Concrete Pumping Holdings Inc

Non-GAAP Financial Measures (EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA)*

We calculate EBITDA by taking GAAP net income and adding back interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by taking EBITDA and adding back loss on debt extinguishment, stock-based compensation, changes in the fair value of warrant liabilities, other income, net, goodwill and intangibles impairment and other adjustments. Other adjustments include non-recurring expenses, non-cash currency gains/losses, transaction expenses and other items not necessarily indicative of our underlying operating performance. Transaction expenses represent expenses for legal, accounting, and other professionals that were engaged in the completion of acquisitions. Transaction expenses can be volatile as they are primarily driven by the size of a specific acquisition. As such, we exclude these amounts from Adjusted EBITDA for comparability across periods.

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company moved certain assets and associated revenues and expenses that were previously categorized in the Company's Other activities, into the U.S. Concrete Pumping segment in order to appropriately align its placement with the manner in which the Company allocates its resources and measures performance. As a result, segment results for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. For further discussion, see Note 21 in Part II, Item 8 of this report for more information. In addition, in order to distribute the use of corporate resources and appropriately align measures with segment performance, beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company is no longer adding back intercompany allocations to segment Adjusted EBITDA. As a result, segment results for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to our current period presentation. See the section "Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income/(Loss)" above for more information.

We believe these non-GAAP measures of financial results provide useful supplemental information to management and investors regarding certain financial and business trends related to our financial condition and results of operations, and as a supplemental tool for investors to use in evaluating our ongoing operating results and trends and in comparing our financial measures with competitors who also present similar non-GAAP financial measures. In addition, these measures (1) are used in quarterly and annual financial reports and presentations prepared for management, our board of directors and investors, and (2) help management to determine incentive compensation. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for performance measures calculated under GAAP. These non-GAAP measures exclude certain cash expenses that we are obligated to make. In addition, other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA differently or may not calculate it at all, which limits the usefulness of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as comparative measures.

1 Other adjustments include the adjustment for non-recurring expenses, non-cash currency gains/losses, and transaction expenses. For the twelve months ended October 31, 2024, other adjustments include a $3.5 million non-recurring charge related to sales tax litigation amongst other adjustments. See Note 15 in Part II, Item 8 of this report for more information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For more information regarding the Company’s significant accounting policies, as well as recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 and Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements within Item 8 of this Annual Report.

In presenting our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported therein. Several of the estimates and assumptions we are required to make relate to matters that are inherently uncertain as they pertain to future events. However, events that are outside of our control cannot be predicted and, as such, they cannot be contemplated in evaluating such estimates and assumptions. Significant unfavorable changes to current conditions, have and could result in a material impact to our consolidated and combined results of operations, financial position and liquidity. We believe that the estimates and assumptions we used when preparing our financial statements were the most appropriate at that time. Presented below are those accounting policies that we believe require subjective and complex judgments that could potentially affect reported results. However, the majority of our business activities are in environments where we are paid a fee for a service performed, and therefore the results of the majority of our recurring operations are recorded in our financial statements using accounting policies that are not particularly subjective, nor complex.

Listed below are those estimates that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles–Goodwill and Other ("ASC 350"), the Company evaluates goodwill for possible impairment annually, generally as of August 31st, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company uses a two-step process to assess the realizability of goodwill. The first step (generally referred to as a "step 0" analysis) is a qualitative assessment that analyzes current economic indicators associated with a particular reporting unit. For example, the Company analyzes changes in economic, market and industry conditions, business strategy, cost factors, and financial performance, among others, to determine if there are indicators of a significant decline in the fair value of a particular reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates a stable or improved fair value, no further testing is required. If a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company will proceed to the quantitative second step (generally referred to as a "step 1" analysis) where the fair value of a reporting unit is calculated based on weighted income and market-based approaches. If the fair value of a reporting unit is lower than its carrying value, an impairment to goodwill is recorded, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill in the reporting unit.

Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and market factors. Estimating fair value of individual reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, as well as industry and economic conditions. These assumptions and estimates include projected revenue, cash flow margins, capital expenditures, trade name royalty rates, discount rate, tax amortization benefit and other market factors outside of our control. The Company evaluates for triggering events quarterly throughout the fiscal year.

When we perform any goodwill impairment test, the estimated fair value of our reporting units are determined using an income approach that utilizes a discounted cash flow ("DCF") model and a market approach that utilizes the guideline public company method ("GPC"), both of which are weighted for each reporting unit and are discussed below in further detail. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820"), we evaluated the methods for reasonableness and reliability and assigned weightings accordingly. A mathematical weighting is not prescribed by ASC 820, rather it requires judgement. As such, each of the valuation methods were weighted by accounting for the relative merits of each method and considered, among other things, the reliability of the valuation methods and the inputs used in the methods. In addition, in order to assess the reasonableness of the fair value of our reporting units as calculated under both approaches, we also compare the Company’s total fair value to its market capitalization and calculate an implied control premium (the excess sum of the reporting unit’s fair value over its market capitalization). We evaluate the implied control premium by comparing it to control premiums of recent comparable market transactions, as applicable.

Under the income approach, the DCF model is based on expected future after-tax operating cash flows of the reporting unit, discounted to a present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Estimates of future cash flows require management to make significant assumptions concerning (i) future operating performance, including future sales, long-term growth rates, operating margins, variations in the amount and timing of cash flows and the probability of achieving the estimated cash flows, (ii) the probability of regulatory approvals, and (iii) future economic conditions, all of which may differ from actual future cash flows. These assumptions are based on significant inputs not observable in the market and thus represent Level 3 measurements within the fair value hierarchy. The discount rate, which is intended to reflect the risks inherent in future cash flow projections, used in the DCF model, is based on estimates of the weighted average cost of capital ("WACC") of market participants relative to our reporting unit. Financial and credit market volatility can directly impact certain inputs and assumptions used to develop the WACC. Any changes in these assumptions may affect our fair value estimate and the result of an impairment test. The discount rates and other inputs and assumptions are consistent with those that a market participant would use.

The GPC method provides an estimate of value using multiples derived from the stock prices of publicly traded companies. This method requires a selection of comparable publicly-traded companies on major exchanges and involves a certain degree of judgment, as no two companies are entirely alike. These companies should be engaged in the same or a similar line of business as the reporting units being evaluated. Once comparable companies are selected, the application of the GPC method includes (i) analysis of the guideline public companies' financial and operating performance, growth, intangible asset's value, size, leverage, and risk relative to the respective reporting unit, (ii) calculation of valuation multiples for the selected guideline companies, and (iii) application of the valuation multiples to each reporting unit's selected operating metrics to arrive at an indication of value. Market multiples for the selected guideline public companies are developed by dividing the business enterprise value of each guideline public company by a measure of its financial performance (e.g., earnings). The business enterprise value is calculated taking the market value of equity (share price times fully-diluted shares outstanding) plus total interest bearing debt net of cash, preferred stock and minority interest. The market value of equity is based upon the stock price of equity as of the valuation date, and the debt figures are taken from the most recently available financial statements as of the valuation date. In selecting appropriate multiples to apply to each reporting unit, we perform a comparative analysis between the reporting units and the guideline public companies. In making a selection, we consider the revenue growth, profitability and the size of the reporting unit compared to the guideline public companies, and the overall EBITDA multiples implied from the transaction price. In addition, we consider a control premium for purposes of estimating the fair value of our reporting units as we believe that a market participant buyer would be required to pay a premium for control of our business. The control premium utilized is based on control premiums observed in recent comparable market transactions.

For long lived intangible assets not subject to amortization, we test for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. In testing long-lived intangible assets for impairment, we compare the fair value with the carrying value. The determination of fair value is based on the relief from royalty method, which models the cash flows from the intangibles assuming royalties were received under a licensing agreement. This discounted cash flow analysis uses inputs such as forecasted future revenues attributable to the reporting unit, assumed royalty rates and a discount rate. If we were to experience a decrease in forecasted future revenues attributable to the brands, this could indicate a potential impairment. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, the long-lived intangible asset is considered impaired, and an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value over the fair value of the intangible asset.

The Company's annual impairment analysis is performed each year on August 31. The Company determined that it is more likely than not that the goodwill and long-lived intangible assets were not impaired during fiscal 2024 and 2023. If the planned business performance expectations are not met or if specific valuation factors out of our control, such as the discount rate, change significantly, then the estimated FVs of the reporting unit might decline and lead to a goodwill impairment in the future.

The Company elected to have a step one impairment analysis performed as of August 31, 2022 on the Company’s U.S. Concrete Pumping, U.S. Concrete Waste Management Services, and U.K. Operations reporting units. Management’s projections used to estimate the discounted cash flows included modest annual increases to revenue volumes and rates, cash flow margins that are consistent with recently achieved actual amounts, terminal growth rates of 3.0% and discount rates ranging from 10.0% to 11.3%.

As a result of the goodwill impairment analysis, the fair values of its U.S. Concrete Waste Management Services and U.K. Operations reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying values by 82% and 32%, respectively.

For the U.S. Concrete Pumping reporting unit, which had goodwill of $147.5 million, the fair value was approximately 7% greater than its carrying value. Changes in any of the significant assumptions used could materially affect the expected cash flows and such impacts could result in a potentially material non-cash impairment charge. The most sensitive assumption is the discount rate and a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate would not have resulted in any of the reporting units’ carrying values exceeding their fair values.

Business combinations and asset acquisitions

The Company applies the principles provided in ASC 805,Business Combinations("ASC 805"), to determine whether a transaction involves an asset or a business.

If it is determined an acquisition is a business combination, tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value and goodwill is recognized to the extent the fair value of the consideration transferred exceeds the fair value of the net assets acquired. Transaction costs for business combinations are expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC 805.

If it is determined an acquisition is an asset acquisition, the purchase consideration (which will include certain transaction costs) is allocated first to indefinite lived intangible assets (if applicable) based on their fair values with the remaining balance of purchase consideration being allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on their relative fair values.

The application of acquisition accounting requires the Company to make fair value determinations as of the valuation date. In making these determinations, the Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts, including, but not limited to, expected future cash flows, market comparable and discount rates, replacement costs of property and equipment and the amounts to be recovered in future periods from acquired deferred tax assets. To assist the Company in making these fair value determinations, the Company may engage third-party valuation specialists or internal specialists who generally assist the Company in the fair value determination of identifiable assets such as customer relationships, property and equipment and any other significant asset or liabilities. The Company’s estimates in this area impact, among other items, the amount of depreciation and amortization and income tax expense or benefit that we report. The Company’s estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

For a detailed description of recently adopted and new accounting pronouncements refer to Note 3 to the Company’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.