Energy Services of America CORP 10-K/A

ITEM 1. Business Overview Energy Services of America Corporation (“Energy Services” or the “Company”), formed in 2006, is a contractor and service company that operates primarily in the mid-Atlantic and central regions of the United States and provides services to customers in the natural gas, petroleum, water distribution, automotive, chemical, and power industries. For the gas industry, the Company is primarily engaged in the construction, replacement and repair of natural gas pipelines and storage facilities for utility companies and private natural gas companies. Energy Services is involved in the construction of both interstate and intrastate pipelines, with an emphasis on the latter. For the oil industry, the Company provides a variety of services relating to pipeline, storage facilities and plant work. For the power, chemical, and automotive industries, the Company provides a full range of electrical and mechanical installations and repairs including substation and switchyard services, site preparation, equipment setting, pipe fabrication and installation, packaged buildings, transformers, and other ancillary work with regards thereto. Energy Services’ other services include liquid pipeline construction, pump station construction, production facility construction, water and sewer pipeline installations, various maintenance and repair services and other services related to pipeline construction. The Company has also added the ability to install residential, commercial, and industrial solar systems and perform civil and general contracting services. The Company had consolidated operating revenues of $197.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, of which 43.5% was attributable to electrical, mechanical, and general contract services, 29.5% to gas and petroleum transmission projects, and 27.0% to gas & water distributions services. The Company had consolidated operating revenues of $122.5 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, of which 48.9% was attributable to electrical, mechanical, and general contract services, 33.0% to gas & water distributions services, and 18.1% to gas and petroleum transmission projects. Energy Services’ customers include many of the leading companies in the industries it serves, including: TransCanada Corporation NiSource, Inc. Marathon Petroleum Mountaineer Gas American Electric Power Toyota Motor Manufacturing Bayer Chemical Dow Chemical 6 Table of Contents Kentucky American Water WV American Water Various state, county, and municipal public service districts. The majority of the Company’s customers are in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. However, the Company also performs work in other states including Alabama, Michigan, Illinois, Tennessee, and Indiana. Energy Services’ sales force consists of industry professionals with significant relevant sales experience, who utilize industry contacts and available public data to determine how to market the Company’s line of products most appropriately. The Company relies on direct contact between its sales force and customers’ engineering and contracting departments to obtain new business. A substantial portion of the Company’s workforce are union members of various construction-related trade unions and are subject to separately negotiated collective bargaining agreements that expire at varying time intervals. The Company believes its relationship with its unionized workforce is good. C.J. Hughes Construction Company, Inc. (“C.J. Hughes”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a general contractor primarily engaged in pipeline construction for utility companies. Contractors Rental Corporation (“Contractors Rental”), a wholly owned subsidiary of C.J. Hughes, provides union building trade employees for projects managed by C.J. Hughes. Nitro Construction Services, Inc. (“Nitro”), a wholly owned subsidiary of C.J. Hughes, provides electrical, mechanical, HVAC/R, solar installation, and fire protection services to customers primarily in the automotive, chemical, and power industries. Pinnacle Technical Solutions, Inc. (“Pinnacle”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nitro, operates as a data storage facility within Nitro’s office building. Pinnacle is supported by Nitro and has no employees of its own. All C.J. Hughes, Nitro, and Contractors Rental construction personnel are union members of various related construction trade unions and are subject to collective bargaining agreements that expire at varying time intervals. West Virginia Pipeline, Inc. (“West Virginia Pipeline” or “WVP”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services, operates as a gas and water distribution contractor primarily in southern West Virginia. The employees of West Virginia Pipeline are non-union and are managed independently of the Company’s union subsidiaries. SQP Construction Group, Inc. (“SQP”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services, operates as a general contractor primarily in West Virginia. SQP engages in the construction and renovation of buildings and other civil construction projects for state and local government agencies and commercial customers. As a general contractor, SQP manages the overall construction project and subcontracts most of the work. The employees of SQP are non-union and are managed independently of the Company’s union subsidiaries. Tri-State Paving & Sealcoating, Inc. (“TSP” or “Tri-State Paving”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services, completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Tri-State Paving & Sealcoating, LLC (“Tri-State Paving, LLC”) on April 29, 2022. Tri-State Paving provides utility paving services to water distribution customers in the Charleston, West Virginia, Lexington, Kentucky, and Chattanooga, Tennessee markets. The employees of TSP are non-union and are managed independently of the Company’s union subsidiaries. Ryan Construction Services Inc. (“Ryan Construction” or “RCS”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services, formed in August 2022 in connection with the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Ryan Environmental, LLC and Ryan Environmental Transport, LLC, provides directional drilling services for broadband service providers along with offering natural gas distribution services, cathodic protection and corrosion prevention services, and civil construction services. Ryan Construction operates primarily in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The employees of RCS are non-union and are managed independently of the Company’s union subsidiaries. The Company’s website address is www.energyservicesofamerica.com. 7 Table of Contents Recent Events On October 6, 2021, the Company’s transfer agent completed the full redemption of all the Company’s 6.0% Convertible Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A (“Series A Preferred Stock”), which resulted in the issuance of 2,626,492 new shares of the Company’s common stock, the issuance of 317,500 common shares that were included in Series A Preferred Stock units, and cash redemption payments of $1.3 million. The Company’s total outstanding common shares after redemption was 16,247,898 as of October 6, 2021. On February 16, 2022, the stockholders of Energy Services approved the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides for the grant of stock-based awards to officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries. The maximum number of shares of stock, in the aggregate, that may be granted under the Plan as stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units is 1,500,000 shares. A description of the material terms of the Plan is contained in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 11, 2022. No grants of stock-based awards were made during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. On March 23, 2022, the Company’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC under the symbol “ESOA”. Pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement signed on April 6, 2022, and amended on April 29, 2022, the Company acquired substantially all the assets (including but not limited to customer contracts, employees, and equipment) of Tri-State Paving, LLC for $7.5 million in cash, a $1.0 million promissory note, and $1.0 million in Energy Services common stock. The $7.5 million in cash was funded through a loan with United Bank, Inc., Huntington, West Virginia (“United Bank”). The transaction resulted in the issuance of 419,287 common shares, bringing the total outstanding common shares to 16,667,185 as of April 29, 2022. David E. Corns continued his role as President of the Company’s new subsidiary, Tri-State Paving, which earned revenues of $4.9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. On July 6, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program (the “Program”), pursuant to which the Company may, from time to time, purchase shares of its common stock for an aggregate repurchase amount not to exceed 1,000,000 shares, which was approximately 6.0% of its outstanding common stock as of the date of the announcement. The Program does not obligate the Company to purchase any number of shares, and there is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. No repurchases were made in connection with the Program during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. On August 11, 2022, Ryan Construction Services Inc., a newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Services, completed the acquisition of Ryan Environmental, LLC (“Ryan Environmental”), located in Bridgeport, WV, pursuant to an order issued by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (the “Court”) on August 9, 2022 and Ryan Environmental Transport, LLC (“Ryan Transport”), located in Bridgeport, West Virginia, under the terms of an Asset Purchase Agreement. As part of the business combination, the Company acquired certain assets, including equipment, vehicles, and small tools, of Ryan Environmental for $3.0 million in cash and certain assets, including equipment and small tools, of Ryan Transport for $1.0 million in cash. COVID-19 Response For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Company did not have significant issues with COVID-19 exposure among its employees and most of the Company’s existing customers had resumed projects that were affected by COVID-19 shutdowns in fiscal 2021. 8 Table of Contents Seasonality: Fluctuation of Results Our revenues and results of operations can and usually are subject to seasonal variations. These variations are the result of weather, customer spending patterns, bidding seasons and holidays. The first quarter of the calendar year is typically the slowest in terms of revenues because inclement weather conditions cause delays in production and customers usually do not plan large projects during that time. While usually better than the first quarter, the second calendar year quarter often has some inclement weather which can cause delays in production, reducing the revenues the Company receives and/or increasing the production costs. The third and fourth calendar year quarters usually are less impacted by weather and usually have the largest number of projects underway. Many projects are completed in the fourth calendar year quarter and revenues are often impacted by customers seeking to either spend their capital budget for the year or scale back projects due to capital budget overruns. In addition to the fluctuations discussed above, the pipeline industry can be highly cyclical, reflecting variances in capital expenditures in proportion to energy price fluctuations. As a result, our volume of business may be adversely affected by where our customers are in the cycle and thereby their financial condition as to their capital needs and access to capital to finance those needs. Accordingly, our operating results in any quarter or year may not be indicative of the results that can be expected for any other quarter or any other year. You should read “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Understanding Gross Margins ” below for discussions of trends and challenges that may affect our financial condition and results of operations. Paycheck Protection Program Loans Due to the economic uncertainties created by COVID-19 and limited operating funds available, the Company applied for loans under the PPP. On April 15, 2020, the Company and its subsidiaries, C.J. Hughes, Contractors Rental, and Nitro, entered into separate PPP notes effective April 7, 2020, with its Lender in an aggregate principal amount of $13.1 million pursuant to the PPP Loans. In a special meeting held on April 27, 2020, the Board of Directors of the Company unanimously voted to return $3.3 million of the PPP Loans after discussing the financing needs of the Company and subsidiaries. That left the Company and subsidiaries with $9.8 million in PPP Loans to fund operations. During fiscal year 2021, the Company received notice that the SBA had granted forgiveness of the $9.8 million of PPP Loans and the SBA repaid the Lender in full. The forgiveness was recorded as other income for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. During April 2023, management received notification from the SBA that one of the Company’s forgiveness applications related to the PPP Loans was under review. As part of the review, the SBA requested additional payroll information. Additionally, the SBA requested information regarding the ability of the Company’s affiliates to meet SBA size standards and/or PPP corporate maximum limits. The requested information was subsequently provided to the SBA through the Lender. The Company recognizes that there is a possibility that the SBA could reverse its previous determination on the forgiveness of the PPP Loans. As a result of this uncertainty, on May 12, 2023, the audit committee of the Board of Directors of Energy Services, after considering the recommendation of management, concluded: that (a) the Company’s previously issued audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and the related reports of its independent registered public accounting firm, Baker Tilly, included in the Company’s annual reports on Form 10-K for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, and (b) the Company’s unaudited consolidated financial statements for the periods ended June 30, 2021, December 31, 2021, March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2022 as reported in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for those periods (together, the “Reports”) should no longer be relied upon and have been restated in this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K/A. Borrowers must retain PPP documentation for at least six years after the date the loan is forgiven or paid in full, and the SBA and SBA Inspector General must be granted these files upon request. The SBA could revisit its forgiveness decision and determine that the Company does not qualify in whole or in part for loan forgiveness and demand repayment of the loans. In addition, it is unknown what type of penalties could be assessed against the Company if the SBA disagrees with the Company’s certification. Any penalties in addition to the potential repayment of the PPP Loans could negatively impact the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations and prospects. 9 Table of Contents Backlog/New Business The Company’s backlog represents contracts for services that have been entered into, but which have not yet been completed. At September 30, 2022, Energy Services had a backlog of $142.3 million of work to be completed on existing contracts. At September 30, 2021, the Company had a backlog of $72.2 million. Due to the timing of Energy Services’ construction contracts and the long-term nature of some of our projects, portions of our backlog work may not be completed in the current fiscal year. Most of the Company’s projects can be completed in a short period of time, typically two to five months. Larger projects usually take seven to eighteen months to be completed. As a rule, work starts shortly after the signing of the contract. Types of Contracts Energy Services’ contracts are usually awarded on a competitive and negotiated basis. While some contracts may be lump sum or time and material projects, most of the work is bid based upon unit prices for various portions of the work with a total agreed-upon price based on estimated units. The actual revenues produced from the project will be dependent upon how accurate the customer estimates are as to the units of the various items. Raw Materials and Suppliers The principal raw materials that the Company and its subsidiaries use are metal plate, structural steel, pipe, wire, fittings, and selected engineering equipment such as pumps, valves and compressors. For the most part, the largest portion of these materials are supplied by the customer. Purchases made by the Company are predominately those of a consumable nature, such as small tools, welding rod and environmental supplies . The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a significant impact on the Company’s ability to obtain materials and consumables for projects awarded. We anticipate being able to obtain materials for current work, as well as any raw materials not supplied by our customers, for the foreseeable future. However, the inability of our customers to obtain raw materials may delay projects from being bid, awarded, started, or completed. Although not a significant impact, the Company has experienced minor delays resulting from the availability of construction equipment and vehicles. Industry Factors Energy Services’ revenues, cash flows and earnings are substantially dependent upon, and affected by, the level of natural gas exploration development activity and the levels of work on existing pipelines as well as the level of demand for our electrical and mechanical services. Such activity and the resulting level of demand for pipeline construction and related services and electrical and mechanical services are directly influenced by many factors over which the Company has no control. Such factors include the market prices of natural gas and electricity, market expectations about future prices, the volatility of such prices, the cost of producing and delivering natural gas and electricity, government regulations and trade restrictions, local and international political and economic conditions, the development of alternate energy sources, changes in the tax code that affect the energy industry, and the long-term effects of worldwide energy conservation measures. Energy Services cannot predict the future level of demand for its construction services, future conditions in the pipeline or electrical construction industry or future pipeline and electrical construction rates. Competition The pipeline, electrical, and mechanical construction industries are highly competitive and characterized by high capital and maintenance costs. Contracts are usually awarded through a competitive bid process. The Company believes that operators consider factors such as quality of service, type and location of equipment, or the ability to provide ancillary services. However, price and the ability to complete the project in a timely manner are the primary factors in determining which contractor is awarded a job. There are many regional and national competitors that offer services similar to Energy Services. Certain of the Company’s competitors have greater financial and human resources than Energy Services, which may enable them to compete more efficiently because of price and technology. The Company’s largest competitors are Otis Eastern, Miller Pipeline, Brown Electric, Summit Electric and Apex Pipeline. 10 Table of Contents Operating Hazards and Insurance Energy Services’ operations are subject to many hazards inherent in the pipeline, electrical, and mechanical construction businesses, including, for example, operating equipment in mountainous terrain, people working in deep trenches, people working near large construction equipment, and people working near manufacturing equipment and power sources. These hazards could cause personal injury or death, serious damage to or destruction of property and equipment, and substantial damage to the environment, including damage to producing formations and surrounding areas. Energy Services seeks protection against certain of these risks through insurance, including property casualty insurance on its equipment, commercial general liability and commercial contract indemnity, commercial umbrella, and workers’ compensation insurance. The Company’s insurance coverage for property damage to its equipment is based on estimates of the cost of comparable used equipment to replace the insured property. There is a deductible per occurrence on equipment of $2,500 and $500 for damage to miscellaneous tools. The Company also maintains third party liability insurance, pollution and professional liability insurance, and a commercial umbrella policy. Energy Services believes that it is adequately insured for public liability and property damage to others with respect to its operations. However, such insurance may not be enough to protect Energy Services against liability for all consequences related to its operations. Government Regulation and Environmental Matters General. Energy Services’ operations are affected from time to time in varying degrees by political developments and federal, state, and local laws and regulations. In particular, natural gas production, operations and the profitability of the gas industry are or have been affected by price controls, taxes and other laws relating to the natural gas industry, by changes in such laws and by changes in administrative regulations. Although significant capital expenditures may be required to comply with such laws and regulations, to date, such compliance costs have not had a material adverse effect on the earnings or competitive position of Energy Services. In addition, Energy Services’ operations are vulnerable to risks arising from the numerous laws and regulations governing the discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to environmental protection. Energy Services may also be affected by regulations designed to provide benefits to companies engaged in the production of alternative sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and related industries. Environmental Regulation. Energy Services’ activities are subject to existing federal, state and local laws and regulations governing environmental quality, pollution control and the preservation of natural resources. Such laws and regulations concern, among other things, the containment, disposal and recycling of waste materials, and reporting of the storage, use or release of certain chemicals or hazardous substances. Numerous federal and state environmental laws regulate drilling activities and impose liability for discharges of waste or spills, including those in coastal areas. The Company has conducted pipeline construction in or near ecologically sensitive areas, such as wetlands and coastal environments, which are subject to additional regulatory requirements. State and federal legislation also provide special protections for animal and marine life that could be affected by the Company’s activities. In general, under various applicable environmental programs, the Company may potentially be subject to regulatory enforcement action in the form of injunctions, cease and desist orders and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties for violations of environmental laws. Energy Services may also be subject to liability for natural resource damages and other civil claims arising out of a pollution event. The Company would be responsible for any pollution event that was determined to be caused by its actions. It has insurance that it believes is adequate to cover any such occurrences. Environmental regulations that affect Energy Services’ customers also have an indirect impact on Energy Services. Increasingly stringent environmental regulation of the natural gas industry has led to higher drilling costs and a more difficult and lengthier well permitting process. The primary environmental statutory and regulatory programs that affect Energy Services’ operations include the following: Department of Transportation regulations, regulations set forth by agencies such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and various environmental agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, and state and local government agencies. 11 Table of Contents Health and Safety Matters. Energy Services’ facilities and operations are also governed by various other laws and regulations, including the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act, relating to worker health and workplace safety. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued the Hazard Communication Standard. This standard applies to all private-sector employers, including the natural gas exploration and producing industry. The Hazard Communication Standard requires that employers assess their chemical hazards, obtain and maintain certain written descriptions of these hazards, develop a hazard communication program and train employees to work safely with the chemicals on site. Failure to comply with the requirements of the standard may result in administrative, civil and criminal penalties. Energy Services believes that appropriate precautions are taken to protect employees and others from harmful exposure to materials handled and managed at its facilities and that it operates in substantial compliance with all Occupational Safety and Health Act regulations. It is not anticipated that Energy Services will be required to make material expenditures by reason of such health and safety laws and regulations. Research and Development/Intellectual Property Energy Services has not made any material expenditure for research and development. Energy Services does not own any patents, trademarks, or licenses. Employees and Human Capital Resources Energy Services of America believes the Company’s greatest asset is its employees. The Company’s emphasis on the health and safety of its employees is an important factor in maintaining its experienced workforce and attracting new talent. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had 1,055 employees including 353 full-time non-union employees. The Company’s non-union construction, management, and administrative employees are all eligible to participate in the Company paid health, vision, dental, life, prescription, and long-term disability insurance plans. The Company also provides employee paid supplemental life and accident insurance plans. To encourage employees to keep up with routine medical care and participate in its wellness program, the Company funds a Health Reimbursement Account for participating employees. To help employees cover medical expenses pre-tax, the Company offers employees a Flexible Spending Account. The Company also offers employees a 401(k)-retirement plan with a Company match. The Company’s union construction workers are represented by various collective bargaining units that provide health and welfare and retirement plans to their members. The Company’s top priority is the safety of our construction employees. The Company’s experienced safety department ensures that employees have the Company and customer required safety training before starting a project. Daily and weekly safety meetings at project sites help employees remain aware of potential hazards. Periodic internal and third-party safety audits are performed to help ensure that the Company’s and customer’s safety procedures are followed. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company had customers that delayed or cancelled projects due to the uncertainty in the economy and health concerns. During this time, the Company attempted to keep as many of its employees working as possible by moving crews to different projects or shifting work responsibilities. The Company also worked closely to accommodate employees’ request to use the Families First Coronavirus Relief Act and the Family Medical Leave Act.