2015 10-Q Q1


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended
March 28, 2015
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _________________to _________________

Commission File Number 001-33987



HERITAGE-CRYSTAL CLEAN, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
26-0351454
State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation
 
Identification No.)

2175 Point Boulevard
Suite 375
Elgin, IL 60123
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (847) 836-5670

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


1



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

On May 1, 2015, there were outstanding 22,271,572 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.



2



Table of Contents

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


3



PART I

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Share and Par Value Amounts)

 
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
20,279

 
$
21,555

Accounts receivable - net
 
47,702

 
49,857

Inventory - net
 
27,336

 
30,798

Deferred income taxes
 
2,549

 
2,549

Other current assets
 
10,229

 
11,776

Total Current Assets
 
108,095

 
116,535

Property, plant and equipment - net
 
138,111

 
137,137

Equipment at customers - net
 
22,492

 
22,039

Software and intangible assets - net
 
24,389

 
24,775

Goodwill
 
19,327

 
19,333

Total Assets
 
$
312,414

 
$
319,819

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 

Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
28,022

 
$
32,466

Current maturities of long-term debt and term loan
 
5,192

 
5,259

Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits
 
5,495

 
5,212

Taxes payable
 
3,010

 
4,080

Other current liabilities
 
5,147

 
6,010

Total Current Liabilities
 
46,866

 
53,027

  Term loan, less current maturities
 
73,854

 
73,854

  Long-term debt, less current maturities
 
21

 
40

   Deferred income taxes
 
4,825

 
5,484

Total Liabilities
 
$
125,566

 
$
132,405

 
 
 
 
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
 
 
 

Common stock - 26,000,000 shares authorized at $0.01 par value, 22,119,187 and 22,109,875 shares issued and outstanding at March 28,2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively
 
$
221

 
$
221

Additional paid-in capital
 
181,474

 
181,140

Retained earnings
 
4,194

 
5,135

Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
 
185,889

 
186,496

Noncontrolling interest
 
959

 
918

Total Equity
 
$
186,848

 
$
187,414

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 
$
312,414

 
$
319,819

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.


4



Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


 
 
 
 
First Quarter Ended,
 
 
 
 
March 28,
2015
 
March 22,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product revenues
 
 
$
34,397

 
$
29,303

 
Service revenues
 
 
49,639

 
36,662

Total revenues
 
 
$
84,036

 
$
65,965

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
 
$
69,714

 
$
57,365

 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
 
11,066

 
8,843

 
Depreciation and amortization
 
 
4,333

 
2,626

 
Other income - net
 
 
(99
)
 
(51
)
Operating loss
 
 
(978
)
 
(2,818
)
Interest expense – net
 
 
554

 
53

Loss before income taxes
 
 
(1,532
)
 
(2,871
)
Benefit from income taxes
 
 
(632
)
 
(1,235
)
Net loss
 
 
(900
)
 
(1,636
)
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
 
41

 
23

Net loss attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders
 
 
$
(941
)
 
$
(1,659
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss per share: basic
 
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.09
)
Net loss per share: diluted
 
 
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.09
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of weighted average shares outstanding: basic
 
 
22,119

 
18,402

Number of weighted average shares outstanding: diluted
 
 
22,119

 
18,402


 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.



5



Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
(In Thousands, Except Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)


 
Shares
 
Par
Value
Common
 
Additional Paidin
Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Total Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. Stockholders' Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interest
 
Total Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 3, 2015
22,109,875

 
$
221

 
$
181,140

 
$
5,135

 
$
186,496

 
$
918

 
$
187,414

     Net (loss) income

 

 

 
(941
)
 
(941
)
 
41

 
(900
)
     Issuance of common stock – ESPP
9,312

 

 
106

 

 
106

 

 
106

     Share-based compensation

 

 
228

 

 
228

 

 
228

Balance at March 28, 2015
22,119,187

 
$
221

 
$
181,474

 
$
4,194

 
$
185,889

 
$
959

 
$
186,848

 

 
See accompanying notes to financial statements.



6



Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
 
For the First Quarter Ended,
 
 
March 28,
2015
 
March 22,
2014
Cash flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(900
)
 
$
(1,636
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
 


 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
4,333

 
2,626

Non-cash inventory impairment
 
2,601

 

Bad debt provision
 
359

 
32

Share-based compensation
 
228

 
(84
)
Deferred taxes
 
(660
)
 
(1,177
)
Amortization of deferred gain on lease conversion
 
(94
)
 

Other, net
 
(126
)
 
8

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Decrease in accounts receivable
 
1,796

 
1,838

Decrease (increase) in inventory
 
860

 
(648
)
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
 
1,547

 
(528
)
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable
 
(4,265
)
 
3,657

Decrease in accrued expenses
 
(1,427
)
 
(1,294
)
Cash provided by operating activities
 
$
4,252

 
$
2,794

 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from Investing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
 
$
(5,462
)
 
$
(4,930
)
Cash used in investing activities
 
$
(5,462
)
 
$
(4,930
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from Financing Activities:
 
 

 
 

Payments on Term Loan
 
$

 
$
(250
)
Payments of notes payable
 
(76
)
 
(298
)
Payments of contingent consideration
 
(96
)
 
(109
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
 
106

 
100

Cash used in financing activities
 
$
(66
)
 
$
(557
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(1,276
)
 
(2,693
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
21,555

 
22,632

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
20,279

 
$
19,939

 
 
 
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
 
 

 
 

Income taxes paid
 
$
61

 
$
50

 Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest of $150 and $56, respectively
 
2

 
58

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash information:
 
 

 
 

Payables for construction in progress
 
$
388

 
$
767

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7



HERITAGE-CRYSTAL CLEAN, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

March 28, 2015

(1)    ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”), provides parts cleaning and hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to small and mid-sized customers in both the manufacturing and vehicle maintenance sectors.  The Company's service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection, vacuum truck services, waste antifreeze collection and recycling, and field services.  The Company also owns and operates a used oil re-refinery through which it recycles used oil into high quality base oil for lubricants as well as other re-refinery byproducts. The Company also has multiple locations where it dehydrates used oil to be sold as recycled fuel oil. The Company's locations are in the United States and Ontario, Canada. The Company conducts its primary business operations through Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC, its wholly owned subsidiary, and all intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31.  The most recent fiscal year ended on January 3, 2015.  Each of the Company's first three fiscal quarters consists of twelve weeks while the last fiscal quarter consists of sixteen or seventeen weeks.  

In the Company's Environmental Services segment, product revenues include sales of solvent, machines, antifreeze, and accessories; and service revenues include drum waste removal services, servicing of parts cleaning machines, vacuum truck services, field services, and other services.  In the Company's Oil Business segment, product revenues include sales of re-refined base oil, byproducts, recycled fuel oil, and used oil; and service revenues include revenues from collecting and disposing of waste water. Due to the Company's integrated business model, it is impracticable to separately present costs of tangible products and costs of services.

(2)    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions are the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, valuation of inventory at lower of cost or market, valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets, and income taxes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues primarily from the services it performs and from the sale of processed oil from its used oil re-refinery. Parts cleaning and other service revenues are recognized as the service is performed. Product revenues are recognized at the time risk of loss passes to the customer. The risk of loss passes to customers at various times depending on the particular terms of the sales contract in force with each individual customer. Common thresholds for when risk of loss passes to the customer are at the time that product is loaded onto the shipping vessel or at the time that product is offloaded at the customer’s receiving location. Revenues are recognized only if collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable.

Operating Costs

Within operating costs are cost of sales. Cost of sales in the Environmental Services segment includes the costs of the materials the Company sells and provides in its services, such as solvents and other chemicals, cleaning machines sold to customers, transportation of inventory and waste, and payments to third parties to recycle or dispose of the waste materials that the Company collects. The Company’s used solvent that it retrieves from customers in its product reuse program is accounted for as a reduction in net cost of solvent under cost of sales, whether placed in inventory or sold to a purchaser for reuse. If the used solvent is placed in inventory it is recorded at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of sales in the Oil Business

8



include the costs paid to customers for used oil, transportation out to customers, and costs to operate the used oil re-refinery, including personnel costs and utilities.

Operating costs also include the Company's costs of operating its branch system and hubs. These costs include personnel costs (including commissions), facility rent and utilities, truck leases, fuel, transportation, and maintenance. Operating costs are not presented separately for products and services.

Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of used oil, processed oil, new and used solvents, new and refurbished parts cleaning machines, drums, catalyst, accessories, absorbents, and antifreeze. Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost or market, net of any reserves for excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory. The Company performs physical inventory counts on a periodic basis and uses the results of these counts to determine inventory quantities. The quantities are used to help determine the value of our inventory. The Company continually monitors its inventory levels at each of our distribution locations and evaluate inventories for excess or slow-moving items. If circumstances indicate the cost of inventories exceed their recoverable value, inventories are reduced to net realizable value.

Acquisitions

The Company accounts for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. It further requires that acquisition-related costs be recognized separately from the acquisition and expensed as incurred and restructuring costs to be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date. The Company records a preliminary purchase price allocation for its acquisitions and finalizes purchase price allocations as additional information relative to the fair values of the assets acquired becomes known.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on significant judgments made by management. The Company has engaged third party valuation appraisal firms to assist the Company in determining the fair values and useful lives of the assets acquired. Such valuations and useful life determinations require the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and also include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows to be earned from the continued operation of the acquired business and discount rates applied in determining the present value of those cash flows. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results. Acquisition-related finite lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. The Company evaluates the estimated benefit periods and recoverability of its intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the lives may not be appropriate and/or the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. If the carrying value is not recoverable, impairment is measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds its estimated fair value.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, notes payable, and term debt.  As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, and notes payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short maturity of these instruments. Term debt is recorded at face value.


9



Goodwill

Goodwill is measured as a residual amount as of the acquisition date, which in most cases results in measuring goodwill as an excess of the purchase consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any contingent consideration. The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and in interim periods if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. The Company's determination of fair value requires certain assumptions and estimates, such as margin expectations, growth expectations, expected changes in working capital, etc., regarding future profitability and cash flows of acquired businesses and market conditions. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company tested goodwill for impairment on a quantitative basis and determined that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded the carrying value of the assets. The Company intends to test goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim reporting periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach to adopt the guidance. This update could impact the timing and amounts of revenue recognized. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that implementation of this update will have on its consolidated financial position and results of operations upon adoption.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) - Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. ASU 2014-15 provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 requires companies to present debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the debt liability in a manner consistent with the Company's accounting treatment of debt discounts. The changes are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented beginning in annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to reflect these changes in presentation of debt issuance costs beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016.

(3)    BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

On October 16, 2014, the Company purchased the outstanding stock of FCC Environmental LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and International Petroleum Corp. of Delaware, a Delaware corporation (together "FCC Environmental"), pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement entered into with Dédalo Patrimonial S.L.U., a sociedad limitadad unipersonal formed under the laws of Spain ("Seller"). Prior to the purchase, FCC Environmental was an environmental services provider and substantial collector of used oil in the United States and operated 34 facilities in the eastern half of the United States. The purchase price for FCC Environmental was set at $90.0 million subject to certain adjustments, including, without limitation, a working capital adjustment and indemnification rights and obligations. Based on the initial working capital calculations, the Company initially paid $88.8 million. The Company is in the process of determining the final purchase price, which is based on the final working capital calculations and must be agreed upon by the Seller and the Company. The outcome of the calculation of the working capital adjustment may significantly impact the purchase price and purchase price allocation. The results of FCC Environmental are consolidated into both of the Company's operating segments subsequent to the closing date.
    
    

10



The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, net of cash acquired, related to the acquisition (in thousands):
 
 
FCC Environmental(a)
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
$
22,020

Inventory
 
7,899

Other current assets
 
6,778

Deferred taxes
 
1,748

Property, plant, & equipment (b)
 
51,708

Equipment at customers
 
420

Intangible assets
 
9,808

Goodwill
 
9,528

Accounts payable
 
(12,453
)
Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits
 
(2,039
)
Taxes payable
 
(2,209
)
Other current liabilities
 
(1,379
)
Capital lease obligations (b)
 
(5,918
)
Net cash paid
 
$
85,911

______________
(a) The Company is continuing to evaluate the purchase price allocations. Preliminary purchase price allocations are tentative and subject to revision as the Company finalizes appraisals and other analyses. Final determination of the fair values may result in further adjustments to the values presented above.
(b) Subsequent to the closing date, the Company modified the leases acquired from FCC Environmental, resulting in the classification of the leases as Operating leases under the new lease terms. The change in lease terms decreased both Property, plant, & equipment and Capital lease obligations by $5.9 million.

Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information

The pro forma financial information in the table below presents the combined results of the Company as if the FCC Environmental acquisition that occurred in fiscal 2014 had occurred December 29, 2013 (in thousands, except per share data). The pro forma information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of future results of operations of the Company or results of operations of the Company that would have actually occurred had the transactions been in effect for the period presented.
 
 
First Quarter Ended,
 
 
March 22, 2014
Total revenues
 
$
99,429

Net loss
 
(4,068
)
Loss per share
 
 
     Basic
 
$
(0.22
)
     Diluted
 
(0.22
)


11



(4)    ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Accounts receivable consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
Trade
$
49,018

 
$
49,407

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts
3,173

 
3,927

Trade - net
45,845

 
45,480

Related parties
1,639

 
1,452

Other
218

 
2,925

Total accounts receivable - net
$
47,702

 
$
49,857


The following table provides the changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the first quarter ended March 28, 2015 and the fiscal year ended January 3, 2015 (in thousands):
 
For the Quarter Ended,
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended,
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
Balance at beginning of period
$
3,927

 
$
1,121

Balance acquired from FCC Environmental

 
2,353

Bad debt provision
359

 
1,053

Accounts written off, net of recoveries
(1,113
)
 
(600
)
Balance at end of period
$
3,173

 
$
3,927


(5)    INVENTORY

The carrying value of inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
Used oil and processed oil
$
11,274

 
$
14,153

Solvents and solutions
7,206

 
8,859

Machines
4,075

 
3,659

Drums and supplies
3,435

 
2,756

Other
1,638

 
1,617

Total inventory
27,628

 
31,044

Less: machine refurbishing reserve
292

 
246

Total inventory - net
$
27,336

 
$
30,798

 
Inventory consists primarily of used oil, processed oil, new and used solvents, new and refurbished parts cleaning machines, drums, catalyst, accessories, absorbents, and antifreeze. Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost or market, net of any reserves for excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory. The Company continually monitors its inventory levels at each of its locations and evaluates inventories for excess or slow-moving items. If circumstances indicate the cost of inventories exceed their recoverable value, inventories are reduced to net realizable value.


12



(6)    PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant, and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
Buildings and storage tanks (a)
$
71,081

 
$
70,375

Machinery, vehicles, and equipment (a)
50,460

 
52,200

Leasehold improvements (a)
5,926

 
5,842

Land (a)
12,561

 
12,576

Construction in progress
23,359

 
18,822

Total property, plant and equipment
163,387

 
159,815

Less: accumulated depreciation
(25,276
)
 
(22,678
)
Property, plant and equipment - net
$
138,111

 
$
137,137

 
 
 
 
 
March 28,
2015
 
January 3,
2015
Equipment at customers
$
55,208

 
$
53,781

Less: accumulated depreciation
(32,716
)
 
(31,742
)
Equipment at customers - net
$
22,492

 
$
22,039

_______________
(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisition described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known.

Depreciation expense for the first quarters ended March 28, 2015 and March 22, 2014 was $3.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

(7) SOFTWARE AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Following is a summary of software and other intangible assets (in thousands):
 
March 28, 2015
 
January 3, 2015
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
Customer & supplier relationships(a)
$
20,345

 
$
2,462

 
$
17,883

 
$
20,361

 
$
2,007

 
$
18,354

Software
5,536

 
3,126

 
2,410

 
5,199

 
3,074

 
2,125

Non-compete agreements(a)
2,945

 
1,335

 
1,610

 
2,973

 
1,221

 
1,752

Patents, formulae, and licenses(a)
1,829

 
458

 
1,371

 
1,829

 
443

 
1,386

Other (a)
1,406

 
291

 
1,115

 
1,406

 
248

 
1,158

Total software and intangible assets
$
32,061

 
$
7,672

 
$
24,389

 
$
31,768

 
$
6,993

 
$
24,775

_______________
(a) Numbers include preliminary fair values of assets acquired in the acquisition described in Note 3 that may be adjusted as additional information becomes known.
 
Amortization expense was $0.7 million for the first quarter ended March 28, 2015 and $0.4 million for first quarter ended March 22, 2014. The weighted average useful lives of software; customer relationships; patents, formulae, and licenses; non-compete agreements, and other intangibles were 10 years, 11 years, 15 years, 5 years, and 7 years, respectively.

The expected amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2015 and for fiscal years 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 is $2.3 million, $2.8 million, $2.7 million, $2.5 million, and $2.2 million, respectively. The preceding expected amortization expense is an estimate. Actual amounts of amortization expense may differ from estimated amounts due to additional intangible asset acquisitions, disposal of intangible assets, accelerated amortization of intangible assets, and other events.


13



(8)    DEBT AND FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Bank Credit Facility

On October 16, 2014, the Company amended its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement, as amended, allows for up to $138.8 million in borrowings. As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company's total borrowings were $78.8 million under the term loan which has a maturity date of February 5, 2018. The remaining portion of the credit facility is a revolving loan which expires on February 5, 2018. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolver at March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company recorded interest of $0.4 million on the term loan and capitalized $0.2 million for various capital projects. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company recorded interest of $0.1 million on the term loan, of which less than $0.1 million was capitalized for various capital projects.

As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company had $4.5 million of standby letters of credit issued, and $33.1 million was available for borrowing under the bank credit facility. The actual amount available under the revolving loan portion of the Credit Agreement is limited by the Company's total leverage ratio.

The Company's weighted average interest rate for all debt as of March 28, 2015 and March 22, 2014 was 3.2% and 2.5%, respectively.



14



(9)    SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company reports in two segments: "Environmental Services" and "Oil Business." The Environmental Services segment consists of the Company's parts cleaning, containerized waste management, vacuum truck service, antifreeze recycling activities, and field services. The Oil Business segment consists of the Company's used oil collection, used oil re-refining activities, and the dehydration of used oil to be sold as recycled fuel oil.

No single customer in either segment accounted for more than 10.0% of consolidated revenues in any of the periods presented. There were no intersegment revenues.
        
Operating segment results for the first quarters ended March 28, 2015, and March 22, 2014 were as follows (in thousands):
First Quarter Ended,
March 28, 2015
 
 
 

Environmental
Services
 
Oil Business
 
Corporate and
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product revenues
 
$
5,340

 
$
29,057

 
$

 
$
34,397

 
Service revenues
 
47,545

 
2,094

 
 
 
49,639

Total revenues
 
$
52,885

 
$
31,151

 
$

 
$
84,036

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
38,713

 
31,001

 

 
69,714

 
Operating depreciation and amortization
 
1,727

 
1,864

 

 
3,591

Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
$
12,445

 
$
(1,714
)
 
$

 
$
10,731

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
11,066

 
11,066

Depreciation and amortization from SG&A
 
 
 
 
 
742

 
742

Total selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
$
11,808

 
$
11,808

Other income - net
 
 
 
 
 
(99
)
 
(99
)
Operating loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(978
)
Interest expense – net
 
 
 
 
 
554

 
554

Loss before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(1,532
)


15



First Quarter Ended,
March 22, 2014
 
 
 

Environmental
Services
 
Oil Business
 
Corporate and
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Product revenues
 
$
4,243

 
$
25,060

 
$

 
$
29,303

 
Service revenues
 
34,665

 
1,997

 
 
 
36,662
Total revenues
 
$
38,908

 
$
27,057

 
$

 
$
65,965

Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
 
28,879
 
28,486
 

 
57,365
 
Operating depreciation and amortization
 
1,253
 
888
 

 
2,141

Profit (loss) before corporate selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
$
8,776

 
$
(2,317
)
 
$

 
$
6,459

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
8,843
 
8,843

Depreciation and amortization from SG&A
 
 
 
 
 
485
 
485

Total selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
$
9,328

 
$
9,328

Other income - net
 
 
 
 
 
(51)
 
(51)

Operating loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,818)
Interest expense – net
 
 
 
 
 
53
 
53
Loss before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(2,871
)

Total assets by segment as of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
 
March 28, 2015
 
January 3, 2015
Total Assets:
 
 
 
 
Environmental Services
$
113,377

 
$
113,518

 
Oil Business
156,046

 
158,577

 
Unallocated Corporate Assets
42,991

 
47,724

 
 
Total
$
312,414

 
$
319,819


Segment assets for the Environmental Services and Oil Business segments consist of property, plant, and equipment, intangible assets, accounts receivable, goodwill, and inventories. Assets for the corporate unallocated amounts consist of property, plant, and equipment used at the corporate headquarters, as well as cash and net deferred tax assets.

(10)    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company may enter into purchase obligations with certain vendors. They represent expected payments to third party service providers and other commitments entered into during the normal course of our business. These purchase obligations are generally cancelable with or without notice, without penalty, although certain vendor agreements provide for cancellation fees or penalties depending on the terms of the contract.

The Company has purchase obligations in the form of open purchase orders of $17.3 million as of March 28, 2015, primarily for used oil, solvent, machine purchases, disposal and transportation expenses, and capital expenditures.

The Company may be subject to investigations, claims or lawsuits as a result of operating its business, including matters governed by environmental laws and regulations.  The Company may also be subject to tax audits in a variety of jurisdictions. When claims are asserted, the Company evaluates the likelihood that a loss will occur and records a liability for those instances when the likelihood is deemed probable and the exposure is reasonably estimable.  The Company carries insurance at levels it believes are adequate to cover loss contingencies based on historical claims activity.  When the potential loss exposure is limited to the insurance deductible and the likelihood of loss is determined to be probable, the Company accrues for the amount of the required deductible, unless a lower amount of exposure is estimated. As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company had accrued $1.8 million related to loss contingencies and other contingent liabilities.

16




(11)    INCOME TAXES
 
The Company deducted for federal income tax purposes accelerated "bonus" depreciation on the majority of its capital expenditures for assets placed in service in fiscal 2011 through fiscal 2014. Therefore, the Company recorded a noncurrent deferred tax liability to reflect difference between the book basis and the tax basis of those assets. In addition, as a result of the federal bonus depreciation, the Company recorded a Net Operating Loss ("NOL") of $44.7 million, which will begin to expire in 2031. The balance remaining on the NOL, which is primarily the result of bonus depreciation, as of March 28, 2015 was $40.9 million, and the remaining deferred tax asset related to the Company's state and federal NOL was a tax effected balance of $15.0 million.

The Company recognizes windfall tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options directly to stockholders' equity only when realized. Consequently, deferred tax assets are not recognized for NOLs resulting from windfall tax benefits. At March 28, 2015, deferred tax assets do not include $2.5 million of excess tax benefits from share-based compensation.

The Company's effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was 41.3% compared to 43.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The rate difference is attributable to non-deductible expenses and certain state taxes not based on income having a lesser effect on the tax rate compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

The Company establishes reserves when it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the full tax benefit of a position. The Company had a reserve of $1.9 million for uncertain tax positions as of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015. The gross unrecognized tax benefits would, if recognized, decrease the Company's effective tax rate.

(12)    SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the Company’s 2008 Omnibus Plan ("Plan") is 1,902,077 plus any common stock that becomes available for issuance pursuant to the reusage provision of the Plan.  As of March 28, 2015, the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan was 635,957 shares.

Stock Option Awards

A summary of stock option activity under this Plan is as follows:
Outstanding Stock Options
Number of
Options
Outstanding
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value as of Date Listed
(in thousands)
Options outstanding at January 3, 2015
534,428

 
$
10.97

 
3.33

 
$
708

   Exercised

 

 
 
 
 
Options outstanding at March 28, 2015
534,428

 
$
10.97

 
3.10

 
$
281

 
Restricted Stock Compensation/Awards

Annually, the Company grants restricted shares to its Board of Directors. The shares become fully vested one year from their grant date. The fair value of each restricted stock grant is based on the closing price of the Company's stock on the date of grant. The Company amortizes the expense over the service period, which is the fiscal year in which the award is granted. On May 1, 2014, the Company granted 17,772 restricted shares for service in fiscal 2014. In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, the Company will grant restricted shares to the Board of Directors for service in fiscal 2015. As of March 28, 2015, there was $0.2 million unrecognized expense associated with these awards, which will be recorded throughout fiscal 2015. Expense related to the Board of Directors' restricted stock in both the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014 was $0.1 million.

In February 2014, the Company granted certain members of management 132,107 restricted shares based on the Company's performance in fiscal 2013. These restricted shares are subject to a graded vesting schedule over a three year period starting January 1, 2015. There was approximately $1.0 million and $1.1 million in unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to these awards as of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively. In each of the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014, $0.1 million of compensation expense was recorded related to these awards.

17




In February 2015, the Company granted certain members of management 37,762 restricted shares based on their services in fiscal 2014 and contingent upon continued service. The restricted shares vest over a three year period starting January 1, 2016. There was approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million in unrecognized compensation expense remaining related to these awards as of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively. In each of the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, less than $0.1 million was recorded as compensation expense related to these awards.     

The following table summarizes information about restricted stock awards for the period ended March 28, 2015:
Restricted Stock (Nonvested Shares)
 
Number of Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
Nonvested shares outstanding at January 3, 2015
 
105,859

 
$
16.56

Granted
 
37,762

 
12.35

Nonvested shares outstanding at March 28, 2015
 
143,621

 
$
15.45


Employee Stock Purchase Plan

As of March 28, 2015, the Company had reserved 127,813 shares of common stock available for purchase under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan of 2008.  In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, employees purchased 9,312 shares of the Company’s common stock with a weighted average fair market value of $11.44 per share.


18



(13) RESTRUCTURING

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company purchased FCC Environmental and implemented an integration plan that includes a reduction in force and the closure of several facilities. Restructuring-related costs are recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's restructuring reserve included in accrued salaries, wages, and benefits (in thousands):
 
 
For the First Quarter Ended,
 
 
March 28, 2015
Beginning balance
 
$
2,010

Restructuring charges
 
346

Cash paid
 
(830
)
Ending balance
 
$
1,526



19



(14) EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table reconciles the number of shares outstanding for the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively, to the number of weighted average basic shares outstanding and the number of weighted average diluted shares outstanding for the purposes of calculating basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share data):
 
First Quarter Ended,
 
March 28, 2015
 
March 22, 2014
Net loss
$
(900
)
 
$
(1,636
)
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
41

 
23

Net loss attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. available to common stockholders
$
(941
)
 
$
(1,659
)
 
 
 
 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
22,119

 
18,402

 
 
 
 
Number of anti-dilutive potentially issuable shares excluded from diluted shares outstanding calculation
230

 
292

 
 
 
 
Net loss per share: basic
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.09
)
Net loss per share: diluted
$
(0.04
)
 
$
(0.09
)


20



ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 17, 2015. In addition to historical information, this discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future or estimated operating or financial performance. You should read statements that contain these words carefully, because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other “forward-looking” information. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this quarterly report. Factors that could cause such differences include those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2014 filed with the SEC on March 17, 2015. Except as required under federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we do not have any intention, and do not undertake, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances arising after the date of this quarterly report, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements included in this quarterly report or that may be made elsewhere from time to time by, or on behalf of, us. All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements. Certain tabular information may not foot due to rounding. Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. Interim results are presented for the twelve week periods ended March 28, 2015 and March 22, 2014, each referred to as "quarter ended" or "first quarter ended" or "first fiscal quarter" and "first quarter" respectively.

Overview

We provide parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection, vacuum truck services, antifreeze recycling, and field services, and we own and operate a used oil re-refinery. We are the second largest provider of industrial and hazardous waste services to small and mid-sized customers in both the vehicle maintenance and manufacturing services sector in North America, and we have the second largest used oil re-refining capacity in North America.  Our services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens.  We operate from a network of 84 branch facilities providing services to customers in 43 states and parts of Canada. We conduct business through two operating segments: Environmental Services and Oil Business.

Our Environmental Services segment revenues are generated primarily from providing parts cleaning services, containerized waste management, vacuum truck services, antifreeze recycling, and field services. Revenues from this segment accounted for approximately 62.9% of our total company revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2015. In the Environmental Services segment, we define and measure same-branch revenues for a given period as the subset of all our branches that have been open and operating throughout and between the periods being compared, and we refer to these as established branches. We calculate average revenues per working day by dividing our revenues by the number of non-holiday weekdays in the applicable fiscal year or fiscal quarter.

Our Oil Business segment consists of our used oil collection, used oil re-refining activities, and recycled fuel oil ("RFO") sales which accounted for 37.1% of our total company revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

Our operating costs include the costs of the materials we use in our products and services, such as used oil collected from customers or purchased from third party collectors, solvent, and other chemicals. The used solvent that we retrieve from customers in our product reuse program is accounted for as a reduction in our net cost of solvent under operating costs, whether placed in inventory or sold to a purchaser for reuse. Changes in the price of crude oil can impact operating costs indirectly as it may impact the price we pay for solvent or used oil, although we attempt to offset volatility in the oil markets by managing the spread between the costs we pay for our materials and the prices we charge for our products and services. Operating costs also include transportation of solvents and waste, payments to third parties to recycle or dispose of the waste materials that we collect, and the costs of operating our re-refinery, recycling centers, hubs, and branch system including personnel costs (including commissions), facility rent, truck leases, fuel, and maintenance.



21



We use profit before corporate selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") as a key measure of segment profitability. We define profit before SG&A as revenues less operating costs and depreciation and amortization from operations.

We operate a used oil re-refinery located in Indianapolis, Indiana, through which we recycle used oil into high quality lubricant base oil and byproducts. We supply the base oil to firms that produce and market finished lubricants. Our used oil re-refinery currently has an input capacity of approximately 65 million gallons of used oil feedstock per year when operating at full capacity. We are in the process of expanding the annual input capacity of the Indianapolis re-refinery to 75 million gallons, which we believe will allow us to improve our utilization of resources and the operating results of our Oil Business segment. We expect the additional capacity to be in place by the end of fiscal 2015. We estimate the additional capital cost of the current expansion project will be approximately $8.0 million to be incurred throughout the remainder of fiscal 2015. We anticipate that we will use existing cash and cash equivalents to fund the expenditures for the re-refinery expansion project.

On October 16, 2014, we acquired the outstanding stock of FCC Environmental LLC and International Petroleum Corp. of Delaware (together, “FCC Environmental”) from Dédalo Patrimonial S.L.U. for $90.0 million in cash, subject to customary post-closing adjustments (the “Acquisition” or the “FCC Environmental Acquisition”). In 2013, FCC Environmental was a significant collector of used oil by volume in the United States. FCC Environmental also offered oily water disposal and treatment, parts cleaning, vacuum services, antifreeze recycling, oil filter recycling, and field services in 21 states in the South and along the Eastern seaboard of the United States.

We expect to realize $20.0 million or more in annualized synergies as a result of this acquisition. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we estimate that we realized approximately $2.9 million of synergies and incurred approximately $1.4 million in costs-to-achieve synergies related to the FCC Environmental acquisition.

For further discussion on these acquisitions, see Note 3 in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document.

Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the accurate portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results and require subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

In order to prepare financial statements that conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, commonly referred to as GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes.  Certain estimates are particularly sensitive due to their significance to the financial statements and the possibility that future events may be significantly different from our expectations.

We have identified the following accounting policies as those that require us to make the most subjective or complex judgments in order to fairly present our consolidated financial position and results of operations. Actual results in these areas could differ materially from management's estimates under different assumptions and conditions.

Revenue Recognition

We derive our revenues primarily from the services we perform and from the sale of processed oil from our used oil re-refinery. Parts cleaning and other service revenues are recognized as the service is performed. Product revenues are recognized at the time risk of loss passes to the customer. The risk of loss passes to customers at various times depending on the particular terms of the sales contract in force with each individual customer. Common thresholds for when risk of loss passes to the customer are at the time that product is loaded onto the shipping vessel or at the time that product is offloaded at the customer’s receiving location. Revenues are recognized only if collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable.

Operating Costs

Within operating costs are cost of sales. Cost of sales in the Environmental Services segment includes the costs of the materials we sell and provide in our services, such as solvents and other chemicals, cleaning machines sold to customers, transportation of inventory and waste, and payments to third parties to recycle or dispose of the waste materials that we collect. Our used solvent that we retrieve from customers in our product reuse program is accounted for as a reduction in net cost of solvent under cost of sales, whether placed in inventory or sold to a purchaser for reuse. If the used solvent is placed in

22



inventory it is recorded at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost of sales in the Oil Business includes the costs paid to customers for used oil, transportation out to customers, and costs to operate the used oil re-refinery.

Operating costs also include the costs of operating our branch system and hubs. These costs include personnel costs (including commissions), facility rent and utilities, truck leases, fuel, transportation, and maintenance. Operating costs are not presented separately for products and services.
    
Inventory

Inventory consists primarily of used oil, processed oil, new and used solvents, new and refurbished parts cleaning machines, drums, catalyst, accessories, absorbents, and antifreeze. Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out ("FIFO") cost or market, net of any reserves for excess, obsolete, or unsalable inventory. We perform a physical inventory count on a periodic basis and use the results of these counts to determine inventory quantities. The quantities are used to help determine the value of our inventory. We continually monitor our inventory levels at each of our distribution locations and evaluate inventories for excess or slow-moving items. If circumstances indicate the cost of inventories exceed their recoverable value, inventories are reduced to net realizable value.

Acquisitions

We account for acquired businesses using the purchase method of accounting, which requires that the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and contingent consideration be recorded at the date of acquisition at their respective fair values. It further requires acquisition-related costs to be recognized separately from the acquisition and expensed as incurred and restructuring costs to be expensed in periods subsequent to the acquisition date.

Identifiable Intangible Assets

The fair value of finite lived intangible assets may be based on significant judgments made by management. We sometimes engage third party valuation appraisal firms to assist us in determining the fair values and useful lives of the assets acquired. Such valuations and useful life determinations require us to make significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and also include, but are not limited to, future expected cash flows to be earned from the continued operation of the acquired business and discount rates applied in determining the present value of those cash flows. Unanticipated events and circumstances may occur that could affect the accuracy or validity of such assumptions, estimates, or actual results. These intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives.

Goodwill

Goodwill is measured as a residual amount as of the acquisition date, which in most cases results in measuring goodwill as an excess of the purchase consideration transferred plus the fair value of any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including any contingent consideration. We test goodwill for impairment annually and in interim periods if changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Our determination of fair value requires certain assumptions and estimates regarding future profitability and cash flows of acquired businesses and market conditions. In fiscal 2014, we tested goodwill for impairment. Our tests indicated that the fair values were in excess of carrying values and thus did not fail step one of the goodwill impairment test. However, due to the inherent uncertainties associated with using these assumptions, impairment charges could occur in future periods.


23



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

The following table sets forth certain operating data as a percentage of revenues for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):
 
For the First Quarter Ended,
 
March 28,
2015
 
March 22,
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
   Product revenues
$
34,397

40.9
 %
 
$
29,303

44.4
 %
   Service revenues
49,639

59.1
 %
 
36,662

55.6
 %
Total Revenues
$
84,036

100.0
 %
 
$
65,965

100.0
 %
Operating expenses -
 
 
 
 
 
   Operating costs
$
69,714

83.0
 %
 
$
57,365

87.0
 %
   Selling, general and administrative expenses
11,066

13.2
 %
 
8,843

13.4
 %
   Depreciation and amortization
4,333

5.2
 %
 
2,626

4.0
 %
   Other income - net
(99
)
 %
 
(51
)
(0.1
)%
Operating loss
(978
)
(1.2
)%
 
(2,818
)
(4.3
)%
   Interest expense – net
554

0.7
 %
 
53

0.1
 %
Loss before income taxes
(1,532
)
(1.8
)%
 
(2,871
)
(4.4
)%
Benefit from income taxes
(632
)
(0.8
)%
 
(1,235
)
(1.9
)%
Net loss
(900
)
(1.1
)%
 
(1,636
)
(2.5
)%
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest
41

 %
 
23

 %
Net loss attributable to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. common stockholders
$
(941
)
(1.1
)%
 
$
(1,659
)
(2.5
)%

Revenues

For the first quarter of fiscal 2015, revenues increased $18.1 million, or 27.4%, from $66.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to $84.0 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Revenues in both segments increased from sales to legacy FCC Environmental customers and included revenues from new products and services such as Recycled Fuel Oil ("RFO") sales and Field Services. In the Oil Business, the increase in revenues as a result of the FCC Environmental acquisition were partially offset by lower base oil selling prices in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the average spot market price for the type of Group II base oil we produce declined approximately 35% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Operating expenses

Operating costs

Operating costs increased $12.3 million, or 21.5%, from the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Operating costs decreased as a percentage of revenues compared to the prior year as we were able to grow revenues through our FCC Environmental acquisition. By tightening controls over our costs, we were able to partially offset the impact of a non-cash lower of cost or market write-down of inventory of $2.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.
    
Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $2.2 million, or 25.1%, from the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to the first quarter of fiscal 2015, but decreased slightly as a percentage of revenues as we grew revenues by 27.4% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015 we incurred costs related to the integration of FCC Environmental of $1.4 million compared to acquisition costs related to FCC Environmental of $1.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.


24



Interest expense

Interest expense for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was $0.6 million compared to interest expense of $0.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The increase in interest expense is a result of the increase in our Term Loan from $19.0 million as of March 22, 2014 to $78.8 million as of March 28, 2015. We increased the Term Loan in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 in order to finance the FCC Environmental acquisition. In the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and 2014, we capitalized $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million in interest, respectively.

Provision for income taxes

Our effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was 41.3% compared to 43.0% in first quarter of fiscal 2014. The rate difference is attributable to non-deductible expenses and certain state taxes not based on income having a lesser effect on the tax rate compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Segment Information

The following table presents revenues by operating segment (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
For the First Quarter Ended,
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 28, 2015
 
March 22, 2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental Services
$
52,885

 
$
38,908

 
$
13,977

 
35.9
%
 
Oil Business
31,151

 
27,057

 
4,094

 
15.1
%
 
 
Total
$
84,036

 
$
65,965

 
$
18,071

 
27.4
%

In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Environmental Services revenues increased $14.0 million, or 35.9%, from $38.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 to $52.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. Revenues grew in all Environmental Services product lines which included parts cleaning, containerized waste, vacuum truck services, antifreeze collection and recycling, and field services. Revenues in our vacuum services line of business increased at a higher rate than in other lines of business, due to the increase in vacuum services routes and the high volume of vacuum waste collected from legacy FCC Environmental customers. In addition, we realized revenues from our field services line of business, the majority of which was acquired with the FCC Environmental transaction.

At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2015, the Environmental Services segment was operating in 84 branch locations compared with 75 at the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  There were 72 branches that were in operation during both the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. Same branch sales increased $8.8 million, or 23.9%, in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, in large part due to the impact of sales to former FCC Environmental customers.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, Oil Business revenues increased $4.1 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. The increase in Oil Business revenues was the result of sales of RFO, which is a new product line for the Company as a result of the FCC Environmental acquisition. The increase in revenues as a result of Recycled Fuel Oil ("RFO") sales was partially offset by a decrease in sales from our re-refinery. Although we produced and sold base lube oil at a higher rate than in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, low base oil prices offset the increase in volume. As a result of the expanded capacity at our re-refinery, during the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we sold approximately 9.5 million gallons of base oil compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, when we sold approximately 7.2 million gallons of base oil.


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Segment Profit (Loss) Before Corporate Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ("SG&A")

The following table presents profit (loss) by operating segment before corporate SG&A (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
For the First Quarter Ended,
 
Increase
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 28, 2015
 
March 22, 2014
 
$
 
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Profit (loss) before corporate SG&A*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Environmental Services
$
12,445

 
$
8,776

 
$
3,669

 
41.8
%
 
Oil Business
(1,714
)
 
(2,317
)
 
603

 
26.0
%
 
 
Total
$
10,731

 
$
6,459

 
$
4,272

 
66.1
%

*Includes depreciation and amortization related to operating activity but not depreciation and amortization related to corporate
selling, general, and administrative activity. For further discussion see Note 9 in our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document.

Environmental Services profit before SG&A increased 41.8% in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014 due to increased revenues of 35.9%. Margins in the Environmental Services segment were negatively impacted by a lower of cost or market adjustment to inventory recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

The sale of used solvent generated by customers participating in our product reuse program for parts cleaning is not accounted for as revenues, but rather as a reduction in our net cost of solvent under operating costs. Sales of reuse solvent provided a negative impact during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 of $0.9 million compared to a negative impact of $0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 as a result of falling solvent prices.

Oil Business loss before corporate SG&A decreased $0.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, from a loss of $2.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, to a loss of $1.7 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we experienced less shutdowns at our re-refinery compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. We also were more efficient in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 due to a less extreme winter than in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and therefore saw improvements in both our route collection and operation of the re-refinery.


FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and Cash Equivalents

As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $20.3 million and $21.6 million, respectively.  Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations and funds available to borrow under our term loan and revolving bank credit facility.

Debt and Financing Arrangements    

On October 16, 2014, in connection with our acquisition of FCC Environmental, we amended our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement") to allow for up to $138.8 million in borrowings. As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, our total borrowings were $78.8 million under the term loan which has a maturity date of February 5, 2018. The remaining portion of the credit facility is a revolving loan which expires on February 5, 2018. There were no amounts outstanding under the revolver at March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we recorded interest expense of $0.4 million on the term loan net of $0.2 million capitalized for various capital projects. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we recorded interest expense of $0.1 million on the term loan, of which less than $0.1 million was capitalized for various capital projects.

As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Agreement. As of March 28, 2015 and January 3, 2015, we had $4.5 million of standby letters of credit issued, and $33.1 million was available for borrowing under the revolving loan portion of our credit facility.
 

26



Our weighted average interest rate for all debt outstanding as of March 28, 2015 and March 22, 2014 was 3.2% and 2.5%, respectively.

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents, available borrowings and other sources of financings will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.  We cannot assure you that this will be the case or that our assumptions regarding revenues and expenses underlying this belief will be accurate.  If, in the future, we require more liquidity than is available to us under our credit facility, we may need to raise additional funds through debt or equity offerings.  Adequate funds may not be available when needed or may not be available on terms favorable to us.  If additional funds are raised by issuing equity securities, dilution to existing stockholders may result.  If we raise additional funds by obtaining loans from third parties, the terms of those financing arrangements may include negative covenants or other restrictions on our business that could impair our operational flexibility, and would also require us to fund additional interest expense.  If funding is insufficient at any time in the future, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products or services, take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
    
We are in the process of expanding the annual input capacity of our Indianapolis re-refinery to 75 million gallons, which we believe will allow us to improve our utilization of resources and the operating results of our Oil Business segment. We expect the remaining additional capacity to be in place by the end of fiscal 2015. We estimate the additional capital cost of the current expansion project will be approximately $8.0 million to be incurred throughout the remainder of fiscal 2015. We anticipate that we will use existing cash and cash equivalents to fund the expenditures for the re-refinery expansion project.

Summary of Cash Flow Activity
 
First Quarter Ended,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
March 28,
2015
 
March 22,
2014
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
 
 
Operating activities
$
4,252

 
$
2,794

Investing activities
(5,462
)
 
(4,930
)
Financing activities
(66
)
 
(557
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(1,276
)
 
$
(2,693
)

The most significant items affecting the comparison of our operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and the first quarter of fiscal 2014 are summarized below:

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Accounts Payable — The decrease in accounts payable negatively affected cash flows from operations by $7.9 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014. In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, accounts payable decreased due to the lower unit cost of raw materials such as used oil and solvent.

Inventory — In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we took a non-cash inventory impairment charge of $2.6 million due to the decline in prices for used oil and solvent. Excluding the impact of the inventory impairment charge, the decrease in inventory positively affected cash flows from operations by $1.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

Earnings decline — Our decrease in net loss in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 positively impacted our net cash provided by operating activities by $0.7 million compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

 Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    
Capital expenditures and software and intangible assets— We used $5.5 million and $4.9 million for capital expenditures and software and intangible assets during the first quarters of fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we spent $2.0 million for capital improvements, including the expansion project, at the used oil re-refinery compared to $2.8 million on capital improvements at the re-refinery in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Additionally, in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, approximately $1.4 million of the

27



capital expenditures were for purchases of parts cleaning machines consistent with the first quarter of fiscal 2014.  The remaining $2.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was for other items including leasehold improvements and intangible assets compared to $0.7 million spent in the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to interest rate risks primarily through borrowings under our bank credit facility.  Interest on this facility is based upon variable interest rates.  Our weighted average borrowings under our bank credit facility during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 were $78.8 million, and the annual effective interest rate for the credit facility for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was 3.2%. We currently do not hedge against interest rate risk. Based on the foregoing, a hypothetical 1% increase or decrease in interest rates would have resulted in a change of $0.8 million to our interest expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2015.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding financial disclosures.

There was no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first fiscal quarter of 2015 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS

31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2
Certification of 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*
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*In accordance with Regulation S-T, the XBRL-related information in Exhibits 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q shall be deemed to be "furnished" and not "filed."


28



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
  
HERITAGE-CRYSTAL CLEAN, INC.

Date:
May 7, 2015
By:
/s/ Mark DeVita
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mark DeVita
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer


29