EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1339605
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1339605_10-K_2024_0000950170-24-018750.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Our Company
Founded in 1961 through our predecessor companies, we have been in the equipment services business for approximately 62 years. H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“H&E LLC”) was formed in June 2002 through the combination of Head & Engquist Equipment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C., and ICM Equipment Company L.L.C. In connection with our initial public offering in February 2006, we converted H&E LLC into H&E Equipment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
We have built an extensive infrastructure that as of December 31, 2023 includes 137 branch facilities located in 30 states throughout the United States. H&E serves a diverse set of end markets in many high-growth geographies including branches throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Company’s construction rental fleet is among the industry’s youngest with an equipment mix comprised of aerial work platforms, earthmoving, material handling, and other general and specialty lines.
While we primarily focus on providing rental equipment to our customers, we additionally sell rental and new equipment, parts, repair and maintenance functions to our customers. This approach provides us with multiple points of customer contact, an effective method to manage our rental fleet through efficient maintenance and the profitable distribution of fleet. Our management, from the corporate level down to the branch store level, has extensive industry experience. We believe that the operating experience and extensive infrastructure we developed throughout our history as an integrated equipment services company provides us with a competitive advantage to broaden our industry expansion and successfully transition to operate as a pure-play rental company.
Industry Background
Although there has been some consolidation within the industry over a number of years, including the acquisitions of NES Rentals, Neff Corporation and Ahern Rentals by United Rentals, Inc. (“URI”), the U.S. construction equipment distribution and rental industry remains highly fragmented and consists mainly of a small number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. The industry is driven by a broad range of economic factors including total U.S. non-residential construction trends, construction machinery demand, demand for rental equipment and additional, region-specific factors. Construction equipment is largely distributed to end users through two channels: equipment rental companies and equipment dealers. Examples of equipment rental companies include URI, Sunbelt Rentals, and Herc Rentals. Examples of equipment dealers include Finning and Toromont. Historically, we operated substantially in both channels, but in recent years we have transitioned to operate purely as an equipment rental company. Many pure equipment rental companies also provide parts and service support to customers.
Products and Services
Equipment Rentals. We rent our construction equipment to our customers on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. We have a well-maintained rental fleet that, at December 31, 2023, consisted of approximately 61,044 pieces of equipment having an original acquisition cost (which we define as the cost originally paid to manufacturers) of approximately $2.8 billion and an average age of approximately 39.7 months.
Sales of Rental Equipment. We sell used equipment primarily from our rental fleet. For the year ended December 31, 2023, approximately 99.3% of our used sales revenues were derived from sales of rental fleet.
Sales of New Equipment. We sell new construction equipment and are a U.S. distributor for nationally recognized suppliers including Takeuchi, JLG Industries, Gehl, and Genie Industries (Terex).
Parts Sales. We provide parts to our own rental fleet and sell parts to customers for the equipment we sell. We maintain a parts inventory in order to provide timely parts and service support to our own rental fleet as well as to our customers. In addition, our parts operations enable us to maintain a high-quality rental fleet and provide additional product support to our end users.
Service Support. We provide maintenance and repair services to our own rental fleet and for our customers’ owned equipment. We devote resources to training our technical service employees and over time, we have built a service infrastructure that we believe would be difficult for companies without the requisite resources and lead time to effectively replicate.
In addition to our principal business activities mentioned above, we provide ancillary equipment support activities including transportation, hauling, parts shipping and loss damage waivers.
Sales and Marketing
We have a sales force which specializes in equipment rentals and sales. To further develop knowledge and experience, we provide our sales force with extensive training, including frequent factory and in-house training by manufacturer representatives regarding the operational features, operator safety training and maintenance of the equipment that we rent and sell. This training is essential, as our sales personnel regularly call on customers’ job sites, often assisting customers in assessing their immediate and ongoing equipment needs. In addition, we have a commission-based compensation program for our sales force team.
We maintain a proprietary customer relationship management system. We believe that this comprehensive customer and sales management tool enhances our regional territory operations by increasing the productivity and efficiency of our sales representatives and sales managers as they are provided real-time access to critical jobsite information. We are partnered with some of the world’s most advanced data information companies to assure our industry data is complete.
We have developed strategies to identify target customers for equipment rentals in all markets. These strategies allow our sales force to identify frequent rental users, function as advisors and problem solvers for our customers, and accelerate the sales process in new operations.
While our specialized, well-trained sales force strengthens our customer relationships and fosters customer loyalty, we also promote our business through marketing and advertising, including digital marketing, direct mail campaigns, select industry publications and associations, and our Company website at www.he-equipment.com.
Our Competitive Strengths
Integrated Platform of Equipment, Products and Services. We believe that our operating experience and the extensive infrastructure we have developed through years of operating as both an equipment rental company and equipment distributor provides us with a competitive advantage to broaden our industry expansion and successfully transition to a primarily rental-focused company. Key strengths of ours include:
•the ability to provide premium brands and a comprehensive line of equipment and services;
•the ability to track utilization and facilitate the transfer of our fleet across multiple locations to adjust to local customer demand;
•high quality rental fleet supported by our strong product support capabilities;
•established retail sales network resulting in the profitable disposal of our used equipment;
•purchasing power gained through purchases for our rental operations fleet; and
•operational cost efficiencies across our organization, including with respect to purchasing, information technology, back-office support and marketing.
High-Quality, Multipurpose Fleet. Our equipment fleet represents a significant investment and reflects our commitment to providing an array of rental equipment to our customers in a variety of industries. Our focus on our core types of construction equipment allows us to better provide the specialized knowledge and support that our customers demand when renting and purchasing equipment. These core types of equipment are attractive because they have a long useful life, high residual value and generally strong industry demand.
Diverse Customer Markets. We provide equipment rental services to customers in a wide variety of markets, including non-residential construction, industrial, infrastructure, and other industries. We believe that the diversification of our customer base reduces our end-market exposure to any one particular market.
Complementary Parts and Services Segments. Our parts and services businesses allow us to maintain our rental fleet in excellent condition and to offer our customers high-quality rental equipment.
Well-Developed Infrastructure. We have built an infrastructure that as of December 31, 2023 included a network of 137 branch facilities in 30 states. Our workforce included, as of December 31, 2023, a highly-skilled group of approximately 613 service technicians and an aggregate of 332 sales people in our sales force. We believe that our well-developed infrastructure helps us to better serve large multi-regional customers and provides an advantage when competing for lucrative fleet and project management business as well as the ability to quickly capitalize on new opportunities.
Strong Supplier Relationships. We have longstanding relationships with nationally-recognized equipment suppliers, including JLG Industries, Gehl, Genie Industries (Terex), Komatsu, Takeuchi, JCB, John Deere, Yanmar, Skyjack, Sany and Case. These relationships improve our ability to negotiate equipment acquisition pricing and allow us to purchase parts at wholesale costs.
Customized Information Technology Systems. Our information systems allow us to actively manage our business and our rental fleet. We have a customer relationship management system that provides our sales force with real-time access to critical jobsite information. This comprehensive sales management tool enhances our regional territory operations by increasing the productivity and efficiency of our sales representatives and managers. We are expanding our proprietary, automated digital customer platform, CONNECT, which offers comprehensive self-service capabilities allowing customers to reserve equipment, schedule delivery, make payments, manage contracts, utilize telematics, customize reports, make service requests and access customer support. In addition, our enterprise resource planning system enhances our ability to provide more timely and meaningful information to manage our business.
Strong Customer Relationships. We have a diverse base of approximately 44,200 customers as of December 31, 2023 who we believe value our high level of service, knowledge and expertise. Our customer base includes a wide range of industrial and commercial companies, construction contractors, manufacturers, public utilities, municipalities, maintenance contractors and numerous and diverse other large industrial accounts. Our branches enable us to closely service local and regional customers, while our infrastructure enables us to effectively service multi-regional and national accounts. We believe that our expansive presence and commitment to superior service at all levels of the organization is a key differentiator to many of our competitors. As a result, we spend a significant amount of time and resources to train all key personnel to be responsive and deliver high quality customer service and well-maintained equipment so that we can maintain and grow our customer relationships.
Experienced Management Team. Our senior management team is led by Bradley W. Barber, our Chief Executive Officer, who has over 29 years of industry experience. Our senior and regional management team have approximately 26 years on average of industry experience. Our branch managers have extensive knowledge and industry experience as well.
Our Business Strategy
Our business strategy includes, among other things, managing the life cycle of our rental equipment, expanding our rental product offerings, increasing the availability of our product offerings through branch expansion and pursuing selective acquisitions. However, the timing and extent to which we implement these various aspects of our strategy depend on a variety of factors, many of which are outside our control, such as general economic and geopolitical conditions and construction activity in the U.S.
Managing the Life Cycle of Our Rental Equipment. We actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet, employing a “cradle through grave” approach. During the life of our rental equipment, we (1) aggressively negotiate on purchase price; (2) use our customized information technology systems to closely monitor and analyze, among other things, time utilization (equipment usage based on customer demand and calculated as our fleet’s original equipment cost on-rent divided by our fleet’s total original equipment cost, averaged over the time period), rental rate trends and pricing optimization and equipment demand; (3) continuously adjust our fleet mix and pricing; (4) maintain fleet quality through quality control inspections and our on-site parts and services support; and (5) dispose of fleet through sales of rental equipment. This allows us to purchase our rental equipment at competitive prices, optimally utilize our fleet, cost-effectively maintain our equipment quality and maximize the value of our equipment at the end of its useful life.
Expanding our Rental Product Offerings. We intend to expand our product offerings to customers by offering specialty rental product solutions. Recently, we introduced trench safety product solutions and pump and power equipment in selected markets. It is our intention to expand these specialty rental offerings throughout our geographic footprint. Specialty rental product offerings typically provide higher margin opportunities than general rental products.
Increasing the Availability of our Product Offerings through Branch Expansion. We intend to expand our network of branch locations, thereby increasing the availability of rental products to our customers to meet their specific needs. Our branch expansion strategy focuses on expanding in markets where we have a presence and benefit from name and brand recognition. Expanding our branch network allows us to grow our margins and improve profitability through revenue mix and by leveraging our fixed costs.
Executing Strategic Divestitures. We are now a pure-play rental company transitioning over the past few years from our historical operations as an integrated equipment services company by completing strategic divestitures of our distribution channels. We completed one divesture during the year ended December 31, 2022 and two divestitures during the year ended December 31, 2021. On December 15, 2022, we sold our Komatsu distribution rights in Louisiana to Waukesha-Pearce Industries, LLC. On September 17, 2021, we sold our Little Rock, Arkansas and Springdale, Arkansas owned-branches to Bramco, Inc. and relinquished our related territory distribution rights with equipment manufacturers Komatsu, Wirtgen Group and Takeuchi. Effective October 1, 2021, we sold our crane business to a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. The crane business sale represents our strategic shift to a pure-play rental business and qualified for discontinued operations accounting treatment.
Pursuing Selective Acquisitions. We intend to continue to evaluate and pursue, on an opportunistic basis, acquisitions that meet our selection criteria with the objective of increasing our revenues, improving our profitability, and strengthening our competitive position. We are focused on identifying and acquiring rental companies, including general rental and specialty rental companies, to complement our existing business, broaden our geographic footprint, and increase our density in existing markets, as well enter new markets where feasible expansion opportunities may exist. Growth through acquisitions allows us to leverage our fixed costs and grow profitability. We have completed five acquisitions over the last six years. Effective January 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Contractors Equipment Center, LLC. Effective April 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Rental Inc. Effective February 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of Cobra Equipment Rentals, LLC, dba We-Rent-It. Effective October 1, 2022, we completed the acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals, Inc. (“OSR”), a privately-held equipment rentals company with 10 branch locations primarily in the Midwest. Effective November 1, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Giffin Equipment Rentals, a privately-held equipment rentals company with three branch locations in California.
Customers
We have a wide range of customers across diverse markets. We serve approximately 44,200 customers in the United States, primarily in the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Our customers include industrial and commercial companies, construction contractors, manufacturers, public utilities, maintenance contractors, municipalities and numerous and diverse other large industrial accounts. They range from individuals to large contractors and industrial and commercial companies who typically operate under equipment and maintenance budgets. Our branches enable us to closely service local and regional customers, while our infrastructure enables us to effectively service multi-regional and national accounts. Our contracts with customers vary in duration, but substantially all of our rental contracts include rates for daily, weekly or monthly use and typically include cancellation clauses without termination penalties. In 2023, our largest customer accounted for less than 4% of total revenues. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue in 2023. Our top ten customers combined accounted for approximately 7.6% of our total revenues in 2023.
Suppliers
We purchase a significant amount of equipment from leading, nationally-known original equipment manufacturers. We purchased approximately 52.8% of our equipment from five manufacturers (JCB, Skyjack, Sany, John Deere, and SkyTrak) during the year ended December 31, 2023. These relationships improve our ability to negotiate equipment acquisition pricing. Additionally, we also purchase equipment from nationally-recognized equipment suppliers including JLG Industries, Gehl, Komatsu, Case and Takeuchi. While we believe that we have alternative sources of supply for the equipment we purchase in each of our principal product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of our major suppliers of equipment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if we were unable to obtain adequate or timely equipment.
Competition
The equipment industry is generally comprised of either pure rental equipment companies or manufacturer dealer/distributorship companies. We historically operated as an integrated equipment services company by renting, selling and providing parts and services support. Although there has been some consolidation within the equipment industry in recent years, the equipment industry remains highly fragmented and consists mainly of a small number of multi-location regional or national operators and a large number of relatively small, independent businesses serving discrete local markets. Many of the markets in which we operate are served by numerous competitors, ranging from national and multi-regional equipment rental companies (for example, URI, Sunbelt Rentals and Herc Rentals) to small, independent businesses with a limited number of locations.
We believe that participants in the equipment rental industry generally compete on the basis of availability, quality, reliability, delivery and price. In general, large operators enjoy substantial competitive advantages over small, independent rental businesses due to a distinct price advantage. Many rental equipment companies’ parts and services offerings are limited and may prove difficult to expand due to the training, infrastructure and management resources necessary to develop the breadth of service offerings and depth of knowledge our service technicians are able to provide. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do.
Traditionally, equipment manufacturers distributed their equipment and parts through a network of independent dealers with distribution agreements. As a result of consolidation and competition, both manufacturers and distributors sought to streamline their operations, improve their costs and gain market share. Our established, integrated infrastructure enables us to compete directly with our competitors on either a local, regional or national basis. We believe customers place greater emphasis on value-added services, teaming with equipment rental and sales companies who can meet all of their equipment, parts and services needs.
Seasonality
Although our business is not significantly impacted by seasonality, the demand for our rental equipment tends to be lower in the winter months. The level of equipment rental activities is directly related to non-residential and industrial construction and maintenance activities. Therefore, equipment rental performance will be correlated to the levels of current construction activities. The severity of weather conditions can have a temporary impact on the level of construction activities.
Equipment cycles are also subject to some seasonality with the peak rental periods occurring during the spring and summer seasons and peak selling periods occurring during the fourth quarter.
Environmental and Safety Regulations
Our facilities and operations are subject to comprehensive and frequently changing federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws. These laws regulate (1) the handling, storage, use and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes and, if any, the associated cleanup of properties affected by pollutants; (2) air quality (emissions); and (3) wastewater. While our operations generally do not raise significant environmental risks, we use petroleum products, solvents and other hazardous substances for fueling and maintaining our equipment and vehicles. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. We do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or competitive position as a result of our efforts to comply with such requirements.
In the future, federal, state or local governments could enact new or more stringent laws or issue new or more stringent regulations concerning environmental and worker health and safety matters, reporting and disclosure obligations, or effect a change in their enforcement of existing laws or regulations, that could affect our operations and increase our operational and compliance expenditures. Also, in the future, contamination may be found to exist at our facilities or off-site locations where we have sent wastes. There can be no assurance that we, or various environmental regulatory agencies, will not discover previously unknown environmental non-compliance or contamination. We could be held liable for such newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination. It is possible that changes in environmental and worker health and safety laws or liabilities from newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Human Capital
We believe our employees are our greatest asset. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately 2,765 employees, of which 977 are salaried personnel and 1,788 are hourly personnel. A collective bargaining agreement relating to two branch locations covers approximately 75 of our employees. We believe our relations with our employees are favorable and we have never experienced a work stoppage. Generally, the total number of employees remains relatively consistent throughout the year. Acquisition activity or the opening of new branches may increase the number of our employees or fluctuations in the level of our business activity could require some staffing level adjustments in response to align with customer demand.
H&E employees drive our business growth and success. Likewise, we strive to drive their own professional growth, success and wellbeing. We do so by providing a workplace in which safety, diversity, inclusion, talent development, training, competitive pay and quality benefits are prioritized. As an equipment company run by equipment people, our culture is one built on integrity, cooperation and teamwork. H&E workplace policies and initiatives aim to create a workplace of choice that attracts and retains the talent needed to achieve our business objectives.
Health and Safety. The health and safety of our employees is an unwavering core value and is prioritized through our LIVESAFE program, which focuses on employee safety at work, home, and play. Senior operational leaders play a vital role in the communication, implementation, and follow-through of our safety program and we require accountability, commitment and compliance from all employees. Behavioral safety is the foundation of our safety culture, which incorporates elements such as job safety observations, near miss reporting, safety meetings and ride-along programs, among others. We also require all new hires to perform job specific and regulatory training. Additionally, we require all employees to participate in annual safety training. These proactive measures in conjunction with the full implementation of stop-work authority at all levels helps to set a culture of safety at branch locations. Assessments and standard safety performance metrics provide for transparency and accountability at all levels of our organization while incentive programs focus on accident prevention and behavior safety improvements to reward employee safety performance. Utilizing Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) standard metrics, in 2023 our lost time incident rate was 0.10 and our total reportable incident rate was 0.98.
Employee Wellness and Benefits. We equip our employees with the benefits and tools they need to lead healthy, secure and balanced lives to help them perform at their best. We offer an array of comprehensive benefit options including retirement savings plans, medical insurance, prescription drug benefits, dental insurance, vision insurance, flexible medical spending accounts, life and disability insurance, accident and critical illness insurance and dependent care programs. We additionally provide paid time off, bereavement leave, wellness credits and employee assistance programs.
Inclusion and Diversity. We strive to build a team that reflects the wide diversity of customers and communities that we serve across the country. Moreover, we want to create a work environment in which every employee feels welcome, included and valued for their unique perspectives and experiences. The Company is committed to a full spectrum of diversity inclusive of gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, religion, culture, background, and experiences. Our efforts focus on hiring and supporting all groups, including historically underrepresented groups. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 29% of our workforce were people of color and 14% of our workforce are female. During 2023, we partnered with the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, which provides service members with the opportunity to participate in industry training programs while transitioning out of their military careers. We intend to continue these and other efforts to further diversify our team as we build a more inclusive workplace.
Training and Development. Development and advancement opportunities are one of the most important factors in retaining our employees. Programs to develop and enhance skills improve our business performance and provide employees with meaningful career opportunities. We offer training in an array of categories such as management and leadership, rentals, sales, parts and service, safety, technology and vehicle operations. Our talent development program includes a variety of training methodologies including field experiences, on-the-job training, online/system supported training, classroom training and helpdesk support. On an annual basis, our full-time employees average 54 hours of training and development per year.
Social Responsibility. We believe strong businesses and strong communities depend upon one another. We share our success by giving back to communities and, in turn, they provide us with the talent required to drive our business success. We encourage our branches to pursue outreach opportunities that best meet the needs of their respective communities and interests of their employees. At the corporate level, we focus on the education of disadvantaged youth, outreach programs and community awareness to aid individuals and families seeking treatment and recovery services and mental health resources in our headquarters community of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In recent years, we have provided philanthropic and volunteer support to two innovative local high schools where children of low-income parents can receive a college preparatory education and assisted to fund an outreach program providing community awareness for mental health and recovery services. We also administer a business and employee assistance fund that supports small businesses and employees in emergency situations and disaster recovery.
Sustainability
H&E recognizes the importance of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and transparent governance. We are committed to advancing each of these through our business conduct and operations. A cross-functional environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) task force of senior management leads this work with oversight from the ESG Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. During 2022, we engaged an external resource to begin initial development of an ESG strategy and ESG programs and policies that will serve as a blueprint to guide our progress going forward, and during 2023 we continued to work with them on building our ESG framework. Additionally in 2023, we published an ESG page on our Company’s web page as part of our commitment to advancing our ESG reporting and disclosures to customers, manufacturers, and investors alike.
We are working to identify and understand areas of the business in which we can reduce the environmental impact, including our carbon footprint. As an example, we have deployed telematics tracking and strategies to improve the management of our transportation fleet, which has resulted in our ability to reduce the idle time of our transportation vehicles, saving fuel consumption. While to date we have not completed an inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions, we realize that use of rental equipment by customers is a significant component. To address this, we are committed to evaluating alternative fuel and electric products for our rental fleet as these technologies become available, are successfully tested in the field of operation and as customer demand for them increases. Our battery and electricity powered equipment currently comprise 34% of the units we rent as of December 31, 2023. Our environmentally friendly fleet includes a range of battery-powered and hybrid equipment such as scissor lifts, boom lifts and material handling equipment.
Available Information
We file electronically with the SEC annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The SEC maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Copies of these reports, proxy and information statements and other information may be obtained by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. Copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, ownership reports for insiders and any exhibits to and amendments to these reports filed with or furnished to the SEC are available free of charge through our internet website (www.he-equipment.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after filing with the SEC. We use the Investor Relations section of our website as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations section of our website, in addition to following press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts.
Additionally, we make available free of charge on our internet website:
•our Code of Conduct and Ethics;
•the charter of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee;
•the charter of our Compensation Committee;
•the charter of our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee; and
•the charter of our Audit Committee.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. You should consider carefully the following risk factors and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and related notes, before making any investment decisions regarding our securities. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected. As a result, the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose part or all of your investment.
Operational and Competitive Risks
Our business could be adversely affected by declines in construction and industrial activities, or a downturn in the economy or geopolitical conditions in general, which could lead to decreased demand for equipment, depressed equipment rental rates and lower sales prices, resulting in a decline in our revenues, gross margins and operating results.
Our equipment is principally used in connection with construction and industrial activities. Consequently, a downturn in construction or industrial activities, or the economy in general, may lead to a decrease in the demand for equipment or depress rental rates and the sales prices for our equipment. Our business may also be negatively impacted, either temporarily or long-term, by:
•a reduction in spending levels by customers;
•unfavorable credit markets affecting end-user access to capital, as well as our access to capital when or if needed;
•adverse changes in federal, state and local government infrastructure spending or the related regulatory regime;
•an increase in costs, including the cost of construction materials, as a result of inflation or other factors;
•excess fleet in the equipment rental industry;
•adverse weather conditions or natural disasters which may affect a particular region;
•a decrease in the level of exploration, development, production activity and capital spending by oil and natural gas companies;
•a prolonged shutdown of the U.S. government;
•an increase in interest rates;
•supply chain disruptions;
•geopolitical conditions, including the war in Ukraine and escalation of conflicts in the Middle East, including the Israel/Hamas war;
•public health crises and epidemics and similar health concerns; or
•terrorism or hostilities involving the United States.
These factors have in the past, and could in the future, among other things, cause weakness in our end-markets and impact customer demand for equipment rentals, reduce the availability and productivity of our employees, increase our costs, result in delayed payments from our customers and uncollectible accounts, impact previously announced strategic plans or impact our ability to access funds from financial institutions and capital markets on terms favorable to us, or at all. Weakness or deterioration in the non-residential construction and industrial sectors caused by these or other factors could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows in the future and may also have a material adverse effect on residual values realized on the disposition of our rental fleet.
We face risks related to heightened inflation, recession, financial and credit market disruptions and other economic conditions.
Our financial results, operations and forecasts depend significantly on worldwide economic and geopolitical conditions, the demand for our products, and the financial condition of our customers and suppliers. Economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainty have in the past resulted, and may result in the future, in reduced demand for products resulting in decreased sales, margins and earnings. In 2022, the U.S. experienced significantly heightened inflationary pressures and subsequent economic recovery, causing disruptions in demand, supply chains, and labor markets. The general economy in 2022 was also affected by the war in Ukraine and associated increase in energy costs. While the global inflation rate began to stabilize and, in some cases decline, in 2023 as a result of central bank policy tightening, core inflation has proved persistent as a result of the preceding factors, in addition to others such as the escalating number of significant conflicts throughout the globe. We may not be able to fully mitigate the impact of inflation through price increases, productivity initiatives and cost savings, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, if the U.S. economy enters a recession, we may experience sales declines which could have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Similarly, disruptions in financial and/or credit markets may impact our ability to manage normal commercial relationships with our customers, suppliers and creditors. For instance, in the event of a recession or threat of a recession, our customers and suppliers may suffer their own financial and economic challenges and as a result they may demand pricing accommodations, delay payment, or become insolvent, which could harm our ability to meet our customer demands or collect revenue or otherwise could harm our business. An economic or credit crisis could occur and impair credit availability and our ability to raise capital when needed. A disruption in the financial markets could impair our banking or other business partners, on whom we rely for access to capital. In addition, changes in tax or interest rates in the U.S. or other nations, whether due to recession, economic disruptions or other reasons, could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
Economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainty may also lead us to impair assets, take restructuring actions or adjust our operating strategy and reduce expenses in response to decreased sales or margins. We may not be able to adequately adjust our cost structure in a timely fashion, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition. Uncertainty about economic conditions may increase foreign currency volatility in markets in which we transact business, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
The inability to forecast trends accurately may have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition.
An economic downturn or economic uncertainty makes it difficult for us to forecast trends, our future operating performance, cash flows and financial position, which could have an adverse impact on our business and financial condition. Additionally, uncertainty regarding future oil and natural gas prices have negatively impacted the exploration, production and construction activity of our customers in those markets. Uncertainty regarding future equipment product demand could cause us to maintain excess equipment inventory and increase our equipment inventory carrying costs. Failure to accurately forecast these trends could cause us to change or re-evaluate certain of our strategies, including as it relates to acquisitions or opening of new branch locations. Alternatively, this forecasting difficulty in addition to labor shortages and supply chain disruptions could cause a shortage of equipment for sale or rental that could result in an inability to satisfy demand for our products and a loss of market shares.
Our revenue and operating results may fluctuate, which could result in a decline in our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business.
Our revenue and operating results have historically varied from quarter to quarter. Periods of decline could result in an overall decline in profitability and make it more difficult for us to make payments on our indebtedness and grow our business. We expect our quarterly results to continue to fluctuate in the future due to a number of factors, including:
•general economic conditions in the markets where we operate;
•the cyclical nature of our customers’ business, particularly our construction customers and customers in the oil and gas industry;
•sales and rental patterns of our construction customers, with sales and rental activity tending to be lower in the winter months;
•changes in the size of our rental fleet and/or in the rate at which we sell used equipment from our fleet;
•changes in customer, fleet, geographic and segment mix;
•an overcapacity of fleet in the equipment rental industry;
•changes to technological requirements in our equipment or in our rental platforms;
•severe weather and seismic conditions temporarily affecting the regions where we operate;
•supply chain or other disruptions that impact our ability to obtain equipment and other supplies for our business from our key suppliers on acceptable terms or at all;
•cost increases as a result of inflation;
•changes in corporate spending for plants and facilities or changes in government spending for infrastructure projects;
•changes in interest rates and related changes in our interest expense and our debt service obligations;
•the possible need, from time to time, to record goodwill impairment charges or other write-offs or charges due to a variety of occurrences, such as the impairment of assets, rental location divestitures, dislocation in the equity and/or credit markets, consolidations or closings, restructurings, or the refinancing of existing indebtedness;
•the effectiveness of integrating acquired businesses, or acquired assets, and new start-up locations; and
•timing of acquisitions and new location openings and related costs.
In addition, we incur various costs when integrating newly acquired businesses or opening new start-up locations, and the profitability of a new location is generally expected to be lower in the initial months of operation.
The impacts of a global pandemic and similar health concerns, could have a significant impact on worldwide economic conditions and could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial results.
A significant outbreak of epidemic, pandemic, or contagious diseases, could cause a widespread health crisis that could result in an economic downturn, affecting the supply and/or demand for our equipment. Any quarantines, labor shortages or other disruptions to us, our suppliers, or our customers would likely adversely impact our sales and operating results. The extent of any additional impact from a pandemic on the Company’s operational and financial performance and liquidity will depend on various developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, governmental limitations on business operations generally, and its and their impact on potential customers, employees, and suppliers, vendors and distribution partners. As we cannot predict the potential future impact of the duration or scope of a global pandemic or similar health concerns, any resulting future financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated. In addition, to the extent that a global pandemic or similar health concerns adversely affect our results of operations or financial position, it may also heighten the other risks described in this Item 1A - Risk Factors.
We are subject to competition, which may have a material adverse effect on our business by reducing our ability to increase or maintain revenues or profitability.
The equipment rental industry is highly competitive and highly fragmented. Many of the markets in which we operate are served by numerous competitors, ranging from global, national and multi-regional equipment rental companies to small, independent businesses with a limited number of locations. We generally compete on the basis of availability, quality, reliability, delivery, price, technology and environmental friendliness. Some of our competitors have significantly greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do, and may be able to reduce rental rates. We may encounter increased competition from existing competitors or new market entrants in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, competition may begin to emerge on the basis of information technology infrastructure. We expect our competitors to continue to improve their information technology systems, including the use of artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning solutions, to further enhance operations and their rental platforms. Our ability to innovate our own technology infrastructure and appropriately address user experience will affect our ability to compete.
We purchase a significant amount of our equipment from a limited number of manufacturers. Termination of one or more of our relationships with any of those manufacturers could have a material adverse effect on our business, as we may be unable to obtain equipment in an adequate or timely manner.
We purchase most of our equipment from leading, nationally-known original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). For the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased approximately 52.8% of our equipment from five manufacturers (JCB, Skyjack, Sany, John Deere, and SkyTrak). Although we believe that we have alternative sources of supply for the equipment we purchase in each of our core product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of these major suppliers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations if we were unable to obtain equipment in an adequate or timely manner. Additionally, if one of these manufacturers shuts down or if two or more of them consolidate operations, this could have a significant effect on supply and pricing of equipment and thus could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Disruptions in our supply chain could result in adverse effects on our results of operations and financial performance.
Supply chain disruptions could impact our ability to obtain equipment and other supplies for our business from our key suppliers on acceptable terms or at all. To date, our supply chain disruptions related to the timing of receiving equipment orders, which have been moderate and did not extend beyond a significant period of time. We may experience more severe supply chain disruptions in the future or one or more supplier’s inability to manufacture or deliver equipment or parts. Any suspension or delay in any of our suppliers’ ability to provide us adequate equipment or supplies, or in our ability to procure equipment or supplies from other sources in a timely manner or at all, could impair our ability to meet customer demand and therefore could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
The cost of new equipment that we purchase for use in our rental fleet may increase and therefore we may spend more for such equipment. In some cases, we may not be able to procure equipment on a timely basis due to supplier constraints.
The cost of new equipment from manufacturers that we purchase for use in our rental fleet may increase as a result of increased raw material costs, including increases in the cost of steel, which is a primary material used in most of the equipment we use, labor shortages, inflation, supply chain disruptions or due to increased regulatory requirements, such as those related to emissions and climate change. In addition, in an effort to combat climate change, our customers may require our rental equipment to meet certain standards. If we are unable to meet such standards, then the expectations of our customers, business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. These increases could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations in future periods if we are not able to pass such cost increases through to our customers.
Our rental fleet is subject to residual value risk upon disposition.
The market value of any given piece of rental equipment could be less than its depreciated value at the time it is sold. The market value of used rental equipment depends on several factors, including:
•the market price for new equipment of a like kind;
•wear and tear on the equipment relative to its age;
•the time of year that it is sold (prices are generally higher during the construction season);
•worldwide and domestic demands for used equipment;
•advances in equipment technology and emission controls that may not be available for older equipment;
•the supply of used equipment on the market; and
•general economic conditions.
We include in operating income the difference between the sales price and the depreciated value of an item of equipment sold. Although for the year ended December 31, 2023, we sold used equipment from our rental fleet at an average selling price of approximately 255.0% of net book value, we cannot assure you that used equipment selling prices will not decline. Any significant decline in the selling prices for used equipment could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
If our rental fleet ages, our operating costs may increase, we may be unable to pass along such costs, and our earnings may decrease. The costs of new equipment we use in our fleet may increase, requiring us to spend more for replacement equipment or preventing us from procuring equipment on a timely basis.
If our rental equipment ages, the costs of maintaining such equipment, if not replaced within a certain period of time, will likely increase. The costs of maintenance may materially increase in the future and could lead to material adverse effects on our results of operations. In addition, older equipment may not be as attractive to our customers.
The cost of new equipment for use in our rental fleet could also increase due to increased material costs for our suppliers (including tariffs on raw materials) or other factors beyond our control. Such increases could materially adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations in future periods. Furthermore, changes in customer demand could cause certain of our existing equipment to become obsolete and require us to purchase new equipment at increased costs.
We incur maintenance and repair costs associated with our rental fleet equipment that could have a material adverse effect on our business in the event these costs are greater than anticipated.
As our fleet of rental equipment ages, the cost of maintaining such equipment, if not replaced within a certain period of time, generally increases. Determining the optimal age for our rental fleet equipment is subjective and requires considerable estimates by
management. We have made estimates regarding the relationship between the age of our rental fleet equipment, maintenance and repair costs, and the market value of used equipment. Our future operating results could be adversely affected because our maintenance and repair costs may be higher than estimated and market values of used equipment may fluctuate.
Labor disputes could disrupt our ability to serve our customers and/or lead to higher labor costs.
As of December 31, 2023, we have approximately 75 employees in Utah, a significant territory in our Intermountain region, who are covered by a collective bargaining agreement and approximately 2,690 employees who are not represented by unions or covered by collective bargaining agreements. Various unions periodically seek to organize certain of our nonunion employees. Union organizing efforts or collective bargaining negotiations could potentially lead to work stoppages and/or slowdowns or strikes by certain of our employees, which could adversely affect our ability to serve our customers. Further, settlement of actual or threatened labor disputes or an increase in the number of our employees covered by collective bargaining agreements can have unknown effects on our labor costs, productivity and flexibility.
Increases or fluctuations in fuel costs or reduced supplies of fuel could harm our business.
We in the past have been, and in the future could be, adversely affected by limitations on fuel supplies or significant increases in fuel prices that result in higher costs to us for transporting equipment from one branch to another branch or one region to another region. In addition, the cost of fuel could cause our clients to change capital allocation decisions and may even cause them to delay or cancel projects. A significant or protracted price fluctuation or disruption of fuel supplies could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, potential climate change regulation, including a potential carbon tax, could increase the overall cost of fuel to us and have a material adverse effect on us; see additional discussion of climate risks below.
Climate change, climate change regulations and greenhouse effects may materially adversely impact our operations and markets.
Climate change and its association with greenhouse gas emissions is receiving increased attention from the scientific and political communities. The U.S. federal government, certain U.S. states and certain other countries and regions have adopted or are considering legislation or regulation imposing overall caps or taxes on greenhouse gas emissions from certain sectors or facility categories. See “We could be adversely affected by environmental and safety requirements and regulations, including those regarding climate change, which could subject us to increased operational costs that could materially and adversely impact our liquidity and operating results” for a discussion of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (the “EPA”) newly issued final rule to reduce gas emissions. Additionally, the SEC is considering implementing new climate change disclosure rules and other federal or state agencies may do the same. These new reporting rules may be difficult to comply with, increase costs of operation and influence customer behavior and demand.
Such new laws or regulations, or stricter enforcement of existing laws and regulations, could increase the costs of operating our businesses, reduce the demand for our products and services and impact the prices we charge our customers, any or all of which could adversely affect our results of operations. Failure to comply with any legislation or regulation could potentially result in substantial fines, criminal sanctions or operational changes. Moreover, even without such legislation or regulation, the perspectives of our customers, stockholders, employees and other stakeholders regarding climate change are continuing to evolve, and increased awareness of, or any adverse publicity regarding, the effects of greenhouse gases could harm our reputation or reduce customer demand for our products and services.
Additionally, as severe weather events become increasingly common, our or our customers’ operations may be disrupted, which could result in increased operational costs or reduced demand for our products and services and extended periods of disruptions could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, climate change may also reduce the availability or increase the cost of insurance for weather-related events as well as may impact the global economy, including as a result of disruptions to supply chains. We anticipate that climate change-related risks will increase over time.
Strategic Risks
We may not be able to facilitate our growth strategy by identifying or completing transactions with attractive acquisition candidates, which could limit our revenues and profitability. Future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and may involve significant costs. We may experience integration and consolidation risks associated with future acquisitions.
An element of our growth strategy is to selectively pursue, on an opportunistic basis, acquisitions of additional businesses or assets of businesses, in particular rental companies that complement our existing business and footprint. The success of this element of our growth strategy depends, in part, on selecting strategic acquisition candidates at attractive prices and effectively integrating their businesses into our own, including with respect to financial reporting and regulatory matters. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify attractive acquisition candidates or complete the acquisition of any identified candidates at favorable prices and upon advantageous terms and conditions, including financing alternatives. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities and lead to higher acquisition costs. We may not have the financial resources
necessary to consummate any acquisitions or the ability to obtain the necessary funds on satisfactory terms. Any future acquisitions may result in significant transaction expenses and risks associated with entering new markets. We may also be subject to claims by third parties related to the operations of these businesses prior to our acquisition and by sellers under the terms of our acquisition agreements. We also regularly review other potential strategic transactions, including dispositions, which are also subject to claims by third parties and by the buyers under the terms of our disposition agreements.
We may not have sufficient management, financial and other resources to integrate or disintegrate any future acquisitions or dispositions. Any significant diversion of management’s and other personnel’s attention, time and resources or any major difficulties encountered in the evaluation, negotiation and integration of the businesses we acquire or sell could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, which could decrease our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business. Among other things, these risks could include:
•the loss of key employees;
•the disruption of operations and business;
•the retention of the existing clients and the retention or transition of customers and vendors;
•systems integration, as well as, the integration of corporate cultures and maintenance of employee morale;
•inability to maintain and increase competitive presence;
•customer loss and revenue loss;
•possible inconsistencies in standards, control procedures and policies;
•unexpected problems with costs, operations, personnel, technology and credit;
•problems with the assimilation of new operations, sites or personnel, which could divert resources from our regular operations;
•unrecorded liabilities of acquired companies and unidentified issues that we fail to discover during our due diligence investigations or that are not subject to indemnification or reimbursement by the seller;
•inherent risk associated with entering a geographic area or line of business in which we have no or limited experience;
•impairment of goodwill or other acquisition-related intangible assets;
•failure to achieve anticipated synergies or receiving an inadequate return of capital;
•integration of financial reporting and regulatory reporting functions, including with the SEC and pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended (“SOX”); and/or
•potential unknown liabilities.
Furthermore, general economic conditions, economic or geopolitical uncertainty, or unfavorable global capital and credit markets could affect the timing and extent to which we successfully acquire and integrate new businesses or dispose of existing businesses, which could limit our revenues and profitability.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with any past or future acquisition could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions, cause us to incur unanticipated liabilities and harm our business generally. In addition, if we are unable to successfully integrate our acquisitions with our existing business, we may not obtain the advantages that the acquisitions were intended to create, which may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, our ability to introduce new services and products and the market price of our stock.
We would expect to pay for any future acquisitions using cash or available borrowings, but to the extent that our existing sources of cash or borrowings are not sufficient, we would expect to need additional debt or equity financing, which involves its own risks, such as the dilutive effect on shares held by our stockholders if we financed acquisitions by issuing convertible debt or equity securities, or the risks associated with debt incurrence, such as increase debt service obligations and covenant compliance requirements.
We have also spent resources and efforts, apart from acquisitions, in attempting to grow and enhance our rental business over the past few years. These efforts place strains on our management and other personnel time and resources, and require timely and continued investment in facilities, personnel and financial and management systems and controls. We may not be successful in implementing all of the processes that are necessary to support any of our growth initiatives, which could result in our expenses increasing disproportionately to our incremental revenues, causing our operating margins and profitability to be adversely affected.
We may not be able to facilitate our growth strategy by identifying and opening attractive start-up locations, which could limit our revenues and profitability.
An element of our growth strategy is to selectively identify, source and implement start-up locations in order to add new customers. The success of this element of our growth strategy depends, in part, on identifying strategic start-up locations.
We also cannot assure you that we will be able to identify attractive start-up locations. Opening start-up locations may involve significant costs and limit our ability to expand our operations. Start-up locations may involve risks associated with entering new markets and we may face significant competition.
We may not have sufficient labor, real estate, management, financial and other resources to successfully open and operate new locations. Any significant diversion of management’s attention or any major difficulties encountered in the locations that we open in the future could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, which could decrease our profitability and make it more difficult for us to grow our business. Furthermore, general economic conditions or unfavorable global capital and credit markets could affect the timing and extent to which we open new start-up locations, which could limit our revenues and profitability.
Liquidity and Capital Resource Risks
Unfavorable conditions or disruptions in the capital and credit markets may adversely impact business conditions and the availability of credit.
Disruptions in the global capital and credit markets as a result of an economic downturn, economic or geopolitical uncertainty as result of escalating and potential global conflicts, including those in Ukraine, the Middle East and China, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our customers’ ability to access capital and could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for business in the future. Additionally, unfavorable market conditions may depress demand for our products and services or make it difficult for our customers to obtain financing and credit on reasonable terms. Unfavorable market conditions also may cause more of our customers to be unable to meet their payment obligations to us, increasing delinquencies and credit losses. If we are unable to manage credit risk adequately, or if a large number of customers should have financial difficulties at the same time, our credit losses could increase above historical levels and our operating results would be adversely affected. Delinquencies and credit losses generally can be expected to increase during economic slowdowns or recessions. Moreover, our suppliers may be adversely impacted by unfavorable capital and credit markets, causing disruption or delay of product availability. These events could negatively impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.
We have a significant amount of indebtedness outstanding. As of December 31, 2023, we had total outstanding indebtedness of approximately $1.4 billion, consisting of the amount outstanding under our senior unsecured notes, our senior secured credit facility (“Credit Facility”) and our finance lease liabilities.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences. For example, it could:
•increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic, industry and competitive conditions;
•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, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; and
•limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or general corporate purposes.
We expect to use cash flow from operations and borrowings under our Credit Facility to meet our current and future financial obligations, including funding our operations, debt service and capital expenditures. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have enough capital, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures, sell assets, obtain additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including the senior unsecured notes and our Credit Facility, on or before maturity. We cannot make any assurances that we will
be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future indebtedness, including the agreements governing the senior unsecured notes and the Credit Facility, may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives. As of February 15, 2024, we had borrowings of $277.3 million outstanding under our Credit Facility leaving us with borrowing availability of $460.3 million, as a result of $12.3 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility.
We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
Our ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. We cannot make assurances that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. The Credit Facility and the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from the disposition. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds which we could realize from such dispositions. Any proceeds we do receive from a disposition may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due.
If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. We cannot assure you that we would be able to take any of these actions, that these actions would be successful and permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations or that these actions would be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements, including the Credit Facility or the indenture governing the senior unsecured notes.
If we cannot make scheduled payments on our debt, we will be in default and, as a result:
•our debt holders could declare all outstanding principal and interest to be due and payable;
•the lenders under our credit facilities, including the Credit Facility, could terminate their commitments to lend us money and foreclose against the assets securing our outstanding borrowings under their facility; and
•we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Despite current indebtedness levels, we may still be able to incur more indebtedness, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.
Under the terms of the agreements governing the Credit Facility and the senior unsecured notes, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial indebtedness in the future.
Additionally, our Credit Facility provides revolving commitments of up to $750.0 million in the aggregate. As of February 15, 2024, we had $460.3 million of availability under the Credit Facility, as a result of $12.3 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility. If new debt is added to our current debt levels, the risks that we now face relating to our substantial indebtedness could intensify.
The agreements governing the Credit Facility and our senior unsecured notes restrict our business and our ability to engage in certain corporate and financial transactions.
The agreements governing the Credit Facility and the senior unsecured notes contain certain covenants that, among other things, restrict or limit our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to:
•incur more debt;
•pay dividends and make distributions;
•issue preferred stock of subsidiaries;
•make investments;
•repurchase stock;
•create liens;
•enter into transactions with affiliates;
•enter into sale and lease-back transactions;
•execute dispositions;
•merge or consolidate; and
•transfer and sell assets.
Our ability to borrow under the Credit Facility depends upon compliance with the restrictions contained in the Credit Facility. Events beyond our control could affect our ability to meet these covenants. In addition, the Credit Facility requires us to meet certain financial conditions tests and availability thereunder is subject to borrowing base availability.
Events beyond our control can affect our ability to meet these financial conditions tests and to comply with other provisions governing the Credit Facility and the senior unsecured notes. Our failure to comply with obligations under the agreements governing the Credit Facility and the senior unsecured notes may result in an event of default under the agreements governing the Credit Facility and the senior unsecured notes, respectively. A default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of this indebtedness and our other indebtedness. We may not be able to remedy these defaults. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we may not have sufficient funds available to pay the accelerated indebtedness and may not have the ability to refinance the accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all.
Variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility are at variable rates of interest, based on the U.S. prime rate and the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), and expose us to interest rate risk. As such, our financial results are sensitive to movements in interest rates.
There are many economic factors outside our control that have in the past impacted, and may in the future impact, rates of interest, including publicly announced indices that underlie our interest obligations related to borrowings under the Credit Facility based on SOFR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by Treasury securities.
Factors that also impact interest rates include, among others, governmental monetary policies, inflation, recession, changes in unemployment, the money supply, international disorder and instability in domestic and foreign financial markets. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our results of operations would be adversely impacted. Such increases in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. Notably, after years of a low interest rate environment, central banks across the globe significantly increased interest rates to stem inflation and as a result, global inflation began to stabilize. However, there is no certainty as to whether interest rates will stabilize, continue to increase or decrease.
Our business could be hurt if we are unable to obtain additional capital as required, resulting in a decrease in our revenues and profitability. In addition, our inability to refinance our indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all, could materially and adversely affect our liquidity and our ongoing results of operations.
The cash that we generate from our business, together with cash that we may borrow under our Credit Facility, if available, may not be sufficient to fund our capital requirements. We may require additional financing to obtain capital for, among other purposes, purchasing equipment, completing acquisitions, establishing new locations and refinancing existing indebtedness. Any additional indebtedness that we incur will make us more vulnerable to economic downturns and limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures. Moreover, we may not be able to obtain additional capital on acceptable terms, if at all. If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional financing in the future, our business could be adversely affected by reducing our ability to increase revenues and profitability.
In addition, our ability to refinance indebtedness will depend in part on our operating and financial performance, which, in turn, is subject to prevailing economic conditions and to financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. In addition, prevailing interest rates or other factors at the time of refinancing could increase our interest expense. A refinancing of our indebtedness could also require us to comply with more onerous covenants and further restrict our business operations. Our inability to refinance our indebtedness or to do so upon attractive terms could materially and adversely affect our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and make us vulnerable to adverse industry and general economic conditions. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or obtain additional capital sufficient to fund our capital requirements, we may be forced, among other things, to do one or more of the following: (i) sell certain of our assets, which could affect revenue generation and profitability; (ii) reduce the size of our rental fleet, which could have a similar impact; (iii) reduce or delay capital expenditures; (iv) reduce or eliminate our dividend; (v) issue additional equity, which could have a dilutive effect on current shareholders; or (vi) forgo business opportunities, including acquisitions and joint ventures.
The continued payment of our quarterly dividend is subject to, among other things, the availability of funds and the discretion of our board of directors.
The payment of future dividends and the amount thereof is uncertain, at the sole discretion of our board of directors and considered by the board of directors each quarter. The payment of dividends is dependent upon, among other things, operating cash flow generated by our business, financial requirements for our operations, the execution of our growth strategy, the restrictions and covenants pursuant to our Credit Facility and senior unsecured notes, and the satisfaction of solvency tests imposed by the Delaware General Corporation Law and other applicable law for the declaration and payment of dividends.
Governmental Regulation Risks
We have operations throughout the United States, which exposes us to multiple federal, state and local regulations. Changes in applicable law, regulations or requirements, or our material failure to comply with any of them, can increase our costs and have other negative impacts on our business.
Our 137 branch locations, as of December 31, 2023, in the United States are located in 30 different states, which exposes us to a host of different federal, state and local regulations. These laws and requirements address multiple aspects of our operations, such as worker safety, consumer rights, privacy, employee benefits, gas emissions and more, and can often have different requirements in different jurisdictions. Changes in these requirements, or any material failure by our branches to comply with them, could increase our costs, affect our reputation, limit our business, drain management’s time and attention or otherwise, generally impact our operations in adverse ways.
We could be adversely affected by environmental and safety requirements and regulations, including those regarding climate change, which could subject us to increased operational costs that could materially and adversely impact our liquidity and operating results.
Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, require the handling, use, storage and disposal of certain regulated materials. As a result, we are subject to the requirements of federal, state and local environmental protection and occupational health and safety laws and regulations. These laws regulate issues such as wastewater, stormwater, solid and hazardous waste and materials, and air quality. While our operations generally do not raise significant environmental risks, we use petroleum products, solvents and other hazardous substances for fueling and maintaining our equipment and vehicles. Environmental laws also impose obligations and liability for the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substance spills or releases. These liabilities can be imposed on the parties generating or disposing of such substances or the operator of the affected property, often without regard to whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of hazardous substances. Accordingly, we may become liable, either contractually or by operation of law, for remediation costs even if a contaminated property is not currently owned or operated by us, or if the contamination was caused by third parties during or prior to our ownership or operation of the property. As such, there can be no assurance that prior site assessments or investigations have identified all potential instances of soil or groundwater contamination. Future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise to additional remediation liabilities, which may be material.
We are subject to potentially significant civil or criminal fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. We have made and will continue to make capital and other expenditures in order to comply with these laws and regulations. These include climate change regulation, which could materially affect our operating results through increased compliance costs. The requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the U.S. Congress and other state and federal legislative and regulatory authorities in the United States have considered, and likely will continue to consider, numerous measures related to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and other laws and regulations affecting some of our end markets, such as oil, gas and other natural resource extraction. Should such laws and regulations become effective, demand for our services could be affected, our fleet or other costs could increase and our business could be materially adversely affected. For example, the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) recently issued a final rule that will sharply reduce emissions of methane and other harmful air pollution from oil and natural gas operations, including from existing sources nationwide. The final rule includes New Source Performance Standards, to reduce methane and smog-forming volatile organic compounds from new, modified and reconstructed sources, and Emissions Guidelines, which set procedures for states to follow as they develop plans to limit methane from existing sources, including oil and natural gas operations. While we cannot be certain of this rule’s impact as we wait for states to submit their plans to the EPA for approval, we anticipate that this could adversely impact the operations of our customers, specifically those in the oil and gas industry, which could reduce demand for our services and have an adverse impact on our business.
Further, investors are placing a greater emphasis on non-financial factors, including climate risk and other ESG issues, when evaluating investment opportunities. If we are unable to provide sufficient disclosure about ESG practices or if we fail to achieve ESG goals, investors may not view us as an attractive investment, which could have a negative effect on our stock price and business. Additionally, customers are becoming increasingly focused on ESG and climate related matters and have started considering and incorporating these factors when choosing suppliers, along with existing factors such as price and affordability. If we are unable to meet those additional requirements, we could be adversely impacted.
Our business may be materially affected by changes to fiscal and tax policies. Negative or unexpected tax consequences could adversely affect our results of operations.
Adverse changes in the underlying profitability and financial outlook of our operations or future changes in tax law could lead to changes in the value of tax assets or liabilities that we currently or in the future may hold, which could materially affect our results of operations.
Our business may be materially affected by changes to other policies governing our products, technology and technological development.
As we grow through acquisitions and advance our technology platforms, we could be required to comply with additional regulations which, if we fail to comply with, could affect the technological developments, in particular, and our company, as a whole. For instance, it is expected that laws and regulations around the use of AI and machine learning tools will increase over the next few years but it is unknown at this time what these laws and regulations will address and how and whether they will be adopted globally. If we introduce AI or machine learning into our information technology systems (as well as those of our customers through our technology platform), we could become subject to these new regulations, which may be difficult to comply with. Some of our competitors may not be required to comply, which would put us at a competitive disadvantage. In addition, we may find we do not have the right employee expertise for the advancement of AI and machine learning initiatives or that we that we haven’t provided the appropriate training to our team. Further, if we fail to adopt these new technologies we may face price pressure from competitors using lower-cost AI systems.
General Business Risks
Fluctuations in the stock market, as well as general economic and market conditions, may impact the market price of our common stock.
The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to significant fluctuations in response to general economic changes and other factors including, but not limited to:
•variations in our quarterly operating results or results that vary from investor expectations;
•changes in the strategy and actions taken by our competitors, including pricing changes;
•securities analysts’ elections to discontinue coverage of our common stock, changes in financial estimates by analysts or a downgrade of our common stock or of our sector by analysts;
•announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
•changes in the price of oil and other commodities;
•investor perceptions of us and the equipment rental and distribution industry; and
•national or regional catastrophes or circumstances and natural disasters, hostilities and acts of terrorism.
Broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of or in a manner that is disproportionate to any related impact on our operating performance. The stock market historically has experienced price and volume fluctuations that often have been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies. These fluctuations, as well as general economic and market conditions, including those listed above and others, may harm the market price of our common stock.
Security breaches and other disruptions in our information technology systems could limit our capacity to effectively monitor and control our operations, compromise our or our customers’ and suppliers’ confidential information or otherwise adversely affect our operating results or business reputation.
Our information technology systems, some of which are managed by third parties, facilitate our ability to monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions, including processing, transmitting, storing, managing and supporting a variety of business processes, activities and information. Further, we are expanding and improving our information technologies, resulting in a larger technological presence and corresponding exposure to cybersecurity risk. Any disruption in any of these systems, including our customer relationship management system, or the failure of any of these systems to operate as expected, could, depending on the magnitude of the problem, adversely affect our operating results by limiting our capacity to effectively monitor and control our operations and adjust to changing market conditions.
Additionally, we collect and store sensitive data, including proprietary business information and the proprietary business information of our customers and suppliers, in data centers and on information technology networks, including cloud-based networks. The secure operation of these information technology networks and the processing and maintenance of this information is critical to our business operations and strategy. However, the techniques and sophistication used to conduct cyberattacks and compromise information technology systems, as well as the sources and targets of these attacks, change and are often not recognized until such attacks are launched or have been in place for some time. In addition, there has been an increase in state sponsored cyberattacks which are often conducted by capable, well-funded groups. The rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence technologies amplifies these concerns.
Despite security measures and business continuity plans, our information technology networks and infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to attacks by cyber criminals or breaches due to employee error or malfeasance or other disruptions during the process of upgrading or replacing computer software or hardware, power outages, computer viruses, telecommunication or utility failures, terrorist acts or natural disasters or other catastrophic events. Further, the growing use and rapid evolution of technology, including mobile devices, has heightened the risk of unintentional data breaches or leaks. The occurrence of any of these events could compromise our networks, and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. In addition, as security threats continue to evolve, we may need to invest additional resources to protect the security of our systems or to comply with privacy, data security, cybersecurity and data protection laws applicable to our business.
Any failure to effectively prevent, detect and/or recover from any such access, disclosure or other loss of information, or to comply with any such current or future law related thereto, could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy of personal information, disrupt operations, and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business.
We are dependent on key personnel. A loss of key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, which could result in a decline in our revenues and profitability.
Our senior and regional managers have an average of approximately 26 years of industry experience. Our branch managers have extensive knowledge and industry experience as well. Our success is dependent, in part, on the experience and skills of our management team. Competition for top management talent within our industry is generally significant. If we are unable to fill and keep filled all of our senior management positions, or if we lose the services of any key member of our senior management team and are unable to find a suitable replacement in a timely manner, we may be challenged to effectively manage our business and execute our strategy.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud.
Effective internal controls are necessary to provide reliable financial reports and to assist in the effective prevention of fraud. Any inability to provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud could harm our business. We must annually evaluate our internal procedures to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of SOX, which requires management and auditors to assess the effectiveness of our internal controls. If we fail to remedy or maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, as such standards are modified, supplemented or amended from time to time, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny, civil or criminal penalties or stockholder litigation.
In addition, failure to maintain effective internal controls could result in financial statements that do not accurately reflect our financial condition or results of operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain a system of internal controls that fully complies with the requirements of SOX or that our management and independent registered public accounting firm will continue to conclude that our internal controls are effective.
We are exposed to various risks related to legal proceedings or claims that could adversely affect our operating results. The nature of our business exposes us to various liability claims, which may exceed the level of our insurance coverage resulting in us not being fully protected.
We are a party to lawsuits in the normal course of our business. Litigation in general can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict. Responding to lawsuits brought against us, or legal actions that we may initiate, can often be expensive and time-consuming. Unfavorable outcomes from these claims and/or lawsuits could adversely affect our business, results of operations, or financial condition, and we could incur substantial monetary liability and/or be required to change our business practices.
Our business exposes us to claims for personal injury, death or property damage resulting from the use of the equipment we rent or sell and from injuries caused in motor vehicle accidents in which our delivery and service personnel are involved and other employee related matters. Additionally, we could be subject to potential litigation associated with compliance with various laws and governmental regulations at the federal, state or local levels, such as those relating to the protection of persons with disabilities, employment, health, safety, security and other regulations under which we operate.
We carry comprehensive insurance, subject to deductibles, at levels we believe are sufficient to cover existing and future claims made during the respective policy periods. However, we may be exposed to multiple claims, and, as a result, we could incur significant out-of-pocket costs before reaching the deductible amount which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the cost of such insurance policies may increase significantly upon renewal of those policies as a result of general rate increases for the type of insurance we carry as well as our historical experience and experience in our industry. Although we have not experienced any material losses that were not covered by insurance, our existing or future claims may exceed the coverage level of our insurance, and such insurance may not continue to be available on economically reasonable terms, or at all. If we are required to pay significantly higher premiums for insurance, are not able to maintain insurance coverage at affordable rates or if we must pay amounts in excess of claims covered by our insurance, we could experience higher costs that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

---

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2023, we had a network of 137 branch facilities in 30 states in the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. In our facilities, we rent, display and sell equipment, including tools and supplies, and provide maintenance and basic repair work. Of the 137 total facilities, we lease 125 and own 12 of our locations. No one location is material to our business as a whole. Our leases typically provide for varying terms and renewal options. The following table provides data on our locations:
State
Branch Count
State
Branch Count
Alabama
Mississippi
Arizona
Missouri
Arkansas
Montana
California
Nevada
Colorado
New Mexico
Delaware
North Carolina
Florida
Oklahoma
Georgia
Oregon
Idaho
Pennsylvania
Illinois
South Carolina
Indiana
Tennessee
Kansas
Texas
Kentucky
Utah
Louisiana
Virginia
Maryland
Washington
Each facility location has a branch manager who is responsible for day-to-day operations. In addition, branch operating facilities are typically staffed with approximately 10 to over 50 people, who may include technicians, salespeople, rental operations staff and parts specialists. While facility offices are typically open five days a week, we provide 24 hour, seven day per week service.
Our corporate headquarters employs approximately 381 people. Our corporate headquarters facility is on 3.1 acres of company-owned land where we occupy a total of approximately 42,550 square feet.

---

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
For information on Company legal proceedings, see Note 13 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, trades on the Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “HEES.”
Holders
As of December 31, 2023, there were 53 stockholders of record of our common stock. This does not include beneficial owners of our common stock whose stock is held in nominee or “street name”.
Dividends
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we paid quarterly cash dividends totaling $1.10 per share in each year, or approximately $40.0 million and $39.9 million, respectively. We intend to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends; however, the declaration of any subsequent dividends is discretionary and will be subject to a final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of, among other things, business and market conditions.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
For certain information concerning securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plan, see Item 12 - Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters, which notes that the information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement (as defined in Item 1 - Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance).
Performance Graph
The Performance Graph below compares the cumulative five year total stockholder return on H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s common stock beginning on December 31, 2018 and for each subsequent quarter period end through and including December 31, 2023, with the cumulative returns of the Russell 2000 Index and an industry peer group selected by us. The Company updated its peer group during the year ended December 31, 2023 to increase the size of its peer group and align with the Company’s recent transition to a pure-play rental business. As such, the peer group we selected for the year ended December 31, 2023 is comprised of the following companies: United Rentals, Inc., Herc Holdings Inc., The Ashtead Group, PLC, GATX Corporation, McGrath RentCorp, WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp., Astec Industries, Inc., Alta Equipment Group Inc., RB Global, Inc., DXP Enterprises, Inc., Arcosa, Inc., and Flowserve Corporation. Our historical peer group we selected for the years prior to the year ended December 31, 2023 is comprised of the following companies: United Rentals, Inc., Herc Holdings Inc., Toromont Industries, Ltd., Finning International, Inc., and The Ashtead Group, PLC.
The Performance Graph comparison assumes $100 was invested in our common stock and in each of the other indices described above on December 31, 2018. Dividend reinvestment has been assumed and returns have been weighted to reflect relative stock market capitalization. The stock performance shown on the graph below is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
12/31/18
12/31/19
12/31/20
12/31/21
12/31/22
12/31/23
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
$
100.00
$
170.37
$
159.75
$
244.59
$
258.13
$
304.99
Russell 2000 Index
100.00
125.52
150.58
172.90
137.56
160.85
Peer Group 2023
100.00
151.12
196.57
284.31
256.90
342.99
Peer Group 2022
100.00
148.58
205.05
319.78
275.92
382.05
This stock performance information is “furnished” and shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or subject to Rule 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and irrespective of any general incorporation by reference language in any such filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate this information by reference.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities; Use of Proceeds From Registered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
None.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]
Not applicable.

---

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion summarizes the financial position of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2023, and its results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2023, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements that include risks and uncertainties
(see discussion of “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including those factors set forth under Item 1A - Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Background
Founded in 1961 through our predecessor companies, we have been in the equipment services business for approximately 62 years and are one of the largest rental equipment companies in the nation. H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (“ H&E L.L.C.”) was formed in June 2002 through the business combination of Head & Engquist, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Gulf Wide Industries, L.L.C., and ICM Equipment Company L.L.C. In connection with our initial public offering in February 2006, we converted H&E L.L.C. into H&E Equipment Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
H&E serves a diverse set of end markets in many high-growth geographies including branches throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. As of December 31, 2023, we operated 137 branch locations across 30 states throughout the United States.
While focusing primarily on equipment rentals, we additionally engage in sales of rental equipment, sales of new equipment, parts sales and repair and maintenance services. The Company’s construction rental fleet is among the industry’s youngest with an equipment mix comprised of aerial work platforms, earthmoving, material handling, and other general and specialty lines. We are confident our operating experience and extensive infrastructure developed throughout our history as an integrated equipment services company qualified us to successfully transition to a pure-play rental company. This experience and infrastructure continues to provide us with a competitive advantage enabling us to broaden our industry expansion. Our workforce includes an outside and inside sales force for our rental operations and equipment sales, highly skilled service technicians, transportation drivers and regional and district managers. Our management, from the corporate level down to the branch store level, has extensive industry experience. We believe this allows us to provide specialized equipment knowledge, improve the effectiveness of our sales force and strengthen our customer relationships. In addition, we operate our day-to-day business on a branch basis, which allows us to more closely service our customers, fosters management accountability at local levels and strengthens our local and regional relationships.
Effective September 17, 2021, the Company sold its Little Rock, Arkansas and Springdale, Arkansas owned-branches. The sale included the land, building, furniture and fixtures, and shop equipment for the two branches and we relinquished the majority of our Arkansas territory distribution rights with equipment manufacturers Komatsu, Wirtgen Group and Takeuchi.
Effective October 1, 2021, the Company sold its crane business to a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (“the Crane Sale”). The Crane Sale met the criteria for discontinued operations presentation and as such, the results of operations of the Crane Sale are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The financial results and information below are presented on a continuing operations basis and exclude the Crane Sale, unless otherwise noted specifically as discontinued operations.
Effective October 1, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of One Source Equipment Rentals, Inc. (“OSR”), a privately-held equipment rentals company with 10 branch locations primarily in the Midwest.
Effective December 15, 2022, the Company sold its Komatsu distributorship in Louisiana. The sale included a branch location in Kenner, LA, a branch in Shreveport, LA and accompanying new equipment inventory, parts and supplies.
Effective November 1, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Giffin Equipment (“Giffin”), a privately-held equipment rentals company with three branch locations in California.
Business Segments
We have five reportable segments because we derive our revenues from five business activities: (1) equipment rentals; (2) sales of rental equipment; (3) sales of new equipment; (4) parts sales; and (5) services revenue. Our primary segment is equipment rentals. In addition, we also have non-segmented other revenues and costs that relate to equipment support activities. These segments are based upon how we allocate resources and assess performance.
•Equipment Rentals. Our rental operation is our principal focus and we primarily rent our core types of construction and industrial equipment (aerial work platforms, earthmoving equipment, material handling equipment and other general and specialty lines). We have a well-maintained rental fleet and a dedicated sales team. We actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet based on our analysis of key measures such as time utilization (a reflection of equipment usage based on customer demand and calculated as our fleet’s original equipment cost on-rent divided by our fleet’s total original equipment cost, averaged over the time period), rental rate trends and targets, rental equipment dollar utilization, and maintenance and repair costs, which we closely monitor. Given the use of these measures by management, we believe that investors’ understanding of our performance is enhanced by the disclosure of the measures as it allows
investors to view performance from management’s perspective. Additionally, we maintain fleet quality through quality control inspections and our parts and services operations.
•Sales of Rental Equipment. Our used sales are generated primarily from sales from our rental fleet. Sales of our rental fleet equipment allow us to manage the size, quality, composition and age of our rental fleet, and provide us with a profitable distribution channel for the disposal of rental equipment.
•Sales of New Equipment. We sell equipment through a professional sales force. While sales of new equipment are impacted by the availability of equipment from the manufacturer, we believe our relationship with some of our key suppliers improves our ability to obtain equipment.
•Parts Sales. Our parts business provides parts to our own rental fleet and sells parts for the equipment we sell. In order to provide timely parts and services support to our rental fleet as well as our customers, we maintain a parts inventory.
•Services. Our services operation provides maintenance and repair services to our own rental fleet and for our customers’ equipment at our facilities as well as at our customers’ locations.
Our other revenues are non-segmented and relate to costs primarily related to ancillary charges associated with equipment maintenance and repair services, and are not generally allocated to reportable segments.
For additional information about our business segments, see Note 16 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Revenue Sources
We generate all of our total revenues from our five business activities and our other equipment support activities. Equipment rentals accounts for the majority of our total revenues.
The pie charts below illustrate a breakdown of our revenues and gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 by source:
The equipment that we rent, sell and service is principally used in the construction industry, as well as by companies for commercial and industrial uses such as plant maintenance and turnarounds, and in the petrochemical and energy sectors. As a result, our total revenues are affected by several factors including, but not limited to, the demand for and availability of rental equipment, rental rates and other competitive factors, the demand for used and new equipment, the level of construction and industrial activities, spending levels by our customers, adverse weather conditions, supply chain disruptions and general economic conditions.
Equipment Rentals. Our rental operation primarily represents revenues from renting owned equipment of our core types of construction and industrial equipment (aerial work platforms, earthmoving equipment, material handling equipment and other general and specialty lines). We primarily account for these rental contracts as operating leases. We recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned, regardless of the timing of billing to customers. A rental contract includes rates for daily, weekly or monthly use, and rental revenues are earned on a daily basis as rental contracts remain outstanding. We have a well-maintained rental fleet and we actively manage the size, quality, age and composition of our rental fleet.
Sales of Rental Equipment. We generate the majority of our used sales revenues by selling equipment from our rental fleet.
Sales of New Equipment. Our sales of new equipment operation sells equipment across all of our core categories of equipment.
Parts, Service and Other. We primarily generate revenues from the sale of parts for equipment that we rent or sell. We primarily derive our services revenues from maintenance and repair services for equipment that we rent or sell and from customers' owned equipment. Our other revenues relate primarily to ancillary charges associated with equipment maintenance and repair services.
Principal Costs and Expenses
Our largest expenses are rental expenses, rental depreciation, rental other expenses, the costs associated with the used equipment we sell, the costs to purchase new equipment and costs associated with parts sales and services, all of which are included in cost of revenues. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our total cost of revenues was approximately $784.8 million. Our operating expenses consist principally of selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”). For year ended December 31, 2023, our SG&A expenses were $405.4 million. In addition, we have interest expense primarily related to our debt instruments. Operating expenses and all other income and expense items below the gross profit line of our Consolidated Statements of Income are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.
We are also subject to federal and state income taxes. Future income tax examinations by state and federal agencies could result in additional income tax expense based on potential outcomes of such matters.
Cost of Revenues:
Rental Depreciation. Depreciation of rental equipment represents the depreciation costs attributable to rental equipment. Estimated useful lives vary based upon type of equipment. Generally, we depreciate aerial work platforms over a ten year estimated useful life, earthmoving equipment over a five year estimated useful life with a 25% salvage value, and material handling equipment over a seven year estimated useful life. Attachments and other smaller type equipment are depreciated over a three year estimated useful life. We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives assigned to rental equipment.
Rental Expense. Rental expense represents the costs associated with rental equipment, including, among other things, the cost of repairing and maintaining our rental equipment, property taxes on our fleet and other miscellaneous costs of owning rental equipment.
Rental Other. Rental other expenses consist primarily of equipment support activities that we provide our customers in connection with renting equipment, such as hauling services, damage waiver policies, environmental fees and other recovery fees.
Sales of Rental Equipment. Cost of used equipment sold primarily consists of the net book value of rental equipment for used equipment sold from our rental fleet.
Sales of New Equipment. Cost of new equipment sold primarily consists of the equipment cost of the new equipment that is sold.
Parts, Service and Other. Cost of parts sales represents costs attributable to the sale of parts used in the maintenance and repair of equipment on-rent by customers and directly to customers for their owned equipment. Cost of services revenues represents costs attributable to service provided for the maintenance and repair of equipment on-rent by customers and of customer-owned equipment. Our other expenses include costs associated with ancillary charges associated with equipment maintenance and repair services.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:
Our SG&A expenses include sales and marketing expenses, payroll and related benefit costs, including stock compensation expense, insurance expenses, professional fees, rent and other occupancy costs, property and other taxes, administrative overhead, acquisition costs, depreciation associated with property and equipment (other than rental equipment) and amortization expense associated with intangible assets. These expenses are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.
Interest Expense:
Interest expense for the periods presented represents the interest on our outstanding debt instruments, including aggregate amounts outstanding under our revolving $750.0 million senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), our $1.25 billion, 3.875% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “Senior Unsecured Notes”) and finance lease obligations. Non-cash interest expense related to the amortization cost of deferred financing costs and the accretion/amortization of note discount/premium are also included in interest expense.
Principal Cash Flows
We generate cash primarily from our operating activities and, historically, we have used cash flows from operating activities and available borrowings under the Credit Facility as the primary sources of funds to purchase new equipment and to fund working capital
and capital expenditures, growth and expansion opportunities (see also “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below). The management of our working capital is closely tied to operating cash flows, as working capital can be impacted by, among other things, our accounts receivable activities, the level of equipment inventory, which may increase or decrease in response to current and expected demand, and the size and timing of our trade accounts payable payment cycles.
Rental Fleet
A substantial portion of our overall value is in our rental fleet equipment. The net book value of our rental equipment at December 31, 2023 was $1.8 billion, or approximately 66.5% of our total assets. Our rental fleet as of December 31, 2023 consisted of 61,044 units having an original acquisition cost (which we define as the cost originally paid to manufacturers) of approximately $2.8 billion. As of December 31, 2023, our rental fleet composition was as follows (dollars in millions):
Units
% of
Total
Units
Original
Acquisition
Cost
% of Original
Acquisition
Cost
Average
Age in
Months
Aerial Work Platforms
27,244
44.6
%
$
924.3
33.1
%
51.5
Earthmoving
8,604
14.1
%
744.0
26.7
%
23.7
Material Handling Equipment
10,212
16.7
%
816.7
29.3
%
39.6
Other
14,984
24.6
%
306.0
10.9
%
27.4
Total
61,044
100.0
%
2,791.0
100.0
%
39.7
Determining the optimal age and mix for our rental fleet equipment is subjective and requires considerable estimates and judgments by management. We constantly evaluate the mix, age and quality of the equipment in our rental fleet in response to current economic and market conditions, competition and customer demand as part of our fleet management strategy. The mix and age of our rental fleet, as well as our cash flows, are impacted by sales of rental equipment, which are influenced by used equipment pricing at the retail and secondary auction market levels, the demand for our rental fleet, the availability of new equipment and the capital expenditures to acquire fleet. In making equipment acquisition decisions, we evaluate current economic and market conditions, competition, manufacturers’ availability, pricing and return on investment over the estimated useful life of the specific equipment, among other things. As a result of our in-house service capabilities and extensive maintenance program, our rental fleet is well-maintained.
The original acquisition cost of our gross rental fleet increased by approximately $432.6 million, or 18.3%, for the year ended December 31, 2023, largely reflective of an increase in rental fleet capital expenditures. The average age of our rental fleet equipment decreased by approximately 3.9 months for the year ended December 31, 2023. Our average rental rates for the year ended December 31, 2023 were approximately 5.6% higher than the year ended December 31, 2022 (see further discussion on rental rates in “Results of Operations” below).
The rental equipment mix among our core product lines for the year ended December 31, 2023 was largely consistent with that of the prior year as a percentage of total units available for rent and as a percentage of original acquisition cost.
Principal External Factors that Affect our Businesses
We are subject to a number of external factors that may adversely affect our businesses. These factors, and other factors, are discussed below and under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements,” and in Item 1A - Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
•Economic downturns. The demand for our products is dependent on the general economy, which is in turn affected by geopolitical conditions, the stability of the global credit markets, inflationary pressures, increasing interest rates, the industries in which our customers operate or serve, and other factors. Downturns in the general economy or in the construction and industrial markets, as well as adverse credit market conditions, can cause demand for our products to materially decrease. Our operations are also impacted by global economic conditions, including inflation, increased interest rates and supply chain constraints. To date, our supply chain disruptions have been limited and related to the timing of receiving equipment orders, which have been moderate and did not extend beyond a significant period of time. We have experienced and may continue to experience inflationary pressures, including but not limited to cost increases related to equipment, fuel and hauling expenses that we attempt to mitigate through pricing and productivity initiatives.
•Spending levels by customers. Rentals and sales of equipment to the construction industry and to industrial companies constitute a significant portion of our total revenues. As a result, we depend upon customers in these businesses and their ability and willingness to rent or buy equipment. Accordingly, our business is impacted by fluctuations in customers’ spending levels and seasonality, as discussed in Item 1.
•Adverse weather. Adverse weather in a geographic region in which we operate may depress demand for equipment in that region. Our equipment is primarily used outdoors and, as a result, prolonged adverse weather conditions may prohibit our customers from continuing their work projects. Adverse weather also has a seasonal impact in parts of our Intermountain region, particularly in the winter months.
•Regional and Industry-Specific Activity and Trends. Expenditures by our customers may be impacted by the overall level of construction activity in the markets and regions in which they operate, the price of oil and other commodities, the price of materials, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages and other general economic trends impacting the industries in which our customers and end users operate. As our customers adjust their activity and spending levels in response to these external factors, our rentals and sales of equipment to those customers will be impacted.
•Climate Change and ESG Regulations. As discussed in Item 1 - Environmental and Safety Regulations and Item 1A - Risk Factors-"We could be adversely affected by environmental and safety requirements and regulations, including those regarding climate change, which could subject us to increased operational costs that could materially and adversely impact our liquidity and operating results”, our facilities and operations are subject to comprehensive and frequently changing federal, state and local environmental and occupational health and safety laws. We have made, and will continue to make, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. While we do not currently anticipate any material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or competitive position as a result of our efforts to comply with such requirements, new or more stringent laws or regulations regarding in environmental and worker health and safety laws could affect our operations and increase our operational and compliance expenditures. It is also possible that liabilities from newly-discovered non-compliance or contamination could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The application of many accounting principles requires us to make assumptions, estimates and/or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. These assumptions, estimates and/or judgments, however, are often subjective and they and our actual results may change based on changing circumstances or changes in our analyses. If actual amounts are ultimately different from our estimates, the revisions are included in our results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts first become known. We believe the following critical accounting estimates could potentially produce materially different results if we were to change underlying assumptions, estimates and/or judgments. See also Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of our significant accounting policies.
Useful Lives of Rental Equipment and Property and Equipment. We depreciate rental equipment and property and equipment over their estimated useful lives (generally three to ten years), after giving effect to an estimated salvage value ranging from 0% to 25% of cost. The useful life of rental equipment is determined based on our estimate of the period the asset will generate revenues, and the salvage value is determined based on our estimate of the minimum value we could realize from the asset after such period. We periodically review the assumptions utilized in computing rates of depreciation. We may be required to change these estimates based on changes in our industry or other changing circumstances. If these estimates change in the future, we may be required to recognize increased or decreased depreciation expense for these assets.
The amount of depreciation expense we record is dependent upon the estimated useful lives and the salvage values assigned to each category of rental equipment. Generally, we assign estimated useful lives to our rental fleet ranging from a three-year life, five-year life with a 25% salvage value, seven-year life and a ten-year life. None of the useful lives assumptions have changed during the prior or current period. Depreciation expense on our rental fleet as of December 31, 2023 was approximately $347.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated depreciation assuming a change in estimated useful lives for each category of equipment by two years was as follows:
Impact of 2-year change in useful life on results of operations as of December 31, 2023
Aerial Work
Platforms
Earth-
moving
Material Handling
Equipment
Other
Total
($ in millions)
Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2023
$
101.9
$
112.8
$
82.0
$
50.3
$
347.0
Increase of 2 years in useful life
77.0
79.7
90.7
61.2
308.7
Decrease of 2 years in useful life
115.5
186.0
163.3
50.3
515.2
For purposes of the sensitivity analysis above, we elected not to decrease the useful lives of other equipment, which are primarily three-year estimated useful life assets; rather, we have held the depreciation expense constant at the actual amount of depreciation expense. We believe that decreasing the life of the other equipment by two years is an unreasonable estimate and would potentially lead to the decision to expense, rather than capitalize, that portion of the subject asset class. In general terms, a one-year increase in the estimated life across all classes of our rental equipment will give rise to an approximate decrease in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $19.2 million. Additionally, a one-year decrease in the estimated life across all classes of our rental equipment (with the exception of other equipment as discussed above) will give rise to an approximate increase in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $84.1 million.
Another assumption used in our calculation of depreciation expense is the estimated salvage value assigned to our earthmoving equipment. Based on our historical data and recent experience, we have used a 25% factor of the equipment’s original cost to estimate its salvage value. This factor is subjective and subject to change in the future based upon actual results at the time we dispose of the equipment. A change of 5%, either increase or decrease, in the estimated salvage value would result in a change in our annual depreciation expense of approximately $7.4 million.
Acquisition Accounting. We have made a number of acquisitions in the past and we may continue to make additional acquisitions in the future. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Long-lived assets (principally rental equipment), goodwill and other intangible assets generally represent the largest component of our acquisitions. Historically, virtually all of the rental equipment that we have acquired through business combinations have been classified as “To be Used,” rather than as “To be Sold.” Rental equipment that we acquire and classify as “To be Used” is recorded at fair value and is valued utilizing either a cost or market approach, or a combination of these methods, depending on the asset being valued and the availability of cost or market data. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Such fair market value assessments require judgments and estimates that can be affected by various factors over time, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates. The identification of assets acquired, inputs utilized for determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and applicable fair value methodologies, discussed more below, all include significant judgment. We have not changed our assumption methodologies during the current or prior period.
In addition to long-lived fixed assets, we also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these assets and liabilities generally approximate the carrying values reflected on the acquired entities balance sheets. However, when appropriate, we adjust these carrying values for factors such as collectability and existence. The intangible assets that we have acquired generally consist primarily of the goodwill recognized. Depending upon the applicable purchase agreement and the particular facts and circumstances of the business acquired, we may identify other intangible assets, such as trade names or trademarks, noncompetition agreements and customer-related intangibles (specifically, customer relationships). A trademark has a fair value equal to the present value of the royalty income attributable to it. The royalty income attributable to a trademark represents the hypothetical cost savings that are derived from owning the trademark instead of paying royalties to license the trademark from another owner. When specifically negotiated by the parties in the applicable purchase agreements, we base the value of noncompetition agreements on the amounts assigned to them in the purchase agreements as these amounts represent the amounts negotiated in an arm’s length transaction. When not negotiated by the parties in the applicable purchase agreements, the fair value of noncompetition agreements is estimated based on an income approach since their values are representative of the current and future revenue and profit erosion protection they provide. Customer relationships are generally valued based on an excess earnings or income approach with consideration to projected cash flows.
Evaluation of Goodwill Impairment. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if triggering events occur or other impairment indicators arise that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. A triggering event analysis and identification may include judgments.
Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including: the identification of reporting units; assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; assignment of goodwill to reporting units; determination of the fair value of each reporting unit; fair value methodologies and assumptions, and an assumption as to the form of the transaction in which the reporting unit would be acquired by a market participant (either a taxable or nontaxable transaction). Impairment of goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (i.e., a component). We have determined that each of our operating segments (Equipment Rentals, Sales of Rental Equipment, Sales of New Equipment, Parts, and Services) represents a reporting unit, resulting in five total reporting units.
As of December 31, 2023, our goodwill was comprised of the following carrying values (amounts in thousands):
Reporting Unit
Carrying Value at December 31, 2023
Equipment Rentals
$
99,708
Sales of Rental Equipment
8,447
Sales of New Equipment
-
Parts Sales
-
Services Revenues
-
Total Goodwill
$
108,155
During 2023, based on our evaluation of our Parts Sales reporting unit and operating segment during the third quarter, we identified a triggering event requiring an interim impairment test. This triggering event related to a sustained parts segment decline in volume and actual revenue and earnings compared with our planned revenue and earnings utilized in our most recent quantitative goodwill impairment analysis following our business’s dispositions and strategic shift to be rental focused. No triggering event was identified related to our Equipment Rental and Sales of Rental Equipment reporting units. We estimated the fair value of our Parts Sales reporting unit by weighting results from the income approach and the market approach and concluded that our Parts Sales reporting unit had a fair value less than its carrying value, resulting in a $5.7 million impairment charge. The impairment was largely due to a current year decrease in parts revenues as a result of our business’s strategic shift and recent dispositions. This revenue decline, combined with our forecasted parts revenues growth rate and operating results assumptions for the forecast period under the income approach, resulted in a fair value determination, that when combined with the weighted fair value of the reporting unit determined under the market approach, was less than the reporting unit’s carrying value.
We performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment as of our annual testing date, October 1, 2023. We determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units containing goodwill was not less than its carrying value and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed quantitative goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent interim quantitative assessment.
During 2022, we performed, as of October 1, our annual impairment testing date, a Step 0 qualitative assessment and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units containing goodwill was not less than its carrying value and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed quantitative Step 1 goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent quantitative assessment.
As of October 1, 2021, our annual impairment test date, we performed a Step 1 quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment for all reporting units containing goodwill. For these reporting units, we compared the carrying values of each reporting unit, inclusive of goodwill and definite-lived intangible assets, to its fair value. We estimated the fair value of these reporting units by weighting results from the income approach and the market approach, as further described below. Based on this quantitative test, we determined that our Equipment Rentals, Sales of Rental Equipment and Parts Sales reporting units were not impaired as of the October 1, 2021 annual impairment testing date as their respective fair values exceeded their respective carrying values by approximately 50%, 98% and 9%, respectively. Based on the excess of fair values over the carrying values, a sensitivity analysis completed on the assumptions utilized would not result in a varying conclusion of the goodwill quantitative assessment.
For purposes of performing the quantitative impairment tests described above, we estimate the fair value of our reporting units by utilizing fair value techniques consistent with the income approach and market approach. When performing the income approach for each reporting unit, we use a discounted cash flow analysis based on our internal projected results of operations, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) and terminal value assumptions. Our cash flow projections are based on ten-year financial forecasts developed by management that include revenue projections, capital spending trends, and investment in working capital to support anticipated revenue growth. The WACC is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise and represents the expected cost of new capital likely to be used by market participants. The WACC is used to discount our combined future cash flows. The inputs and variables used in determining the fair value of a reporting unit require management to make certain assumptions regarding the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes, as well as estimates of future cash flows. Our estimates regarding future cash flows are based on historical experience and projections of future operating performance, including revenues, margins and operating expenses. We also make certain forecasts about future economic conditions, interest rates and other market data. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods. Changes in assumptions or estimates could materially affect the estimate of a reporting unit’s fair value, and therefore could affect the likelihood and amount of potential impairment. Under the market approach, we compare the reporting units to selected reasonably similar (or “guideline”) publicly-traded companies. Under this method,
valuation multiples are: (i) derived from the operating data of selected guideline companies; (ii) evaluated and adjusted based on the strengths and weaknesses of our reporting unit relative to the selected guideline companies; and (iii) applied to the operating data of our reporting unit to arrive at an indication of value. The application of the market approach results in an estimate of the price reasonably expected to be realized from the sale of the reporting unit.
Income Taxes. The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is a C-Corporation under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. We utilize the asset and liability approach to measure deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date of that tax rate.
The Company recognizes the effect of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (a likelihood of greater than 50%) that such position will be sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in net other income (expense).
Our deferred tax calculation requires management to make certain estimates about future operations. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. These estimates involve judgment. There has been no change to the assumption methodology during the current or prior period.
Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2020 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. We are also subject to examination in various state jurisdictions for 2019 and subsequent years.
Results of Operations
The tables included in the period-to-period comparisons below provide summaries of our revenues and gross profits for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. The period-to-period comparisons of our financial results are not necessarily indicative of future results. All financial results and metrics discussed below are on a continuing operations basis.
As discussed further in Note 2 and Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements, on October 1, 2021, the Company sold its crane business and during the second quarter of 2022 the Company finalized closing adjustments. The results of operations of the Crane Sale are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes cash flows related to the discontinued operations and accordingly, cash flow amounts for discontinued operations are disclosed in Note 3 “Acquisitions and Dispositions”.
Our prior year discussion for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 can be found here, in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Revenues.
For the Year Ended
December 31,
Total Dollar
Total Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
Increase (Decrease)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals
Rentals
$
1,051,632
$
847,555
$
204,077
24.1
%
Rentals other
134,520
108,487
26,033
24.0
%
Total equipment rentals
1,186,152
956,042
230,110
24.1
%
Sales of rental equipment
165,074
90,885
74,189
81.6
%
Sales of new equipment
39,099
92,526
(53,427
)
(57.7
)%
Parts, service and other
78,891
105,065
(26,174
)
(24.9
)%
Total revenues
$
1,469,216
$
1,244,518
$
224,698
18.1
%
Total Revenues. Our total revenues were $1.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $1.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $224.7 million, or 18.1%. Revenues of our business activities are further discussed below.
Equipment Rental Revenues. Our total revenues from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $230.1 million, or 24.1%, to $1.2 billion from $956.0 million in 2022. The increase in equipment rental revenues was primarily due to our larger fleet and increased rental rates as compared to the prior year. See Rentals and Rentals Other below for additional information.
Rentals: Rental revenues increased $204.1 million, or 24.1%, to $1.1 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $847.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Rental revenues from material handling equipment increased $65.4 million, aerial work platform equipment increased $60.0 million, earthmoving equipment increased $49.2 million and other equipment increased $29.5 million as compared to the prior period. Our average rental rates, based on the American Rental Association’s calculation methodology, for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased 5.6% compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Rental equipment dollar utilization (annual rental revenues divided by the average original rental fleet equipment costs) for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased 0.6% to 40.3% from 40.9% in 2022. The decrease in comparative rental equipment dollar utilization was the net result of a decrease in rental equipment time utilization and an increase in equipment rental rates. Rental equipment time utilization as a percentage of original equipment cost was approximately 68.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 72.3% in the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 3.5%.
Rentals Other: Our rentals other revenues consist primarily of equipment support activities that we provide to customers in connection with renting equipment, such as hauling charges, damage waiver policies, environmental and other recovery fees. Rental other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 were $134.5 million compared to $108.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $26.0 million, or 24.0%, primarily due to the increase in equipment rental revenues as described above.
Sales of Rental Equipment Revenues. Our sales of rental equipment for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $74.2 million, or 81.6%, to $165.1 million from $90.9 million in 2022. This increase is reflective of our fleet management strategy and our decision to capitalize on the high demand for used equipment. Sales of used earthmoving equipment, material handling equipment and aerial work platform equipment increased $32.5 million, $21.1 million and $13.7 million, respectively.
Sales of New Equipment Revenues. Our sales of new equipment decreased $53.4 million, or 57.7%, to $39.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, from $92.5 million for the same period in 2022. This decrease is primarily reflective of the sale of our Komatsu Earthmoving Distributorship during the fourth quarter of 2022, as a result of which sales of new earthmoving equipment decreased $52.4 million. Additionally, sales of new material handling equipment and other equipment decreased $2.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively. Offsetting these decreases, sales of new aerial work platform equipment increased $2.7 million.
Parts, Service and Other Revenues. Our parts, service and other revenues decreased $26.2 million, or 24.9%, to $78.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 from $105.1 million for the same period in 2022. The decreases in parts and service sales were largely attributable to decreases related to earthmoving equipment following the sale of our Komatsu Earthmoving Distributorship during the fourth quarter of 2022.
Gross Profit.
For the Year Ended
December 31,
Total Dollar
Total Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
Increase (Decrease)
(in thousands, except percentages)
Gross Profit:
Equipment rentals
Rentals
$
547,792
$
451,310
$
96,482
21.4
%
Rentals other
5,647
8,933
(3,286
)
(36.8
)%
Total equipment rentals
553,439
460,243
93,196
20.2
%
Sales of rental equipment
99,891
44,316
55,575
125.4
%
Sales of new equipment
5,530
13,096
(7,566
)
(57.8
)%
Parts, service and other
25,601
37,508
(11,907
)
(31.7
)%
Total gross profit
$
684,461
$
555,163
$
129,298
23.3
%
Total Gross Profit. Our total gross profit was $684.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $555.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, an increase of $129.3 million, or 23.3%. Total gross profit margin for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 46.6%, an increase of 2.0% from the 44.6% gross profit margin for the same period in 2022. Gross profits and gross margins of our business activities are further described below.
Equipment Rentals Gross Profit. Our total gross profit from equipment rentals for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $93.2 million, or 20.2%, to approximately $553.4 million from $460.2 million in 2022. Total gross profit margin from equipment
rentals for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 46.7% compared to 48.1% for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of 1.4%. See Rentals and Rentals Other below for additional information.
Rentals: Rental revenue gross profit increased $96.5 million to $547.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $451.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in rentals gross profit was the result of a $204.1 million increase in rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to last year, which was partially offset by a $79.6 million increase in rental depreciation expense and a $28.0 million increase in rental expenses. The increase in both depreciation expense and rental expense is primarily due to a larger fleet size in 2023 compared to 2022. Gross profit margin on rentals for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 52.1% compared to 53.2% in 2022, a decrease of 1.1%. As a percentage of rental revenues, rental expenses were 14.9% and 15.2% for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, a decrease of 0.3%. Depreciation expense was 33.0% of rental revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 31.5% for the same period in 2022, an increase of 1.5%.
Rentals Other: Our rentals other revenue consists primarily of equipment support activities that we provide to customers in connection with renting equipment, such as hauling charges, damage waiver policies, environmental and other recovery fees. Rental other revenues gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $5.6 million compared to $8.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of $3.3 million. Gross profit margin was 4.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 8.2% for the same period last year, a decrease of 4.0%.
Sales of Rental Equipment Gross Profit. Our sales of rental equipment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $55.6 million, or 125.4%, to $99.9 million compared to $44.3 million in 2022 on increased sales of rental equipment of $74.2 million. Gross profit margin on sales of rental equipment for the year ended December 31, 2023 was approximately 60.5%, up 11.7% from 48.8% in 2022, primarily as a result of higher gross margins across all product lines. Our sales from rental fleet comprised approximately 99.3% and 92.1% of our sales of rental equipment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and were approximately 255.0% and 207.7% of net book value for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Sales of New Equipment Gross Profit. Our sales of new equipment gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased approximately $7.6 million, or 57.8%, to $5.5 million from $13.1 million in 2022, on decreased sales of new equipment of $53.4 million. Gross profit margin on sales of new equipment for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 14.1% compared to 14.2% for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Parts, Service and Other Gross Profit. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our parts, service and other revenues gross profit decreased $11.9 million, or 31.7%, to $25.6 million from $37.5 million for the same period in 2022, on $26.2 million decreased parts, service and other revenues. Gross profit margin on parts, service and other revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 32.5%, a decrease of approximately 3.2% from 35.7% in the same period in 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses increased approximately $61.6 million, or 17.9%, to $405.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $343.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The net increase in SG&A expenses was attributable to several factors. Employee salaries, wages, incentive compensation, payroll taxes and related employee benefits increased $34.8 million, primarily as a result of increased wages, commissions, health insurance and incentive pay related to increased revenues. Facility expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, professional fees, promotional expenses and liability insurance costs increased $6.2 million, $4.7 million, $4.4 million, $2.8 million and $2.3 million, respectively. Approximately $31.0 million of incremental SG&A expenses in 2023 were attributable to branches opened since January 1, 2022 with less than a full year of comparable operations in either or both of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. As a percentage of total revenues, SG&A expenses were 27.6% for both years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Gain on Sales of Property and Equipment, Net. During the year ended December 31, 2023, gain on sales of property and equipment, net amounted to $3.4 million for the period, compared to $16.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately $13.4 million. This decrease is primarily due to the Company's prior year sale of our earthmoving distributorship business during the fourth quarter of 2022. For additional information on the sale, see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impairment of Goodwill. Impairment of goodwill incurred in the year ended December 31, 2023 was $5.7 million. The impairment related to one of our five reporting units, Parts Sales. There was no impairment of goodwill for the year ended December 31, 2022. See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other Income (Expense). For the year ended December 31, 2023, our net other expenses increased approximately $6.1 million to $53.5 million compared to $47.4 million for the same period in 2022. Interest expense increased approximately $6.9 million to $60.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to $54.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Income Taxes. We recorded an income tax expense of $53.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to an income tax expense of approximately $47.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 24.2% compared to 26.0% for the same period last year, a decrease of 1.8%. The decrease in our effective tax rate is primarily due to the reduction in valuation allowance.
Based on available evidence, both positive and negative, we believe it is more likely than not that our federal deferred tax assets at December 31, 2023 are fully realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we have a $3.0 million valuation allowance for certain state tax credits that may not be realized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flow from Operating Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the cash provided by our operating activities was $405.5 million. Our reported net income of $169.3 million, when adjusted for non-cash income and expense items, such as depreciation and amortization (including net amortization (accretion) of note discount (premium)), deferred income taxes, non-cash operating lease expense, amortization of finance lease right-of-use assets, provision for losses on accounts receivable, provision for inventory obsolescence, stock-based compensation expense, impairment of goodwill and net gains on the sale of long-lived assets, provided positive cash flows of $544.3 million. These cash flows from operating activities were positively impacted by a $12.7 million decrease in prepaid expenses and other assets and a $2.3 million increase in manufacturing flooring plans payable. Partially offsetting these positive cash flows were a $76.9 million increase in inventories, a $44.0 million decrease in accounts payable, a $26.9 million increase in receivables and a $6.0 million decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the cash provided by our operating activities was $313.2 million. Our reported net income for both continuing and discontinued operations of $132.2 million, when adjusted for non-cash income and expense items, such as depreciation and amortization (including net amortization (accretion) of note discount (premium)), deferred income taxes, non-cash operating lease expense, amortization of finance lease right-of-use assets, provision for losses on accounts receivable, provision for inventory obsolescence, stock-based compensation expense, loss on sale of discontinued operations and net gains on the sale of long-lived assets, provided positive cash flows of $444.3 million. These cash flows from operating activities were positively impacted by a $30.0 million increase in accounts payable. Partially offsetting these positive cash flows were a $75.4 million increase in inventories, a $59.8 million increase in receivables, a $20.5 million decrease in manufacturing flooring plans payable and a $5.5 million decrease in accrued expenses and other liabilities.
Cash Flow from Investing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in our investing activities was approximately $608.8 million. The acquisition of Giffin totaled approximately $31.3 million; see additional information on the acquisition in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The purchases of rental and non-rental equipment totaled approximately $745.8 million and proceeds from the sale of rental and non-rental equipment were approximately $168.3 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash used in our investing activities was approximately $546.5 million. The acquisition of OSR totaled approximately $135.7 million (net of cash acquired); see additional information on the acquisition in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. The purchases of rental and non-rental equipment totaled approximately $515.9 million and proceeds from the sale of rental and non-rental equipment were approximately $107.3 million. A $2.3 million payment related to the sale of discontinued operations was made upon the execution of the final closing statement; see additional information on the Crane Sale in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities. For the year ended December 31, 2023, our net cash provided by our financing activities was $130.4 million. Borrowings on our Credit Facility amounted to $1.8 billion while payments on the facility amounted to $1.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2023. Dividends paid were $40.0 million, or $1.10 per common share, treasury stock purchases were approximately $6.1 million and payments on finance lease obligations were $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Payments on deferred financing costs related to the amended and restated Credit Facility totaled $4.9 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, our cash provided by our financing activities was exceeded by our cash used in financing activities, resulting in net cash used in our financing activities of $42.7 million. Borrowings and payments offset one another under our Credit Facility for the year ended December 31, 2022. Dividends paid were $39.9 million, or $1.10 per common share, treasury stock purchases were approximately $1.7 million and payments on finance lease obligations were $1.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Senior Unsecured Notes
On December 14, 2020, we completed the offering of our Senior Unsecured Notes of $1.25 billion. No principal payments on the Senior Unsecured Notes are due until their scheduled maturity date of December 15, 2028.
The Senior Unsecured Notes were issued by H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (the parent company) and are guaranteed by GNE Investments, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E California Holding, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (Midwest), Inc., H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. and H&E Finance Corp (collectively, the guarantor subsidiaries). The guarantees, made on a joint and several basis, are full and unconditional (subject to subordination provisions and subject to a standard limitation which provides that the maximum amount guaranteed by each guarantor will not exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed without making the guarantee void under fraudulent conveyance laws). There are no restrictions on H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s ability to obtain funds from the guarantor subsidiaries by dividend or loan. There are no registration rights associated with the notes or the subsidiary guarantees.
For additional information regarding our senior unsecured notes, see Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Senior Secured Credit Facility
We and our subsidiaries are parties to a $750.0 million Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein. At December 31, 2023, we had $181.6 million borrowed under the Credit Facility and we could borrow up to $556.0 million, which with cash and cash equivalents on hand amounted to a liquidity position of $564.5 million. On October 1, 2021, we sold our crane business and the disposition had no impact on our borrowing availability. For further information on the sale of our crane business, see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We did not have any negative impacts to our liquidity position under the Credit Facility as a result of discontinued operations, nor do we have any covenant violations related to the Credit Facility. As of February 15, 2024, we had borrowings of $277.3 million outstanding under our Credit Facility leaving us with borrowing availability of $460.3 million, as a result of $12.3 million of letters of credit outstanding under the facility.
For additional information regarding our senior secured credit facility, see Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Requirements Related to Operations
Our principal sources of liquidity have been from cash provided by operating activities and the revenue from our rental operations and sales of rental fleet and new equipment, proceeds from the issuance of debt, and borrowings available under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held balances of cash and cash equivalents totaling $8.5 million. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held balances of cash and cash equivalents totaling $81.3 million. Our principal uses of cash and cash equivalents historically have been to fund operating activities and working capital (including equipment inventory), purchases of rental fleet and property and equipment, opening new branch locations, fund payments due under facility operating leases and manufacturer flooring plans payable, and to meet debt service requirements. In the future, we may pursue additional strategic acquisitions and seek to open new branch locations.
The amount of our future capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including general economic conditions and growth prospects. In response to changing economic conditions, we believe we have the flexibility to modify our capital expenditures by adjusting them (either up or down) to match our actual performance. Our gross rental fleet capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were approximately $736.6 million and $507.8 million, respectively, including $74.7 million and $43.3 million, respectively, of non-cash transfers from inventory to rental fleet. This increase in rental fleet capital expenditures reflects our branch expansion growth strategy. Our gross property and equipment capital expenditures for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $83.9 million and $51.5 million, respectively.
To service our debt, we will require a significant amount of cash. Our ability to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness (including the Credit Facility, the Senior Unsecured Notes and our other indebtedness), will depend upon our future operating performance and the availability of borrowings under the Credit Facility and/or other debt and equity financing alternatives available to us, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions and conditions in the global credit and capital markets, as well as financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. Based on our current level of operations and given the current state of the capital markets, we believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and cash equivalents and available borrowings under the Credit Facility will be adequate to meet our future liquidity needs for the foreseeable future, both in the short-term (over the next 12 months) and beyond. At December 31, 2023, we have cash and cash equivalents on hand of approximately $8.5 million. At December 31, 2023, we had available borrowings of $556.0 million, net of $12.3 million of outstanding letters of credit and at December 31, 2022, we had available borrowings of $739.4 million, net of $10.6 million of outstanding letters of credit. At February 15, 2024, we had $460.3 million of available borrowings under the Credit Facility, net of a $12.3 million of outstanding letters of credit.
Our contractual obligations and commercial commitments principally include obligations associated with our outstanding indebtedness and interest payments. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements. In tabular format below, we have disclosed our analysis of material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations as of December 31, 2023.
Payments Due by Year
Total
2025-2026
2027-2028
Thereafter
(Amounts in thousands)
Senior unsecured notes (1)
$
1,250,000
$
-
$
-
$
1,250,000
$
-
Interest payments on senior unsecured notes (2)
242,188
48,438
96,875
96,875
-
Senior secured credit facility (3)
181,642
-
-
181,642
-
Interest payments on senior secured credit facility (4)
61,609
15,082
30,164
16,363
-
Operating lease liabilities (5)
234,222
25,875
66,454
61,690
80,203
Other lease commitments (6)
29,799
1,427
4,904
5,245
18,223
Finance lease liabilities (7)
3,871
1,659
Other long-term obligations (8)
2,708
2,708
-
-
-
Total contractual cash obligations
$
2,006,039
$
93,953
$
199,271
$
1,612,730
$
100,085
(1)See Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our Senior Notes.
(2)Future interest payments are calculated based on the assumption that all of the senior unsecured notes remain outstanding until maturity.
(3)See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our Credit Facility.
(4)This represents future interest payments calculated based on the assumption that all borrowings remain outstanding until maturity, assumes the interest rate in effect at December 31, 2023 and includes unused commitment fees.
(5)This includes total minimum operating lease rental payments having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms longer than one year, including interest.
(6)Represents total minimum operating lease rental payments for leases executed but not commenced as of December 31, 2023.
(7)This includes total minimum finance lease rental payments having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms longer than one year, including interest.
(8)Represents amounts due on manufacturer flooring plans payable, which are used to finance certain purchases of new equipment inventory and rental equipment.
As of December 31, 2023, we had standby letters of credit issued under our Credit Facility totaling $12.3 million that expire in May 2024.
Quarterly Dividend
On each of February 10, 2023, May 12, 2023, August 11, 2023 and November 9, 2023, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share to stockholders of record, which were paid on March 10, 2023, June 9, 2023, September 15, 2023 and December 15, 2023, respectively, totaling approximately $40.0 million. On February 9, 2024, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 23, 2024, which is to be paid on March 15, 2024.
The Company intends to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends; however, the declaration of any subsequent dividends is discretionary and will be subject to a final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of, among other things, business and market conditions.
Acquisitions and Start-up Facilities
We periodically engage in evaluations of potential acquisitions and start-up facilities. We intend to continue to evaluate and pursue, on an opportunistic basis, acquisitions that meet our selection criteria, and we are focused on identifying and acquiring rental companies to complement our existing business, broaden our geographic footprint, and increase our density in existing markets.
Effective January 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of CEC, a privately-held company focused on non-residential construction equipment rentals serving the greater Denver, Colorado area out of three branch locations. Effective April 1, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Rental Inc., an equipment rental and distribution company with five branch locations in Alabama and Florida. Effective February 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of WRI, an equipment rental company with six branch locations in Central Texas. Effective October 1, 2022, we completed the acquisition of OSR, an equipment rental company with ten branch locations in the Midwest. Effective November 1, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Giffin, an equipment rental company with three branches in California. See Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these acquisitions.
The success of our growth strategy depends, in part, on selecting strategic acquisition candidates at attractive prices and identifying strategic start-up locations. We expect to face competition for acquisition candidates, which may limit the number of acquisition opportunities and lead to higher acquisition costs. We may not have the financial resources necessary to consummate any
acquisitions or to successfully open any new facilities in the future or the ability to obtain the necessary funds on satisfactory terms. For further information regarding our risks related to acquisitions, see Item 1A - Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our earnings may be affected by changes in interest rates since interest expense on the Credit Facility is currently calculated based upon (a) the Base Rate plus an applicable margin of 0.25% to 0.75%, depending on the Average Availability (as defined in the Credit Facility), in the case of index rate revolving loans and (b) SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment and an applicable margin of 1.25% to 1.75%, depending on the Average Availability (as defined in the Credit Facility), in the case of SOFR revolving loans.
At December 31, 2023, we had $181.6 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. At February 15, 2024, we had $277.3 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility with $460.3 million of available borrowings, net of a $12.3 million of outstanding letters of credit. We did not have significant exposure to changing interest rates as of December 31, 2023 on the fixed-rate senior unsecured notes. Historically, we have not engaged in derivatives or other financial instruments for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, though we may do so from time to time if such instruments are available to us on acceptable terms and prevailing market conditions are accommodating.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to consolidated financial statements of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023 appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition for equipment rental, sales of rental equipment, and sales of new equipment
As described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s revenue is generated from renting equipment, as well as the sale of goods or services, to customers. Revenue from equipment rental transactions is generally accounted for under Topic 842 in the period earned based on contractual terms of the rental contract with the customer. A rental contract includes rates for daily, weekly or monthly use, and equipment rental revenues are earned on a daily basis as rental contracts remain outstanding. Revenue from the sale of rental and new equipment is accounted for under Topic 606 and is generally recognized when control of the promised good is transferred to the customer based on contractual terms with the customer. The processing and recording of the Company’s revenue transactions involves a combination of automated and manual processes. The Company’s consolidated net revenue from equipment rentals, sale of rental equipment and sale of new equipment was $1.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We identified revenue recognition for equipment rental, sales of rental equipment, and sales of new equipment as a critical audit matter. The principal consideration for our determination was the significant audit effort in performing procedures relating to revenue recognition for equipment rental, sales of rental equipment, and sales of new equipment.
The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
•Obtaining an understanding of the nature of the revenue recognition process for equipment rental, sales of rental equipment and sales of new equipment, through walkthrough of individual transactions, and review of contracts with the customers.
•Testing the design, implementation, and operating effectiveness of relevant controls relating to the revenue recognition process for equipment rental, sales of rental equipment and sales of new equipment, including IT general controls for the systems used in the revenue recognition process, as well as manual and automated business process controls.
•Testing a sample of equipment rental transactions by agreeing the amounts recognized to source documents, such as rental contracts, invoices, and subsequent cash receipts.
•Testing a sample of sales of rental equipment and sales of new equipment transactions by agreeing the amounts recognized to source documents, such as sales contracts, invoices, delivery documents, and subsequent cash receipts.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2004.
Dallas, Texas
February 22, 2024
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
AS OF DECEMBER 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except
share and per share amounts)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8,500
$
81,330
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,126 and $6,637, respectively
247,430
225,294
Inventories, net of reserves for obsolescence of $207 and $54, respectively
109,931
107,842
Prepaid expenses and other assets
8,740
21,455
Rental equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $990,971 and $884,740, respectively
1,756,578
1,418,951
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $193,723 and $177,017, respectively
183,773
134,637
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $71,021 and $51,419, respectively
176,703
164,566
Finance lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $345 and $105, respectively
2,891
1,545
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization of $17,606 and $16,518, respectively
4,609
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $25,824 and $19,369, respectively
32,576
32,631
Goodwill
108,155
102,690
Total assets
$
2,639,886
$
2,291,699
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Liabilities:
Senior secured credit facility
$
181,642
$
-
Accounts payable
85,486
129,482
Manufacturer flooring plans payable
2,708
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities
87,929
77,142
Dividends payable
Senior unsecured notes, net of unaccreted discount of $5,807 and $6,979 and deferred financing costs of $1,341 and $1,612, respectively
1,242,852
1,241,409
Operating lease liabilities
183,775
169,069
Finance lease liabilities
3,019
1,594
Deferred income taxes
317,826
271,162
Total liabilities
2,105,597
1,890,657
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 13)
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued
-
-
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized; 40,823,375 and 40,567,876 shares issued at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and 36,449,188 and 36,309,321 shares outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
261,927
251,901
Treasury stock at cost, 4,374,187 and 4,258,555 shares of common stock held at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
(76,017
)
(69,964
)
Retained earnings
347,971
218,700
Total stockholders’ equity
534,289
401,042
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
2,639,886
$
2,291,699
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Equipment rentals
$
1,186,152
$
956,042
$
729,700
Sales of rental equipment
165,074
90,885
135,245
Sales of new equipment
39,099
92,526
92,677
Parts, service and other
78,891
105,065
105,175
Total revenues
1,469,216
1,244,518
1,062,797
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation
347,022
267,395
227,772
Rental expense
156,818
128,850
109,365
Rental other
128,873
99,554
76,934
632,713
495,799
414,071
Sales of rental equipment
65,183
46,569
86,323
Sales of new equipment
33,569
79,430
80,822
Parts, service and other
53,290
67,557
66,218
Total cost of revenues
784,755
689,355
647,434
Gross profit
684,461
555,163
415,363
Selling, general and administrative expenses
405,432
343,845
290,791
Impairment of goodwill
5,714
-
-
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net
3,389
16,836
7,748
Income from operations
276,704
228,154
132,320
Other income (expense):
Interest expense
(60,891
)
(54,033
)
(53,758
)
Other, net
7,384
6,609
3,162
Total other expense, net
(53,507
)
(47,424
)
(50,596
)
Income from operations before provision for income taxes
223,197
180,730
81,724
Provision for income taxes
53,904
47,036
21,160
Net income from continuing operations
$
169,293
$
133,694
$
60,564
Discontinued Operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
-
$
(2,049
)
$
55,948
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
-
(525
)
13,972
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
$
-
$
(1,524
)
$
41,976
Net income
$
169,293
$
132,170
$
102,540
Net income from continuing operations per common share:
Basic
$
4.69
$
3.72
$
1.67
Diluted
$
4.66
$
3.70
$
1.66
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations per common share:
Basic
$
-
$
(0.04
)
$
1.16
Diluted
$
-
$
(0.04
)
$
1.15
Net income per common share:
Basic
$
4.69
$
3.68
$
2.83
Diluted
$
4.66
$
3.66
$
2.81
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
36,100
35,943
36,261
Diluted
36,329
36,089
36,451
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023, 2022 AND 2021
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Common Stock
Shares
Issued
Amount
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
Balances at December 31, 2020
40,242,711
$
$
240,206
$
(66,188
)
$
63,814
$
238,233
Stock-based compensation
-
-
4,432
-
-
4,432
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.10 per share)
-
-
-
-
(39,719
)
(39,719
)
Issuances of non-vested restricted common stock, net of restricted stock forfeitures
110,588
-
-
-
Repurchases of 61,476 shares of restricted common stock
-
-
-
(2,106
)
-
(2,106
)
Net income
-
-
-
-
102,540
102,540
Balances at December 31, 2021
40,353,299
244,638
(68,294
)
126,635
303,382
Stock-based compensation
-
-
7,263
-
-
7,263
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.10 per share)
-
-
-
-
(40,105
)
(40,105
)
Issuances of non-vested restricted common stock, net of restricted stock forfeitures
214,577
-
-
-
Repurchases of 46,923 shares of restricted common stock
-
-
-
(1,670
)
-
(1,670
)
Net income
-
-
-
-
132,170
132,170
Balances at December 31, 2022
40,567,876
251,901
(69,964
)
218,700
401,042
Stock-based compensation
-
-
10,026
-
-
10,026
Cash dividends declared on common stock ($1.10 per share)
-
-
-
-
(40,022
)
(40,022
)
Issuances of non-vested restricted common stock, net of restricted stock forfeitures
255,499
-
-
-
Repurchases of 115,632 shares of restricted common stock
-
-
-
(6,053
)
-
(6,053
)
Net income
-
-
-
-
169,293
169,293
Balances at December 31, 2023
40,823,375
$
$
261,927
$
(76,017
)
$
347,971
$
534,289
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income
$
169,293
$
132,170
$
102,540
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
34,697
28,810
27,347
Depreciation of rental equipment
347,022
267,395
231,492
Amortization of intangible assets
6,455
4,660
3,970
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,359
Accretion of note discount, net of premium amortization
1,172
1,172
1,172
Non-cash operating lease expense
19,602
14,535
12,964
Amortization of finance lease right-of-use assets
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
4,858
3,264
1,892
Provision for inventory obsolescence
Deferred income taxes
46,664
42,278
30,221
Stock-based compensation expense
10,026
7,263
4,432
Impairment of goodwill
5,714
-
-
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations
-
1,917
(42,072
)
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net
(3,389
)
(16,836
)
(7,797
)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net
(99,629
)
(43,397
)
(50,756
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables
(26,911
)
(59,768
)
2,868
Inventories
(76,922
)
(75,375
)
(56,535
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
12,724
(1
)
(10,923
)
Accounts payable
(43,988
)
29,999
11,208
Manufacturer flooring plans payable
2,286
(20,502
)
11,309
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities
(5,968
)
(5,453
)
(14,907
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
405,483
313,238
259,572
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
(31,265
)
(135,710
)
-
Closing adjustment on sale of discontinued operations
-
(2,256
)
-
Proceeds from the sale of discontinued operations
-
-
135,945
Purchases of property and equipment
(83,872
)
(51,452
)
(34,622
)
Purchases of rental equipment
(661,960
)
(464,434
)
(418,082
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
4,449
23,626
11,884
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment
163,886
83,689
133,900
Net cash used in investing activities
(608,762
)
(546,537
)
(170,975
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Purchases of treasury stock
(6,053
)
(1,670
)
(2,106
)
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility
1,790,187
1,278,182
1,417,770
Payments on senior secured credit facility
(1,608,545
)
(1,278,182
)
(1,417,770
)
Payments of deferred financing costs
(4,939
)
-
(135
)
Dividends paid
(40,039
)
(39,856
)
(39,748
)
Payments of finance lease obligations
(162
)
(1,141
)
(194
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
130,449
(42,667
)
(42,183
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(72,830
)
(275,966
)
46,414
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
81,330
357,296
310,882
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
8,500
$
81,330
$
357,296
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
(Amounts in thousands)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accrued acquisition purchase price consideration
$
-
$
$
-
Non-cash asset purchases:
Assets transferred from inventory to rental fleet
$
74,655
$
43,321
$
18,669
Change in purchases of property and equipment included in accrued expenses payable and other liabilities
$
(591
)
$
(1,213
)
$
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities
$
31,739
$
27,880
$
13,565
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest
$
56,582
$
51,828
$
51,748
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received
$
5,812
$
5,894
$
4,810
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
H&E EQUIPMENT SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(1)Organization and Nature of Operations
Founded in 1961, H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (or “the Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) is one of the largest rental equipment companies in the nation, serving customers across 30 states. The Company’s fleet is versatile with an equipment mix comprised of aerial work platforms, earthmoving, material handling, and other general and specialty lines. H&E serves a diverse set of end markets in many high-growth geographies including branches throughout the Pacific Northwest, West Coast, Intermountain, Southwest, Gulf Coast, Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
(2)Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements include the financial position and results of operations of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries H&E Finance Corp., GNE Investments, Inc., Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E California Holding, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Midwest), Inc. and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc., collectively referred to herein as “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company.”
On October 1, 2021, the Company sold its crane business (the “Crane Sale”) and during June 2022, closing adjustments were finalized. The results of operations of the Crane Sale are reported in discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. All results and information in the consolidated financial statements are presented as continuing operations and exclude the Crane Sale unless otherwise noted specifically as discontinued operations. The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows includes cash flows related to the discontinued operations and accordingly, cash flow amounts for discontinued operations are disclosed in Note 3 “Acquisitions and Dispositions”. For additional information, refer to Note 3.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in these consolidated financial statements. Business combinations are included in the consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition.
The nature of our business is such that short-term obligations are typically met by cash flows generated from long-term assets. Consequently, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are presented on an unclassified basis.
Use of Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which requires management to use its judgment to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported period. These assumptions and estimates could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. We review our estimates on an ongoing basis based on information currently available, and changes in facts and circumstances may cause us to revise these estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts in the Consolidated Statements of Income to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on previously reported amounts.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue in accordance with two different Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) standards: 1) Topic 606 and 2) Topic 842.
Under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in the contract with the customer, and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. Our contracts with customers generally do not include multiple performance obligations. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services.
Under Topic 842, Leases, we account for equipment rental contracts as operating leases. We recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned, regardless of the timing of billing to customers. A rental contract includes rates for daily, weekly or monthly use, and rental revenues are earned on a daily basis as rental contracts remain outstanding. Because the rental contracts can extend across multiple reporting periods, we record unbilled rental revenues and deferred rental revenues at the end of reporting periods so rental revenues earned is appropriately stated for the periods presented.
The tables below summarize our revenues as presented in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 by revenue type and by the applicable accounting standard (amounts in thousands).
Year Ended December 31, 2023
Topic 842
Topic 606
Total
Revenues:
Rental Revenues:
Owned equipment rentals
$
1,017,012
$
$
1,017,510
Re-rent revenue
34,122
-
34,122
Ancillary and other rental revenues:
Delivery and pick-up
-
71,419
71,419
Other
63,101
-
63,101
Total ancillary rental revenues
63,101
71,419
134,520
Total equipment rental revenues
1,114,235
71,917
1,186,152
Sales of rental equipment
-
165,074
165,074
Sales of new equipment
-
39,099
39,099
Parts, service and other
-
78,891
78,891
Total revenues
$
1,114,235
$
354,981
$
1,469,216
Year Ended December 31, 2022
Topic 842
Topic 606
Total
Revenues:
Rental Revenues:
Owned equipment rentals
$
814,423
$
$
814,829
Re-rent revenue
32,726
-
32,726
Ancillary and other rental revenues:
Delivery and pick-up
-
56,303
56,303
Other
52,184
-
52,184
Total ancillary rental revenues
52,184
56,303
108,487
Total equipment rental revenues
899,333
56,709
956,042
Sales of rental equipment
-
90,885
90,885
Sales of new equipment
-
92,526
92,526
Parts, service and other
-
105,065
105,065
Total revenues
$
899,333
$
345,185
$
1,244,518
Year Ended December 31, 2021
Topic 842
Topic 606
Total
Revenues:
Rental Revenues:
Owned equipment rentals
$
617,831
$
$
618,185
Re-rent revenue
34,819
-
34,819
Ancillary and other rental revenues:
Delivery and pick-up
-
40,523
40,523
Other
36,173
-
36,173
Total ancillary rental revenues
36,173
40,523
76,696
Total equipment rental revenues
688,823
40,877
729,700
Sales of rental equipment
-
135,245
135,245
Sales of new equipment
-
92,677
92,677
Parts, service and other
-
105,175
105,175
Total revenues
$
688,823
$
373,974
$
1,062,797
Revenues by reporting segment are presented in Note 16, using the revenue captions reflected in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We believe that the disaggregation of our revenues from contracts to customers as reflected above, coupled with further discussion below and the reporting segment in Note 16, depicts how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors.
Nature of goods and services
Lease revenues
Topic 842
Owned equipment rentals: Owned equipment rentals represent revenues from renting equipment. We account for these rental contracts as operating leases. We recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned, regardless of the timing of billing to customers. A rental contract includes rates for daily, weekly or monthly use, and rental revenues are earned on a daily basis as rental contracts remain outstanding. Our equipment is generally rented for short periods of time (less than a year). Because the rental contracts can extend across multiple reporting periods, we record unbilled rental revenues and deferred rental revenues at the end of reporting periods so rental revenues earned is appropriately stated for the periods presented. The lease terms are included in our contracts, and the determination of whether our contracts contain leases generally does not require significant assumptions or judgments. In some cases, a rental contract may contain a rental purchase option, whereby the customer has an option to purchase the rented equipment at the end of the term for a specified price. Revenues related to the rental contract will be accounted for as an operating lease as the option to purchase is not reasonably certain to be exercised. Lessees do not provide residual value guarantees on rented equipment.
Re-rent revenue: Re-rent revenue reflects revenues from equipment that we rent from vendors and then rent to our customers. We account for such rentals as subleases. The accounting for re-rent revenue is the same as the accounting for owned equipment rentals described above.
Other equipment rental revenue: Other equipment rental revenue is primarily comprised of (i) revenue from customers who purchase insurance to protect against potential damages or loss to the equipment they rent, (ii) environmental charges associated with the rental of equipment, and (iii) fuel recovery fees charged to customers. Fuel consumption charges are recognized upon return of the rental equipment when fuel consumption by the customer, if any, can be measured. Income from environmental fees and damage waiver insurance policies are recognized when earned over the period the equipment is rented.
Revenues from contracts with customers (Topic 606)
Substantially all of our revenues under Topic 606 are recognized at a point-in-time rather than over time.
Owned equipment rentals: An insignificant portion of our total equipment rental revenues are recognized pursuant to Topic 606 rather than pursuant to Topic 842. These revenues represent services performed by us in connection with the rental of equipment and are comprised of customer training fees on rented equipment and setup and configuration services on rental equipment. Revenues for these services are recognized upon completion of such services. See discussion above regarding rental revenues recognized pursuant to Topic 842.
Delivery and pick-up: Delivery and pick-up revenue associated with renting equipment is recognized when the service is performed.
Sales of rental equipment: Revenues from the sales of rental equipment are recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer, which is when the customer obtains control of the promised good.
Sales of new equipment: Revenues from the sales of new equipment are recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer, which is when the customer obtains control of the promised good.
Parts, service, and other: Revenues from the sales of equipment parts are recognized at the time of pick-up by the customer for parts counter sales transactions. For parts that are shipped to a customer, we made an accounting policy election permitted by Topic 606 to treat such shipping activities as fulfillment costs, which results in the fees for shipping activities being included in the parts sales transaction price. Service revenues is derived primarily from maintenance and repair services to customers for equipment that we rent or sell and from customers owned equipment. We recognize services revenues at the time such services are completed, which is when the customer obtains control of the promised service. Other revenues relate to equipment support activities that we provide to customers in connection with sales of rental and new equipment and parts and services revenues.
Receivables and contract assets and liabilities
We manage credit risk associated with our accounts receivables at the customer level. Because the same customers typically generate the revenues that are accounted for under both Topic 606 and Topic 842, the discussions below on credit risk and our allowances for doubtful accounts address our total revenues from Topic 606 and Topic 842.
We believe concentration of credit risk with respect to our receivables is limited because our customer base is comprised of a large number of geographically diverse customers. Our largest customer accounted for less than four percent of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for any of the three years ended December 31, 2023. We manage credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits and other monitoring procedures.
Pursuant to Topic 842 and Topic 326 for rental and non-rental receivables, respectively, we maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects our estimate of our expected credit losses. Our allowance is estimated using a loss rate model based on delinquency. The estimated loss rate is based on our historical experience with specific customers, our understanding of our current economic circumstances, reasonable and supportable forecasts, and our own judgment as to the likelihood of ultimate payment based upon available data. Our largest exposure to doubtful accounts is our rental operations, which as discussed above is accounted for under Topic 842 and as of December 31, 2023 represents 81% of our total revenues and an approximate corresponding percentage of our receivables, net and associated allowance for doubtful accounts. We perform credit evaluations of customers and establish credit limits based on reviews of our customers’ current credit information and payment histories. We believe our credit risk is somewhat mitigated by our geographically diverse customer base and our credit evaluation procedures. The actual rate of future credit losses, however, may not be similar to past experience. Our estimate of doubtful accounts could change based on changing circumstances, including changes in the economy or in the particular circumstances of individual customers. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our allowance for doubtful accounts. Bad debt expense as a percentage of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was approximately 0.3%, 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively.
We do not have material contract assets, impairment losses associated therewith, or material contract liabilities associated with contracts with customers. Our contracts with customers do not generally result in material amounts billed to customers in excess of recognizable revenue. We did not recognize material revenues during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021 that was included in the contract liability balance as of the beginning of such periods.
Performance obligations
Most of our Topic 606 revenue is recognized at a point-in-time, rather than over time. Accordingly, in any particular period, we do not generally recognize a significant amount of revenue from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods, and the amount of such revenue recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was not material.
Payment terms
Our Topic 606 revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration. Our payment terms are typically net 30 days, but can vary by the type and location of our customer and the products or services offered. The time between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. Our contracts do not generally include a significant financing component. Our contracts with customers do not generally result in significant obligations associated with returns, refunds or warranties. See above for a discussion of how we manage credit risk.
Sales tax amounts collected from customers are recorded on a net basis.
Contract costs
We do not recognize any assets associated with the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer (for example, a sales commission) that we expect to recover. Substantially all of our revenue is recognized at a point-in-time or over a period of one year or less, and we use the practical expedient that allows us to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.
Contract estimates and judgments
Our revenues accounted for under Topic 606 generally do not require significant estimates or judgments as the transaction price is generally fixed and stated on our contracts. Our contracts generally do not include multiple performance obligations, and accordingly do not generally require estimates of the standalone selling price for each performance obligation. Also, our revenues do not include material amounts of variable consideration. Substantially all of our revenues are recognized at a point-in-time and the timing of the satisfaction of the applicable performance obligations is readily determinable. As noted above, our Topic 606 revenues are generally recognized at the time of delivery to, or pick-up by, the customer.
Discontinued Operations
In determining whether a group of assets which has been disposed of (or is to be disposed of) should be presented as discontinued operations, the Company analyzes whether the group of assets being disposed of represents a component of the entity. A component typically has historic operations and cash flows that are clearly distinguishable for both operations and financial reporting purposes. In addition, the Company considers whether the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results. This strategic shift could include a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity.
The Company reports financial results for discontinued operations separately from continuing operations to distinguish the financial impact of disposal transactions from ongoing operations. The assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation held for sale, other than goodwill, are measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. When a portion of a reporting unit that constitutes a business is to be disposed of, the goodwill associated with that business is included in the carrying amount of the business based on the relative fair values of the business to be disposed of and the portion of the reporting unit that will be retained. See Note 3 for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Inventories
We measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value; where net realizable value is considered to be estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. For used and new equipment inventories, cost is determined by specific-identification. For inventories of parts and supplies, cost is determined by using average cost.
Rental Equipment
The rental equipment we purchase is stated at cost and is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the equipment using the straight-line method and is included in rental depreciation within our Consolidated Statements of Income. Estimated useful lives vary based upon type of equipment. Generally, we depreciate aerial work platforms over a ten year estimated useful life, earthmoving equipment over a five year estimated useful life with a 25% salvage value, and material handling equipment over a seven year estimated useful life. Attachments and other smaller type equipment are depreciated generally over a three year estimated useful life. We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives and any salvage value assigned to rental equipment. Depreciation expense on rental equipment is reflected in rental depreciation in cost of revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Ordinary repair and maintenance costs and property taxes are reflected in rental expenses in cost of revenues on the Consolidated Statements of Income. However, expenditures for additions or improvements that significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized in the period incurred. When rental equipment is sold or disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gains or losses are included in gross profit in the Consolidated Statements of Income. We receive individual offers for fleet on a continual basis, at which time we perform an analysis on whether or not to accept the offer. The rental equipment is not transferred to inventory under the held for sale model as the equipment is used to generate revenues until the equipment is sold.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the assets’ estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Ordinary repair and maintenance costs are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income. However, expenditures for additions or improvements that significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized in the period incurred. At the time assets are sold or disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from their respective accounts and the related gains or losses are reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income in gains from sales of property and equipment, net. We additionally capitalize certain costs associated with internally developed software and cloud computing arrangements.
We periodically evaluate the appropriateness of remaining depreciable lives assigned to property and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expense on property and equipment is included in SG&A expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Income. Generally, we assign the following estimated useful lives to these categories:
Category
Estimated
Useful Life
Transportation equipment
5 years
Buildings
39 years
Office equipment
5 years
Computer equipment
3 years
Machinery and equipment
7 years
When events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of our rental fleet and property and equipment might not be recoverable, the expected future undiscounted cash flows from the assets are estimated and compared with the carrying amount of the assets. If the sum of the estimated undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss is recorded. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets with their carrying amounts. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, as appropriate. In support of our review for indicators of impairment, we perform a review of our long-lived assets at the branch level relative to branch performance and conclude whether indicators of impairment exist. We did not record any impairment losses related to our rental equipment or property and equipment during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021.
Acquisition Accounting
We have made a number of acquisitions in the past and we may continue to make additional acquisitions in the future. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Long-lived assets (principally rental equipment), goodwill and other intangible assets generally represent the largest component of our acquisitions. Historically, virtually all of the rental equipment that we have acquired through business combinations have been classified as “To be Used,” rather than as “To be Sold.” Rental equipment that we acquire and classify as “To be Used” is recorded at fair value and is valued utilizing either a cost or market approach, or a combination of these methods, depending on the asset being valued and the availability of cost or market data. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of consideration transferred over the net of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Such fair market value assessments require judgments and estimates that can be affected by various factors over time, which may cause final amounts to differ materially from original estimates. The identification of assets acquired, inputs utilized for determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and applicable fair value methodologies all include significant judgment.
In addition to long-lived fixed assets, we also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these assets and liabilities generally approximate the carrying values reflected on the acquired entities balance sheets. However, when appropriate, we adjust these carrying values for factors such as collectability and existence. The intangible assets that we have acquired consist primarily of the goodwill recognized. Depending upon the applicable purchase agreement and the particular facts and circumstances of the business acquired, we may identify other intangible assets, such as trade names or trademarks, noncompetition agreements and customer-related intangibles (specifically, customer relationships). A trademark has a fair value equal to the present value of the royalty income attributable to it. The royalty income attributable to a trademark represents the hypothetical cost savings that are derived from owning the trademark instead of paying royalties to license the trademark from another owner. The fair value of noncompetition agreements is estimated based on an income approach since their values are representative of the current and future revenue and profit erosion protection they provide. Customer relationships are generally valued based on an excess earnings or income approach with consideration to projected cash flows.
Goodwill
Goodwill is recorded as the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired.
We evaluate goodwill for impairment at least annually, as of October 1, or more frequently if triggering events occur or other impairment indicators arise that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Impairment of goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment (i.e., before aggregation or combination), or one level below an operating segment (i.e., a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. We have identified that our five operating segments (Equipment Rentals, Sales of Rental Equipment, Sales of New Equipment, Parts Sales and Service Revenues) each represent a reporting unit.
Topic 350 consists of a one-step assessment to determine whether goodwill is impaired requiring an entity to compare each reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill, with its fair value. An entity should recognize a goodwill impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to
the reporting unit. An entity also has an option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. Considerable judgment is required by management in performing the qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.
Based on our evaluation of our Parts Sales reporting unit and operating segment during the third quarter of 2023, we identified a triggering event requiring an interim impairment test. This triggering event related to a sustained parts segment decline in volume and actual revenue and earnings compared with our planned revenue and earnings utilized in our most recent quantitative goodwill impairment analysis following our dispositions and strategic shift to be rental focused. Additional information on our dispositions is included in Footnote 3. No triggering event was identified related to our Equipment Rental and Sales of Rental Equipment reporting units.
We estimated the fair value of our Parts Sales reporting unit by weighting results from the income approach and the market approach and concluded that our Parts Sales reporting unit had a fair value less than its carrying value, resulting in a $5.7 million impairment charge. The impairment was largely due to a current year decrease in parts revenues as a result of our strategic shift and recent dispositions. This revenue decline, combined with our forecasted parts revenues growth rate and operating results assumptions for the forecast period under the income approach, resulted in a fair value determination, that when combined with the weighted fair value of the reporting unit determined under the market approach, was less than the reporting unit’s carrying value.
We performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment as of our annual testing date, October 1, 2023. We determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units containing goodwill was not less than its carrying value and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed quantitative goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent interim quantitative assessment.
We performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment as of our annual testing date, October 1, 2022. We determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each of our reporting units containing goodwill was not less than its carrying value and, therefore, did not perform the prescribed quantitative goodwill impairment test. We considered various factors in performing the qualitative test, including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, the overall financial performance of our reporting units, the Company’s stock price and the excess amount between our reporting unit’s fair value and carrying value as indicated on our most recent quantitative assessment.
We performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment as of our annual testing date, October 1, 2021, for all reporting units containing goodwill. For these reporting units, we compared the carrying values of each reporting unit, inclusive of goodwill, if applicable, and definite-lived intangible assets, to its fair value. We estimated the fair value of these reporting units by weighting results from the income approach and the market approach. Based on this quantitative test, we determined that our Equipment Rentals, Sales of Rental Equipment and Parts Sales reporting units were not impaired as of October 1, 2021 as their respective fair values exceeded their respective carrying values by approximately 50%, 98% and 9%, respectively.
Significant assumptions inherent in the valuation methodologies for goodwill are employed and include, prospective financial information, growth rates, terminal value, discount rates, and comparable multiples from publicly traded companies in our industry. The inputs and variables used in determining the fair value of a reporting unit require management to make certain assumptions regarding the impact of operating and macroeconomic changes, as well as estimates of future cash flows. Our estimates regarding future cash flows are based on historical experience and projections of future operating performance, including revenues, margins and operating expenses. We also make certain forecasts about future economic conditions, such as the timing and duration of economic expansion or contraction cycles in our business, interest rates, and other market data. Many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates may change in future periods. An adverse change in any of the assumptions used in our impairment testing (e.g., projected revenue and profit, discount rates, industry price multiples, etc.) could affect our fair value measurements and result in future impairments. If we are unable to achieve the financial forecasts used in our impairment analysis, we may also be required to record an impairment charge to our goodwill.
The impairment charge described above is a non-cash item and does not affect our cash flows, liquidity or borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility, and the impairment charge is excluded from our financial results in evaluating our financial covenants under the Credit Facility.
The carrying amount of goodwill for our reporting units for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows (amounts in thousands):
Equipment
Rentals
Sales of
Rental Eq.
Sales of
New Eq.
Parts
Sales
Service
Revenues
Total
Balance at December 31, 2021 (1)
$
48,976
$
8,447
$
-
$
5,714
$
-
$
63,137
Increase (2)
39,553
-
-
-
-
39,553
Balance at December 31, 2022 (1)
88,529
8,447
-
5,714
-
102,690
Increase (3)
-
-
-
-
Decrease (4)
-
-
-
(5,714
)
-
(5,714
)
Decrease (5)
(132
)
-
-
-
-
(132
)
Increase (6)
11,282
-
-
-
-
11,282
Balance at December 31, 2023 (1)
$
99,708
$
8,447
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
108,155
(1)The total carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2021 and 2022 in the table above is reflected net of $92.7 million of accumulated impairment charges. The total carrying amount of goodwill as of December 31, 2023 in the table above is reflected net of $98.4 million of accumulated impairment charges.
(2)Increase due to the One Source Equipment Rentals, Inc. (“OSR”) Acquisition.
(3)Increase is related to the closing adjustments of the OSR Acquisition during the first quarter of 2023.
(4)Decrease is related to the Parts Sales goodwill impairment calculated during the third quarter of 2023.
(5)Decrease is related to the final closing adjustment of the OSR Acquisition during the third quarter of 2023.
(6)Increase due to the Giffin Equipment (“Giffin”) Acquisition during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Intangible assets
Our intangible assets include customer relationships, tradenames and leasehold interests that we acquired in recent acquisitions (see Note 3 for further acquisition information). The customer relationships, leasehold interests and noncompetition agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated useful lives of ten years, ten years and the length of agreement (typically one to five years), respectively, from the date of acquisition, which approximates the period of economic benefit.
The gross carrying values, accumulated amortization and net carrying amounts of our major classes of intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Gross
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Gross
Accumulated Amortization
Net
Customer relationships
$
53,900
$
23,917
$
29,983
$
50,100
$
18,844
$
31,256
Noncompetition agreements
4,300
1,787
2,513
1,700
1,275
Leasehold interests
Total
$
58,400
$
25,824
$
32,576
$
52,000
$
19,369
$
32,631
Intangible assets are tested for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. The impairment loss to be recorded would be the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis or other valuation technique.
Total amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 totaled $6.5 million, $4.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and is included within SG&A expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents the expected amortization expense for each of the next five years ending December 31 and thereafter for those intangible assets with remaining carrying value as of December 31, 2023 (dollar amounts in thousands):
Amortization Expense
$
5,930
5,930
5,930
5,930
2,973
Thereafter
5,883
$
32,576
Manufacturer Flooring Plans Payable
Manufacturer flooring plans payable are financing arrangements for inventory and rental equipment. The interest cost incurred on the manufacturer flooring plans ranged from 0% to the prime rate (8.50% at December 31, 2023) plus an applicable margin. Certain manufacturer flooring plans provide for a one to twelve-month reduced interest rate term or a deferred payment period. We recognize interest expense based on the effective interest method. We make payments in accordance with the original terms of the financing agreements. However, we may sell equipment that is financed under manufacturer flooring plans prior to the original maturity date of the financing agreement. The related manufacturer flooring plan payable is then paid at the time the equipment being financed is sold. The manufacturer flooring plans payable are secured by the equipment being financed.
Manufacturer flooring plans payable as of December 31, 2023 have maturities (based on original financing terms) during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Leases
The Company as Lessee
We determine whether an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the arrangement based on the terms and conditions in the contract. A contract contains a lease if there is an identified asset and we have the right to control the asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Lease arrangements can take several forms. Some arrangements are clearly within the scope of lease accounting, such as a real estate contract that provides an explicit contractual right to use a building for a specified period of time in exchange for consideration. However, the right to use an asset can also be conveyed through arrangements that are not leases in form, such as leases embedded within service and supply contracts. We analyze all arrangements with potential embedded leases to determine if an identified asset is present, if substantive substitution rights are present, and if the arrangement provides the customer control of the asset.
Our lease portfolio is substantially comprised of operating leases related to leases of real estate and improvements at our branch locations. From time to time, we may also lease various types of small equipment and vehicles.
Operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an individual asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide the lessor’s implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments by assuming the rate for a fully collateralized and amortizing loan with the same term as the lease.
Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain those options will be exercised. For leases with terms greater than 12 months, we record the related asset and obligation at the present value of lease payments over the term. Many of our leases include rental escalation clauses, renewal options and/or termination options that are factored into our determination of lease payments when such renewal options and/or termination options are reasonably certain of exercise. We do not separate lease and non-lease components of contracts. Variable lease payments, which represent lease payments that vary due to changes in facts or circumstances occurring after the commencement date other than the passage of time, are expensed in the period in which the obligation for these payments was incurred.
A ROU asset is subject to the same impairment guidance as assets categorized as plant, property, and equipment. As such, any impairment loss on ROU assets is presented in the same manner as an impairment loss recognized on other long-lived assets.
A lease modification is a change to the terms and conditions of a contract that change the scope or consideration of a lease. For example, a change to the terms and conditions to the contract that adds or terminates the right to use one or more underlying assets, or extends or shortens the contractual lease term, is a modification. Depending on facts and circumstances, a lease modification may be accounted as either: (1) the original lease plus the lease of a separate asset(s) or (2) a modified lease. A lease will be remeasured if there are changes to the lease contract that do not give rise to a separate lease.
See Note 11 related to the required lease disclosures.
The Company as Lessor
Our equipment rental business involves rental contracts with customers whereby we are the lessor in the transaction and therefore, such transactions are subject to Topic 842. We account for such rental contracts as operating leases. We recognize revenue from equipment rentals in the period earned, regardless of the timing of billing to customers. A rental contract includes rates for daily, weekly or monthly use, and rental revenues are earned on a daily basis as rental contracts remain outstanding. Because the rental contracts can extend across multiple reporting periods, we record unbilled rental revenues and deferred rental revenues at the end of reporting periods so rental revenues earned is appropriately stated for the periods presented.
Deferred Financing Costs and Initial Purchasers’ Discounts
Deferred financing costs include legal, accounting and other direct costs incurred in connection with the issuance and amendments thereto, of the Company’s debt. These costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt using the straight-line method which approximates amortization using the effective interest method.
Initial purchasers’ discount and bond premium is the differential between the price paid to an issuer for the new issue and the prices (below and above, respectively) at which the securities are initially offered to the investing public. The amortization expense of deferred financing costs and bond premium and accretion of initial purchasers’ discounts are included in interest expense as an overall cost of the related financings. Such costs are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the associated debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount.
Reserves for Claims
We are exposed to various claims relating to our business, including those for which we provide self-insurance. Claims for which we self-insure include: (1) workers compensation claims; (2) general liability claims by third parties for injury or property damage caused by our equipment or personnel; (3) automobile liability claims; and (4) employee health insurance claims. Losses that exceed our deductibles and self-insured retentions are insured through various commercial lines of insurance policies. These types of claims may take a substantial amount of time to resolve and, accordingly, the ultimate liability associated with a particular claim, including claims incurred but not reported as of a period-end reporting date, may not be known for an extended period of time. Our methodology for developing self-insurance reserves is based on management estimates. Our estimation process considers, among other matters, the cost of known claims over time, cost inflation and incurred but not reported claims. These estimates may change based on, among other things, changes in our claim history or receipt of additional information relevant to assessing the claims. Further, these estimates may prove to be inaccurate due to factors such as adverse judicial determinations or other claim settlements at higher than estimated amounts. Accordingly, we may be required to increase or decrease our reserve levels. At December 31, 2023, our claims reserves related to workers compensation, general liability and automobile liability, which are included in “Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets, totaled $9.9 million and our health insurance reserves totaled $2.3 million. At December 31, 2022, our claims reserves related to workers compensation, general liability and automobile liability totaled $9.1 million and our health insurance reserves totaled $1.9 million.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $1.1 million, $1.0 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company is a C-Corporation under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. We utilize the asset and liability approach to measure deferred tax assets and liabilities based on temporary differences existing at each balance sheet date using currently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rate is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date of that rate.
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax provisions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company recognizes both interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in net other income (expense).
Our deferred tax calculation requires management to make certain estimates about future operations. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The FASB fair value measurement guidance established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The three broad levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring a company to develop its own assumptions
The carrying value of financial instruments reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, Credit Facility, accounts payable and accrued expenses payable and other liabilities approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term nature, maturity or market interest rate of these financial instruments. The Company’s outstanding obligations on its Credit Facility are deemed to be at fair value as the interest rates are variable and consistent with prevailing rates, which are considered Level 2 inputs. The carrying amounts and fair values of our other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 are presented in the table below (amounts in thousands).
December 31, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 8.75% (Level 3)
$
2,708
$
2,490
Senior unsecured notes due 2028 with interest computed at 3.875% (Level 2)
1,242,852
1,137,170
December 31, 2022
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Manufacturer flooring plans payable with interest computed at 7.75% (Level 3)
$
$
Senior unsecured notes due 2028 with interest computed at 3.875% (Level 2)
1,241,409
1,070,088
At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the fair value of our senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “Senior Unsecured Notes”), respectively, were based on quoted bond trading market prices for those notes. For our Level 3 unobservable inputs, we calculate a discount rate for our manufacturer flooring plans payable based on the U.S. prime rate plus the applicable margin on our Credit Facility. The discount rate is disclosed in the above table. The assets collateralized against the manufacturer flooring plans payable approximate its carrying value.
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no transfers of financial assets or liabilities in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis
Our non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, are adjusted to fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized or the underlying investment is sold. Such fair value measurements are based predominately on Level 3 inputs. The result of our third quarter 2023 goodwill impairment quantitative test indicated that the fair value of the Parts Sales reporting unit was less than the carrying value of the reporting unit, resulting in a goodwill impairment of $5.7 million.
Concentrations of Credit and Supplier Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash deposits and trade accounts receivable. Credit risk can be negatively impacted by adverse changes in the economy or by disruptions in the credit markets.
The Company maintains its cash deposits with established commercial banks. At times, balances may exceed federally insured limits. We have not experienced any losses in such accounts and do not believe that we are exposed to any significant credit risk associated with our cash deposits.
We believe that credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is somewhat mitigated by our large number of geographically diverse customers and our credit evaluation procedures. Although generally no collateral is required, when feasible, mechanics’ liens are filed and personal guarantees are signed to protect the Company’s interests. We maintain reserves for potential losses.
We record trade accounts receivables at sales value and establish specific reserves for certain customer accounts identified as known collection problems due to insolvency, disputes or other collection issues. The amounts of the specific reserves estimated by management are determined by a loss rate model based on delinquency, as further described above in receivables and contract assets and liabilities.
We purchase a significant amount of equipment from leading, nationally-known original equipment manufacturers. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased approximately 52.8% of our equipment from five manufacturers (JCB, Skyjack, Sany, John Deere, and SkyTrak). We believe that while there are alternative sources of supply for the equipment we purchase in each of the principal product categories, termination of one or more of our relationships with any of our major suppliers of equipment could have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operation if we were unable to obtain adequate or timely rental equipment.
Income (loss) per Share
Income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The effects of potentially dilutive securities that are anti-dilutive are not included in the computation of diluted income (loss) per share. We include all common shares granted under our incentive compensation plan which remain unvested (“restricted common shares”) and contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid (“participating securities”), in the number of shares outstanding in our basic and diluted EPS calculations using the two-class method. All of our restricted common shares are currently participating securities.
Under the two-class method, earnings per common share are computed by dividing the sum of distributed earnings allocated to common shareholders and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, distributed and undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and restricted common shares based on the total weighted average shares outstanding during the period. The number of restricted common shares outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were less than 1% of total outstanding shares for each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and consequently, were immaterial to the basic and diluted EPS calculations. Therefore, use of the two-class method had no impact on our basic and diluted EPS calculations as presented for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended December 31, (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
Net income from continuing operations
$
169,293
$
133,694
$
60,564
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
$
-
$
(1,524
)
$
41,976
Net income
$
169,293
$
132,170
$
102,540
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic
36,100
35,943
36,261
Effect of dilutive non-vested restricted stock
Diluted
36,329
36,089
36,451
Income (loss) per share: (1)
Basic:
Continuing operations
$
4.69
$
3.72
$
1.67
Discontinued operations
-
(0.04
)
1.16
Net income per share
$
4.69
$
3.68
$
2.83
Diluted:
Continuing operations
$
4.66
$
3.70
$
1.66
Discontinued operations
-
(0.04
)
1.15
Net income per share
$
4.66
$
3.66
$
2.81
Common shares excluded from the denominator as anti-dilutive:
Non-vested restricted stock
Dividends declared per common share outstanding
$
1.10
$
1.10
$
1.10
(1)Because of the method used in calculating per share data, the summations may not necessarily total to the per share data computed for the total company due to rounding.
Segment Reporting
We have five reportable segments. We derive our revenues from five principal business activities: (1) equipment rentals; (2) sales of rental equipment; (3) sales of new equipment; (4) parts sales; and (5) repair and maintenance services. These segments are based upon how we allocate resources and assess performance. See Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements regarding our segment information.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Segment Reporting
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which improves the disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and addresses requests for additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. The amendments in this ASU require disclosure of incremental segment information on an annual and interim basis for all public entities. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. ASU 2023-07 became effective on January 1, 2024 and are not expected to have an impact on our financial statements, but will result in expanded reportable segment disclosures.
Income Taxes
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which should improve the transparency of income tax disclosures by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. The ASU requires that public entities on an annual basis disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation, provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold and the following information about income taxes paid: the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign taxes and the amount of income taxes paid disaggregated by individual jurisdictions. Lastly, the amendments in this ASU require that entities disclose income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal (national), state, and foreign. ASU 2023-09 becomes effective January 1, 2025 and are not expected to have an impact on our financial statements, but will result in expanded tax disclosures.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Reference Rate Reform
On January 1, 2023 we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provided optional guidance for a limited time to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) on financial reporting. Our exposure related to the expected cessation of LIBOR was limited to the interest expense and certain fees we incur on balances outstanding under our Senior Secured Credit Facility (the “Credit Facility”). We amended and restated our Credit Facility to transition to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as of February 2, 2023. The impact from the cessation of LIBOR as a reference rate did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
(3)Acquisitions and Dispositions
2023 Acquisition
Giffin Equipment
Effective November 1, 2023, we completed the acquisition of Mel Giffin, Inc. (d/b/a Giffin Equipment) (“Giffin”), an equipment rental company with three branches located in California. The acquisition expands our presence in the California market.
The aggregate cash consideration paid was approximately $31.3 million. The acquisition and related fees and expenses were funded from available cash and borrowings. The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The opening balance sheet amounts presented below are preliminary and subject to change as we obtain additional information during the acquisition measurement period and finalize customary closing adjustments with the seller.
$’s in thousands
Accounts receivable
$
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Rental equipment
12,291
Property and equipment
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Intangible assets (1)
6,400
Total identifiable assets acquired
20,123
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities
(19
)
Operating lease liabilities
(121
)
Total liabilities assumed
(140
)
Net identifiable assets acquired
19,983
Goodwill (2)
11,282
Net assets acquired
$
31,265
(1)The following table reflects the estimated fair values and useful lives of the acquired intangible assets identified based on our purchase accounting assessments:
Fair Value
(amounts in
thousands)
Life (years)
Customer relationships
$
3,800
Noncompetition agreements
2,600
$
6,400
(2)The acquired goodwill has been allocated to the equipment rentals reporting unit.
The level of goodwill that resulted from the Giffin acquisition is primarily reflective of Giffin’s going-concern value, the value of assembled workforce, new customer relationships expected to arise from the acquisition and expected synergies from combining operations. We currently expect the goodwill recognized to be 100% deductible for income tax purposes.
Total acquisition costs were $0.3 million and included within selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income during the year ended December 31, 2023. Since our acquisition of Giffin on November 1, 2023, significant amounts of equipment rental fleet have been moved between H&E locations and the acquired locations, and it is impractical to reasonably estimate the amount of Giffin revenues and earnings since the acquisition date.
The assets and liabilities were recorded as of November 1, 2023 and the results of operations are included in the Company's consolidated results as of that date.
2022 Acquisition
One Source Equipment Rentals, Inc.
Effective October 1, 2022, we acquired 100% of the equity of One Source Equipment Rentals, Inc. (“OSR”), an equipment rental company with ten branches located in the Midwest. The acquisition expands our presence in the surrounding market, including initial locations in Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
The aggregate cash consideration paid was approximately $136.7 million. The acquisition and related fees and expenses were funded from available cash. Customary closing adjustments were finalized during the first quarter of 2023 and the update of a tax estimate upon filing the final tax returns concluded during the third quarter of 2023. The following table summarizes the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.
$’s in thousands
Cash
$
Accounts receivable
10,406
Inventory
Prepaid expenses and other assets
Rental equipment
102,436
Property and equipment
4,216
Operating lease right-of-use assets
2,388
Intangible assets (1)
12,300
Total identifiable assets acquired
132,789
Accounts payable
(4,723
)
Tax payable
(786
)
Operating lease liabilities
(2,388
)
Deferred income taxes
(27,653
)
Total liabilities assumed
(35,550
)
Net identifiable assets acquired
97,239
Goodwill (2)
39,451
Net assets acquired
$
136,690
(1)The following table reflects the estimated fair values and useful lives of the acquired intangible assets identified based on our purchase accounting assessments:
Fair Value
(amounts in
thousands)
Life (years)
Customer relationships
$
10,600
Noncompetition agreements
1,700
$
12,300
(2)The acquired goodwill has been allocated to the equipment rentals reporting unit.
Included in the total goodwill amount of $39.5 million is approximately $0.8 million of accrued purchase price consideration to be paid to the sellers pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement among the parties named thereto. The level of goodwill that resulted from the OSR acquisition is primarily reflective of OSR’s going-concern value, the value of assembled workforce, new customer relationships expected to arise from the acquisition and expected synergies from combining operations.
Total acquisition costs were $0.8 million and included within selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses on the Consolidated Statement of Income during the year ended December 31, 2022. Since our acquisition of OSR on October 1, 2022, significant amounts of equipment rental fleet have been moved between H&E locations and the acquired locations, and it is impractical to reasonably estimate the amount of OSR revenues and earnings since the acquisition date.
The assets and liabilities were recorded as of October 1, 2022 and the results of operations are included in the Company's consolidated results as of that date.
Pro forma financial information (unaudited)
We completed the OSR acquisition effective October 1, 2022. Therefore, our reported Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2022 does not include OSR for the period from January 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022. Additionally, we completed the Giffin acquisition effective November 1, 2023. Therefore, our reported Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2023 does not include Giffin for the period from January 1, 2023 through October 31, 2023.
The pro forma information for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 in the table below (amounts in thousands) is for informational purposes only and gives effect to the OSR and Giffin acquisitions as if it had been completed on January 1, 2022 (the “pro forma acquisition date”). The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of our results of operations had the acquisition been completed on the pro forma acquisition date, nor is it necessarily indicative of our future results. The pro forma information does not reflect any cost savings from operating efficiencies or synergies that could result from the acquisition, nor does it reflect additional revenue opportunities following the acquisition. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments primarily related to the incremental depreciation and amortization expense of the rental equipment and intangible assets acquired, the elimination of interest expense related to historical debt as well as other expenses that are not part of the combined entity and transaction expenses.
Year Ended December 31,
Total revenues
$
1,479,360
$
1,299,409
Net income
$
171,075
$
141,516
2022 Disposition
Komatsu Earthmoving Distributorship
On December 15, 2022, we sold our Komatsu earthmoving distribution business to Houston, Texas based Waukesha-Pearce Industries, LLC (“WPI”) for $29.2 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. The WPI sale included the rights to the distribution of Komatsu earthmoving equipment in the state of Louisiana and counties located in southwestern Arkansas, a branch location and its associated property, plant and equipment in Kenner, LA, Komatsu new equipment inventory, assets at a leased facility in Bossier City, LA and certain other equipment, parts and supplies with a net book value of approximately $14.7 million. We recorded a gain of $12.9 million within gain from sales of property and equipment, net and a gain of $2.5 million within other income on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2022. The WPI sale did not qualify for discontinued operations as the divestiture does not meet the definition of a component.
2021 Dispositions
Crane Sale
On July 19, 2021, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to sell its crane business to a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Manitowoc Company, Inc. for $130.0 million in cash, which was subject to adjustment based on actual amounts of net working capital and crane rental fleet net book value delivered at transaction closing. The Company executed the transaction closing on October 1, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, resulting in proceeds of $135.9 million, which was subject to finalization of adjustments. Closing adjustments of $1.9 million were recorded as a loss from discontinued operations on the Consolidated Statement of Income during the second quarter of 2022.
This disposition represents the Company’s strategic shift to a pure-play rental business. In accordance with ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, the Company ceased recording depreciation and amortization for Crane Sale related rental fleet, property, plant and equipment, and right of use lease assets upon qualifying as held for sale. In accordance with ASC 205-20, the Company determined that discontinued operations presentation was met during the third quarter of fiscal year 2021. As part of the divestiture, we entered into a transition services agreement with the buyer to assist them in the transition of certain functions, including, but not limited to, information technology, accounting and human resources for a period of sixty days up to six months. Aside from these customary transition services, there will be no continuing involvement with the crane business after its disposal.
The Company reported financial results of the crane business within all of our segments: equipment rentals, sales of rental equipment, sales of new equipment, parts sales and service revenues. Additionally, the crane business was included within the equipment rental component 2, sales of rental equipment, sales of new equipment, parts sales and service revenues goodwill reporting units.
As a result of the agreement to sell the Company’s crane business, its results are reported separately as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021. As permitted, the Company elected not to adjust the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows to exclude cash flows attributable to discontinued operations. Accordingly, we disclosed the depreciation, capital expenditures and significant operating and investing non-cash items related to the Crane Sale below.
The following tables (amounts in thousands) present the Crane Sale results as reported in income from discontinued operations within our Consolidated Statements of Income.
Year Ended December 31,
Revenues:
Equipment rentals
$
-
$
10,321
Sales of rental equipment
-
11,545
Sales of new equipment
-
52,286
Parts, service and other
-
57,878
Total revenues
-
132,030
Cost of revenues:
Rental depreciation
-
3,720
Rental expense
-
1,947
Rental other
-
1,000
-
6,667
Sales of rental equipment
-
8,713
Sales of new equipment
-
46,725
Parts, service and other
-
35,223
Total cost of revenues
-
97,328
Gross profit
-
34,702
Selling, general and administrative expenses
20,937
Gain on sales of property and equipment, net
-
(Loss) gain on sale of discontinued operations
(1,917
)
42,072
Income (loss) from discontinued operations
(2,049
)
55,886
Other, net
-
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
(2,049
)
55,948
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(525
)
13,972
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations
$
(1,524
)
$
41,976
Cash flows from discontinued operations was as follows (amounts in thousands):
Year Ended December 31,
Operating activities of discontinued operations:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
$
-
$
1,083
Depreciation of rental equipment
-
3,720
Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations
1,917
(42,072
)
Gain from sales of property and equipment, net
-
(49
)
Gain from sales of rental equipment, net
-
(2,203
)
Investing activities of discontinued operations:
Purchases of rental equipment
-
(2,431
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
-
Proceeds from sales of rental equipment
-
5,929
Arkansas Sale
On September 17, 2021, the Company sold our Little Rock, Arkansas and Springdale, Arkansas owned-branches to Bramco, Inc. (“Bramco”) for $9.0 million (the “Arkansas Sale”). The Arkansas Sale included the land, building, building improvements, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and shop equipment for the two branches with a net book value of approximately $3.7 million. We recorded a gain of $5.3 million within sales from property and equipment, net on the Consolidated Statement of Income. As a condition of closing, we relinquished our territory distribution rights with equipment manufacturers Komatsu, Wirtgen Group and Takeuchi. Our current distribution territory for these two branches includes the entire state of Arkansas, with the exception of five counties in Arkansas (Miller, Lafayette, Columbia, Union and Little River) as these counties are currently served by our Shreveport, Louisiana branch. The Arkansas Sale did not qualify for discontinued operations as the divestiture does not meet the definition of a component.
The Company purchased a site in Little Rock, Arkansas to operate a rental-focused branch location in the area. The branch opening coincided with the sale to Bramco.
(4)Receivables
Receivables consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):
Trade receivables
$
239,277
$
216,280
Unbilled rental revenue
14,022
12,872
Income tax receivables
1,048
2,577
Other
254,556
231,931
Less allowance for doubtful accounts
(7,126
)
(6,637
)
Total receivables, net
$
247,430
$
225,294
(5)Inventories
Inventories consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):
Used equipment
$
$
New equipment
97,833
94,906
Parts, supplies and other
11,886
12,924
Total inventories, net
$
109,931
$
107,842
The above amounts are presented net of reserves for inventory obsolescence at December 31, 2023 and 2022 totaling approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
(6)Property and Equipment
Net property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):
Land
$
6,852
$
6,852
Transportation equipment
184,739
147,171
Building and leasehold improvements
92,561
67,181
Office and computer equipment
51,058
54,099
Machinery and equipment
22,869
17,241
Construction in progress
19,417
19,110
377,496
311,654
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
(193,723
)
(177,017
)
Total net property and equipment
$
183,773
$
134,637
Total depreciation and amortization on property and equipment was $34.7 million, $28.8 million and $26.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
(7)Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite employee service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). The estimated forfeiture rate is based on historical experience and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods for actual forfeitures.
Our 2016 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2016 Plan”) is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, which selects persons eligible to receive awards and determines the number of shares and/or options subject to each award, the terms, conditions, performance measures, if any, and other provisions of the award. Under the 2016 Plan, we may offer deferred shares or restricted shares of our common stock and grant options, including both incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, to purchase shares of our common stock. Shares available for future stock-based payment awards under our 2016 Plan were 743,877 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2023.
Non-vested Stock
From time to time, we issue shares of non-vested stock typically with vesting terms of three years. The following table summarizes our non-vested stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Number of
Shares
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Non-vested stock at January 1, 2021
524,876
$
23.00
Granted
202,687
$
33.28
Vested
(186,042
)
$
26.83
Forfeited
(61,374
)
$
25.31
Non-vested stock at December 31, 2021
480,147
$
25.56
Granted
281,490
$
36.07
Vested
(160,868
)
$
27.46
Forfeited
(40,313
)
$
29.43
Non-vested stock at December 31, 2022
560,456
$
30.02
Granted
235,938
$
47.00
Vested
(283,332
)
$
25.04
Forfeited
(15,666
)
$
35.79
Non-vested stock at December 31, 2023
497,396
$
40.73
As of December 31, 2023, we had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $14.6 million related to non-vested stock award payments that we expect to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years. Stock compensation expense, which is included in SG&A expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income, for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $10.0 million, $7.3 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
Purchases of Company Common Stock
Purchases of our common stock are accounted for as treasury stock in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets using the cost method. Repurchased stock is included in authorized shares, but is not included in shares outstanding.
(8)Accrued Expenses Payable and Other Liabilities
Accrued expenses payable and other liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, (amounts in thousands):
Payroll and related liabilities
$
44,885
$
40,367
Sales, use, property and income taxes
13,853
13,202
Accrued interest
3,947
2,290
Accrued insurance
8,740
7,641
Deferred revenue
6,808
6,661
Other
9,696
6,981
Total accrued expenses payable and other liabilities
$
87,929
$
77,142
(9)Senior Unsecured Notes
On December 14, 2020, we completed an offering of $1,250 million aggregate principal amount of 3.875% senior notes due 2028 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes were sold in a private placement pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated November 30, 2020, by and among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors and BofA Securities, Inc. There are no registration rights associated with the Senior Notes or the subsidiary guarantees.
The Senior Notes were issued at par and require semiannual interest payments on June 15th and December 15th of each year, commencing on June 15, 2021. No principal payments are due until maturity (December 15, 2028).
The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture, dated as of December 14, 2020, by and among the Company, the subsidiary guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Indenture”). Subsequent to December 15, 2023, the Senior Notes may be redeemed pursuant to a declining schedule of redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. Transaction costs incurred in connection with the offering of the Senior Notes totaled approximately $11.4 million and are presented as a direct deduction from the face amount of the related liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equally in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness and rank senior to any of the Company’s subordinated indebtedness. The Senior Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company’s current and future significant domestic subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). In addition, the Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future secured indebtedness, including the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and are structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities and preferred stock of any of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Senior Notes. There are no restrictions on H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s ability to obtain funds from the guarantor subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
If we experience a change of control, we will be required to offer to purchase the Senior Notes at a repurchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains certain covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional debt; (ii) pay dividends or make distributions; (iii) make investments; (iv) repurchase stock; (v) create liens; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; (vii) merge or consolidate; and (viii) transfer and sell assets. Each of the covenants is subject to exceptions and qualifications. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with these covenants.
The following table reconciles our Senior Unsecured Notes to our Consolidated Balance Sheets (amounts in thousands):
Balance at December 31, 2021
$
1,239,967
Accretion of discount through December 31, 2022
1,172
Amortization of deferred financing costs through December 31, 2022
Balance at December 31, 2022
$
1,241,409
Accretion of discount through December 31, 2023
1,172
Amortization of deferred financing costs through December 31, 2023
Balance at December 31, 2023
$
1,242,852
(10)Senior Secured Credit Facility
We and our subsidiaries are parties to a $750.0 million asset based revolving Credit Facility with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC as administrative agent, and the lenders named therein (the “Credit Facility”).
On December 22, 2017, we amended, extended and restated the Credit Facility by entering into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), LLC, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent named therein.
The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of the credit facility to December 22, 2022, (ii) increased the commitments under the senior secured asset based revolver provided for therein to $750 million, (iii) increased the uncommitted incremental revolving capacity to $250 million, (iv) provided that the unused line fee margin will be either 0.375% or 0.25%, depending on the Average Revolver Usage (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) of the borrowers, (v) lowered the interest rate (a) in the case of base rate revolving loans, to the base rate plus an applicable margin of 0.50% to 1.00% depending on the Average Availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) and (b) in the case of LIBOR revolving loans, to LIBOR (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin of 1.50% to 2.00%, depending on the Average Availability, (vi) lowered the margin applicable to the letter of credit fee to between 1.50% and 2.00%, depending on the Average Availability, and (vii) permitted, subject to certain conditions, an unlimited amount of Permitted Acquisitions, Restricted Payments and prepayments of Indebtedness (in each case, as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).
On February 1, 2019, we further amended and extended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the First Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), LLC, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent named therein.
The First Amendment, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of the credit facility from December 22, 2022 to January 31, 2024, and (ii) lowered the interest rate in the case of LIBOR revolving loans, to LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 1.25% to 1.75%, depending on the Average Availability and (iii) lowered the interest rate in the case of Base Rate loans, to the Base
Rate (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin of 0.25% to 0.75%, depending on the Average Availability.
On September 14, 2021, the Company further amended and extended the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with the Second Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), LLC, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent named therein.
The Second Amendment (i) amended the permitted dispositions of the credit facility, specifically the Crane Sale, and (ii) included benchmark language for a transition away from LIBOR.
On February 2, 2023, we amended, extended and restated the $750.0 million Credit Facility by entering into the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Midwest), LLC, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, the other credit parties named therein, the lenders named therein, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent named therein.
The Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among other things, (i) extended the maturity date of the credit facility to February 2, 2028 and (ii) amended the interest rate to SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment plus an applicable margin of 1.25% to 1.75%, depending on the Average Availability (as defined in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement).
As amended, the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement continues to provide for, among other things, a $30.0 million letter of credit sub-facility, and a guaranty by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries of the obligations under the Credit Facility. In addition, the Credit Facility remains secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries.
At December 31, 2023, we had $181.6 million under the Credit Facility and could borrow up to approximately $556.0 million, net of a $12.3 million outstanding letter of credit. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average interest rate under the Credit Facility was approximately 7.1%. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with our financial covenant under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
The aggregate amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2023 under both the Credit Facility and our Senior Secured Notes (Note 9) of $1,431.6 million mature during 2028.
(11)Leases
We use the rate implicit in the lease to discount lease payments to present value, when available, however, most of our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. Therefore, we estimate our IBR to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. Our IBR represents the rate we would expect to pay under a fully collateralized rate and amortizing loan with the same term as the lease.
At December 31, 2023, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was approximately 7.5 years and for finance leases was approximately 8.6 years. The weighted average discount rate for operating and finance leases was approximately 6.4% and 5.9%, respectively, at December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022, the weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases was approximately 8.0 years and for finance leases was approximately 9.5 years. The weighted average discount rate for operating and finance leases was approximately 6.3% and 5.0%, respectively, at December 31, 2022.
The table below presents certain information related to lease costs, under Topic 842, for our operating and finance leases for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Classification
Operating lease cost
SG&A expenses
$
31,066
$
27,153
$
24,347
Finance lease costs
Amortization of leased assets
SG&A expenses
Interest on lease liabilities
Interest expense
Variable lease cost
SG&A expenses
2,607
1,834
1,046
Sublease income
Other income
(2,844
)
(2,074
)
(1,379
)
Total lease cost
$
31,190
$
27,072
$
24,145
The table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. (in thousands).
Year Ended December 31,
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurements of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases
$
28,409
$
26,407
$
23,527
Operating cash flows for finance leases
Finance cash flows for finance leases
1,141
The table below reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and total of the remaining years to the operating and finance lease liabilities recorded on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 (in thousands).
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
$
25,875
$
33,444
33,010
31,914
29,776
Thereafter
80,203
1,659
Total minimum lease payments
234,222
3,871
Less: amount of lease payments representing interest
(50,447
)
(852
)
Present value of future minimum lease payments
$
183,775
$
3,019
The future minimum lease payments of operating leases executed but not commenced as of December 31, 2023 are estimated to be $1.4 million, $2.4 million, $2.5 million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million for the years ending December 31, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively, and $18.2 million thereafter. It is expected that these leases will commence during 2024.
(12)Income Taxes
Our income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
Current
Deferred
Total
Year Ended December 31, 2023
U.S. Federal
$
2,238
$
44,581
$
46,819
State
5,002
2,083
7,085
$
7,240
$
46,664
$
53,904
Year Ended December 31, 2022
U.S. Federal
$
-
$
37,680
$
37,680
State
4,306
5,050
9,356
$
4,306
$
42,730
$
47,036
Year ended December 31, 2021:
U.S. Federal
$
-
$
16,513
$
16,513
State
2,574
2,073
4,647
$
2,574
$
18,586
$
21,160
Significant components of our deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31 are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable
$
1,619
$
1,497
Inventories
Net operating losses
65,893
74,931
Tax credits
8,193
7,040
Sec 263A costs
Accrued liabilities
4,216
3,431
Deferred compensation
3,225
2,794
Interest expense
18,901
12,238
Stock-based compensation
Goodwill and intangible assets
8,519
7,842
Other assets
111,672
110,878
Valuation allowance
(3,003
)
(5,930
)
108,669
104,948
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment
(420,496
)
(370,404
)
Investments
(1,126
)
(1,109
)
Goodwill and intangible assets
(4,873
)
(4,597
)
(426,495
)
(376,110
)
Net deferred tax liabilities
$
(317,826
)
$
(271,162
)
The reconciliation between income taxes computed using the statutory federal income tax rate of 21% to the actual income tax expense (benefit) is below for the years ended December 31 (amounts in thousands):
Computed tax at statutory rates
$
46,871
$
37,953
$
17,162
Permanent items - other
2,300
1,683
Permanent items - impairment of goodwill
-
-
State income tax, net of federal tax effect
7,624
9,068
2,390
Change in valuation allowance
(2,927
)
(1,668
)
1,202
Change in uncertain tax positions
(64
)
-
-
$
53,904
$
47,036
$
21,160
At December 31, 2023, we had available federal net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $285.9 million that do not expire and state net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $120.2 million, of which $42.3 million expire in varying amounts from 2024 to 2043 and $77.9 million do not expire. We also had state income tax credits of $10.4 million that expire in varying amounts from 2024 to 2033.
Management has concluded that it is more likely than not that the federal deferred tax assets are fully realizable through future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and future taxable income. Therefore, a valuation allowance is not required to reduce those deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2023. However, as of December 31, 2023, we have a valuation allowance of $3.0 million for certain state tax credits that are expected to expire prior to utilization.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at January 1
$
1,425
$
-
Increases in tax positions taken in prior years
-
-
Decreases in tax positions taken in prior years
(972
)
-
Increases in tax positions taken in current years
-
1,425
Decreases in tax positions taken in current years
-
-
Settlements with taxing authorities
-
-
Lapse in statute of limitations
(81
)
-
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31
$
$
1,425
The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2023, if recognized, would affect the effective income tax rate. To the extent we incur interest income, interest expense, or penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits, it will be recorded within net other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amount of interest and penalties recorded related to unrecognized income tax benefits is $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change materially in the next twelve months.
Our U.S. federal tax returns for 2020 and subsequent years remain subject to examination by tax authorities. We are also subject to examination in various state jurisdictions for 2019 and subsequent years.
(13)Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Matters
From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of our business, including claims for which we retain portions of the losses through the application of deductibles and self-insured retentions, or self-insurance. Losses that exceed our deductibles and self-insured retentions are insured through various commercial lines of insurance policies. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these various matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Letters of Credit
The Company had outstanding standby letters of credit issued under its Credit Facility totaling $12.3 million as of December 31, 2023 and $10.6 million as of December 31, 2022. The letters of credit expire in May 2024 and are expected to be renewed for similar one-year terms.
(14)Employee Retirement Benefit Plans
We offer substantially all of our non-union employees’ participation in a qualified 401(k)/profit-sharing plan in which we match employee contributions up to predetermined limits for qualified employees as defined by the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, and for both continuing and discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2021, we contributed to the plan, net of employee forfeitures, $5.4 million, $4.6 million and $4.4 million, respectively.
We contribute to the Pension Trust Fund Operating Engineers Annuity Plan (EIN: 94-6090764, Plan No. 002), a multi-employer pension plan (“the Plan”), under the terms of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (“CBA”) that expires on October 31, 2025, and covers our union-represented employees and requires contribution amounts as set forth within the CBA. The Company contributed approximately $0.4 million in each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 and the Company has paid no surcharges in any period presented. These contributions represent less than five percent of the Plan’s total contributions in 2022. As of the date that our 2023 consolidated financial statements were issued, the Plan’s Form 5500 was not available for the Plan year ended December 31, 2023.
The risks of participating in a multi-employer pension plan is different from the risks associated with single-employer plans in the following respects.
a)Assets contributed to the multi-employer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers.
b)If a participating employer stops contributing to the Plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers.
c)If we choose to stop participating in the Plan, we may be required to pay the Plan an amount based on the unfunded status of the plan, referred to as withdrawal liability.
The Plan has a green zone status as of December 31, 2022, the most recent date for which a status determination has been made. The Pension Protection Act of 2006 ranks the funded status of multi-employer pension plans depending upon a plan’s current and projected funding. A plan is in the Red Zone (Critical) if it has a current funded percentage less than 65 percent. A plan is in the Yellow Zone (Endangered) if it has a current funded percentage of less than 80 percent or projects a credit balance deficit within seven years. A plan is in the Green Zone (Healthy) if it has a current funded percentage greater than 80 percent and does not have a projected credit balance deficit within seven years. The zone status is based on the Plan’s year-end and is based on information that we received from the Plan and is certified by the Plan’s actuary. The Company currently has no intention of withdrawing from the Plan.
(15)Related Party Transactions
Mr. John M. Engquist, who has served as the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, has a 48.0% ownership interest in Perkins-McKenzie Insurance Agency, Inc. (“Perkins-McKenzie”), an insurance brokerage firm. Perkins-McKenzie brokers a substantial portion of our commercial liability insurance. As the broker, Perkins-McKenzie receives from our insurance provider as a commission a portion of the premiums we pay to the insurance provider. Commissions paid to Perkins-McKenzie on our behalf as insurance broker totaled approximately $1.2 million, $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
We purchase products and services from, and sell products and services to, B-C Equipment Sales, Inc., in which Mr. Engquist has a 50% ownership interest. In each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, for both continuing and discontinued operations, our purchases totaled less than $20 thousand, less than $10 thousand and $0.1 million, respectively, and our sales to B-C Equipment Sales, Inc. totaled approximately less than $10 thousand, $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.
(16)Segment Information
We have identified five reportable segments: equipment rentals, sales of rental equipment, sales of new equipment, parts sales and service revenues. These segments are based upon revenue streams and how management of the Company allocates resources and assesses performance. Our non-segmented other revenues and costs relate primarily to ancillary charges associated with equipment repair services, and are not generally allocated to the segments. There were no sales between segments for any of the periods presented. Selling, general, and administrative expenses as well as all other income and expense items below gross profit are not generally allocated to our reportable segments.
We do not compile discrete financial information by our segments other than the information presented below. The following table presents information about our reportable segments (amounts in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
Segment Revenues:
Equipment rentals
$
1,186,152
$
956,042
$
729,700
Sales of rental equipment
165,074
90,885
135,245
Sales of new equipment
39,099
92,526
92,677
Parts sales
47,341
64,646
65,623
Services revenues
27,507
34,226
33,034
Total segmented revenues
1,465,173
1,238,325
1,056,279
Non-Segmented other revenues
4,043
6,193
6,518
Total revenues
$
1,469,216
$
1,244,518
$
1,062,797
Segment Gross Profit:
Equipment rentals
$
553,439
$
460,243
$
315,629
Sales of rental equipment
99,891
44,316
48,922
Sales of new equipment
5,530
13,096
11,855
Parts sales
13,142
18,035
17,277
Services revenues
16,831
21,998
21,797
Total gross profit from segmented revenues
688,833
557,688
415,480
Non-Segmented other gross loss
(4,372
)
(2,525
)
(117
)
Total gross profit
$
684,461
$
555,163
$
415,363
December 31,
Segment identified assets:
Equipment rentals
$
1,756,578
$
1,418,951
Equipment sales
98,045
94,918
Parts and service
11,886
12,924
Total segment identified assets
1,866,509
1,526,793
Non-Segmented identified assets
773,377
764,906
Total assets
$
2,639,886
$
2,291,699
The Company operates primarily in the United States. Our sales to international customers for the three years ended December 31, 2023 were 0.1% of total revenues. No one customer accounted for more than 10% of our total revenues for any of the periods presented.
(17)Subsequent Events
Effective January 1, 2024, after the period covered by this report, we completed the acquisition of Precision Rentals (“Precision”) for a purchase price of $117.6 million in cash, before customary adjustments. Precision is a provider of non-residential construction and industrial equipment and expands our presence with two branch locations operating in Arizona and Colorado. The acquisition and related fees and expenses were funded using available cash and borrowings. As of February 22, 2024, a preliminary allocation of the fair value of the Precision purchase price had yet to be completed and consequently, including such disclosures in this annual report on Form 10-K is impractical. Disclosure of the allocation of the purchase price to the Precision balance sheet line items and the pro forma presentation reflecting the impact of the acquisition will be disclosed in our subsequent Form 10-Q filing.
On February 9, 2024, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 23, 2024, which is to be paid on March 15, 2024.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or furnishes under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required financial disclosure.
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our current disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
The design of any system of control is based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated objectives under all future events, no matter how remote, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may not deteriorate. Because of its inherent limitations, disclosure controls and procedures may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that occurred during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Any evaluation or projection of effectiveness to future periods is also subject to risk that controls may become inadequate due to changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on that evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on these criteria.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, has been audited by BDO USA, P.C., an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
Date: February 22, 2024
/s/ Bradley W. Barber
Bradley W. Barber
Chief Executive Officer and Director
/s/ Leslie S. Magee
Leslie S. Magee
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
H&E Equipment Services, Inc.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts and our report dated February 22, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
Dallas, Texas
February 22, 2024

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
During the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a "Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" or "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement," as the terms are defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement for use in connection with the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) to be filed within 120 days after the end of the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. This code of conduct is available on the Company’s internet website at www.he-equipment.com. The information on our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K. If the Company makes any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grants any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, the Company will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies by posting such information on the Company’s internet website at www.he-equipment.com.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy Statement.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)Documents filed as part of this report:
(1)Financial Statements
The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements listed below have been filed as part of this report:
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm-Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2)Financial Statement Schedule for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Schedule II-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not required, or the information appears in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.
(3)Exhibits: The exhibits to this report are listed in the exhibit index below.
(b)Description of exhibits
Exhibit Index
2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated February 2, 2006, among the Company, H&E LLC and Holdings (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).
2.2
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 15, 2007, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., HE-JWB Acquisition, Inc., J.W. Burress, Incorporated, the Burress Shareholders (as defined therein), and Richard S. Dudley, as Burress Shareholders Representative (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed on May 17, 2007.
2.3
Amendment No. 1 to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 31, 2007, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., HE-JWB Acquisition, Inc., J.W. Burress, Incorporated, the Burress Shareholders (as defined therein), and Richard S. Dudley, as Burress Shareholders Representative (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed on September 4, 2007).
2.4
Acquisition Agreement, dated as of January 4, 2005, among H&E Equipment Services, L.L.C., Eagle Merger Corp., Eagle High Reach Equipment, LLC, Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc., SBN Eagle LLC, SummitBridge National Investments, LLC and the shareholders of Eagle High Reach Equipment, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services L.L.C. (File Nos. 333-99587 and 333-99589), filed January 5, 2006).
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 333-128996), filed January 20, 2006).
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, dated as of March 13, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed on March 14, 2023).
4.1
Amended and Restated Security Holders Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).
4.2
Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).
4.3
Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 3, 2006, among the Company and certain other parties thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 3, 2006).
4.4
Form of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. common stock certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 333-128996), filed January 5, 2006).
4.5
Indenture, dated December 14, 2020, by and among H&E Equipment Services, Inc., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A, as Trustee, relating to the 3.8750% Senior Notes due 2028 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed December 16, 2020).
4.6
Description of H&E Equipment Services, Inc.’s Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Annual Report on Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 22, 2023).
10.1
Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 22, 2017, by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed December 27, 2017).
10.2
First Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 1, 2019, by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759, filed February 4, 2019).
10.3
Second Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated September 14, 2021, by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent party thereto (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed November 2, 2021).
10.4
Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 2, 2023, by and among the Company, Great Northern Equipment, Inc., H&E Equipment Services (California), LLC, H&E Equipment Services (Midwest), Inc. and H&E Equipment Services (Mid-Atlantic), Inc. (collectively, the “Borrowers”), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for each member of the Lender Group and the Bank Product Providers, and the joint lead arrangers, joint book runners, co-syndication agents and documentation agent party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed February 22, 2023).
10.5
H&E Equipment Services, Inc. 2016 Stock-Based Incentive Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Definitive Proxy Statement of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed April 1, 2016.
10.6
Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Officers of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (incorporated by reference from Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed November 3, 2011). 
10.7
Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated August 14, 2015, by and between the Company and Bradley W. Barber (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed October 29, 2015). 
10.8
Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated October 12, 2015, by and between the Company and Leslie S. Magee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51579), filed on February 25, 2016).
10.9
Restrictive Covenant Agreement, dated March 4, 2022, by and between the Company and John McDowell Engquist (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51579), filed on April 27, 2022).
18.1
BDO Seidman, LLP Preferability Letter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18.1 to Form 10-K of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. (File No. 000-51759), filed March 7, 2008).
21.1
Subsidiaries of the registrant.*
23.1
Consent of BDO USA, P.C.*
31.1
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
Clawback policy of H&E Equipment Services, Inc. filed February 22, 2024.*
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document*
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbase Documents*
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement