other Information

 

None

 

PART III

Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

 

Information concerning directors and executive officers is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), in the section titled “Proposal 1: Election of Directors”. This information is incorporated herein by reference. Information about executive officers is contained on page 10 of this document.

 

Audit Committee and Audit Committee Financial Expert

Information concerning the Audit Committee of the Company and the Audit Committee Financial Expert(s) is included in the Company’s Proxy Statement in the section titled “Corporate Governance and Board of Directors’ Committees and Meetings – Audit Committee.” This information is incorporated herein by reference.

63
 

Code of Ethics

The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all employees. In addition, the Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics for Directors and Executive Officer and Related Party Transactions policy. Both of these documents are available on the Company’s website at www.rollins.com, under the heading “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance,” and a copy is available by writing to Investor Relations at 2170 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30324. The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 10-K1 regarding an amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of its code of ethics that relates to any elements of the code of ethics definition enumerated in SEC rules by posting such information on its internet website, the address of which is provided above.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act is included under “Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act” in the Company’s Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

 

The information under the captions “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Director Compensation,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” and “Executive Compensation” included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

 

The information under the captions “Capital Stock” and “Election of Directors” included in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held April 23, 2019 is incorporated herein by reference.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth certain information regarding equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2018.

Plan Category  Number of Securities
To Be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(A)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(B)
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available
for Future Issuance
Under Equity
Compensation Plans
(Excluding Securities
Reflected in Column
(A)) (C)
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders   2,724,456   $    5,933,319 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders      $     
Total   2,724,456   $    5,933,319(1)

 

(1)Includes 5,933,319 shares available for grant under the 2018 Employee Stock Incentive Plan. The 2018 Employee Stock Incentive Plan provides for awards of the Company’s common stock and awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to the Company’s common stock apart from stock options and SARs including, without limitation, restricted stock, performance-accelerated restricted stock, performance stock, performance units, and stock awards or options valued by reference to book value or subsidiary performance.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence.

 

The information under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” included in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Information concerning director independence is included in the Proxy Statement, in the section titled “Corporate Governance and Board of Directors’ Committees and Meetings.” This information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

 

Information regarding principal accounting fees and services is set forth under “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

64
 

PART IV

 

Item 15.    Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

(a)          Consolidated Financial Statements, Financial Statement Schedule and Exhibits.

1.Consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule are filed as part of this report.
2.The financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule is filed as part of this report.
3.Exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as part of this report. The following such exhibits are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements:
(10) (a)   Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005.
(10) (b)   Form of Plan Agreement pursuant to the Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005.
(10) (c)  

Written description of Rollins, Inc. Performance-Based Incentive Cash Compensation Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 25, 2013. 

(10) (d)  

Forms of award agreements under the 2013 Cash Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 10-K dated February 27, 2017. 

(10) (e)   2008 Stock Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A of the March 17, 2008 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on April 22, 2008.
(10) (f)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 28, 2008.
(10) (g)  

Form of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 as filed with its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. 

(10) (h)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Executive Officers, incorporated herein reference to Exhibit (10)(q) as filed with its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(10) (i)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Non-Employee Directors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.
65
 
(b)Exhibits (inclusive of item 3 above):

(3) (i)   (A) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated July 28, 1981, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(A) as filed with the registrant’s Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2005.
    (B) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated August 20, 1987, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(B) filed with the registrant’s 10-K filed March 11, 2005.
    (C) Certificate of Change of Location of Registered Office and of Registered Agent dated March 22, 1994, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(C) filed with the registrant’s Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2005. 
    (D) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April 25, 2006, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(D) filed with the registrant’s 10-Q filed October 31, 2006
   

(E) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April, 26, 2011, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(E) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.

(F) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April 28, 2015, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(F) filed with the Registrant’s 10-Q filed on July 29, 2015.

(ii)   Revised By-laws of Rollins, Inc. dated April 25, 2017, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3) (i) as filed with its Form 10-Q filed April 28, 2017.
(4)   Form of Common Stock Certificate of Rollins, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (4) as filed with its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(10) (a)   Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005.
(10) (b)  

Form of Plan Agreement pursuant to the Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005. 

(10) (c)   Written description of Rollins, Inc. Performance-Based Incentive Cash Compensation Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 25, 2013.
(10) (d)  

Forms of award agreements under the 2013 Cash Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 10-K dated February 27, 2017. 

(10) (e)   2008 Stock Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A of the March 17, 2008 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on April 22, 2008.
(10) (f)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 28, 2008.
(10) (g)  

Form of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 as filed with its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. 

(10) (h)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Executive Officers, incorporated herein reference to Exhibit (10)(q) as filed with its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(10) (i)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Non-Employee Directors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.
(10) (j)  

Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2012 between Rollins, Inc., SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 as filed with its Form 8-K dated November 2, 2012. 

(10) (k)   First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2014 by and among Rollins, Inc., the lenders party thereto and SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.
66
 

(21)   Subsidiaries of Registrant.
(23.1)   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
(24)   Powers of Attorney for Directors.
(31.1)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(31.2)   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.1)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

(101.INS)   EX-101 Instance Document
(101.SCH)   EX-101 Schema Document
(101.CAL)   EX-101 Calculation Linkbase Document
(101.LAB)   EX-101 Labels Linkbase Document
(101.PRE)   EX-101 Presentation Linkbase Document
(101.DEF)   Ex-101 Definition Linkbase Document
67
 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

  ROLLINS, INC.
     
  By: /s/ Gary W. Rollins
    Gary W. Rollins
    Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
    (Principal Executive Officer)
     
  Date: March 1, 2019

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By: /s/ Gary W. Rollins   By: /s/ Paul E. Northen
 

Gary W. Rollins

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

   

Paul E. Northen

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

         
Date: March 1, 2019   Date: March 1, 2019

 

The Directors of Rollins, Inc. (listed below) executed a power of attorney appointing Gary W. Rollins their attorney-in-fact, empowering him to sign this report on their behalf.

 

  R. Randall Rollins, Director
  Henry B. Tippie, Director
  James B. Williams, Director
  Bill J. Dismuke, Director
  Thomas J. Lawley, MD, Director
  Larry L. Prince, Director
  John F. Wilson, Director
  Pam R. Rollins, Director

 

/s/ Gary W. Rollins  
Gary W. Rollins  
As Attorney-in-Fact & Director  
March 1, 2019  
68
 

ROLLINS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULE

 

The following documents are filed as part of this report.

Financial statements and reports

Page Number
From
This Form
10-K

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 23
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm On Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 24
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedule 25
Consolidated Financial Statements  
Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 26
Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 27
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 28
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 29
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 30
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 31 – 63
   
Financial Statement Schedules  
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts 70
Schedules not listed above have been omitted as not applicable, immaterial or disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.  
69
 

SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 

ROLLINS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

   For the years ended
December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
 
(in thousands)  Balance at
Beginning of
Period
   Charged to
Costs
and Expenses
   Net
(Deductions)
Recoveries
   Balance at
End
of Period
 
Year ended December 31, 2018 Allowance for doubtful accounts  $14,706   $13,606   $(11,646)  $16,666 
Year ended December 31, 2017 Allowance for doubtful accounts  $14,600   $10,455   $(10,349)  $14,706 
Year ended December 31, 2016 Allowance for doubtful accounts  $13,636   $11,257   $(10,293)  $14,600 
70
 

ROLLINS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number   Exhibit Description
(3) (i)   (A) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated July 28, 1981, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(A) as filed with the registrant’s Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2005.
    (B) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated August 20, 1987, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(B) filed with the registrant’s 10-K filed March 11, 2005.
    (C) Certificate of Change of Location of Registered Office and of Registered Agent dated March 22, 1994, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3)(i)(C) filed with the registrant’s Form 10-Q filed August 1, 2005.
    (D) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April 25, 2006, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(D) filed with the registrant’s 10-Q filed October 31, 2006.
    (E) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April, 26, 2011, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(E) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.
    (F) Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation of Rollins, Inc. dated April 28, 2015, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(F) filed with the Registrant’s 10-Q filed on July 29, 2015.
(ii)   Revised By-laws of Rollins, Inc. dated April 25, 2017, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (3) (i) as filed with its Form 10-Q filed April 28, 2017.
(4)   Form of Common Stock Certificate of Rollins, Inc. incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (4) as filed with its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(10.1)+   Membership Interest Purchase Agreement by and among Rollins, Inc., Northwest Exterminating Co., Inc. NW Holdings, LLC and the stockholders of Northwest Exterminating Co., Inc. dated as of July 24, 2017.
(10) (a)   Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005.
(10) (b)   Form of Plan Agreement pursuant to the Rollins, Inc. Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 filed with the registrant’s Form S-8 filed November 18, 2005.
(10) (c)   Written description of Rollins, Inc. Performance-Based Incentive Cash Compensation Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 25, 2013.
(10) (d)   Forms of award agreements under the 2013 Cash Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(a) as filed with its Form 10-K dated February 27, 2017.
(10) (e)   2008 Stock Incentive Plan incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A of the March 17, 2008 Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders held on April 22, 2008.
(10) (f)   Form of Restricted Stock Grant Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(d) as filed with its Form 8-K dated April 28, 2008.
(10) (g)   Form of Time-Lapse Restricted Stock Agreement incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 as filed with its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
(10) (h)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Executive Officers, incorporated herein reference to Exhibit (10)(q) as filed with its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(10) (i)   Summary of Compensation Arrangements with Non-Employee Directors, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(i) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.
(10) (j)   Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 31, 2012 between Rollins, Inc., SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 as filed with its Form 8-K dated November 2, 2012.
(10) (k)   First Amendment to Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of October 30, 2014 by and among Rollins, Inc., the lenders party thereto and SunTrust Bank and Bank of America, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10(k) filed with the Registrant’s 10-K filed February 25, 2015.

71
 
(21)   Subsidiaries of Registrant.
(23.1)   Consent of Grant Thornton LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
(24)   Powers of Attorney for Directors.
(31.1)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(31.2)   Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32.1)   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(101.INS)   EX-101 Instance Document
(101.SCH)   EX-101 Schema Document
(101.CAL)   EX-101 Calculation Linkbase Document
(101.LAB)   EX-101 Labels Linkbase Document
(101.PRE)   EX-101 Presentation Linkbase Document
(101.DEF)   Ex-101 Definition Linkbase Document
     
+   Confidential treatment has been requested for certain portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks). Such information has been omitted and was filed separately with the securities and Exchange Commission.
72