APi Group Corp 10-K

Item 1A. Risk Factors. Risks Related to Our Business Our business strategy includes acquiring companies and making investments that complement our existing businesses. These acquisitions and investments could be unsuccessful or consume significant resources, which could adversely affect our operating results. We expect to continue to evaluate the acquisition of strategic businesses, service lines, and technologies with the potential to strengthen our industry position or enhance our existing offerings. We cannot assure you that we will identify or successfully complete suitable acquisitions in the future or that completed acquisitions will be successful. Acquisitions that do not achieve the intended strategic or operational benefits could adversely affect our operating results and may result in an impairment charge. Under certain circumstances, it may be difficult for us to complete transactions quickly and to integrate acquired operations efficiently into our current business operations. Acquisitions and investments may involve significant cash expenditures, debt incurrence, operating losses and expenses that could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Acquisitions involve numerous other risks, including: (i) diversion of management’s time and attention from daily operations; (ii) difficulties integrating acquired businesses, technologies and personnel into our business; (iii) inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and/or required financing on favorable terms ; (iv) potential loss of key employees, key contractual relationships, or key customers of acquired companies or from our existing businesses; and (v) assumption of the liabilities and exposure to unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies . Any acquisitions or investments may ultimately harm our business or consolidated financial condition, as such acquisitions may not be successful and may ultimately result in impairment charges. We are a decentralized company and place significant decision-making authority with our subsidiaries’ management, supported by certain integrated policies and processes. We believe our practice of conferring significant authority upon the management of our subsidiaries has been important to our successful growth and has allowed us to be responsive to opportunities and to our customers’ needs. We seek to maintain business continuity within our subsidiaries while identifying and implementing operational efficiencies, cost synergies, and integration of organizational processes across these companies. This balance presents certain risks, including the risk we would be slower to identify a misalignment between a subsidiary’s and our overall business strategy or shared processes. Our decentralized organization also creates the possibility that our operating subsidiaries assume excessive risk without appropriate guidance from our centralized accounting, tax, treasury and insurance functions, or external legal counsel, as to the potential overall impact. If an operating subsidiary fails to follow our shared company policies and processes, including those relating to compliance with applicable laws, we could be subjected to risks of noncompliance with applicable regulations, or made party to a contract, arrangement or situation that requires the assumption of disproportionate liabilities or contain other less desirable terms. 10 As part of our business, we have entered into joint venture arrangements and likely will continue to do so. Our participation in joint ventures exposes us to liability and/or harm to our reputation for failures of our partners. The purpose of our joint ventures is typically to combine skills and resources to allow for the proposing on and performance of particular projects. Success of these jointly performed projects can be adversely affected by the performance of our joint venture partners, over whom we may have little or no control. Differences in opinions or views between us and our joint venture partners could result in delayed decision-making or failure to agree on material issues that could adversely affect the business and operations of our joint ventures. Additionally, the failure by a joint venture partner to comply with applicable laws, regulations or client requirements could negatively impact our business. We and our joint venture partners are generally jointly and severally liable for all liabilities and obligations of our joint ventures. If a joint venture partner fails to perform or is financially unable to bear its portion of required capital contributions or other obligations, including liabilities stemming from claims or lawsuits, we could be required to make additional investments, provide additional services or pay more than our proportionate share of a liability to make up for our partner’s shortfall. Further, if our partners experience cost overruns or project performance issues that we are unable to adequately address, the customer may terminate the project, which could result in legal liability to us, harm our reputation and reduce our profit or increase our loss on a project. As a newer U.S. public company, we face continued costs and administrative responsibilities associated with the transition from private to public ownership. As a U.S. publicly traded company with listed equity securities, we need to comply with certain laws, regulations and requirements, including certain provisions of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oley Act”), certain regulations of the SEC and certain New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) requirements applicable to public companies. Compliance with these various requirements includes: continued preparation and distribution of periodic public reports under the federal securities laws; continued development or refinement of our internal policies and establishment of frameworks and processes for compliance with such policies; continued establishment and maintenance of internal controls over financial reporting; and continued enhancement of our processes and systems for communicating with our investors. Complying with these statutes, regulations and requirements has and will occupy a significant amount of the time of our Board and management and may continue to increase our costs and expenses, or may not be completed timely. In addition, as a public company the expense associated with director and officer liability insurance may be higher and more variable than what we have historically experienced. Consequently, we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified executive officers and members of our Board, particularly to serve on our audit committee. Risks Related to Our International Operations We have expanded our international operations, which subjects us to additional risks. With the acquisition of SK FireSafety (“SKG”) in October 2020 ( the “SKG Acquisition”) , our international operations expanded from Canada and the United Kingdom (and to a much lesser extent, Mexico, Asia and the Caribbean) to include the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, and Sweden. Approximately 6.7% of our revenue was derived from areas outside the United States for the year ended December 31, 2020. Our overall business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted by our international operations. We are paid for work outside the United States in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Such payments may exceed our local currency needs, and, in certain instances, those amounts may be subject to temporary blocking or taxes or tariffs, and we may experience difficulties if we attempt to convert such amounts to U.S. dollars. Applicable U.S. and non-U.S. anti-corruption laws, including but not limited to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), prohibit us from, among other things, corruptly making payments to non-U.S. officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We pursue opportunities in certain parts of the world and in certain industries that may experience corruption, and in certain circumstances, compliance with these laws may conflict with longstanding local customs and practices. Our policies mandate compliance with all applicable anti-corruption laws. We have policies and procedures designed to ensure that our employees and intermediaries who work for us outside the United States comply with these laws, and we otherwise require such employees and intermediaries to comply with these laws. However, there can be no assurance that such policies, procedures and other requirements will protect us from liability under the FCPA or other similar laws for actions taken by our employees or intermediaries; moreover, detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of such laws is expensive and could consume significant time and attention of our senior management, in-country management, and other personnel. Liability for such actions could result in severe 11 criminal or civil fines, penalties, forfeitures, disgorgements or other sanctions. This in turn could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Financial Risks Adverse developments in the credit markets could adversely affect the funding of significant construction projects and therefore reduce demand for our services. Adverse developments in the credit markets, including reduced liquidity or rising interest rates, could reduce the availability of funding for large capital projects, including construction projects that require our services. Volatility in the credit and equity markets could reduce the availability of debt or equity financing for significant construction projects, causing a reduction in capital spending, which, in the past has resulted, and in the future could result, in project pipeline constraints, project deferrals and project cancellations, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity. We may need additional capital in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions, and we may not be able to access capital on favorable terms, or at all, which would impair our ability to operate our business or achieve our growth objectives. Our ability to generate cash is essential for the funding of our operations and the servicing of our debt. If existing cash balances together with the borrowing capacity under our Credit Facilities were not sufficient to make future investments, make acquisitions or provide needed working capital, we may require financing from other sources. Our ability to obtain such additional financing in the future will depend on a number of factors including prevailing capital market conditions, conditions in our industry, and our operating results. These factors may affect our ability to arrange additional financing on terms that are acceptable to us. If additional funds were not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to make future investments, take advantage of acquisitions or pursue other opportunities. Our use of revenue recognition over time could result in a reduction or reversal of previously recorded revenue or profits. A material portion of our revenue is recognized over time by measuring progress toward complete satisfaction of performance obligations in the proportion that our actual costs bear to our estimated contract costs at completion. The earnings or losses recognized on individual contracts are based on estimates of contract revenue, costs and profitability. We review our estimates of contract revenue, costs and profitability on an ongoing basis. Prior to contract completion, we may adjust our estimates on one or more occasions as a result of change orders to the original contract, collection disputes with the customer on amounts invoiced, claims against the customer for increased costs incurred by us due to customer induced delays and other factors, or other changes in facts and circumstances that require modifications to estimated costs. Contract losses are recognized in the fiscal period when the loss is determined. Contract profit estimates are also adjusted in the fiscal period in which it is determined that an adjustment is required. As a result of the requirements of over time revenue recognition, the possibility exists, for example, that we could have estimated and reported a profit or loss on a contract over several periods and later determined that all or a portion of such previously estimated and reported profits or losses were overstated. If this occurs, the full aggregate amount of the overstatement or understatement will be reported for the period in which such determination is made, thereby eliminating all or a portion of any profits or losses from other contracts that would have otherwise been reported in such period or even resulting in a loss or gain being reported for such period. On a historical basis, we believe that we have made reasonably reliable estimates of the progress towards completion on our long-term contracts. However, given the uncertainties associated with these types of contracts, it is possible for actual costs to vary from estimates previously made, which may result in reductions or reversals of previously recorded revenue and profits. Discontinuation, reform or replacement of LIBOR and other benchmark rates, or uncertainty related to the potential for any of the foregoing, may adversely affect our business. Interest payments for borrowings under the Credit Facilities are based on floating rates which at times references a LIBOR rate. It is expected that a transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to alternative rates will occur over the course of the next few years. The United Kingdom (“U.K”) Financial Conduct Authority announced in 2017 that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. In addition, other regulators have suggested reforming or replacing other benchmark rates. The discontinuation, reform or replacement of LIBOR or any other benchmark rates may have an unpredictable impact on contractual mechanics in the credit markets or cause disruption to the broader financial markets. Uncertainty as to the nature of such potential discontinuation, reform or replacement may negatively impact interest expense related to borrowings under our Credit Facilities, including the Term Loan and the interest rate swap we entered into with respect thereto. We may in the future pursue amendments to our Credit Facilities to provide 12 for a transition mechanism or other reference rate in anticipation of LIBOR’s discontinuation, but we may not be able to reach agreement with its lenders on any such amendments. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. As a result, additional financing to replace our LIBOR-based indebtedness may be unavailable, available on less favorable terms or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. We carry a significant amount of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheets . Earnings for future periods may be impacted by impairment charges for goodwill and intangible assets. Goodwill is the excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. We assess goodwill and identifiable intangible assets for impairment each year, or more frequently if circumstances suggest an impairment may have occurred. As a result of the impact of COVID-19, in the year ended December 31, 2020 we determined that certain of our goodwill and intangible assets were impaired as the carrying values exceeded fair value and we recorded a non-cash charge of $197 million. Given the uncertainty of these factors, as well as the inherent difficulty in predicting the severity and duration of the COVID-19 global pandemic and associated recovery and the uncertainties regarding the potential financial impact on our business and the overall economy, there can be no assurance that our estimates and assumptions made for purposes of the goodwill testing performed during the year ended December 31, 2020 will prove to be accurate predictions of the impact in future periods. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair values of our reporting units which were based on facts and circumstances known at such time, it is possible that existing or new events may result in forecasted cash flows, revenue and earnings that differ from those that formed the basis of our estimates and assumptions, which could be materially different from our estimates and assumptions. If so, we may be required to record additional impairment charges in the future, which could be material. Additionally, we have a significant amount of identifiable intangible assets and fixed assets that could also be subject to impairment. If we determine that a significant impairment has occurred in the value of our unamortized intangible assets or fixed assets, we could be required to write off a portion of our assets, which could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition or our reported results of operations. The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic or similar global health concerns, could lead to project delays or cancellations, could adversely affect our ability to timely complete projects and source the supplies we need, and may impact labor availability and productivity, and could result in impairment risks, each of which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. The coronavirus outbreak in China in December 2019 and the subsequent spread of the virus throughout the world has resulted in widespread infections and fatalities. Governments in affected countries, including the United States, have launched measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, including travel bans, quarantines and lock-downs of affected areas that include closures of non-essential businesses. We rely on the availability of our skilled workforce and third-party contractors to meet contractual milestones and timely complete projects. If the COVID-19 pandemic or similar outbreak were to require us to discontinue operations, or to cause shortages of our workforce or third-party contractors, it could result in cancellations or deferrals of project work, which could lead to a decline in revenue and an increase in costs. In addition, such outbreak may impact the availability and prices of the commodities, supplies and materials needed for projects, and we may experience difficulties obtaining such commodities, supplies and materials from suppliers or vendors whose supply chains are impacted by the outbreak. If we are unable to source the essential commodities, supplies and materials in adequate quantities, at acceptable prices and in a timely manner, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Similarly, our customers may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which could cause them to cancel or defer project work, or have difficulty settling our accounts receivable timely, if at all, which could have a negative impact on our business. In addition, our results of operations are materially affected by conditions in the credit and financial markets and the economy generally. Global credit and financial markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruptions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic including diminished liquidity and credit availability, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, increases in unemployment rates and uncertainty about economic stability. There can be no assurance that deterioration in credit and financial markets and confidence in economic conditions will not occur or be sustained as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Any protracted economic disruption or recession could lead customers to delay or cancel projects, which would negatively impact our revenues, earnings and financial condition. As noted, as a result of the pandemic, certain of our goodwill and intangible assets were impaired. The impacts of COVID-19 may also lead to increases in our future contribution obligations and potential withdrawal liability exposure in connection with the multiemployer pension plans in which we participate. In addition, our general business strategy may be adversely affected by any such economic downturn, volatile business environment or continued unpredictable and unstable market conditions. If the current equity and credit markets deteriorate, or do not improve, it may make any necessary debt or equity financing more difficult, more costly, and more dilutive. Failure by us or our customers to secure any necessary financing in a 13 timely manner and on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy, financial performance and stock price and could require us to delay or abandon current or expected projects. The circumstances and global disruption caused by COVID-19 has affected, and we believe will continue to affect, our businesses, operating results, cash flows and financial condition; however, the scope and duration of the impact is highly uncertain. The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic impacts our business, markets, supply chain, customers and workforce will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and the actions to treat or contain it or to otherwise limit its impact, among others. In connection with our preparation of our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP (as later defined). Prior to the APi Acquisition (as later defined), the acquired business was not subject to public company internal control framework requirements and therefore did not design and document its control environment to be in compliance with required public company standards. Additionally, we and our independent registered public accounting firm were not required to and did not perform an evaluation of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 in accordance with the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In connection with our preparation of our consolidated financial statements in this registration statement for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. Under standards established by the United States Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, a material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. As indicated above, control deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting have been identified which constitute material weaknesses relating to inadequate design and implementation of: • information technology general controls that prevent the information systems from providing complete and accurate information consistent with financial reporting objectives and current needs; • internal controls over the preparation of the financial statements, including the insufficient review and oversight over financial reporting, journal entries along with related file documentation; • internal controls to identify and manage segregation of certain accounting duties; • internal controls over estimated costs of completion on contracts where revenue is recognized over time; and • management review controls over projected financial information used in fair value financial models used for purchase accounting and intangible asset valuations. We cannot assure you that we have identified all, or that we will not in the future have additional, material weaknesses. If we fail to remediate any material weaknesses or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely affected. Management is in the process of executing its remediation plan. The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until management designs and implements effective controls that operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are effective. We will monitor the effectiveness of our remediation plans and will make changes management determines to be appropriate. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable when required in the future to express an unqualified opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our Common Stock could be adversely affected, and we could become subject to litigation or investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. Our substantial indebtedness may adversely affect our cash flow and our ability to operate our business and fulfill our obligations under our indebtedness. 14 As of December 31, 2020, on a consolidated basis, we had $ 1.4 billion in principal amount of debt outstanding under our Credit Facilities (as later defined), capital lease obligations totaling approximately $ 2 0 million and other indebtedness totaling approximately $ 5 million. Our substantial indebtedness could have significant effects on our operations. For example, it may: • require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, research and development efforts and other general corporate purposes; • increase the amount of our interest expense, because our borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which, if interest rates increase, would result in higher interest expense; • cause credit rating agencies to view our debt level negatively; • increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions; • limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate; • limit our ability to make strategic acquisitions, introduce new technologies or exploit business opportunities; and • place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness. In addition, the Credit Agreement governing the Credit Facilities contains covenants that restrict our operations. These covenants restrict, among other things, our ability to incur additional debt, grant liens, pay cash dividends, enter new lines of business, redeem our Common Stock, make certain investments and engage in certain merger, consolidation or asset sale transactions. These restrictions could limit our ability to plan for or react to market conditions, meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise take actions that we believe are in the best interest of the Company. Further, a failure by us to comply with any of these covenants and restrictions could result in an event of default that, if not waived or cured, could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of the outstanding indebtedness thereunder. The terms of our indebtedness may limit our ability to borrow additional funds or capitalize on business opportunities, and our future debt level may limit our future financial and operating flexibility. The Credit Agreement governing the Credit Facilities prohibits distributions on, or purchases or redemptions of, securities if any default or event of default is continuing. In addition, it contains various covenants limiting our ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness if certain financial ratios are not maintained, grant liens, engage in transactions with affiliates, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, and sell substantially all of our assets or enter into a merger or consolidation. The Credit Agreement governing the Credit Facilities also treats a change of control as an event of default and also requires us to maintain certain leverage ratios. Our ability to access capital markets to raise capital on favorable terms will be affected by our debt level, our operating and financial performance, the amount of our current maturities and debt maturing in the next several years, and by prevailing credit market conditions. Moreover, if lenders or any future credit rating agency downgrade our credit rating, then we could experience increases in our borrowing costs, face difficulty accessing capital markets or incurring additional indebtedness, be unable to receive open credit from our suppliers and trade counterparties, be unable to benefit from swings in market prices and shifts in market structure during periods of volatility in the crude oil and natural gas markets or suffer a reduction in the market price of our Common Stock. If we are unable to access the capital markets on favorable terms at the time a debt obligation becomes due in the future. The price and terms upon which we might receive such extensions or additional bank credit, if at all, could be more onerous than those contained in existing debt agreements. Any such arrangements could, in turn, increase the risk that our leverage may adversely affect our future financial and operating flexibility and thereby impact our ability to pay cash distributions at expected rates. We may incur substantial additional indebtedness, which could further exacerbate the risks that we may face. Subject to the restrictions in the agreements that govern the Credit Agreement, we may incur substantial additional indebtedness (including secured indebtedness) in the future. These restrictions are subject to waiver and a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, and indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Any material increase in our level of indebtedness will have several important effects on our future operations, including, without limitation: • we would have additional cash requirements in order to support the payment of interest on our outstanding indebtedness; 15 • increases in our outstanding indebtedness and leverage would increase its vulnerability to adverse changes in general economic and industry conditions, as well as to competitive pressure; and • depending on the levels of our outstanding indebtedness, our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes could be limited. An increase in interest rates would increase the interest costs on our Credit Facilities and on our floating rate indebtedness and could impact adversely our ability to refinance existing indebtedness or to sell assets. Interest payments for borrowings under the Credit Facilities are based on floating rates. As a result, an increase in interest rates will reduce our cash flow available for other corporate purposes. Rising interest rates also could limit our ability to refinance existing indebtedness when it matures and increase interest costs on any indebtedness that is refinanced. We have and may continue to enter into agreements such as floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps, caps, floors and other hedging contracts in order to fully or partially hedge against the cash flow effects of changes in interest rates for floating rate debt. For example, effective October 1, 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap on a portion of our Term Loan, which swapped a portion of the principal amount which was accruing interest at a rate based on LIBOR for a fixed rate. However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our floating rate indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk. In addition, these agreements expose us to the risk that other parties to the agreements will not perform or that the agreements will be unenforceable. We are effectively self-insured against many potential liabilities. We maintain insurance policies covering a broad range of risks, including automobile liability, general liability, workers’ compensation and employee group health. However, these policies do not cover all possible claims and certain of the policies are subject to large deductibles. Accordingly, we are effectively self-insured for a substantial number of actual and potential claims. In addition, if any of our insurance carriers defaulted on their obligations to provide insurance coverage by reason of its insolvency or for other reasons, our exposure to claims would increase and our profits would be adversely affected. Our estimates for unpaid claims and expenses are based on known facts, historical trends and industry averages, utilizing the assistance of an actuary. The determination of such estimated liabilities and their appropriateness are reviewed and updated at least quarterly. However, these liabilities are difficult to assess and estimate due to many relevant factors, the effects of which are often unknown, including the severity of an injury or damage, the determination of liability in proportion to other parties, the timeliness of reported claims, the effectiveness of our risk management and safety programs and the terms and conditions of our insurance policies. Our accruals are based upon known facts, historical trends and our reasonable estimate of future expenses, and we believe such accruals are adequate. However, unknown or changing trends, risks or circumstances, such as increases in claims, a weakening economy, increases in medical costs, changes in case law or legislation, or changes in the nature of the work we perform, could render our current estimates and accruals inadequate. In such case, adjustments to our balance sheet may be required and these increased liabilities would be recorded in the period that the experience becomes known. Our costs of insurance coverage have steadily risen and the market, particularly for excess coverage, has hardened. Insurance carriers may be unwilling, in the future, to provide our current levels of coverage without a significant increase in insurance premiums and/or collateral requirements to cover our obligations to them. Increased collateral requirements may be in the form of additional letters of credit and/or cash, and an increase in collateral requirements could significantly reduce our liquidity. If insurance premiums continued to increase, and/or if insurance claims are higher than our estimates, our profitability could be adversely affected. Improperly managed projects or project delays may result in additional costs or claims against us, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, cash flows and liquidity. The quality of our performance on any given project depends in large part upon the ability of the project manager(s) to manage relationships and the project itself and to timely deploy appropriate resources, including both third-party contractors and our own personnel. Our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity could be adversely affected if a project manager or our personnel miscalculate the resources or time needed to complete a project with capped or fixed fees, or the resources or time needed to meet contractual milestones. Additionally, delays on a particular project, including delays in designs, engineering information or materials provided to us by the customer or a third party, delays or difficulties in equipment and material delivery, schedule changes, delays from failure to timely obtain permits or rights-of-way or to meet other regulatory requirements, weather-related delays, governmental, industry, political and other factors, some of which are beyond our control, could result in cancellations or deferrals of project work, which could lead to a decline in revenue, or, for project deferrals, could cause us to incur costs for standby pay, and could lead to personnel shortages on other projects scheduled to commence at a later date. 16 We could also encounter project delays due to local opposition, including political and social activism, which could include injunctive actions or public protests related to the siting of oil, natural gas, or electric power transmission lines or for power generation or other facilities, and such delays could adversely affect our project margins. In addition, some of our agreements require that we share in cost overages or pay liquidated damages if we do not meet project deadlines; therefore, any failure to properly estimate or manage cost, or delays in the completion of projects, could subject us to penalties, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Further, any defects or errors, or failures to meet our customers’ expectations, could result in reputational harm and large damage claims against us. Due to the substantial cost of, and potentially long lead-times necessary to acquire certain of the materials and equipment used in our complex projects, damage claims could substantially exceed the amount we can charge for our associated services. Risks Related to Our Contracts We may not accurately estimate the costs associated with services provided under fixed price contracts, which could impair our financial performance. A portion of our agreements with customers contain fixed price terms. Under these contracts, we typically set the price of our services on a per unit or aggregate basis and assume the risk that costs associated with our performance may be greater than what we estimated. We also enter into contracts for specific projects or jobs that require the installation or construction of an entire infrastructure system or specified units within an infrastructure system, many of which are priced on a fixed price or per unit basis. Profitability for these contracts will be reduced if actual costs to complete a project exceed our original estimates. If estimated costs to complete the remaining work for a project exceed the expected revenue to be earned, the full amount of any expected loss is recognized in the period the loss is determined. Our profitability on these contracts is therefore dependent upon our ability to accurately estimate the costs associated with our services and our ability to execute in accordance with our plans. A variety of factors could negatively affect these estimates, including changes in expected productivity levels, conditions at work sites differing materially from those anticipated at the time we propose on the contract, and higher than expected costs of labor and/or materials. These variations, along with other risks inherent in performing fixed price contracts, could cause actual project results to differ materially from our original estimates, which could result in lower margins than anticipated, or losses, which could reduce our profitability, cash flows and liquidity. A portion of our contracts allocate the risk of price increases in supplies to us. For certain contracts, including where we have assumed responsibility for procuring materials for a project, we are exposed to market risk of increases in certain commodity prices of materials, such as copper and steel, which are used as components of supplies or materials utilized in all of our operations. In addition, our customers’ capital budgets may be impacted by the prices of certain materials. These prices could be materially impacted by general market conditions and other factors, including U.S. trade relationships with other countries or the imposition of tariffs. We are also exposed to increases in energy prices, including as they relate to gasoline prices for our rolling-stock fleet of approximately 8,000 units. Additionally, the price of fuel required to run our vehicles and equipment is unpredictable and fluctuates based on events outside our control. Any increase in fuel costs could materially reduce our profitability and liquidity to the extent we are not able to adjust our pricing for such expenses. While we believe we can increase our prices to adjust for some price increases in commodities, there can be no assurance that price increases of commodities, if they were to occur, would be recoverable. Additionally, some of our fixed price contracts do not allow us to adjust our prices and, as a result, increases in material or fuel costs could reduce our profitability with respect to such projects. Some of our subsidiaries are government contractors, and they are subject to complex rules and regulations governing government contractors, and their contracts with government entities are subject to audit. Violations of the applicable rules and regulations could result in a subsidiary being barred from future government contracts. Government contractors must comply with many regulations and other requirements that relate to the award, administration and performance of these contracts, and government contracts are subject to audit. A violation of these laws and regulations could result in imposition of fines and penalties, the termination of a government contract or debarment from proposing on government contracts in the future. Further, despite our decentralized nature, a violation at one of our locations could impact other locations’ ability to propose on and perform government contracts. Additionally, because of our decentralized nature, we face risks in maintaining compliance with all local, state and federal government contracting requirements. Prohibition against proposing on future government contracts could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. 17 Our backlog is subject to reduction or cancellation, and revenues may be realized in different periods than initially reflected in our backlog. Our backlog includes the estimated unsatisfied performance obligations associated with the services to be performed under customer contracts. These estimates are based on contract terms and evaluations regarding the timing of the services to be provided. In many instances, our customers are not contractually committed to procure specific volumes of services under a contract. Revenue estimates reflected in our backlog can be subject to change due to a number of factors, including contract cancellations and contract changes made by our customers to the amount or nature of the work actually performed under a contract. In addition, revenue reflected in our backlog may be realized in periods different from those previously reported due to the factors above as well as project accelerations, or delays due to various reasons, including, but not limited to, customer scheduling changes, commercial issues such as permitting, engineering revisions, difficult job site conditions, and adverse weather. The amount or timing of our backlog can also be impacted by the merger or acquisition activity of our customers. As a result, our backlog as of any particular date is an uncertain indicator of the amount of or timing of future revenues and earnings. Some of our customers require surety bonds as a contract term and, accordingly, a portion of our business depends on our ability to provide surety bonds. Any difficulties in the financial and surety markets or in our ability to obtain surety bonds may cause a material adverse effect on our bonding capacity and, therefore, our capacity to compete for or work on projects. As of December 31, 2020, we had approximately $275 in outstanding construction surety bonds (bid, payment, and performance bonds) related to our projects that required an underlying surety bond. Historically, surety market conditions have experienced times of difficulty as a result of significant losses incurred by surety companies and the results of macroeconomic trends outside of our control. Consequently, during times when less overall bonding capacity is available in the market, surety terms have become more expensive and more restrictive. We cannot guarantee our ability to maintain a sufficient level of bonding capacity in the future, which could preclude our ability to propose for certain contracts or successfully contract with some customers. Our surety providers are under no commitment to guarantee us access to new bonds in the future; thus, our ability to access or increase bonding capacity is at the sole discretion of the providers. If our surety companies were to limit or eliminate our access to bonds, the alternatives would include seeking bonding capacity from other surety companies, increasing business with clients that do not require bonds, and posting other forms of collateral for project performance, such as letters of credit or cash. We may be unable to secure these alternatives in a timely manner, on acceptable terms, or at all. If we were to experience an interruption or reduction in the availability of bonding capacity as a result of these or any other reasons, we may be unable to compete for or work on the portion of projects available to us that require bonding. Additionally, even if we continue to access bonding capacity to sufficiently bond future projects, we may be required to post collateral to secure bonds, which would decrease the liquidity we would have available for other purposes. In some instances, we guarantee performance and completion of contracts entered into by our subsidiaries, which could subject us to additional costs. In some instances, we guarantee completion of a subsidiary’s contract or project by a specific date or price, cost savings, or achievement of certain performance standards. If a third party holding the guaranty seeks relief thereunder, we may be held responsible for performance under the subsidiary’s contract and costs resulting from the subsidiary’s failures. If we subsequently fail to meet such guarantees, such failure could result in our payment of liquidated or other damages. To the extent that any of these events occur, the total costs of a project could exceed the original estimated costs, and we would experience reduced profits or, in some cases, a loss. Risks Related to Our Workforce Our unionized workforce and related obligations could adversely affect our operations. These obligations may include cash contributions to meet our underfunded obligations in certain multiemployer pension plans. As of December 31, 2020, approximately 43.8% of our employees were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The terms of these agreements limit our discretion in the management of covered employees and our ability to nimbly implement changes in the terms and conditions of employment to meet business needs. Certain of our unionized employees have participated in strikes and work stoppages in the past, and we cannot be certain that strikes or work stoppages will not occur in the future. Strikes or work stoppages could adversely impact relationships with our customers and could cause us to lose business and experience a decline in revenues. Our ability to complete future acquisitions also could be adversely affected because of our union status for a variety of reasons. For instance, our union agreements may be incompatible with the union agreements of a business we want to acquire, and some businesses may not want to become affiliated with a union-based company. Moreover, certain of our customers require or prefer a non- 18 union workforce, and they may reduce the amount of work assigned to us if our non-union labor crews become unionized, which could negatively affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Additionally, our collective bargaining agreements generally require us to participate with other companies in multiemployer pension plans. To the extent those plans are underfunded, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980, may subject us to substantial liabilities under those plans if we withdraw from them or they are terminated or experience a mass withdrawal. In connection with our acquisitions, we may be required to increase our exposure to withdrawal liabilities for underfunded multiemployer pension plans to which an acquired company historically contributed or presently contributes. Our future contribution obligations and potential withdrawal liability exposure with respect to these plans could increase significantly based on the investment and actuarial performance of those plans, the insolvency of other companies that contribute to those plans and other factors, which could be negatively impacted as a result of the unfavorable and uncertain economic and financial market conditions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and related issues. In addition, certain plans to which we contribute or may contribute in the future are in “endangered,” “seriously endangered” or “critical” status. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 added special funding and operational rules generally applicable to plan years beginning after 2007 for multiemployer plans that are classified as “endangered,” “seriously endangered” or “critical” status based on multiple factors (including, for example, the plan’s funded percentage, cash flow position and whether it is projected to experience a minimum funding deficiency). Plans in these classifications must adopt measures to improve their funded status through a funding improvement or rehabilitation plan, as applicable, which may require additional contributions from employers (which may take the form of a surcharge on benefit contributions) and/or modifications to retiree benefits. The amount of additional funds, if any, that we may be obligated to contribute to these plans in the future cannot be estimated due to uncertainty of the future levels of work that require the specific use of union employees covered by these plans, as well as the future contribution levels and possible surcharges on contributions applicable to these plans. We maintain a workforce based upon current and anticipated workloads. We could incur significant costs and reduced profitability from underutilization of our workforce if we do not receive future contract awards, if contract awards are delayed, or if there is a significant reduction in the level of services we provide. Shortages of skilled labor could impede our ability to provide timely, cost-effective services to our customers Our estimates of future performance and results of operations depend, among other factors, on whether and when we receive new contract awards, which affect the extent to which we are able to utilize our workforce. The rate at which we utilize our workforce is affected by a variety of factors, including our ability to forecast the need for our services, which allows us to maintain an appropriately sized workforce, our ability to transition employees from completed projects to new projects or between internal business groups, our ability to manage attrition, and our need to devote resources to non-chargeable activities such as training or business development. While our estimates are based upon our good faith judgment, professional knowledge and experience, these estimates may not be accurate and may frequently change based on newly available information. In the case of large-scale projects where timing is often uncertain, it is particularly difficult to predict whether and when we will receive a contract award. The uncertainty of contract award timing can present difficulties in matching our workforce size to our project needs. If an expected contract award is delayed or not received, we could incur significant costs and reduced profitability resulting from underutilization of our workforce, redundancy of facilities, or from efforts to right-size our workforce and/or operations, which could reduce our profitability and cash flows. Conversely, general trends in our industry suggest that we may face a shortage of skilled workers in the mid- to long-term. Competition in the market for labor could drive up our costs, reduce our profitability, or impact our ability to deliver timely service to our customers. Risks Related to Our Customer Base We serve customers who are involved in energy exploration, production and transportation, and adverse developments affecting activities in these industries, including sustained low or further reduced oil or natural gas prices, reduced demand for oil and natural gas products, or increased regulation of exploration and production, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Our energy and infrastructure businesses depend on energy industry participants’ willingness to make operating and capital expenditures to build pipelines to transport oil and natural gas and the development and production of oil and natural gas in the United States. The level of activity in the new construction of oil and natural gas pipelines, oil and natural gas exploration and production in the U.S. has been volatile. A reduction in these activities generally results in decreased demand for our support services in that industry. Therefore, if these expenditures decline, our business is likely to be adversely affected. 19 During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prices of crude oil and related products dropped substantially in 2020. This price and demand volatility impacted the level of work customers were undertaking. However, the price of crude oil and related products have largely recovered in 2021, and remain uncertain. This uncertainty is heightened by the potential for significant change in energy policy under the Biden administration. If crude oil prices fall or experience further volatility, energy and production companies, pipeline owners and operators and public utility or local distribution companies in the regions we conduct our business may reduce or delay capital spending to expand or maintain their pipelines or oil and natural gas production. Decreases in production related field activities could have an adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, demand for services, and cash flows. A portion of our future growth is based on the ability and willingness of public and private entities to invest in infrastructure. A portion of our current business and a portion of our future growth is expected to result from public and private investments in infrastructure. As a result, reduced or delayed spending, including the impact of government sequestration programs or other changes in budget priorities could result in the deferral, delay or disruption of our projects. These potential events could also impact our ability to be timely paid for our current services, which could adversely affect our cash flows and margins. Risks Related to Our Occupational Hazards Our businesses at times perform services under challenging conditions involving factors outside of our control. The challenging conditions we encounter may include, without limitation, (i) hard to reach terrain and difficult site conditions; (ii) challenging engineering, procurement and construction phases, which may occur over extended time periods; (iii) difficulties or delays in designs or materials provided by the customer or a third party; (iv) equipment and material delivery delays; (v) schedule changes; (vi) delays from customer failure to timely obtain rights-of-way; (vii) weather-related delays, (viii) COVID-19-related changes to working conditions or disruptions; and (ix) delays by subcontractors in completing their portion of the project. Performing services under such conditions can result in project delays or cancellations, potentially causing us to incur unanticipated costs, reductions in revenue or the payment of liquidated damages. In addition, some of our contracts require that we assume the risk should actual site conditions vary from those expected. In some cases, delays and additional costs may be substantial, and we may be required to cancel a project and/or compensate the customer for the delay. We may not be able to recover any of such costs. Any such delays, cancellations, errors or other failures to meet customer expectations could result in damage claims substantially in excess of the revenue associated with a project. Delays or cancellations could also negatively affect our reputation or relationships with our customers, which could adversely affect our ability to secure new contracts. Our business is subject to operational hazards due to the nature of services we provide and the conditions in which we operate, including electricity, fires, explosions, mechanical failures and weather-related incidents. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, establishes certain employer responsibilities, including maintenance of a workplace free of recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious injury, compliance with standards promulgated by OSHA and various recordkeeping, disclosure and procedural requirements. Various standards, including standards for notices of hazards and safety, may apply to our operations. We incur capital and operating expenditures and other costs in the ordinary course of business in complying with OSHA and other state and local laws and regulations, and could incur penalties and fines in the future, including, in extreme cases, criminal sanctions. While we invest substantial resources in occupational health and safety programs, the construction industry involves a high degree of operational risk, and there can be no assurance that we will avoid significant liability. Although we have taken what we believe to be appropriate precautions, we have had employee injuries and fatalities in the past and may suffer additional injuries or fatalities in the future. Serious accidents of this nature may subject us to substantial penalties, civil litigation or criminal prosecution. Personal injury claims for damages, including for bodily injury or loss of life, could result in substantial costs and liabilities, which could materially and adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, if our safety record were to deteriorate, or if we suffered substantial penalties or criminal prosecution for violation of health and safety regulations, customers could cancel existing contracts and not award future business to us, which could materially adversely affect our liquidity, cash flows and results of operations. If we were not able to successfully resolve such issues, our ability to service our customers could be damaged, which could lead to a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Construction projects undertaken by us expose our employees to electrical lines, pipelines carrying potentially explosive or toxic materials, heavy equipment, transportation accidents, adverse weather conditions and the risk of damage to equipment and property. 20 These hazards, among others, can cause personal injuries and loss of life, severe damage to or destruction of property and equipment and other consequential damages and could lead to suspension of operations and large damage claims which could, in some cases, substantially exceed the amount we charge for the associated services. In addition, if serious accidents or fatalities occur, or if our safety records were to deteriorate, we may be restricted from proposing on certain work or obtaining new contracts, and certain existing contracts could be terminated. Our safety processes and procedures are monitored by various agencies and ratings bureaus. The occurrence of accidents in the course of our business could result in significant liabilities, employee turnover, increase the costs of our projects or harm our ability to perform under our contracts or enter into new customer contracts, all of which may subject us to liabilities, affect customer relationships, result in higher operating costs, negatively impact employee morale and result in higher employee turnover and could materially adversely affect our profitability and our consolidated financial condition. Claims and Litigation Risks We are and may become subject to periodic litigation which may adversely affect our business and financial performance. We are subject to various lawsuits, administrative proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. We could be party to class and collective actions, along with other complex legal disputes, that could materially impact our business by requiring, among other things, unanticipated management attention, significant attorney fees and settlement spend, or operational adjustments implemented in response to a settlement, court order or to mitigate future exposure. We may have litigation in a variety of matters, some matters may be unpredictable or unanticipated, and the frequency and severity of litigation could increase. Because lawsuits are inherently unpredictable, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgements about future events. A judgement that is not covered by insurance or that is significantly in excess of our insurance coverage could materially adversely affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations. We are exposed to product liability, workmanship warranty, casualty, negligence, construction defect, breach of contract and other claims and legal proceedings. From time to time, we are subject to product liability, workmanship warranty, casualty, negligence, construction defect, breach of contract and other claims and legal proceedings relating to the products we install that, if adversely determined, could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with most of the products we install. Because we do not have direct control over the quality of such products manufactured or supplied by such third-party suppliers, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of such products. In addition, we are exposed to potential claims arising from the conduct of our employees, and other subcontractors, for which we may be contractually liable. We have in the past been, and may in the future be, subject to liabilities in connection with injury, death, or damage incurred in conjunction with the installation of our products. Although we currently maintain what we believe to be suitable and adequate insurance, we may be unable to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms or such insurance may not provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. Such claims and legal proceedings can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for significant periods of time, regardless of the ultimate outcome. In addition, lawsuits relating to construction defects typically have statutes of limitations that can run as long as ten years. Claims of this nature could also have a negative impact on customer confidence in our businesses and services. Current or future claims could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, consolidated financial condition and results of operations. We are and may become subject to periodic regulatory proceedings, including Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”) and state wage and hour class action lawsuits, which may adversely affect our business and financial performance. Pending and future wage and hour litigation, including claims relating to the Fair Labor Standards Act, analogous state laws, or other state wage and hour laws could result in significant attorney fees and settlement costs. Resolution of non-litigated alleged wage and hour violations could also negatively impact our performance. The potential settlement of, or awards of damages for, such claims also could materially impact our financial performance as could operational adjustments implemented in response to a settlement, court order or in an effort to mitigate future exposure. Additionally, an increased volume of alleged statutory violations or matters referred to an agency for potential resolution could result in significant attorney fees and settlement costs that could, in the aggregate, materially impact our financial performance. Our contracts contain provisions that may require us to pay damages or incur costs if we fail to meet our contractual obligations. 21 If we do not meet our contractual obligations, our customers may look to us to pay damages or pursue other remedies, including, in some instances, the payment of liquidated damages. Additionally, if we fail to meet our contractual obligations, or if our customer anticipates that we cannot meet our contractual obligations, our customers may, in certain circumstances, seek reimbursement from us to cover the incremental cost of having a third party complete or remediate our work. Our results of operations could be adversely affected if we are required to pay damages or incur costs as a result of a failure to meet our contractual obligations. Risks Related to the Industries in Which We Operate We have significant operations in the construction industry, which is highly competitive, and our failure to effectively compete could reduce our market share and harm our financial performance. The construction industry is highly fragmented, and we compete with other companies in each of the markets in which we operate, ranging from small independent firms servicing local markets to larger firms servicing regional and national markets. We also compete with existing and prospective customers who perform some of the services we offer, which could reduce the amount of services we perform for our customers. There are relatively few barriers to entry for certain of the services we provide and, as a result, any organization that has adequate financial resources and access to technical expertise and skilled personnel may become a competitor. Further, smaller competitors are more susceptible to consolidation. Consolidation of smaller entities could create larger national competitors which could adversely affect our business or profitability. Most of our customers’ work is awarded through proposal processes. Consequently, price is often a significant factor that determines whether we are awarded the project, especially on smaller, less complex projects. Smaller competitors may have an advantage against us based on price alone due to their lower costs and financial return requirements. Additionally, our proposals for certain projects may depend on customer perception, including our perceived relative ability to perform the work as compared to our competitors or a customer’s perception of technological advantages held by our competitors as well as other factors. Our market share and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected if we are unsuccessful in proposing on projects or renewing our master service agreements, or if our ability to be awarded such projects or agreements requires that we accept less desirable terms, including lower margins. Our businesses are dependent on levels of construction activity and an economic downturn in that industry could materially and adversely affect our business. The demand for our services – including without limitation general construction, safety services, electrical utility transmission buildouts, grid connections, and pipeline construction – is substantially dependent upon the existence of construction projects across multiple markets including energy and infrastructure, commercial, and industrial. Any period of economic recession affecting the volume or size of those projects is likely to adversely impact our business. Many of the projects that require our services involve long timelines from conception to completion, and many of the services that we offer are required later in the project’s lifecycle. Consequently, some of our businesses experience the results of economic trends later in an economic cycle. The construction industry and individual markets within that industry have historically been vulnerable to macroeconomic downturns and we expect that will continue to be the case. The industry is traditionally cyclical in nature and economic downturns can adversely affect the willingness and ability of our customers to commit to capital expenditures. Such a decline would likely reduce the demand for certain of our services. For example, the market for hydrocarbons has historically experienced significant volatility since 2015 and this volatility has continued during the COVID-19 pandemic. To the extent that energy producers reduce exploration, development or refining activities in response to changes in their respective markets, the demand for our services would be adversely affected. In the past, reductions in new housing starts have also negatively affected the construction industry. Generally, when demand for our services is reduced, it leads to greater price competition and decreased revenue and profit, any of which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and liquidity. The industries we serve, including the construction industry, can be seasonal, cyclical and affected by weather conditions at project sites and other variations, the combined effects of which can potentially delay cash flows and adversely impact our results of operations. Our revenue and results of operations can be subject to seasonal and other variations. These variations are influenced by various factors, including weather, customer spending patterns, proposal seasons, project schedules, holidays and timing, in particular, for large, non-recurring projects. In particular, many of the construction projects that demand our services include significant portions of outdoor work. As a result, seasonal changes and adverse weather conditions can adversely affect our business operations through 22 declines in demand for our services and alterations and delays in applicable schedules. Adverse weather conditions such as extended rainy and cold weather in the spring and fall can reduce demand for our products and reduce sales or render our contracting operations less efficient resulting in under-utilization of crews and equipment and lower contract profitability. Although our projects are geographically dispersed across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Europe, extreme weather patterns or events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms and heavy snows could also adversely impact a substantial number of projects and affect our revenues and profitability. Warmer and drier weather during the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year typically results in higher activity and revenues during those quarters. Our first and second fiscal quarters typically have lower levels of activity due to weather conditions. A cool, wet spring increases drying time on projects, which can delay sales in our third fiscal quarter, while a warm dry spring may enable earlier project startup. Furthermore, the industries we serve can be cyclical in nature. Fluctuations in end-user demand within those industries, or in the supply of services within those industries, can affect demand for our services. As a result, our business may be adversely affected by industry declines or by delays in new projects. Variations or unanticipated changes in project schedules in connection with large construction and installation projects can create fluctuations in revenue and could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our ability to collect payments on contracts (at milestones, modifications, and completion) is often dependent on the occurrence of a preceding payment to our customer (by, for example, a project owner or general contractor) and on the financial health of our customer. Our inability to collect could negatively affect our business. At times, it can be difficult for us to collect payments owed to us by customers. Slowing conditions in the overall economy or in the industries we serve, customer difficulties in obtaining project financing, and bankruptcies at times could impair the financial condition of one or more of our customers and hinder their ability to pay us on a timely basis or at all. In certain cases, our clients are project-specific entities that do not have significant assets other than their interests in the project. To the extent that any of our contracts require customers to pay at specific milestones or at the end of a project, our ability to timely identify these difficulties and pare back our expenses and resources could be further impaired. In the past, we incurred losses after customers filed for bankruptcy or experienced financial difficulties following a general economic downturn, in which certain industry factors worsened the effect of the overall economic downturn on those customers. In difficult economic times, some of our clients may find it difficult to pay for our services on a timely basis, increasing the risk that our accounts receivable could become uncollectible and ultimately be written off. Even mere delays in client payments may require us to make a working capital investment, which could negatively affect our cash flows and liquidity. If a client fails to pay us on a timely basis or defaults in making payments on a project for which we have devoted significant resources, it could materially and adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. We routinely present contract change orders to our clients and subcontractors for changes in contract specifications or requirements, and at times the work specified in the change order is performed before the change order is executed. Claims can also be caused by non-customer-caused changes, such as rain or other weather delays. In some cases, settlement of contract modifications may not occur until after completion of work under the contract. A failure to promptly negotiate and execute substantial or multiple contract modifications could negatively impact our cash flows, and reductions in our ability to recover contract modifications could have a negative impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. A failure in the systems we construct and install, whether due to employee acts or omissions or faulty workmanship or design, may subject us to significant liability. Our business involves professional judgments regarding the planning, design, development, construction, operations and management of electric power transmission, communications and pipeline infrastructure. Because our projects are often technically complex, our failure to make judgments and recommendations in accordance with applicable professional standards, including engineering standards, could result in damages. A significantly adverse or catastrophic event at a project site or completed project resulting from the services we performed could result in significant professional or product liability, personal injury (including claims for loss of life) or property damage claims or other claims against us, as well as reputational harm. These liabilities could exceed our insurance limits or could impact our ability to obtain third-party insurance in the future. In addition, customers, subcontractors or suppliers who have agreed to indemnify us against any such liabilities or losses might refuse or be unable to pay us. An uninsured claim, either in part or in whole, if successful and of a material magnitude, could have a substantial impact on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Because many of our services are intended to protect lives and real and personal property, we may have greater exposure to litigation risks than businesses that provide other services. For example, with respect to our safety services, we could face liability for failure to respond adequately to alarm activations, failure of our safety systems to operate as expected, or losses caused by erroneous alarm activations. Many of our businesses perform services at large projects and industrial facilities where accidents or system failures can be disastrous and costly. The nature of the services we provide exposes us to the risks that we may be held liable for employee acts or omissions, faulty construction or system failures. We work to include contractual provisions limiting our liability for our 23 installation and monitoring services, and we typically maintain liability insurance to cover losses if our services fail to satisfy applicable requirements and standards. However, in the event of litigation, it is possible that contract limitations may be deemed inapplicable or unenforceable, that our insurance coverage is insufficient, or that insurance carriers deny coverage of our claims. Any claim, regardless of its merit or eventual outcome, could result in substantial costs, divert management’s attention and create negative publicity, particularly for claims relating to environmental matters where the amount of the claim could be extremely large. As a result, such employee acts or omissions, faulty construction or system failures could have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. If a customer or third party believes that he or she has suffered harm to person or property due to an actual or alleged act or omission of one or more of our employees, faulty construction, or a failure of a system we installed, then they may pursue legal action against us. Under our contracts with customers, we may guarantee the work performed against, among other things, defects in workmanship, and we may agree to indemnify our customers for losses related to our services and materials. As much of the work we perform is inspected by our customers for any defects in construction prior to acceptance of the project, the claims that we have historically received have not been substantial. Additionally, materials used in construction are often provided by the customer or are warranted against defects by the supplier. If customer claims occur, we generally would be obligated to re-perform the services and/or repair or replace the item and any other facilities impacted thereby, at our sole expense, and we could also be responsible for other damages if we are not able to adequately satisfy customer claims. In addition, we may be required under contractual arrangements with our customers to honor any defects or failures in materials we provide. While we generally require the materials suppliers to provide us warranties or indemnification that are consistent with those we provide to our customers, if any of these suppliers default on their obligations to us, we may incur costs to repair or replace the defective materials. Costs incurred as a result of claims could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our failure to comply with environmental laws could result in significant liabilities and increased environmental regulations could result in increased costs. We often perform services in and around environmentally-sensitive areas. These areas include underground environments and areas in proximity to rivers, lakes and wetlands. Likewise, we perform directional drilling operations below certain environmentally-sensitive terrains and water bodies. It is possible that such directional drilling may cause a surface fracture, resulting in the release of subsurface materials. These subsurface materials may contain contaminants in excess of amounts permitted by law, potentially exposing us to remediation costs and fines. Our work may also cause unanticipated environmental damage or risks to employees, customers, or public health. If the field location maps supplied to us are not accurate, or if objects are present in the soil that are not indicated on the field location maps, our underground work could strike objects in the soil, some of which may contain pollutants. These objects may also rupture, resulting in the discharge of pollutants. In such circumstances, we may be liable for fines and damages, and we may be unable to obtain reimbursement from the parties providing the incorrect information. Additionally, we own and lease several facilities at which we store our equipment. Some of these facilities contain fuel storage tanks that are above or below ground. If these tanks were to leak, we could be responsible for the cost of remediation as well as potential fines. This work subjects us to various environmental laws and regulations, including those dealing with the handling and disposal of waste products, PCBs, industrial chemicals, fuel storage, water quality and air quality. New laws and regulations, stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or leaks, the discovery of previously unknown risks of materials or chemicals, or the imposition of new clean-up requirements could require us to incur significant costs or become the basis for new or increased liabilities that could negatively impact our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In certain instances, we have obtained indemnification or covenants from third parties (including predecessors or lessors) for such clean-up and other obligations and liabilities. However, such third-party indemnities or covenants may not cover all of our costs and the indemnitors may not pay amounts owed to us, and such unanticipated obligations or liabilities, or future obligations and liabilities, may have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Further, we cannot be certain that we will be able to identify or be indemnified for all potential environmental liabilities relating to any acquired business. Certain of our businesses are party to asbestos-related litigation that could adversely affect our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Certain of our businesses, along with numerous other third parties, are named as defendants in personal injury lawsuits based on alleged exposure to asbestos containing materials. These cases typically involve product liability claims based primarily on allegations of sale, distribution, installation or use of industrial products that either contained asbestos or were used with asbestos containing components. We cannot predict with certainty the extent to which we will be successful in litigating or otherwise resolving lawsuits in the future and we continue to evaluate different strategies related to asbestos claims filed against us including entity restructuring and 24 judicial relief. Unfavorable rulings, judgments or settlement terms could have a material adverse impact on our business and consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The amounts we have recorded for asbestos-related liabilities in the consolidated statements of financial position are based on our current strategy for resolving asbestos claims, currently available information, and a number of variables, estimates and assumptions. Key variables and assumptions include the number and type of new claims that are filed each year, the average cost of resolution of claims, the identity of defendants and the resolution of coverage issues with insurance carriers, amount of insurance, and the solvency risk with respect to our insurance carriers. Many of these factors are closely linked, such that a change in one variable or assumption will impact one or more of the others, and no single variable or assumption predominately influences the determination of our asbestos-related liabilities and insurance-related assets. Furthermore, predictions with respect to these variables are subject to greater uncertainty in the later portion of the projection period. Other factors that may affect our liability and cash payments for asbestos-related matters include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, reforms of state or federal tort legislation and the applicability of insurance policies among subsidiaries. As a result, actual liabilities or insurance recoveries could be significantly higher or lower than those recorded if assumptions used in our calculations vary significantly from actual results. If actual liabilities are significantly higher than those recorded, the cost of resolving such liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure and Ownership of Our Stock We operate as a holding company and our principal source of operating cash is income received from our subsidiaries. We have a holding company structure and do not have any material assets or operations other than ownership of equity interests of our subsidiaries. Our operations are conducted almost entirely through our subsidiaries, and our ability to generate cash to meet our obligations or to pay dividends is highly dependent on the earnings of, and receipt of funds from, our subsidiaries through dividends or intercompany loans. As a result, we are dependent on the income generated by our subsidiaries to meet our expenses and operating cash requirements. The amount of distributions and dividends, if any, which may be paid from APG and its subsidiaries to us will depend on many factors, including APG’s results of operations and consolidated financial condition, its constitutional documents, documents governing any indebtedness of us or APG, limits on dividends under applicable law, and other factors which may be outside of our control. If our subsidiaries are unable to generate sufficient cash flow, we may be unable to pay our expenses or make distributions and dividends on the Common Stock. We have equity instruments outstanding that would require us to issue additional shares of Common Stock. Therefore, you may experience significant dilution of your ownership interests and the future issuance of additional shares of our Common Stock, or the anticipation of such issuances, could have an adverse effect on our stock price. As of December 31, 2020, we had 4,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, which are convertible into shares of our Common Stock on a one-for-one basis, at any time at the option of the holder . We will be obligated to pay dividends on our 4,000,000 outstanding shares of Preferred Stock based on the market price of our Common Stock if such market price exceeds certain trading price minimums. These dividends are payable in cash or shares of our Common Stock, at our sole option (which we intend to settle in shares). The issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Stock will reduce (by the applicable proportion) the percentage stockholdings of those stockholders holding Common Stock prior to such issuance which may reduce your net return on your investment in our Common Stock. On December 31, 2020, we approved a stock dividend of 12,447,912 shares of Common Stock with respect to the Series A Preferred Stock, which represented 20% of the appreciation of the average market price per share of Common Stock over our initial public offering price of $10.00 multiplied by 141,194,638 (being the Preferred Share Dividend Equivalent as defined in our certificate of incorporation). The dividend price was $17.8829 (calculated based upon the volume weighted average share price over the last ten trading days of the year). In subsequent years, the dividend amount will be calculated based on the appreciated stock price compared to the highest dividend price previously used in calculating the Series A Preferred Stock dividend. Such issuance of Common Stock as stock dividend could have a dilutive impact on, and reduce the value of, the outstanding Common Stock. In addition, we have various outstanding equity awards to employees and directors under the APi Group Corporation 2019 Equity Incentive Plan. As of December 31, 2020, we had 15.5 million shares of Common Stock available under this Plan. We may also issue additional shares of our Common Stock or other securities that are convertible into or exercisable for our Common Stock in connection with future acquisitions, future issuances of our securities for capital raising purposes or for other business purposes. Future sales by us of substantial amounts of our Common Stock, or the perception that sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common Stock. 25 We may issue preferred stock in the future, and the terms of the preferred stock may reduce the value of our Common Stock. Under the terms of our certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors is authorized to create and issue one or more additional series of preferred stock, and, with respect to each series, to determine number of shares constituting the series and the designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof, which may include dividend rights, conversion or exchange rights, voting rights, redemption rights and terms and liquidation preferences, without stockholder approval. If we create and issue one or more additional series of preferred stock, it could affect your rights or reduce the value of our outstanding Common Stock. Our Board of Directors could, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our Common Stock and which could have certain anti-takeover effects. If securities or industry analysts either do not publish research about us, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us, our businesses could be adversely impacted or, if such analysts change their recommendations regarding our Common Stock adversely, our stock price or trading volume could decline. The trading market for our Common Stock is influenced in part by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us, our businesses, our market, or our competitors. If one or more of the analysts initiate research with an unfavorable rating or downgrade our Common Stock, provide more favorable recommendations about our competitors, or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our businesses, the trading price of our Common Stock would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover us were to cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price or trading volume to decline. We cannot assure you that we will declare dividends or have the available cash to make dividend payments. To the extent we intend to pay dividends on our Common Stock, we will pay such dividends at such times (if any) and in such amounts (if any) as the Board determines appropriate and in accordance with applicable law and in accordance with restrictions included in our Credit Agreements. Payments of such dividends will be dependent on the generation of sufficient cash flow from operations to fund any potential dividend payment. We can therefore give no assurance that we will be able to pay dividends going forward or as to the amount of such dividends, if any. Delaware law and our organizational documents contain certain provisions, including anti-takeover provisions, which limit the ability of stockholders to take certain actions and could delay or discourage takeover attempts that stockholders may consider favorable. Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the Delaware General Corporate Law (“DGCL”), contain provisions that could have the effect of rendering more difficult, delaying, or preventing an acquisition deemed undesirable by our Board of Directors and therefore depress the trading price of our Common Stock. These provisions could also make it difficult for stockholders to take certain actions, including electing directors who are not nominated by the current members of our Board of Directors or taking other corporate actions, including effecting changes in our management. These provisions, alone or together, could delay or prevent hostile takeovers and changes in control or changes in our Board of Directors or management. In addition, Section 203 of the DGCL restricts certain “business combinations” with “interested stockholders” for three years following the date that a person becomes an interested stockholder unless: (1) the “business combination” or the transaction which caused the person or entity to become an interested stockholder is approved by the Board of Directors prior to such business combination or transactions; (2) upon the completion of the transaction in which the person or entity becomes an “interested stockholder,” such interested stockholder holds at least 85% of our voting stock not including (i) shares held by officers and directors and (ii) shares held by employee benefit plans under certain circumstances; or (3) at or after the person or entity becomes an “interested stockholder,” the “business combination” is approved by the Board of Directors and holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock, excluding shares held by such interested stockholder. A Delaware corporation may elect not to be governed by Section 203. We have not made such an election. Our stockholders may be required to bring certain actions or proceedings relating to us in the Delaware Court of Chancery and certain actions asserting claims arising under the Securities Act in the federal district courts of the United States. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the Delaware Court of Chancery is the sole and exclusive forum for: (1) derivative actions or proceedings brought on behalf of us; (2) actions asserting a claim of fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or employees to us or our stockholders; (3) civil actions to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; or (4) actions asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Under our certificate of incorporation, if the Delaware Court of Chancery lacks jurisdiction over any of 26 the foregoing actions or proceedings, then the sole and exclusive forum for such actions or proceedings will be another state or federal court located in the State of Delaware, as long as such court has jurisdiction over the parties. These Delaware forum provisions require our stockholders to bring certain types of actions and proceedings relating to Delaware law in the Delaware Court of Chancery or another state or federal court located in the State of Delaware and therefore may prevent our stockholders from bringing such actions or proceedings in another court that a stockholder may view as more convenient, cost-effective or advantageous to the stockholder or the claims made in such action or proceeding, or may discourage them from bringing such actions or proceedings. In addition, pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, unless we consent in writing to an alternative forum, the U.S. federal district courts will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for any action asserting a claim arising under the Securities Act. This forum provision prevents our stockholders from bringing claims arising under the Securities Act in state court, which court our stockholders may view as more convenient, cost effective or advantageous to the claims made in such action and therefore may discourage such actions. In addition, while the Delaware Supreme Court has recently upheld provisions of the certificates of incorporation of other Delaware corporations that are similar to this forum provision, a court of a state other than the State of Delaware could decide that such provisions are not enforceable under the laws of that state. Neither the Delaware nor the Securities Act forum provisions are intended by us to limit the forums available to our stockholders for actions or proceedings asserting claims arising under the Exchange Act. General Risk Factors Our stock price may be volatile and, as a result, you could lose a significant portion or all of your investment. The market price of our Common Stock on the NYSE may fluctuate as a result of several factors, including the following: • our operating and financial performance and prospects; • variations in our quarterly operating results or those of other companies in our industries; • volatility in our industries, the industries of our customers and suppliers and the securities markets; • risks relating to our businesses and industries, including those discussed above; • strategic actions by us or our competitors; • damage to our reputation, including as a result of issues relating to the quality or safety of the services we provide and systems we install; • actual or expected changes in our growth rates or our competitors’ growth rates; • investor perception of us, the industries in which we operate, the investment opportunity associated with the Common Stock and our future performance; • addition to or departure of our executive officers; • changes in financial estimates or publication of research reports by analysts regarding our Common Stock, other comparable companies or our industries generally, or termination of coverage of our Common Stock by analysts; • our failure to meet estimates or forecasts made by analysts, if any; • trading volume of our Common Stock; • future sales of our Common Stock by us or our stockholders; • economic, legal and regulatory factors unrelated to our performance; • adverse or new pending litigation against us; • the release or expiration of lock-up or other transfer restrictions on our outstanding Common Stock; or • issuance of future annual Preferred Stock dividends which are intended to be settled in Common Stock. Furthermore, the stock markets often experience significant price and volume fluctuations that have affected and continue to affect the market prices of equity securities of many companies. These fluctuations often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of those companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political and market conditions such as recessions or interest rate changes may cause the market price of our Common Stock to decline. 27 In the event of a cybersecurity incident, we could experience operational interruptions, incur substantial additional costs, become subject to legal or regulatory proceedings or suffer damage to our reputation. In addition to the disruptions that may occur from interruptions in our information technology systems, cybersecurity threats and sophisticated and targeted cyberattacks pose a risk to our information technology systems and the systems that we design and install. We have established security policies, processes and defenses designed to help identify and protect against intentional and unintentional misappropriation or corruption of our information technology systems, disruption of our operations or the secure operation of the systems we install. Despite these efforts, our information technology systems may be damaged, disrupted or shut down due to attacks by unauthorized access, malicious software, computer viruses, undetected intrusion, hardware failures or other events, and in these circumstances our disaster recovery plans may be ineffective or inadequate. These breaches or intrusions could lead to business interruption, exposure of proprietary or confidential information, data corruption, damage to our reputation, exposure to legal and regulatory proceedings and other costs. Such events could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, we could be adversely affected if any of our significant customers or suppliers experiences any similar events that disrupt their business operations or damage their reputation. We maintain monitoring practices and protections of our information technology to reduce these risks and test our systems on an ongoing basis for potential threats. There can be no assurance, however, that our efforts will prevent the risk of a security breach of our databases or systems that could adversely affect our business. Our financial results are based, in part, upon estimates and assumptions that may differ from actual results. In addition, changes in accounting principles may cause unexpected fluctuations in our reported financial information. In preparing our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, our management made a number of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions must be made because certain information used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements is either dependent on future events or cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available. In some cases, these estimates are particularly uncertain, and we must exercise significant judgment. Furthermore, some of the inherent estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair value of our reporting units are outside the control of management, including interest rates, cost of capital, tax rates, industry growth, credit ratings, foreign exchange rates, and labor inflation. Key estimates include: the recognition of revenue and project profit or loss, which we define as project revenue, less project costs of revenue, including project-related depreciation, in particular, on construction contracts accounted for under the cost-to-cost method, for which the recorded amounts require estimates of costs to complete and the amount of variable consideration included in the contract transaction price; allowances for doubtful accounts; fair value estimates, including those related to acquisitions, valuations of goodwill and intangible assets, acquisition-related contingent consideration and equity investments; asset lives used in computing depreciation and amortization; fair values of financial instruments; self-insurance liabilities; other accruals and allowances; income taxes; and the estimated effects of litigation and other contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that we use, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. In addition, accounting rules and regulations are subject to review and interpretation by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”), the SEC and various other governing bodies. A change in GAAP could have a significant effect on our reported financial results. Additionally, the adoption of new or revised accounting principles could require that we make significant changes to our systems, processes and controls. We cannot predict the effect of future changes to accounting principles, which could have a significant effect on our reported financial results and/or our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. The loss of key senior management personnel or the failure to hire and retain highly skilled personnel could negatively affect our business. We depend on our senior management and other key personnel to operate our businesses. We also rely on other highly skilled personnel. Competition for qualified personnel in our industries, especially with respect to specialized projects or unique skill sets in applicable trades, is intense. The loss of any of our executive officers or other key employees or the inability to identify, hire, train, retain, and manage skilled personnel, could harm our business. Increases in healthcare costs could adversely affect our financial results. The costs of providing employee medical benefits have steadily increased over a number of years due to, among other things, rising healthcare costs and legislative requirements. Because of the complex nature of healthcare laws, as well as periodic healthcare reform legislation adopted by Congress, state legislatures, and municipalities, we cannot predict with certainty the future effect of these laws on our healthcare costs. Continued increases in healthcare costs or additional costs created by future health care reform 28 laws adopted by Congress, state legislatures, or municipalities could adversely affect our consolidated results of operations and financial position. Misconduct by our employees, subcontractors or partners or our overall failure to comply with laws or regulations could harm our reputation, damage our relationships with customers, reduce our revenue and profits, and subject us to criminal and civil enforcement actions. Misconduct, fraud, non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations, or other improper activities by one or more of our employees, subcontractors or partners could have a significant negative impact on our business and reputation. Examples of such misconduct include employee or subcontractor theft, the failure to comply with safety standards, laws and regulations, customer requirements, environmental laws and any other applicable laws or regulations. While we maintain policies and procedures to prevent and detect these activities, such precautions may not be effective and are subject to inherent limitations, including human error and malfeasance. The failure of any of our employees to comply with applicable laws or regulations or other acts of misconduct could subject us to fines and penalties, harm our reputation, damage our relationships with customers, reduce our revenue and profits and subject us to criminal and civil enforcement actions. Our long-term success depends, in part, on the quality and safety of the services we provide and systems we install. A deterioration in the quality or reputation of our businesses could have an adverse impact on our reputation, business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations. The success of each of our businesses and our ability to attract and retain customers typically depends in large part on reputation. Such dependence makes our businesses susceptible to reputational damage and heightened competition from other companies. Changes in management practices, or acts or omissions that adversely affect our business, including any crime, scandal, litigation, negative publicity, catastrophic fires or similar events or accidents and injuries can have a substantial negative impact on the operations of our businesses, and can cause a loss of customer and prospective customer confidence. We or any of our businesses could also face legal claims and adverse publicity from a variety of events or conditions, many of which are beyond our control. If the reputation or perceived quality of our businesses decline, then our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. We are subject to many laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate, and changes to such laws and regulations may result in additional costs and impact our operations We are committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and legal compliance. We are subject to many laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We expect to be subject to various laws and regulations that apply specifically to U.S. public companies. These include the rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, as well as the various regulations, standards and guidance put forth by the SEC and other governmental agencies to implement those laws. New laws, rules and regulations, or changes to existing laws or their interpretations, could create added legal and financial costs and uncertainty for us. In addition, our international operations are subject to laws and regulations that are in some cases different from those of the United States, including labor laws and laws and regulations governing information collected from employees, customers and others, specifically the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which went into effect in May 2018. These laws and regulations, and the economic, financial, political and regulatory impact of the U.K.’s decision to leave the European Union, could increase the cost and complexity of doing business in the U.K. and negatively impact our financial position and results of operations. Our efforts to comply with evolving laws, regulations and reporting standards may increase our general and administrative expenses, divert management time and attention or limit our operational flexibility, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. Demand for our businesses can be materially affected by new or changed governmental regulation. Our customers operate in regulated industries and are subject to regulations that can change frequently and without notice. The adoption of new laws or regulations, or changes to the enforcement or interpretation of existing laws or regulations, could cause our customers to reduce spending on the services we provide, which could adversely affect our revenues, results of operations, and liquidity. Delays in implementing anticipated regulations or reversals of previously adopted regulations could adversely affect demand for our services. For example, the anticipation by utilities that coal-fueled power plants may become uneconomical to operate because of potential environmental regulations has increased demand for gas pipeline construction for utility customers. If these environmental regulations are not implemented, this could reduce demand for our services. 29 Our customers may further consolidate, which could materially adversely affect our revenues and margins. Our customers may consolidate, especially in periods of significant industry downturns. We expect any customers that consolidate will take actions to harmonize pricing from their suppliers and rationalize their supply chain, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. There can be no assurance that, following consolidation, our large customers will continue to buy from us across different service offerings or geographic regions, or at the same levels as prior to consolidation, which could adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Not applicable.