EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 70415
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 70415_10-K_2021_0000070415-21-000041.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1: Business
Company Overview
References in this report to “GP Strategies,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to GP Strategies Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively.
GP Strategies is a leading workforce transformation partner. The company provides custom workforce performance solutions for all levels of an organization. We believe our transformation focus, combined with a customer-centric approach, industry innovation and workforce expertise help clients achieve superior business and operational results by enabling higher levels of workforce effectiveness. For over 50 years, we have been providing solutions to optimize workforce performance. Our solutions include business consulting, leadership development, learning strategies & solutions, managed learning services, sales solutions, technology implementation & adoption solutions, and technical services.
We believe we are at our best when driving innovation-integrating leading technologies, developing new learning paradigms, and instituting fresh business processes and measurement approaches.
We work with clients primarily in the Automotive, Financial Services, Defense and Aerospace, and Technology industries including Global Fortune 500 and other commercial customers across other major industries. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we provided services to 125 customers in the Fortune 500 and 121 customers in the Global Fortune 500.
We built our workforce transformation business through internal growth and the acquisition of complementary businesses. Since 2006, we have completed over 30 acquisitions to strengthen our capabilities in specific service areas, expanded our global
presence, and increased our customer base and market sector reach. As a result, we have added product sales training and leadership training, and strengthened our digital learning and content development expertise, while also expanding further internationally. Our acquisitions have expanded our market sector reach, added new customers and enhanced our service offerings through the addition of new complementary services. We also invested in global expansion through the establishment of over twenty new subsidiaries in select countries since 2013 to support new global outsourcing contracts. We believe our expanded infrastructure and the ability to deliver globally will allow us to better support our existing client base as well as win new business for our comprehensive service offerings.
In 2020 and 2019, we divested certain non-core assets. Specifically, we sold our IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020 and Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020. We sold our Tuition Program Management Business on October 1, 2019. See Note 4 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding divested businesses.
Operating Segments
Effective July 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new organizational structure on a regional basis through our three geographic markets, North America, Europe Middle East Africa (EMEA) and Emerging Markets (Latin America and Asia Pacific countries). These became our reportable segments in the third quarter of 2020.
The reorganization was done to achieve the following:
•Simplify the matrix and empower rapid local decision making in service of our clients.
•Unlock the potential of organic growth to achieve better business results for our clients and the Company.
•Leverage global practice systems, processes, and intellectual property while enabling regional authority to better align and deliver to local client needs.
•Enable efficient use of our corporate infrastructure with regional resources.
Across our regional operating structure, the Company provides Workforce Transformation Services categorized into three primary solution sets:
•Organizational Performance Solutions (OPS) - solutions include managed learning services, digital learning strategies and content development, business consulting, and leadership development solutions
•Technical Performance Solutions (TPS) - solutions include technical training and consulting services, enterprise technology adoption and Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation services.
•Automotive Performance Solutions (APS) - provides workforce development services, sales enablement solutions, including custom product sales training and other customer loyalty and marketing related services.
We have also identified four focus industries to deliver these services which include Automotive, Financial Services, Defense and Aerospace and Technology. Each of our three reportable segments represent an operating segment under ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting.
Segment Financial Information
For financial information about our business segments and geographic operations and revenue, see Note 15 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Services and Products
Our OPS, TPS and APS solutions and related service offerings are discussed in more detail below.
OPS
•Managed Learning Services. Disruption and transformation present immense opportunities for leading-edge organizations to respond creatively to change and uncertainty. The agile and assertive response to competitive change
deploys a well-prepared workforce armed with relevant, effectively delivered learning. Our comprehensive managed training services provide those best-in-class solutions to structure and optimize learning and development efforts and provide global resources to scale learning. We provide: (i) content design, development and delivery, (ii) learning administration, (iii) learning delivery, (iv) learning technologies administration, (v) vendor management, (vi) learning analytics, measurement and evaluation, and (vii) research services.
•Learning Strategies & Solutions. Strategies for learning and development are the cornerstone for workforce transformation and competitive success. We are a pioneer and leader in global learning and development for over 50 years. We provide: (i) learning transformation, (ii) digital learning solutions, (iii) design strategies, (iv) innovation and emerging technologies, (v) content design, development and delivery, (vi) content curation, and (vii) learning experience design.
•Leadership Solutions. Today’s leaders require both subject-matter expertise and proficiencies in listening, empathy, thinking, assessment, evaluation, collaboration, inspiration, strategy-to-execution vision, and perhaps most importantly, communication. These essentials need to be distilled and delivered into operationally-practical programs. With the breadth and scope of our leadership work across the world, we have built those solutions for our clients. In the world of organization leadership strategies, we have become an essential guide, provider, and trusted resource for our clients. We provide: (i) advisory services, (ii) career development, (iii) coaching, (iv) workforce and employee engagement, (v) leadership development programs, and (vi) facilitation.
•Business Consulting & Organizational Development. Our expert management consultants help identify where businesses need to go and what it will take them to get there. Then we work with our clients to develop and execute a strategy that brings out the best in their employees. GP Strategies is a transformational partner that provides changes in workforce mindsets and performance, learning and development technologies, or critical business processes. We provide: (i) strategy alignment, (ii) organization design, (iii) change management, and (iv) culture change.
TPS
•Technical Training Services. For more than 50 years, we have immersed ourselves in manufacturing and production industries, working closely with federal, domestic and multinational clients and their workforce, supply chains, and distribution channels around the world. We provide the employee training and development services that enable employees in these industries to perform at high levels. Our proven processes, subject matter expertise, and intellectual property provide our clients with the contextualized training required to ensure their employees have the proper knowledge, skills and abilities.
•Technology Implementation & Adoption. Our proven technology adoption frameworks combined with our implementation and user support services help organizations leverage new technologies across the board to deliver critical business outcomes. We provide: (i) enterprise adoption solutions, (ii) human capital management services and (iii) learning experience platforms. We have the experience and expertise needed to assist technology-driven enterprises in solving problems today while preparing them for the future.
•Technology Consulting Solutions. In capital-intensive and technically complex industries, leading organizations must constantly balance quality, risk and cost with efficiency and safety. Drawing from more than 50 years’ experience guiding manufacturers, industrial and technical organizations worldwide to safer and better performance, we help companies integrate people, process, and technology to improve business results. Our technical consulting services team help clients:
•Achieve quality and operational excellence
•Improve asset health and overall equipment effectiveness
•Maximize return on capital investment
•Ensure safety and regulatory compliance
•Improve workforce performance training at a reduced cost of ownership
•Anticipate equipment complications in advance
•Achieve on-time and on-budget startups for new and upgraded facilities
We provide: (i) asset performance management, (ii) energy management services, (iii) engineering services, (iv) EtaPro - asset performance and condition monitoring, (v) compliance and regulatory services, (vi) workforce technical solutions, (vii) technical staffing, (viii) operational excellence, and (ix) operational readiness.
APS
•Sales Solutions. We help clients enabling their front line sales force to excel in an omnichannel world and facilitate each customer’s purchase journey. We provide (i) operational excellence, (ii) product launch and knowledge, (iii) virtual and digital retailing, (iv) CRM and owner communications, (iv) remarketing and CPO, and (v) F&I Training.
Competitive Strengths
We believe our key competitive strengths include:
Global Delivery and Single-Source Custom Workforce Transformation Solutions Provider. We believe we are one of the largest independent single-source workforce transformation solutions provider with the capability of delivering globally in the markets in which we compete. We provide managed learning services solutions spanning the full life-cycle of the training process, including the management of training departments and administrative processes for our customers. We believe that the breadth of our service and product offerings, which encompass fully integrated managed learning services solutions as well as discrete services, allows us to better serve the needs of our clients by providing them with a single-source solution for custom training, consulting and technical services. The integration of our services into a single platform, together with our global presence and delivery capabilities, allows our customers to leverage an enterprise-wide solution to address their performance improvement needs in a way that streamlines their internal operations, improves the speed and efficiency at which critical know-how is disseminated on a firm-wide basis, and enables them to achieve their desired performance improvement goals.
Outstanding Reputation in the Industry. We have continued to build an outstanding reputation in the learning and training industry through the delivery of our solutions and have received numerous awards. 2020 highlights include:
Industry Awards
•Training Industry, Inc., The Top Training Companies™ lists are developed based on extensive, proprietary research and analysis of companies around the world. They examine the capabilities, experience, and expertise of hundreds of learning organizations. In 2020, we appeared on the Top 20 lists in the following categories: Assessment & Evaluation, Custom Content Development, Experiential Learning Technologies, Health & Safety Compliance Training, Leadership Training, Sales Training, and Training Outsourcing.
•Brandon Hall HCM Excellence recognizes the best organizations that have successfully deployed programs and strategies that have achieved measurable results. We received twelve Brandon Hall Excellence awards.
•Chief Learning Officer Learning in Practice recognizes industry leaders who have demonstrated excellence in the design and delivery of employee development programs. We won one gold for blended learning, one silver for blended learning, one silver for excellence in content and one bronze for excellence in partnership.
Customer Supplier Awards - GP Strategies has been recognized by one of their strategic client with a prestigious Supplier of the Year Award,
•General Motors - Recognizes GM’s best suppliers that have consistently exceeded GM’s expectation, creating outstanding value, or introducing innovations to the company. This is the fourth consecutive year GP Strategies has been recognized.
Integration with Technology Platforms. Our high impact, scalable custom and packaged programs are delivered across a range of digital formats including, but not limited to: virtual classroom, learning experience platforms, chatbots, adaptive learning platforms and gamification platforms. In addition to our internal toolset, we have a robust technology partner ecosystem that covers 36 categories and more than 150 platforms. By combining our expertise in consulting, design, delivery, evaluation and administration with best of breed tools, GP Strategies brings scalable, high-impact solutions that deliver value to our clients at scale.
Deep Technical Expertise. In the 1960’s, we began providing technical services to the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine program and the nuclear electric-power generation industry, and have since maintained and expanded our reputation for providing technically complex consulting, engineering, and training services. Many of our employees have engineering degrees, technical training or years of relevant technical industry experience. Through repeat projects with industry leaders we have acquired significant industry experience in providing highly technical consulting services. We believe that our technical expertise allows us to address market opportunities for complex business challenges that require in-depth expertise and certifications typically acquired over several years of specialized training and many years of experience. We also believe that our ability to provide both training-related and business consulting services allows us to gain insight into operations of our customers, understand the challenges they face and develop optimal solutions to meet these challenges. In addition, we believe that the knowledge that we develop while working with our clients provides us with a significant competitive advantage as those clients look to expand the scope of services outsourced to third party service providers.
Well Positioned to Capitalize on the Large Product Sales Training Market. We believe that the introduction of new products with advanced features, combined with the growing amount and accessibility of information available to consumers, requires companies to maintain a highly skilled and technologically current sales force to effectively capture customer interest and confidence. In-house implementation of product sales training programs can be expensive and time-consuming as these programs typically involve significant levels of face-to-face training, in some cases across a large global sales force. In addition, product sales training tends to be a continuous process, as the pace of new products and features in many cases requires year-round updating of the sales force. We believe we have one of the industry’s leading product sales training platforms, and are well positioned to benefit from increased training outsourcing as companies look for ways to reduce costs.
Focus on Innovation. We believe we have a proven track record of bringing innovations to our customers and are committed to identifying, incubating, launching, and promoting solutions, products, and services for our clients. We achieve this by leveraging both our deep network of content and technology partners and our internal intellectual property, processes and technology. As we launch new products and services, we support our employees through our own modern academies, offering training and micro credentials using advanced tools and technologies. GP Strategies’ Executive Innovation Council, provides critical governance regarding innovation, including direction, strategy refinement, and enterprise-wide alignment. This team of practitioners from across the organization provides insight into innovation across the organization, helps identify trends and emerging needs from the industry and provide recommendations for innovation activities.
Highly Qualified and Dedicated Employees and Tenured Management Team. Our most important asset is our people, as their wide-ranging skill sets enable us to serve our diverse and expanding global client base. As a result, we are committed to the continued development of our employees. We offer our employees technical, functional, industry, managerial and leadership skill development and training throughout their careers with us. We seek to reinforce our employees’ commitment to our clients, culture and values through a comprehensive performance management system and a career philosophy that rewards both individual performance and teamwork. We also benefit from the skill and experience of our executive management team, who together have in excess of 100 years of experience in the training industry and have an average tenure with our company of over 15 years.
Contracts
We currently perform under fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction), time-and-materials and cost-reimbursable contracts. The following table illustrates the percentage of our total revenue attributable to each type of contract for the year ended December 31, 2020:
Fixed fee per transaction 58 %
Fixed price 17
Time-and-materials, including fixed rate 20
Cost-reimbursable 5
Total revenue 100 %
Fixed price contracts (including fixed-fee per transaction) provide for payment to us of pre-determined amounts as compensation for the delivery of specific products or services, without regard to the actual costs incurred. We bear the risk that increased or unexpected costs required to perform the specified services may reduce our profit or cause us to sustain a loss, but we have the opportunity to derive increased profit if the costs required to perform the specified services are less than expected.
Fixed price contracts generally permit the client to terminate the contract on written notice; in the event of such termination we would typically be paid a proportionate amount of the fixed price.
Time-and-materials contracts generally provide for billing of services based upon the hourly billing rates of the employees performing the services and the actual expenses incurred multiplied by a specified mark-up factor up to a certain aggregate dollar amount. Our time-and-materials contracts include certain contracts under which we have agreed to provide training, engineering and technical services at fixed hourly rates. Time-and-materials contracts generally permit the client to control the amount, type and timing of the services to be performed by us and to terminate the contract on written notice. If a contract is terminated, we are typically paid for the services we have provided through the date of termination.
Cost-reimbursable contracts provide for us to be reimbursed for our actual direct and indirect costs plus a fee. These contracts also are generally subject to termination at the convenience of the client. If a contract is terminated, we are typically reimbursed for our costs through the date of termination, plus the cost of an orderly termination, and paid a proportionate amount of the fee.
International
We conduct our business outside the U.S. primarily through our wholly owned subsidiaries. We may continue to create new subsidiaries as our business expands. Through these subsidiaries, we are capable of providing substantially the same services and products as are available to clients in the U.S., although modified as appropriate to address the language, business practices and cultural factors unique to each client and country. In combination with our subsidiaries, we are able to coordinate the delivery to multi-national clients of services and products that achieve consistency on a global, enterprise-wide basis. Revenue from operations outside the U.S. represented approximately 36%, 36% and 33% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively (see Note 15 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements).
Customers
During 2020, we provided services to over 750 customers worldwide. Significant customers include multinational automotive manufacturers, such as General Motors Company, Ford Motor Company, BMW, Daimler, Volkswagen and Nissan; financial services companies such as HSBC, Bank of America, CIGNA, Anthem, United Overseas Bank, Truist and PNC Bank; technology services companies such as Microsoft, Cisco, Facebook and Siemens; Aerospace services companies such as Lockheed Martin, US Army, General Dynamics, Boeing, Bechtel National, Inc. and Amentum: governmental agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Skills Funding Agency in the United Kingdom. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we provided services to 125 customers in the Fortune 500 and 121 customers in the Global Fortune 500.
We have a market concentration of revenue in both the automotive sector and financial services sector. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 25%, 28% and 23% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single automotive customer, which accounted for approximately 14%, 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 accounts receivable from a single automotive customer totaled $16.7 million, or 15%, and $17.2 million, or 13%, respectively, of our consolidated accounts receivable balance.
Revenue from the financial services industry accounted for approximately 17%, 16% and 19% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single financial services customer, which accounted for approximately 9%, 10% and 13% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from a single financial services customer totaled $7.2 million, or 5%, and $15.4 million, or 8%, respectively, of our consolidated accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances.
No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2020 or consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2020.
We believe the nature of our business, which includes established relationships with our clients, provides us with a platform from which to drive revenues and gives us visibility into our future performance. We have long-standing relationships with many of our clients, with 88% of our top 25 clients having used our services for five or more years. Additionally, over 95% of
our annual revenue is generated from client relationships that existed in the prior year. We also had a backlog for services under executed contracts of $316.1 million as of December 31, 2020.
Human Capital
GP Strategies is a professional services organization primarily focused on providing process improvement and learning and development solutions to hundreds of clients across more than 30 countries. As such, our human capital is material to our operations and core to the long-term success of the company.
Our People. As of December 31, 2020, we had a total of approximately 4,343 employees, down from an aggregate of approximately 4,856 employees as of the end of fiscal 2019. The reduction in total employees largely represent the contraction required due to the impact of COVID-19. We also utilize additional adjunct instructors and consultants as needed. We believe that we have good relations with our employees.
Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity and Inclusion are core to our culture, and we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. GP Strategies strives to create an environment that welcomes, and values inclusion and diversity based on age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, personality type, and thinking style. To foster our goals surrounding diversity and inclusion, we have created several Employee Resource Groups based on employee feedback, including those supporting Women, Black, and the LGBTQ+ communities. The Company has a dedicated Vice President of Diversity & Engagement, and a Diversity Council made up of employees, that provides regular updates to senior management.
Talent Acquisition, Development and Retention. Hiring, developing and retaining employees is critically important to our operations and we are focused on creating experiences and programs that foster growth, performance and retention. Acquiring the right talent at speed and scale is a core capability that we regularly monitor and manage, given the need to rapidly staff our frontline operations. We periodically measure our Time to Offer performance against regional benchmarks to confirm our performance meets or exceeds benchmarks. We sponsor numerous training, education and leadership development programs for all level of employees, designed to enhance leadership and managerial capability, ensure quality execution of our programs, drive client satisfaction and increase return on investment. Our Education Program provides eligible employees with cost reimbursement related to the pursuit of an advance education. The Company regularly conducts Employee surveys to assess engagement of its Employees, and uses information from the surveys to improve the Company’s ability to develop and retain talented Employees who will help advance the Company.
Compensation, Benefits, Safety and Wellness. In addition to offering market competitive salaries and wages, we offer comprehensive health and retirement benefits to eligible employees. Our core health and welfare benefits are supplemented with specific programs to manage or improve common health conditions, a variety of voluntary benefits and paid time away from work programs. We also provide innovative programs designed to promote physical, emotional and financial well-being. Our health and safety program monitors and ensures the well-being of our employees.
Competition
We face a highly competitive environment. The principal competitive factors are the experience and capability of service personnel, performance, quality and functionality of products, reputation and price. The training industry is large, highly fragmented and competitive, with low barriers to entry and no single competitor accounting for a significant market share. According to Training Industry, Inc., global external training expenditures totaled approximately $92.8 billion in 2020. Our competitors include several large publicly traded and privately held companies, vocational and technical training schools, degree-granting colleges and universities, continuing education programs and thousands of small privately held training providers and individuals. In addition, many of our clients maintain internal training departments, which have the resources and ability to provide the same or similar services in-house. Some of our competitors offer services and products at lower prices, and some competitors have significantly greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing and other resources. Moreover, we expect to face additional competition from new entrants into the training and performance improvement market due, in part, to the evolving nature of the market and the relatively low barriers to entry. There can be no assurance that we will be successful against such competition.
Technical and consulting services such as those that we provide are performed by many of the customers themselves, large architectural and engineering firms that have expanded their range of services beyond design and construction activities, large consulting firms, information technology companies, major suppliers of equipment and individuals and independent service companies similar to us. The technical services market is highly competitive and require substantial resources and capital investment in equipment, technology and skilled personnel. Many of our competitors for our technical consulting services have
greater financial resources than we do. Competition also places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to compete successfully, and the failure to do so could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Sales & Marketing
Sales, marketing and proposal resources are centralized to better position ourselves to achieve the growth goals of the organization. We operate as an integrated, customer-centric team to ensure our go-to-customer strategy directly supports the business strategy. We use our online digital presence, attendance at trade shows, presentations at industry and trade association conferences, press releases, industry award submissions, webinars and workshops given by our personnel to serve important marketing functions. We also carry out selective print and digital advertising and conduct targeted marketing campaigns to current and prospective clients. In addition, we use our social media channels, such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, SlideShare and a Company blog on our website, as a means of sharing thought leadership content, disclosing information about the Company, our services and other topics important to our clients. By staying ahead of the market trends and engaging with clients, we are able to identify possible opportunities to expand the services we are providing them as well as extend the current services we are providing. In other cases, clients ask us to bid competitively. In both cases, we submit proposals to the client for evaluation. The period between submission of a proposal to final award can range from 30 days or less (generally for noncompetitive, short-term contracts), to a year or more (generally for large, competitive multi-year contracts).
Backlog
Our backlog for services under executed contracts and subcontracts was approximately $316.1 million and $349.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We anticipate that approximately 85 percent of our backlog as of December 31, 2020 will be recognized as revenue during 2021. However, the rate at which services are performed under certain contracts, and thus the rate at which backlog will be recognized, may be at the discretion of the client and most contracts are, as mentioned above, subject to termination by the client upon written notice.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A: Risk Factors
The following are some of the factors that we believe could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results and from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this report and other public statements made by us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, or that we currently see as immaterial, may also harm our business. Most of these risks are generally beyond our control. If any of the risks or uncertainties described below, or any such additional risks and uncertainties actually occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Risks Related to the Company’s Business Environment
Changing economic conditions in the United States, the United Kingdom and the other countries in which we conduct our operations could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our revenues and profitability are related to general levels of economic activity and employment primarily in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. As a result, economic recession in either or both of those countries could harm our business and financial condition. A significant portion of our revenues is derived from Fortune 500 companies and their global equivalents, which historically have decreased expenditures for external training during economic downturns. If the economies in which these companies operate are weakened in any future period, these companies may reduce their expenditures on external training, and other products and services supplied by us, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. As we expand our business globally, we might be subject to additional risks associated with economic conditions in the countries into which we enter or in which we expand our operations.
Business disruptions could adversely affect our future sales, financial condition, reputation or stock price or increase costs and expenses.
Our business, and that of our key suppliers and customers, may be impacted by disruptions including, but not limited to, threats to physical security, information technology attacks or failures, damaging weather or other acts of nature and pandemics or other public health crises. Such disruptions could affect our internal operations or services provided to customers, adversely impacting our sales, financial condition, reputation or stock price or increase our costs and expenses.
We are vulnerable to the cyclical nature of the markets we serve.
The demand for our services and products is dependent upon training and marketing budgets and the existence of projects with training, engineering, procurement, construction or management needs. Although downturns can impact our entire business, the automotive, financial and insurance, manufacturing, technology, construction, and energy industries are examples of sectors that are cyclical in nature and have been affected from time to time by fluctuations in either national or worldwide demand for our services. Industries such as these and many of the others we serve have historically been and might continue to be vulnerable to general downturns and are and might continue to be cyclical in nature. During economic downturns, our clients might demand better terms. In addition, many of our training contracts are subject to modification in the event of certain material changes in the business or demand for our services. Our government clients also might face budget deficits that prohibit them from funding proposed and existing projects. As a result, our past results have varied considerably and could continue to vary depending upon the demand for future projects in the industries that we serve.
Risks Related to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected our results of operations in 2020 and could potentially have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations for at least the first half of 2021, the extent of which is not now known or predictable.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption for GP Strategies, our customers and vendors, and the markets in which we do business. The scope and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic changed quickly during the first half of 2020, as travel restrictions, stay at home orders and other limitations on conducting business came into effect in different forms at different times in the different places where we conduct business. The situation has remained uncertain and rapidly evolving through the second half of 2020 and the date of this report. We estimate that the decrease in our revenue due to the effects of COVID-19 were at least $11.5 million in the first quarter of 2020, $32.5 million in the second quarter of 2020, $18.4 million in the third quarter of 2020, and $17.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to the same periods of 2019, primarily due to the postponement of certain training events and other delays in client projects. During 2020 and through the date of this report, health and economic conditions in the U.S. and around the world have been adversely affected, and government and customer actions and related events have adversely impacted, and, despite the recent approvals for use and commencement of vaccination programs in certain countries, we expect will continue to adversely impact, how we do business and the services that we provide for a sustained period.
The constantly and rapidly changing environment prevents us from accurately assessing the full impact that the COVID-19 pandemic, the actions taken in response to it, and the overall effect on the global and regional economies will have on our employees, our operating segments and practices, our customers and vendors, the industries and regions that we serve, or our financial condition and results of operations as a whole. The full impact depends on many factors that are uncertain or not yet identifiable, and in many cases are out of our control. Those factors could include, among other things:
•the speed and scope of vaccine distribution, the efficacy of vaccines in general and in particular with respect to recent mutations and variations of COVID-19:
•the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the types and magnitude of adverse impacts on regional economies, individually, and the global economy, as a whole;
•the health and welfare of our employees and contractors and those of our customers and vendors;
•evolving business and government actions in response to the pandemic, including stay at home orders, social distancing measures and travel bans;
•the varying impact that the pandemic may have on our customers and the industries we serve, including the effect on the automotive and financial industries, which are areas of significant focus for our business;
•the response of our customers or prospective clients to the pandemic and its economic effects, including delays, stoppages or terminations of existing engagements or hiring decisions;
•the varying demand for the types of services we offer in the geographic regions in which we offer them and whether such services might be deemed essential under applicable government orders or considered more discretionary spending by our customers;
•our ability to sell and provide our services and solutions and maintain adequate utilization levels, including as a result of travel restrictions and people working from home;
•our ability to scale and cut costs to effectively maintain profitability in light of anticipated revenue reductions;
•our ability to continue to effectively market our services;
•our ability to replace engagements as they end or are terminated, stopped or delayed;
•the ability of our employees to effectively provide services, including as a result of travel restrictions or the need to work remotely;
•the ability of our clients to pay, to make timely payments or to pay in full;
•any disruption to the Internet and related systems, which may impact our ability to provide our services and solutions remotely, and increased vulnerability to hackers or third parties seeking to disrupt operations; and
•the timing of finding effective treatments or a cure or a vaccine.
Such factors may increase the currently anticipated duration and severity of the pandemic and its effects. If the pandemic and its effects are worse or last longer, that could result in fewer or delayed engagements, less profitable engagements, reduction of existing or new work, a less profitable mix of work, or an overall reduction in operations. Any of these factors and others we have not yet identified could cause or contribute to the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and our clients and could materially adversely affect our business or portions thereof, and our financial condition, results of operations or stock price.
The COVID-19 pandemic could impact our segments and practices, the types of services they provide, and the regions in which we operate, differently.
Each of our three segments contains various practices and service lines with varying expertise and industry and geographic focus. We expect that disruptions arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic could affect the operations of our business segments, practices and service lines or the regions in which we operate, differently.
The Company may encounter operational risks arising from changes in the way the Company conducts business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The majority of our employees are working remotely and rely heavily on technology to perform their jobs. Risks arising from our reliance on remote communications, virtual meetings and other forms of technology could include elevated cybersecurity risks and difficulty protecting company and client confidential communications. The Company may also experience impairments or declines in the effectiveness, capabilities and capacity of certain technology we employ, including issues with virtual meetings or other remote communications systems. Certain employees or regions could experience difficulties accessing and maintaining Internet connections or issues with saving and retrieving information from cloud-based and other computing systems relied on by the Company. Furthermore, the Company’s increased reliance during the pandemic on technology may not be as effective as our historical practice of reliance on a combination of technology and in-person resources. The Company’s investment of time and resources to assure the functionality of the Company’s systems and mitigate technological risks may be more difficult to achieve or not wholly successful. If the Company experiences cybersecurity issues, is unable to protect confidential information, or is unable to adequately provide services or perform corporate functions, all or portions of the Company’s ability to conduct business and operate may be impaired. In such event, the Company’s financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
The COVID-19 pandemic could adversely impact the health and welfare of our key employees of the Company, which could have a material adverse effect on our ability to secure or perform client engagements and our results of operations.
We rely heavily on our customer-facing employees to secure and perform customer engagements. If the health and welfare of customer-facing employees or employees providing critical corporate functions, including our executive officers, deteriorates, the number of employees affected becomes significant, or an employee with skills and knowledge that are difficult to replicate becomes unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our ability to win business and provide services, as well as utilization, employee morale, customer relationships, business prospects, and results of operations of one or more of our segments or practices, or the Company as a whole, could be materially adversely affected.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its economic effects could increase the likelihood that we could incur material asset impairment charges in future periods.
In the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, we state that a substantial portion of our assets consists of goodwill and intangible assets, which are subject to impairment and that we could incur material asset impairment charges in future periods. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused and could continue to cause a decrease in expected cash flows, adverse changes in market conditions, and a material decline in our stock price, all of which could increase the likelihood that we could incur material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in the future.
Risks arising out of our Reorganization of Segments
Our recent segment reorganization resulted in Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units with little excess fair value over carrying value, resulting in an increased risk of future impairment charges in such units.
As of October 1, 2020, each of our current reporting units had excess fair value greater than its respective carrying value. The Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units only had a fair value that exceeded the carrying value by less than 5% and 15%, respectively as of the third quarter quantitative test. If the Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units fail to meet their financial projections, or if other adverse market conditions occur (such as a sustained material decrease in our stock price) which would lower the fair value of the business, we could incur material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in the future. We will continue to test for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment.
Risks Related to Being Government Contractor
A negative audit or other actions by the U.S. Government could adversely affect our future operating performance.
As a U.S. Government contractor, we must comply with laws and regulations relating to U.S. Government contracts and are subject to an increased risk of investigations, criminal prosecution, civil fraud, whistleblower lawsuits and other legal actions and liabilities to which companies with solely commercial customers are not subject. We are subject to audit and investigation by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and other government agencies with respect to our compliance with federal laws, regulations and standards. These audits may occur several years after the period to which the audit relates. The DCAA, in particular, also reviews the adequacy of, and our compliance with, our internal control systems and policies, including our purchasing, property, estimating, compensation and management information systems. Any payments received by us from the U.S. Government for allowable direct and indirect costs are subject to adjustment after audit by government auditors and repayment to the government if the payments exceed allowable costs as defined in the government contracts, which could result in a material adjustment of the payments received by us under such contracts. In addition, any costs found to be improperly allocated to a specific contract will not be reimbursed. If we are found to be in violation of the law, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties or administrative sanctions, including contract termination, the assessment of penalties and suspension or debarment from doing business with U.S. Government agencies. For example, many of the contracts we perform for the U.S. Government are subject to the Service Contract Act, which requires hourly employees to be paid certain specified wages and benefits. If the Department of Labor determines that we violated the Service Contract Act or its implementing regulations, we could be suspended for a period of time from winning new government contracts or renewals of existing contracts, which could materially and adversely affect our future operating performance.
Furthermore, our reputation could suffer serious harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us. If we are suspended or prohibited from contracting with the U.S. Government, or any significant U.S. Government agency, if our reputation or relationship with U.S. Government agencies becomes impaired or if the U.S. Government otherwise ceases doing business with us or significantly decreases the amount of business it does with us, it could materially and adversely affect our operating performance and could result in additional expenses and a loss of revenue.
Our business and financial condition could be adversely affected by government limitations on contractor profitability.
A significant portion of our revenue and profit is derived from contracts with the U.S. Government and subcontracts with prime contractors of the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government places limitations on contractor profitability; therefore, government-related contracts might have lower profit margins than the contracts we enter into with commercial customers.
Risks Related to the Company’s Operations and Strategy
Our revenue and financial condition could be adversely affected by the loss of business from significant customers, including financial services institutions and automotive manufacturers.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, revenue from our customers in the financial services sector accounted for approximately 17%, 16% and 19%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single financial services customer, which accounted for approximately 9%, 10% and 13% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from this customer totaled $7.2 million, or 5%, of our consolidated accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances. A default in payment from this client or a decline in the volume of business from this client and other major financial services customers could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, revenue from our customers in the automotive industry accounted for approximately 25%, 28% and 23%, respectively, of our consolidated revenue. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single automotive customer, which accounted for approximately 14%, 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, accounts receivable
from a single automotive customer totaled $16.7 million, or 15% of our consolidated accounts receivable balance. Historically, U.S. auto manufacturers have been negatively impacted during times of economic downturns and recession, resulting in significant reductions in vehicle sales requiring the auto manufacturers to cut costs. A decline in the volume of business from automotive customers could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
Substantially all of our contracts are subject to termination on written notice and, therefore, our operations are dependent upon our customers’ continued satisfaction with our services and their continued inability or unwillingness to perform those services themselves or to engage other third-parties to deliver such services.
Our successful performance of learning services under our Global Master Agreement with HSBC is subject to many risks.
Since 2013, we have had an agreement (the “Global Master Agreement”) with HSBC Holdings plc (HSBC) to provide global learning services. The Global Master Agreement, as originally written and as amended and restated in November 2018, establishes a contractual framework pursuant to which we and certain of our wholly owned subsidiaries entered into local services agreements with certain members of HSBC’s group of companies in respect of countries in which the learning services have been provided by us. The initial term of the Global Master Agreement, as amended and restated in November 2018, is approximately three years, two months. HSBC has the right to extend the Global Master Agreement for one additional two-year term. The Global Master Agreement fixes the billing rates to be charged for most services to be provided by us for the initial term (years one to three) and the first year of the option term (year four). During the second year of the option term (year five), any increases in billing rates are restricted by reference to the level of indexation set out in the relevant local services agreement.
The Global Master Agreement includes certain minimum service level requirements that we must meet or exceed. If we fail to meet a given performance standard, HSBC will, in certain circumstances, receive a credit against the charges otherwise due.
Additionally, HSBC has the right to periodically engage a third party to perform benchmark studies to determine whether our services, the level and quality to which our services are being provided and the applicable charges under the Global Master Agreement are within the top quartile for best-value-for-money for comparable services provided by our competitors. If the benchmark report states that any benchmarked service is not within the top quartile for best-value-for-money for services comparable to our benchmarked services etc., then we must implement changes as soon as reasonably practicable.
HSBC has the right to terminate the Global Master Agreement and the relevant HSBC contracting party has the right to terminate any local services agreement to which it is a party, in whole or in part, for, among other things, convenience on three months’ written notice.
Our successful performance of the Global Master Agreement and the associated local services agreements, is subject to many risks, including the effect(s) that fixed prices for four years, the indexation of rates, the service level credits and the benchmarking requirements may have on our ability to perform services in a profitable manner; additional currency exchange rate exposure; local tax requirements and our need to concurrently maintain reliable payroll, accounting, purchasing, tax management, employment practices, project management, asset management and information technology infrastructure in many countries.
We are a party to fixed price contracts and may enter into similar contracts in the future, which could result in reduced profits or losses if we are not able to accurately estimate or control costs or meet specific service levels.
A significant portion of our revenue is attributable to contracts entered into on a fixed price basis, which allows us to benefit from cost savings, but we carry the burden of cost overruns. If our initial estimates are incorrect, or if unanticipated circumstances arise, we could experience cost overruns which would result in reduced profits or even result in losses on these contracts. Our financial condition is dependent upon our ability to maximize our earnings from our contracts. Lower earnings or losses caused by cost overruns could have a negative impact on our financial results.
Under time and materials contracts, we are paid for labor at negotiated hourly billing rates and for certain expenses. Under cost-reimbursable contracts, which are subject to a contract ceiling amount, we are reimbursed for allowable costs and paid a fee, which may be fixed or performance based. However, if costs exceed the contract ceiling or are not allowable under the provisions of the contract or applicable regulations, we may not be able to obtain reimbursement for all such costs.
Our inability to successfully estimate and manage costs on each of these contract types may materially and adversely affect our financial condition. Cost overruns also may adversely affect our ability to sustain existing programs and obtain future contract awards.
Also, many of our contracts include clauses that tie our compensation to the achievement of agreed-upon performance standards. If we fail to satisfy these measures, it could significantly reduce or eliminate our fees under the contracts. Clients also often have the right to terminate a contract and pursue damage claims under the contract for serious or repeated failure to meet these service commitments. These provisions could increase the variability in revenues and margins earned on those contracts.
Our revenues may be adversely affected if we fail to win competitively awarded contracts or to receive renewal or follow-on contracts.
We obtain many of our significant contracts through a competitive bidding process. Competitive bidding presents a number of risks, including, without limitation:
•the need to compete against companies or teams of companies that may have more financial and marketing resources and more experience in bidding on and performing major contracts than we have;
•the need to compete against companies or teams of companies that may be long-term, entrenched incumbents for a particular contract for which we are competing;
•the need to compete to retain existing contracts that have in the past been awarded to us;
•the expense and delay that may arise if our competitors protest or challenge new contract awards;
•the need to submit proposals for scopes of work in advance of the completion of their design, which may result in unforeseen cost overruns;
•the substantial cost and managerial time and effort, including design, development and marketing activities necessary to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that we may not win;
•the need to develop, introduce and implement new and enhanced solutions to our customers’ needs;
•the need to locate and contract with teaming partners and subcontractors; and
•the need to accurately estimate the resources and costs that will be required to perform over the term of the contract and any extension periods for any fixed price or fixed rate contract that we win.
There are no assurances that we will continue to win competitively awarded contracts or to receive renewal or follow-on contracts. Renewal and follow-on contracts are important because our contracts are for fixed terms. These terms vary from shorter than one year to over five years, particularly for contracts with extension options. The loss of revenues from our failure to win competitively awarded contracts or to obtain renewal or follow-on contracts may be significant because competitively awarded contracts account for a substantial portion of our sales.
Our backlog is subject to reduction and cancellation, which could negatively impact our future revenues or earnings.
Our backlog for services under executed contracts (including subcontracts and purchase orders) was approximately $316.1 million and $349.8 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There can be no assurance that the revenues projected in our backlog will be realized or, if realized, will result in profits. Further, contract terminations or reductions in the original scope of contracts reflected in our backlog might occur at any time as discussed below in more detail.
Our backlog consists of projects for which we have signed contracts from customers. The rate at which services are performed under contracts, and thus the rate at which backlog will be recognized, may be at the discretion of the client. We cannot predict with certainty when or if backlog will be performed. In addition, even where a project proceeds as scheduled, it is possible that customers could default or otherwise fail to pay amounts owed to us. Material delays, terminations or payment defaults under contracts included in our backlog could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, most of our contracts are subject to termination by the client upon written notice. Reductions in our backlog due to termination by a customer or for other reasons could materially and adversely affect the revenues and earnings we actually receive from contracts included in our backlog. If we experience terminations of significant contracts or significant scope adjustments to contracts reflected in our backlog, our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flow could be materially and adversely impacted.
Competition could materially and adversely affect our performance.
The training industry is highly fragmented and competitive, with low barriers to entry and no single competitor accounting for a significant market share. Our competitors include divisions of several large publicly traded and privately held companies, vocational and technical training schools, degree-granting colleges and universities, continuing education programs and thousands of small privately held training providers and individuals. In addition, many of our clients maintain internal training
departments, which have the resources and ability to provide the same or similar services in-house. Some of our competitors offer similar services and products at lower prices, and some competitors have significantly greater financial, managerial, technical, marketing and other resources. Moreover, we expect to face additional competition from new entrants into the training and performance improvement market due, in part, to the evolving nature of the market and the relatively low barriers to entry.
The engineering and construction markets in which we compete are also highly competitive. Many of our competitors are niche engineering and construction companies. In some instances, it is necessary for us to partner with those competitors who meet the small business administration’s criteria for a small business in order to win contract awards. This competition places downward pressure on our contract prices and profit margins. Intense competition is expected to continue in our training, engineering and technical services markets, presenting us with significant challenges in our ability to maintain strong growth rates and acceptable profit margins. If we are unable to meet these competitive challenges, we could lose market share to our competitors and experience an overall reduction in our profits.
We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the industries or markets in which we compete, and the failure to do so could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We have only a limited ability to protect the intellectual property rights that are important to our success, and we face the risk that our services or products may infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others.
Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to protect our proprietary methodologies and other intellectual property, including our EtaPRO™ software. Existing laws of some countries in which we provide or license or intend to provide or license our services or products may offer only limited protection of our intellectual property rights. We rely upon a combination of trade secrets, confidentiality policies, non-disclosure and other contractual arrangements and copyright and trademark laws to protect our intellectual property rights. The steps we take in this regard might not be adequate to prevent or deter infringement or other misappropriation of our intellectual property, and we may not be able to detect unauthorized use or take appropriate and timely steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. Protecting our intellectual property rights might also consume significant management time and resources.
We cannot be sure that our services and products, or the products of others that we offer to our clients, do not infringe on the intellectual property rights of third parties, and we might have infringement claims asserted against us or against our clients. These claims might harm our reputation, result in financial liabilities and prevent us from offering some services or products. We have generally agreed in our contracts to indemnify our clients against expenses or liabilities resulting from claimed infringements of the intellectual property rights of third parties. In some instances, the amount of these indemnities could be greater than the revenues we receive from the client. Any claims or litigation in this area, whether we ultimately win or lose, could be time-consuming and costly, injure our reputation or require us to enter into royalty or licensing arrangements. We might not be able to enter into these royalty or licensing arrangements on acceptable terms. Any limitation on our ability to provide or license a service or product could cause us to lose revenue-generating opportunities and require us to incur additional expenses to develop new or modified solutions for future projects.
We rely on third parties, including subcontractors, suppliers, teaming partners, software vendors and others to deliver the services we must provide to our customers and to operate our business, and disputes with or the failure to perform satisfactorily of such a third party could materially and adversely affect our performance, our ability to obtain future work, and our ability to manage our business effectively.
Many of our contracts involve subcontracts or agreements with other companies upon which we rely to perform a portion of the services or products we must provide to our customers. We also rely on third parties to provide us services and products we use for other functions in the operation of our business. There is a risk that we may have disputes with these third parties, including disputes regarding the quality and timeliness of services or work provided by the third party. A failure by one or more of third parties on whom we rely to satisfactorily provide, on a timely basis, the agreed upon services or products may materially and adversely impact our ability to perform our obligations to our customer or effectively operate our business. Third party performance deficiencies could expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Also, from time to time we have entered, and expect to continue to enter, into joint venture, teaming and other similar arrangements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could result in reduced profits or, in some cases, significant losses for us with respect to the joint venture, teaming and other similar arrangements.
We may continue making acquisitions as part of our growth strategy, which subjects us to numerous risks that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As part of our growth strategy, we may continue to pursue selective acquisitions of businesses that broaden our service and product offerings, deepen our capabilities and allow us to enter attractive new domestic and international markets. Pursuit of acquisitions exposes us to many risks, including that:
•acquisitions may require significant capital resources and divert management's attention from our existing business;
•acquisitions could subject us to contingent or other liabilities, including liabilities arising from events or conduct predating the acquisition of a business that were not known to us at the time of the acquisition;
•we may incur significantly greater expenditures in integrating an acquired business than had been initially anticipated;
•acquisitions may create unanticipated tax and accounting problems; and
•acquisitions may result in a material weakness in our internal controls if we are not able to successfully establish and implement proper controls and procedures for the acquired business.
Our failure to successfully accomplish future acquisitions or to manage and integrate completed or future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We can provide no assurances that we:
•will identify suitable acquisition candidates;
•can consummate acquisitions on acceptable terms;
•can successfully compete for acquisition candidates against larger companies with significantly greater resources;
•can successfully integrate any acquired business into our operations or successfully manage the operations of any acquired business; or
•will be able to retain an acquired company's significant client relationships, goodwill and key personnel or otherwise realize the intended benefits of any acquisition.
In addition, acquisitions might involve our entry into new businesses that might not be as profitable as we expect. We can provide no assurances that our expectations regarding the profitability of future acquisitions will prove to be accurate. Acquisitions might also increase our exposure to the risks inherent in certain markets or industries.
As a result of completed and possible future acquisitions, our past performance is not indicative of future performance, and investors should not base their expectations as to our future performance on our historical results.
Future acquisitions may require that we incur debt or issue dilutive equity.
Future acquisitions may require us to incur additional debt, under our existing credit facility or otherwise, or issue equity, resulting in additional leverage or dilution of ownership.
Difficulties in integrating acquired businesses could result in reduced revenues and income.
We might not be able to integrate successfully any business we have acquired or could acquire in the future. The integration of the businesses could be complex and time consuming and will place a significant strain on our management, administrative services personnel and information systems. This strain could disrupt our business. Furthermore, we could be adversely impacted by liabilities of acquired businesses. We could encounter substantial difficulties, costs and delays involved in integrating common accounting, information and communication systems, operating procedures, internal controls and human resources practices, including incompatibility of business cultures and the loss of key employees and customers. Also, depending on the type of acquisition, a key element of our strategy may include retaining management and key personnel of the acquired business to operate the acquired business for us. Our inability to retain these individuals could materially impair the value of an acquired business. In addition, small businesses acquired by us may have greater difficulty competing for new work as a result of being part of our larger entity. These difficulties could reduce our ability to gain customers or retain existing customers, and could increase operating expenses, resulting in reduced revenues and income and a failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions.
Our leverage could adversely affect our financial condition or operating flexibility if we fail to comply with certain covenants under the Credit Agreement.
Our Credit Agreement contains operating covenants that may, subject to exceptions, limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among other things:
•create, incur or assume certain liens;
•make certain restricted payments, investments and loans;
•create, incur or assume additional indebtedness or guarantees;
•create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions to us from our restricted subsidiaries;
•engage in M&A transactions, consolidations, sale-leasebacks, joint ventures, and asset and security sales and dispositions;
•pay dividends or redeem or repurchase our capital stock;
•alter the business that we and our subsidiaries conduct;
•engage in certain transactions with affiliates;
•modify the terms of certain indebtedness;
•prepay, redeem or purchase certain indebtedness; and
•make material changes to accounting and reporting practices.
In addition, the Credit Agreement includes a financial covenant that requires us not to exceed a maximum consolidated leverage ratio (the ratio of funded debt to Consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the Credit Agreement). Operating results below a certain level or other adverse factors, including a significant increase in interest rates, could result in us being unable to comply with certain covenants. If we violate any applicable covenants and are unable to obtain waivers, our agreements governing our indebtedness or other applicable agreement could be declared in default and could be accelerated, which could permit, in the case of secured debt, the lenders to foreclose on our assets securing the debt thereunder. If the indebtedness is accelerated, we may not be able to repay our debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it. Even if we are able to obtain new financing, it may not be on commercially reasonable terms or on terms that are acceptable to us. If our debt is in default for any reason, our cash flows, financial results or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, complying with these covenants may make it more difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy and compete against companies that are not subject to such restrictions.
Risks Related to our Financial Statements
We previously reported material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to our implementation of a new global enterprise resource planning system (ERP) on October 1, 2018, and subsequent post-implementation processing as well as our risk assessment over certain key financial processes. These weaknesses were remediated in 2020, however, it is possible that in future periods a previously remediated weakness could recur, or that a new weakness could be identified.
Internal controls related to the operation of technology systems and risk assessment over key financial processes are critical to maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. During 2019 and 2018, as disclosed in Part II, Item 9A, management identified material weaknesses in internal control related to ineffective controls over the implementation of the ERP system in the areas of user access and program change-management as well as ineffective risk assessment to ensure controls were designed and implemented to respond to the risks within the revenue and human resources processes as well as other processes within TTi Global, Inc (TTi Global). As a result, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. We have remediated these weaknesses as of December 31, 2020, however, it is possible that weaknesses could be identified in future periods in these or other areas, which could adversely affect our ability to record, process and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within required time periods, which could subject us to litigation or investigations requiring management resources and payment of legal and other expenses, negatively affecting investor confidence in our financial statements and adversely impacting our stock price.
A substantial portion of our assets consists of goodwill and intangible assets, which are subject to impairment. We could incur material asset impairment charges in future periods.
Our acquisitions in recent years have not involved the acquisition of significant tangible assets and, as a result, a significant portion of the purchase price in each case was allocated to goodwill and other intangible assets. As of December 31, 2020, we had goodwill of $120.6 million and other intangible assets of $5.7 million in connection with acquisitions. In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP), goodwill is reviewed annually for impairment unless circumstances or events indicate that an impairment test should be performed sooner to determine if there has been any impairment to value. The review for impairment is based on several factors requiring judgment. A decrease in expected cash flows, change in market conditions, or a material decline in our stock price, among other things, may indicate potential impairment of recorded goodwill.
We tested our goodwill at the reporting unit level as of October 1, 2020 and 2019 and there was no indication of impairment. The Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units had fair values that exceeded their carrying value by less than 5% and 15%, respectively, as of the third quarter quantitative test. If the Technical Performance Solutions or Latin America reporting units fail to meet their financial projections, or if other adverse market conditions occur (such as a sustained material decrease in our stock price) which would lower the fair value of the business, we could incur material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in the future. We will continue to test for impairment on an annual basis or on an interim basis if events and circumstances indicate a possible impairment.
Human Capital Risks
We maintain a workforce based upon anticipated staffing needs. If we do not receive future contract awards or if these awards are delayed or reduced in scope or funding, we could incur significant costs.
Our estimates of future staffing requirements depend in part on the timing of new contract awards. We make our estimates in good faith, but our estimates could be inaccurate or change based upon new information. In the case of larger projects, it is particularly difficult to predict whether we will receive a contract award and when the award will be announced. In some cases the contracts that are awarded require staffing levels that are different, sometimes lower, than the levels anticipated when the work was proposed. The uncertainty of contract award timing and changes in scope or funding can present difficulties in matching our workforce size with our contract needs. If an expected contract award is delayed or not received, or if a contract is awarded for a smaller scope of work than proposed, we could incur significant costs associated with making or failing to make reductions in staff.
Failure to continue to attract and retain qualified personnel could harm our business.
Our principal resource is our personnel. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from services and products that are delivered by instructors, engineers, technical personnel and consultants. Our consulting, technical training and engineering services require the employment of individuals with specific skills, training, licensure and backgrounds. An inability to hire or maintain employees with the required skills, training, licensure or backgrounds could have a material adverse effect on our ability to provide quality services, to expand the scope of our service offerings or to attract or retain customers or to accept contracts, which could negatively impact our business and financial condition. In order to initiate and develop client relationships and execute our growth strategy, we must continue to hire and maintain qualified salespeople. We must also continue to attract and develop capable management personnel to guide our business and supervise the use of our resources.
Similarly, our U.S. Government contracts require employment of individuals with specified skills, work experience, licensures, security clearances and backgrounds. An inability to hire or maintain employees with the required skills, work experience, licensure, security clearances or backgrounds could have a material adverse effect on our ability to win new contracts or satisfy existing contractual obligations, and could result in additional expenses or possible loss of revenue.
Competition for qualified personnel can be intense. We cannot assure you that qualified personnel will continue to be available to us or will be available to us when our needs arise or on terms favorable to us. Any failure to attract or retain qualified instructors, engineers, technical personnel, consultants, salespeople and managers in sufficient numbers could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The loss of our key personnel, including our executive management team, could harm our business.
Our success is largely dependent upon the experience and continued services of our executive management team and our other key personnel. The loss of one or more of our key personnel and a failure to attract, develop or promote suitable replacements for them could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operation or financial condition.
Risk Related to Conducting International Business Operations
Our international sales and operations expose us to various political and economic risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our revenue outside of the U.S. was approximately 36%, 36% and 33% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We conduct our business globally. We may continue to expand our global operations into countries other than those in which we currently operate. It could also involve expanding into less developed countries, which may have less political, social or economic stability and less developed infrastructure and legal systems. We may encounter
challenges adapting to cultural differences compared to the U.S. International sales and operations might be subject to a variety of risks, including:
•greater difficulty in staffing and managing foreign operations;
•greater risk of uncollectible accounts;
•longer collection cycles;
•logistical and communications challenges;
•potential adverse changes in laws and regulatory practices, including export license requirements, trade barriers, tariffs and tax laws;
•changes in labor conditions, burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of foreign laws;
•political and economic instability;
•increases in duties and taxation;
•exchange rate risks;
•greater difficulty in protecting intellectual property;
•general economic and political conditions in these foreign markets;
•acts of war or terrorism or natural disasters, and limits on the ability of governments to respond to such acts;
•restrictions on the transfer of funds into or out of a particular country; or
•nationalization of foreign assets and other forms of governmental protectionism.
As we expand our business into new countries, we may increase our exposure to the risks discussed above. An adverse development relating to one or more of these risks could affect our relationships with our customers or could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU may adversely impact our operations in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom formally left the European Union (generally referred to as “Brexit”). The U.K. remained subject to the EU’s rules and regulations during a transition period that ended December 31, 2020.
A new trade deal ‘the UK-EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provisionally came into force on January 1, 2021 and will be formally ratified early in 2021. It sets out preferential arrangements in areas such as trade in goods and in services, digital trade, intellectual property, public procurement, aviation and road transport, energy, fisheries, social security coordination, law enforcement and judicial cooperation in criminal matters, thematic cooperation, and participation in Union programs. It is underpinned by provisions ensuring a level playing field and respect for fundamental rights.
The UK withdrawal from the EU could create new challenges in our operations, such as instability in global financial and foreign exchange markets. This instability could include volatility in the value of the British pound and European euro, legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations in the areas if cross-border trade in services, mobility and the use of personal data.
At the time of this filing, we cannot predict the impact that the UK’s actual exit from the EU will have on our business generally and our UK and European operations more specifically, and no assurance can be given that our operating results, financial condition and prospects would not be adversely impacted
We are subject to risks associated with currency fluctuations, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Approximately 36% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was denominated in foreign currencies. British Pound Sterling-denominated revenue represented approximately 16% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020. As a result, changes in the exchange rates of foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar will affect our reported consolidated U.S. dollar revenue, cost of revenue and operating margins and could result in exchange gains or losses. The impact of future exchange rate fluctuations on our results of operations cannot be accurately predicted.
Legal/Regulatory Risks
We are subject to potential liabilities which are not covered by our insurance.
We engage in activities in which there are substantial risks of potential liability. We have provided services involving electric power distribution and generation, nuclear power, chemical weapons destruction, petrochemical process training, pipeline operations, volatile fuels such as hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG), environmental remediation, engineering design and
construction management. We maintain a global insurance program (including general liability coverage) covering the businesses we currently own. Claims by or against any covered insured could reduce the amount of available insurance coverage for the other insureds and for other claims. In addition, certain liabilities might not be covered at all, such as deductibles, self-insured retentions, amounts in excess of applicable insurance limits and claims that fall outside the coverage of our policies.
Although we believe that we currently have appropriate insurance coverage, we do not have coverage for all of the risks to which we are subject and we may not be able to obtain appropriate coverage on a cost-effective basis in the future.
Some of our policies, such as our professional liability insurance policy, provide coverage on a “claims-made” basis covering only claims actually made during the policy period then in effect. To the extent that a risk is not insured within our then-available coverage limits, insured under a low-deductible policy, indemnified against by a third party or limited by an enforceable waiver or limitation of liability, claims could be material and could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Related to the Company’s Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Protection
A breach of our security measures (or security measures of third-parties we have engaged) could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our databases contain our confidential data and confidential data of our clients and our clients’ customers, employees and vendors, including sensitive personal data. As a result, we are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect this information, such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation, the California Consumer Privacy Act and various U.S. federal and state laws governing the protection of health or other personally identifiable information. These laws and regulations are increasing in complexity and number, change frequently and sometimes conflict among the various countries in which we operate. We have implemented security measures, both directly and with third-party subcontractors and service providers, with the intent of maintaining the security of any confidential information which has been entrusted to us against unauthorized access through our information systems or by other electronic transmission or through the misdirection, theft or loss of physical media. A party, including one of our employees, who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate such confidential information or interrupt our operations. Third parties, including state actors and sophisticated criminal organizations, regularly target the information technology systems of U.S. companies. To date, the Company has not experienced any material impact to the business or operations resulting from information or cybersecurity attacks. The Company continually assesses these threats and makes investments to increase internal protection, detection, and response capabilities, as well as ensure the Company’s third party providers have required capabilities and controls, to address this risk. However, because of the frequently changing attack techniques, along with the increased volume and sophistication of the attacks, there is the potential for the Company to be adversely impacted. Many of our contracts require us to comply with specific data security requirements. If we are unable to maintain our compliance with these data security requirements or any person, including any of our current or former employees, penetrates our network security or misappropriates sensitive data, we could be subject to significant liabilities to our clients or other parties or subject to legal actions for breaching these data security requirements or other contractual confidentiality provisions. These liabilities might not be subject to a contractual limit of liability or an exclusion of consequential or indirect damages and could be significant. Furthermore, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential data of our clients or other parties, whether through breach of our computer systems, systems failure or otherwise, could also damage our reputation and cause us to lose existing and potential clients. We may also be subject to civil actions, regulatory enforcement actions, and criminal prosecution for breaches related to such data or need to expend significant capital and other resources to continue to protect against security breaches or to address any problem they may cause. In addition, our liability insurance, which includes cyber insurance, might not be sufficient in type or amount to cover us against claims related to security breaches, cyberattacks and other related breaches.
Our information technology systems are subject to risks that we cannot control.
Our information technology systems, including technology systems provided by third parties, are dependent upon global communications providers, web browsers, telephone systems, and other aspects of the Internet infrastructure that have experienced system failures and electrical outages in the past. Our systems are susceptible to slow access and download times, outages from fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications failures, hacking, and similar events. Our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, hacking, and similar disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems. The occurrence of any of these events could disrupt or damage our information technology systems and inhibit our internal operations, our ability to provide services to our customers, and the ability of our customers to access our information technology systems. This could result in our loss of customers, loss of revenue or a reduction in demand for our services, or affect the ability to manage our business effectively.
Failure to keep pace with technology and changing market needs could harm our business.
Our future success will depend upon our ability to adapt to changing client needs, to gain expertise in technological advances rapidly and to respond quickly to evolving industry trends and market needs. Many of our clients are demanding that our services be available across the U.S. and worldwide. We cannot assure you that we will be able to expand our operations into all geographic areas into which our multinational clients seek to use our services or that we will be able to attract and retain qualified personnel to provide our services in all such geographic areas. We also cannot assure you that we will be successful in adapting to advances in technology or marketing our services and products in advanced formats. In addition, services and products delivered in the newer formats might not provide comparable training results. Furthermore, subsequent technological advances might render moot any successful expansion of the methods of delivering our services and products. If we are unable to develop new means of delivering our services and products due to capital, personnel, technological or other constraints, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.
Risk Related to an Investment in Our Stock
The price of our common stock is highly volatile and could decline regardless of our operating performance.
The market price of our common stock could fluctuate in response to, among other things:
•changes in economic and general market conditions;
•changes in the outlook and financial condition of certain of our significant customers and industries in which we have a concentration of business;
•changes in financial estimates, treatment of our tax assets or liabilities or investment recommendations by securities analysts following our business;
•changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations or principles;
•sales of common stock by our directors, officers and significant stockholders;
•factors affecting securities of companies included in the Russell 2000 Index, in which our common stock is included;
•our failure to achieve operating results consistent with securities analysts' projections; and
•the operating and stock price performance of competitors.
These factors might adversely affect the trading price of our common stock and prevent you from selling your common stock at or above the price at which you purchased it. In addition, in recent periods, the stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including ours and others in our industry. These changes can occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. As a result, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our company, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our share price.
Our financial results are subject to quarterly fluctuations, which may result in volatility or declines in our stock price.
We experience, and expect to continue to experience, fluctuations in quarterly operating results. Consequently, you should not deem our results for any particular quarter to be necessarily indicative of future results. Factors that may affect quarterly operating results in the future include:
•the overall level of services and products sold;
•the volume of publications shipped by our APS practice each quarter, because revenue and cost of publications contracts are recognized in the quarter during which the publications ships;
•fluctuations in project profitability;
•the gain or loss of material clients;
•the timing, structure and magnitude of acquisitions;
•participant training volume and general levels of outsourcing demand from clients in the industries that we serve;
•the budget and purchasing cycles of our clients, especially of the governments and government agencies that we serve;
•the commencement or completion of client engagements or services and products in a particular quarter;
•currency fluctuations; and
•the general lever of economic activity.
Accordingly, it is difficult for us to forecast our growth and results of operations on a quarterly basis. If we fail to meet expectations of investors or analysts, our stock price may fall rapidly and without notice. Furthermore, the fluctuation of quarterly operating results may render less meaningful period-to-period comparisons of our operating results.
Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. (Sagard) may exert influence over us and could delay or deter a change of control or other business combination or otherwise cause us to take actions with which other stockholders may disagree.
As of December 31, 2020, Sagard beneficially owned 3,639,367 shares or 21.1% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, until Sagard owns less than certain specified amounts of common stock or certain other conditions have been met, Sagard is entitled to designate an individual to serve on our board of directors. As a result, Sagard may exert influence over our decision to enter into any corporate transaction or with respect to any transaction that requires the approval of stockholders, regardless of whether other stockholders believe that the transaction is in their own best interests. This could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control or other business combination that might otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders.
Our authorized preferred stock and certain provisions in our amended and restated by-laws could make a third party acquisition of us difficult.
Our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, (restated certificate), allows us to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, the rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations and restrictions of which may be fixed by the Board of Directors without any further vote or action by the stockholders. In addition, our amended and restated bylaws provide, among other things, that stockholders seeking to bring business before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders must provide us with timely advance written notice of their proposal in a prescribed form. Our amended and restated bylaws also provide that stockholders desiring to call a special meeting for any purpose, must submit to us a request in writing of stockholders representing at least 50% of the combined voting power of all issued and outstanding classes of capital stock and stating the purpose of such meeting. The ability to issue preferred stock and such provisions in our bylaws might have the effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing a change in control that might otherwise be beneficial to stockholders and might materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In addition, some provisions of Delaware law, particularly the “business combination” statute in Section 203 of Delaware General Corporation Law, might also discourage, delay or prevent someone from acquiring us or merging with us. As a result of these provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law, the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock might be limited.
Our restated certificate allows us to redeem or otherwise dispose shares of our common stock owned by a foreign stockholder if certain U.S. Government agencies threaten termination of any of our contracts as a result of such an ownership interest. The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense have policies regarding foreign ownership, control or influence over government contractors who have access to classified information, and might conduct an inquiry as to whether any foreign interest has beneficial ownership of 5% or more of a contractor’s or subcontractor’s voting securities. If either Department determines that an undue risk to the defense and security of the U.S. exists as a result of foreign ownership, control or influence over a government contractor (including as a result of a potential acquisition), it might, among other things, terminate the contractor’s or subcontractor’s existing contracts. Our restated certificate allows us to redeem or require the prompt disposition of all or any portion of the shares of our common stock owned by a foreign stockholder beneficially owning 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock if either Department threatens termination of any of our contracts as a result of such an ownership interest. These provisions may have the additional effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing a change in control and might materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock. In connection with the sale of shares of common stock to Sagard in December 2009, we agreed to render these provisions, as well as other anti-takeover measures, inapplicable to Sagard.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2: Properties
We do not own any significant real property, but we and our subsidiaries lease approximately 370,000 square feet of primarily office and related space at various locations throughout the U.S. and Europe and other countries in which we have operations. We occupy approximately 23,000 square feet in an office building in Columbia, Maryland for our corporate headquarters under a lease which expires in 2025. We also lease offices to support our operations in 25 other cities across the U.S., including Troy, Michigan and we lease office space to support our international locations in Canada, the United Kingdom, Egypt, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, Turkey,
Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.
We believe that our properties have been well maintained, are suitable and adequate for us to operate at present levels and the productive capacity and extent of utilization of the facilities are appropriate for our existing real estate requirements. Upon expiration of these leases, we do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining renewals or alternative space.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3: Legal Proceedings
None.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5: Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
GP Strategies Corporation shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol "GPX." The NYSE is the principal U.S. market for these shares. The number of shareholders of record of our common stock as of February 25, 2021 was 596. Shares of our common stock that are registered in the name of a broker or other nominee are listed as a single shareholder on our record listing, even though they are held for a number of individual shareholders. As such, our actual number of shareholders is higher than the number of shareholders of record.
We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock during the two most recent fiscal years. We do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future and intend to retain future earnings to finance the growth and development of our business.
Performance Graph
The following graph assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2014 in GP Strategies Common Stock, and compares the share price performance with the NYSE Market Index and a peer group index which consists of the companies included in Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 8200, Educational Services. Values are as of December 31 of the specified year assuming that all dividends were reinvested.
*$100 invested on 12/31/15 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ended December 31.
Company / Index Year ended December 31,
Name 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
GP Strategies Corp. $ 100.00 $ 113.90 $ 92.39 $ 50.22 $ 52.69 $ 47.23
NYSE Market Index 100.00 111.94 132.90 121.01 151.87 162.49
Peer Group Index 100.00 131.85 231.24 196.56 307.58 403.30
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table provides information about our share repurchase activity for the three months ended December 31, 2020:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Month Total number
of shares
purchased Average
price paid
per share Total number
of shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced program (1)
Approximate
dollar value of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the program
October 1 - 31, 2020 - $ - - $ 1,922,000
November 1 - 30, 2020 16,279(2)
$ 12.08 - $ 1,922,000
December 1 - 31, 2020 862(2)
$ 12.36 - $ 1,922,000
(1)Represents shares repurchased in the open market in connection with our share repurchase program under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.
(2)Includes shares surrendered to satisfy tax withholding obligations on restricted stock units which vested during these periods.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6: Selected Financial Data
The selected financial data presented below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report. Our consolidated statement of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 and our consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 have been derived from audited consolidated financial statements which are not presented in this report.
Years ended December 31,
Statement of Operations Data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue $ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160 $ 509,208 $ 490,559
Gross profit 77,262 89,213 77,743 82,027 80,157
Interest expense 2,934 6,058 2,945 3,132 1,568
Income before income tax expense(1)
8,610 22,369 14,763 19,689 30,034
Net income 7,068 15,189 9,836 12,891 20,247
Diluted earnings per share 0.41 0.90 0.59 0.76 1.21
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2020, amount includes a $1.1 million gain on the sale of our Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020 and a $5.0 million gain from the sale of our IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, amount includes a $12.1 million gain on the sale of our Tuition Program Management Business on October 1, 2019. (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)
December 31,
Balance Sheet Data 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016
(In thousands)
Cash $ 23,076 $ 8,159 $ 13,417 $ 23,612 $ 16,346
Short-term borrowings - - - 37,696 17,694
Working capital 99,928 92,918 103,944 49,785 59,859
Total assets 381,776 448,902 434,738 365,007 315,601
Long-term debt, including current maturities
12,748 82,870 116,500 28,000 40,000
Stockholders’ equity 223,346 209,914 186,569 188,054 167,496

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis provides information we believe is relevant to an assessment and understanding of our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2020 which are located in Item 8 of this report.
General Overview
GP Strategies is a leading workforce transformation partner - a truly dedicated global provider delivering custom solutions - from the C-suite to the frontline. We are a global performance improvement and learning solutions provider focused on improving the effectiveness of organizations by delivering innovative and superior training, consulting and business improvement services, customized to meet the specific needs of our clients. We also provide leadership development, sales training, platform adoption, management consulting, technical consulting services, learning outsourcing and multimedia solutions which enhance our customized learning capabilities and diversify our service offerings. Our transformation focus, combined with deep listening, a customer-centric approach, industry innovation and workforce expertise, helps clients achieve superior business and operating results through our evidence-driven and technology-agnostic recommendations. We believe we are a global leader with over five decades of experience in providing solutions to optimize workforce performance.
Business Update Related to COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Through the date of this report, the outbreak has adversely affected the economy in virtually every geography in which the Company operates, although the timing and severity of the adverse effects have varied across countries and regions. The pandemic has created uncertainty about the impact on the global economy. Governments have implemented various restrictions around the world, including closure of non-essential businesses, travel restrictions, shelter-in-place requirements and other restrictions.
The Company has taken a number of precautionary steps to safeguard its business and employees from COVID-19, including, but not limited to, implementing travel restrictions, arranging work from home capabilities and flexible work policies. We were able to make the transition to a remote workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects without incurring material expenses by implementing existing business continuity plans using existing resources. The safety and well-being of our employees is our first priority.
Certain of our service lines are more impacted by the restrictions noted above than others. We have services that involve bringing together groups of employees for classroom training sessions or other types of meetings and events. These types of services have been most impacted by COVID-19, however, we are actively working with our customers to support the transition of live-instructor-led training to virtual instructor-led training (VILT) or eLearning modalities. We also have integrated outsourcing solutions and face-to-face consulting services globally. These services involve individuals spending some portion of their time interfacing directly with clients and participating in activities at the client’s location. To the extent client locations are closed, or our staff are not able to interface with clients virtually, these services have experienced some disruption from COVID-19.
The service lines that have been least impacted by COVID-19 are those that do not require face-to-face contact. These service lines include human capital management system implementation services, eLearning and VILT content development services, and technical consulting services. Overall, these service lines have seen comparatively less negative impacts from COVID-19 and have experienced positive momentum related to modality shifts for learning.
The Company estimates that the impact of COVID-19 on its revenue for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 was at least $80.3 million. We expect to continue to experience year over year revenue declines for the first quarter of 2021. The quarter ended June 30, 2020 was the most negatively impacted by COVID-19 due to the widespread global shutdowns. Our revenue increased in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 as compared to the second quarter of 2020. In addition, due to significant cost scaling and cost cutting measures enacted in the year ended December 31, 2020, we increased our Adjusted EBITDA in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 as compared to the second quarter of 2020. Refer to the definition of “Adjusted EBITDA” in the “Non-GAAP Information” section within this Item 7 for additional information. The Company’s cost cutting measures did not have a significant effect on costs for the first quarter of 2020 because the Company did not begin implementing substantial cost cutting measures until mid-March. At that time, the Company began implementing furloughs for billable employees where work had been delayed and certain layoffs of non-billable personnel. At the end of March, the Company initiated additional corporate-wide cost cutting measures effective April 1st, including compensation changes for director level and above employees, temporary salary reductions for certain managers, and mandatory paid time off of one day per week by non-billable personnel and billable personnel that were not fully billable during the second quarter of 2020.
In addition, the Company took various actions to maintain liquidity in response to the potential impacts of COVID-19, including significant cost cutting measures and working with our bank to amend our Credit Agreement to provide additional borrowing availability by temporarily raising our maximum leverage ratio from 3.0 to 1.0 to 3.75 to 1.0 for the remainder of 2020. As of December 31, 2020, our borrowing availability was $79.9 million. In addition, there are various government assistance programs we have taken advantage of to partially mitigate the cash flow effects of COVID-19, such as the deferral of employer payroll taxes in the U.S. and other subsidies in different regions of the world where we operate. Tax payment deferrals provided for under the Cares Act resulted in liabilities for deferred payroll tax payments and other deferred tax payments under other government relief programs in different regions of the world where we operate totaled $10.4 million as of December 31, 2020, of which we expect to pay approximately $7.0 million in 2021, and $3.4 million in 2022.
The full extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will directly or indirectly impact our business, results of operations and financial condition will depend on future developments that are uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning COVID-19, the actions taken to contain it or treat its impact and the economic impact on local, regional, national and international markets.
The ultimate extent of the COVID-19 impact to the Company will depend on numerous evolving factors and future developments that we are not able to predict. Factors related to COVID-19 and its effects that could adversely affect our business and results of operations are outlined in “Item 1A - Risk Factors”.
Business Segments
Effective July 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new organizational structure on a regional basis through our three geographic markets, North America, EMEA and Emerging Markets (Latin America and Asia Pacific countries). These became our reportable segments in the third quarter of 2020.
The reorganization was done to achieve the following:
•Unlock the potential of organic growth to achieve better business results for our clients and the Company.
•Simplify the matrix and empower rapid local decision making in service of our clients.
•Leverage global practice systems, processes, and intellectual property while enabling regional authority to better align and deliver to local client needs.
•Enable efficient use of our corporate infrastructure with regional resources.
Across our regional operating structure, the Company provides Workforce Transformation Services categorized into three primary solution sets:
•Organizational Performance Solutions (OPS) - focus is on managed learning services, digital learning strategies and content development, business consulting, and leadership development solutions
•Technical Performance Solutions (TPS) - focus is on technical consulting services, enterprise technology adoption and HCM implementation services.
•Automotive Performance Solutions (APS) - provides sales enablement solutions, including custom product sales training and other customer loyalty and marketing relates services.
We have also identified four focus industries to deliver these services which include Automotive, Financial Services, Defense and Aerospace and Technology. Each of our three reportable segments represent an operating segment under ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting.
We discuss our business in more detail in Item 1. Business and the risk factors affecting our business in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Business Strategy
We seek to increase shareholder value by pursuing the following strategies:
Continuously enhance our learning services offerings and capabilities. We believe the demand for learning and development services will continue to increase. In a knowledge based economy, this demand is driven by ever increasing technology, processes, products, and turnover of personnel. The rate and effectiveness of the transfer of knowledge to the workforce of our clients, their partners, and even their customers can positively impact their performance. We plan to meet this demand by continuously expanding our services and capabilities through organic growth initiatives based upon our technical expertise as well as through targeted acquisitions. Our acquisitions in recent years have added automotive industry training and platform adoption capabilities to our services offerings, strengthened our digital learning and custom training content development services in both the commercial and government sectors, and expanded our geographical reach. We believe that the breadth of our service and product offerings allows us to effectively compete for customers by offering a comprehensive solution for custom training, consulting, technical consulting services. We will continue to focus on increasing our capabilities to drive incremental growth from new, as well as existing, clients.
Develop and maintain strong client relationships. We plan to preserve and grow our business by cross-selling our services and capabilities across and within our existing client base. We have a successful track record of increasing our share of wallet with a number of our clients, many of whom we estimate currently outsource only a fraction of their training expenditures. We believe that as our clients benefit from the efficient, cost-effective and flexible training solutions and services that we provide, many of them will find it beneficial to increase the scope of training services that they outsource to third party providers. We believe that the strength of our relationships with our existing clients, including the insight and knowledge into their operations that we have developed through these relationships, when combined with the broad range of our service and product offerings, provide us with an advantage when competing for these additional expenditures.
Leverage managed learning capabilities. We have a demonstrated ability to provide training services across a wide spectrum of learning engagements from transactional multi-week assignments focused on a single aspect of a learning process to multi-year contracts where we manage the learning infrastructure of our customer. Integrated managed learning engagements typically require us to assume responsibility for the development, delivery and administration of learning functions and are generally carried out under multi-year agreements. We intend to leverage our managed learning capabilities to expand the customers and markets we serve.
Expand global platform. We believe international markets offer growth opportunities for our services. We established over twenty new subsidiaries in select countries since 2013 to support new global outsourcing contracts. We intend to leverage our enhanced infrastructure as well as to further establish our global platform in order to deliver our comprehensive offerings to new and existing clients on a global basis. In our experience, many of our clients are seeking access to additional international markets and as such we intend to enhance our international capabilities. In order to support their business expansion we are providing employee training solutions across organizations in different countries and different languages, while maintaining quality and consistency in the overall training program. By moving into specific international markets with our existing clients, we are able to not only deepen our relationships with those clients, but are also able to develop expertise in those markets that we can leverage to additional customers. We believe that following this strategy provides us with opportunities to gain access to international markets with established client relationships in those markets.
Significant Events
Restructuring Activities
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we initiated restructuring and transition activities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and better position the company to drive future revenue growth. We recorded severance related to restructuring expense of $0.9 million related to these activities. These restructuring costs were completed in 2020. In addition during 2020, we initiated restructuring and transition activities to improve the efficiency of our general and administrative support functions. We recorded a $0.5 million restructuring cost to an outside consultant to perform a review and assessment for efficiency opportunities related to these activities. We expect to incur additional costs during the first half of 2021. These costs are included in restructuring charges on the consolidated statements of operations and were paid by the end of 2020. In addition to these restructuring charges, we also incurred $11.1 million of severance expense during the year ended December 31, 2020 relating to cost scaling measures due to the impact of COVID-19 and margin improvement initiatives enacted in 2020. This severance expense is included in cost of revenue, general & administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses on our consolidated statements of operations.
In connection with the acquisition of TTi Global in December 2018, we initiated restructuring and transition activities during the year ending December 31, 2019 to reduce costs and eliminate redundant positions to realize synergies with the acquired business. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recorded $1.6 million of restructuring charges in connection with these activities. These restructuring activities associated with the TTi Global acquisition were complete as of December 31, 2019. In addition to these restructuring charges, we also incurred $2.2 million of severance expense during the year ended December 31, 2019 relating to cost scaling measures which are included in cost of revenue, general & administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
In December 2017, we announced a new organizational structure and plan to improve operating results by increasing organic growth and reducing operating costs. We also hired a chief sales officer in January 2018 to establish a structured and more centralized business development capability that will align our diverse market sector expertise with our service offerings. In connection with the reorganization, we initiated restructuring and transition activities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and better position the Company to drive future revenue growth. During the year ending December 31, 2017, we incurred restructuring charges of $3.3 million consisting primarily of severance costs and during the year ended December 31, 2018, we incurred restructuring charges of $2.9 million, consisting primarily of facility consolidation costs and severance expense. These restructuring activities were complete as of June 30, 2018. In addition to these restructuring charges, we also incurred $0.5 million of severance expense during the year ended December 31, 2018 relating to cost scaling measures which are included in cost of revenue, general & administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses on our condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Divestitures
IC Axon Division
Effective October 1, 2020, we sold our IC Axon Division pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with CM Canada Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ClinicalMind, LLC. The upfront cash purchase price was $28.0 million, subject to an adjustment based on the final determination of the business's working capital, of which $1.5 million was placed in escrow for 12 months. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $5.0 million, net of $0.3 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which was primarily $14.2 million of goodwill, $7.0 million of intangibles, $2.8 million of account receivables offset by liabilities of $1.9 million of deferred taxes. The IC Axon Division was part of the North America segment.
Sale of Alternative Fuels Division
Effective January 1, 2020, we closed the sale of our Alternative Fuels Division pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cryogenic Industries, LLC. The upfront cash purchase price was $4.8 million, which consisted of an advance payment of $1.5 million received on December 31, 2019 and $3.5 million received on January 2, 2020, offset by a $0.2 million cash payment to the buyer in March 2020 in settlement of the final net working capital as defined in the asset purchase agreement. In addition, up to $0.5 million of the purchase price is subject to the achievement of certain milestones under an assigned contract through the period December 31, 2021. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.1 million, net of $1.3 million direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included net working capital of $0.1 million and goodwill of $2.6 million.
Sale of Tuition Program Management Business
On October 1, 2019, we sold our Tuition Program Management Business pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bright Horizons Children's Centers LLC (the "buyer"). The purchase price was $20.0 million which was paid on closing, other than $1.5 million which was held in escrow to secure possible indemnification claims pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement which was received in full on October 9, 2020. An additional $0.1 million was paid to the buyer in January 2020 based on the final calculation of assumed liabilities as defined in the asset purchase agreement. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $12.1 million, net of $0.1 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain recorded represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included goodwill of $7.7 million.
Acquisitions
We did not complete any acquisitions in 2020 and 2019. Below is a summary of the acquisitions we completed during 2018. See Note 3 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further details, including the purchase price allocations.
2018 Acquisitions
TTi Global
On November 30, 2018, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Global) and its stockholders and acquired all of the outstanding shares of TTi Global. The transaction under the Share Purchase Agreement includes the acquisition of TTi Global’s subsidiaries (except for its UK and Spain subsidiaries and dormant entities) and certain affiliated companies. The Company purchased TTi Global’s UK and Spain subsidiaries in a separate transaction in August 2018 which is discussed further below. TTi Global is a provider of training, staffing, research and consulting solutions to industries across various sectors with automotive as a core focus. The total upfront purchase price for TTi Global was $14.2 million of cash paid upon closing on November 30, 2018, subject to reduction based on a minimum working capital requirement, as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement. During the year ending December 31, 2019, the seller paid us $0.9 million in settlement of the working capital adjustment. The acquired TTi Global business is included in the North America and Emerging Markets segments and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning December 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
TTi Europe
On August 7, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of TTi (Europe) Limited, a subsidiary of TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Europe), a provider of training and research services primarily for the automotive industry located in the United Kingdom. The upfront purchase price was $3.0 million in cash. The acquired TTi Europe business is included in the EMEA segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning August 7, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
IC Axon
On May 1, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of IC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiary, IC Axon Inc., a Canadian corporation (IC Axon). IC Axon develops science-driven custom learning solutions for pharmaceutical and life science customers. The upfront purchase price was $30.5 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $3.5 million of consideration, contingent upon the achievement of an earnings target during a twelve-month period subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. No contingent consideration was payable as the earnings target was not achieved. The acquired IC Axon business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning May 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
Hula Partners
On January 2, 2018, we acquired the business and certain assets of Hula Partners, a provider of SAP Success Factors Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation services. The purchase price was $10.0 million which was paid in cash at closing. The acquired Hula Partners business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning January 2, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
Share Repurchase Program
We have a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market, subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors. During the years ended December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and 2018, we repurchased approximately 255,000, 0 and 354,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $1.8 million, $0.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $1.9 million available for future repurchases under the buyback program. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.
Results of Operations
Operating Highlights
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019
During the year ended December 31, 2020, our revenue decreased $110.2 million, or 18.9%, to $473.1 million compared to $583.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The revenue decrease was comprised of a $77.9 million decrease in our North America segment, a $17.9 million decrease in our EMEA segment and a $14.4 million decrease in our Emerging Markets segments.
We estimate that the impact of COVID-19 resulted in at least a $80.3 million decrease in our revenue in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to the postponement of certain training events and other delays in client projects. In addition, our revenue decreased $19.3 million during 2020 due to discontinued revenue streams resulting from the sale of our IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020, our Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020 and our Tuition Program Management Business on October 1, 2019. The foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a total $0.5 million decrease in U.S. dollar reported revenue during 2020. The changes in revenue and gross profit are discussed in further detail below by segment.
Operating income, the components of which are discussed in detail below, decreased $16.0 million or 57.0% during the year ended December 31, 2020. The decrease in operating income largely resulted from a $12.0 million decrease in gross profit and a $6.1 million decrease on gains from sales of business partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in general and administrative expenses. For 2020, the company incurred severance expense, that was partially offset by a change in our paid time off policy, that in net totaled $9.2 million. Of this amount, $6.0 million is reflected in cost of revenue and the remaining $3.2 million is in general and administrative expenses. For 2019, the company incurred severance expense of $2.2 million of which $2.0 million is reflected in cost of revenue and the remaining $0.2 million is in general and administrative expenses.
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we had income before income taxes of $8.6 million compared to $22.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net income was $7.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $15.2 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for 2019. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were 17.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to 16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Revenue
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019
(In thousands)
North America $ 317,735 $ 395,603
EMEA 107,203 125,118
Emerging Markets 48,169 62,569
$ 473,107 $ 583,290
North America revenue decreased $77.9 million or 19.7% during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The revenue decrease is primarily due to the following:
•approximately a $50.0 million decrease due to the cancellation or postponement of training events and other project related work due to COVID-19 shutdowns;
•a $19.3 million decrease due to divestiture of the IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020, our Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020 and Tuition Program Management Business on October 1, 2019;
•a $2.2 million net increase in our OPS practice primarily due to an increase in content development services and the full ramp up of managed learning services outsourcing contracts awarded in 2019;
•a $4.4 million net decrease in our TPS practice primarily due to the decline in our shorter term project based work cycle due to the overall macro-economic conditions;
•a $5.5 million net decrease in our APS practice primarily due to the completion of several product launches with various automotive clients in 2019 that were not renewed or repeated in 2020; and
•a $0.5 million decrease in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
EMEA revenue decreased $17.9 million or 14.3% during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The revenue decrease is primarily due to the following:
•approximately a $18.8 million decrease in revenue due to the cancellation or postponement of training events and other project related work due to COVID-19 shutdowns;
•a $0.5 million net decrease in our OPS practice primarily due to the overall macro-economic conditions impacting our shorter term project based work cycle;
•a $3.6 million net increase in our TPS practice primarily due to an increase from the apprentice program in the United Kingdom and an increase in scope with an aerospace industry customer;
•a $3.1 million net decrease in our APS practice primarily due to a contract completion with no replacement contract; and the overall macro-economic conditions impacting our shorter term project based work cycle; and
•a $1.0 million net increase in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Emerging Markets revenue decreased $14.4 million or 23.0% during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The revenue decrease is primarily due to the following:
•approximately a $11.5 million decrease in revenue due to the cancellation or postponement of training events and other project related work due to COVID-19 shutdowns;
•a $1.8 million net decrease in revenue comprised of minor decreases across our OPS, TPS and APS practices; and
•a $1.0 million net decrease in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Gross profit
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019
(In thousands except % Revenue)
% Revenue % Revenue
North America $ 59,258 18.7% $ 64,343 16.3%
EMEA 11,532 10.8% 14,916 11.9%
Emerging Markets 6,472 13.4% 9,954 15.9%
$ 77,262 16.3% $ 89,213 15.3%
North America gross profit of $59.3 million or 18.7% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $5.1 million or 7.9% when compared to gross profit of $64.3 million or 16.3% of revenue for the same period in 2019 primarily due to the COVID-19 related revenue decreases noted above. In addition, we incurred severance expense of $3.1 million partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in expense due to a change in our paid time off policy in this segment which is included in cost of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $0.7 million of severance in the comparable period in 2019.
EMEA gross profit of $11.5 million or 10.8% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $3.4 million or 22.7% when compared to gross profit of $14.9 million or 11.9% of revenue for the same period in 2019 primarily due to the COVID-19 related revenue decreases noted above. In addition, we incurred severance expense of $3.7 million in this segment which is included in cost of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1.3 million of severance in the comparable period in 2019.
Emerging Markets gross profit of $6.5 million or 13.4% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 decreased by $3.5 million or 33.5% when compared to gross profit of $10.0 million or 15.9% of revenue for the same period in 2019 primarily due to the COVID-19 related revenue decreases noted above. In addition, we incurred severance expense of $0.8 million in this segment which is included in cost of revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020. There was no severance incurred in the year ended December 31, 2019.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses decreased $1.8 million or 2.8% from $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $62.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2020. We incurred a $3.5 million increase due to severance offset by a $0.3
million decrease in expense due to a change in our paid time off policy, $1.9 million decrease in amortization and bad debt, and the remaining $3.1 million decrease in other labor and expense reductions.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses decreased $0.7 million or 8.7% from $7.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to lower labor and benefits expense.
Restructuring charges
Restructuring expense were $1.4 million and $1.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We recorded severance expense of $0.9 million and other restructuring costs of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 which is included in restructuring charges on the consolidated statements of operations and which was paid by the end of 2020. In connection with the acquisition of TTi Global in December 2018, we initiated restructuring and transition activities in the year ending December 31, 2019 to reduce costs and eliminate redundant positions to realize synergies with the acquired business. We recognized restructuring charges of $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 relating to these restructuring activities.
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net
For the year ended December 31, 2020, we did not have any outstanding contingent consideration liabilities related to prior acquisitions. We recognized a net gain on the change in fair value of contingent consideration related to acquisitions of $0.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Gain on Sale of Business
Effective January 1, 2020, we sold our Alternative Fuels Division pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cryogenic Industries, LLC. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.1 million, net of $1.3 million direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. Effective October 1, 2020, we sold our IC Axon Division pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with CM Canada Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ClinicalMind, LLC. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $5.0 million, net of $0.3 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business.
On October 1, 2019, we sold our Tuition Program Management Business pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bright Horizons Children's Centers LLC. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $12.1 million, net of $0.1 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business.
Interest expense
Interest expense decreased $3.1 million to $2.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The net decrease is due to lower borrowings and interest rates under the Company's credit facility as compared to the same period in 2019.
Other income (expense)
Other expense was $0.5 million compared to other income of $0.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in other income (expense) was primarily due to a $0.5 million gain in year ended December 31, 2019 related to a divested business, a $0.3 million lease impairment in the year ended December 31, 2020, and $0.3 million increase in other expenses partially offset by $0.1 million increase in joint venture income.
Income tax expense
Income tax expense was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our effective income tax rate was 17.9% and 32.1% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate compared to 2019 was primarily due to the tax effect of the sale of a subsidiary, partially offset by an increase in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. See Note 10 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding income taxes.
Results of Operations for Fiscal 2019 compared to 2018
Year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the year ended December 31, 2018
During the year ended December 31, 2019, our revenue increased $68.1 million, or 13.2%, to $583.3 million compared to $515.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The revenue increase was comprised of a $29.1 million increase in our North America segment, a $8.8 million increase in our EMEA segment and a $30.2 million increase in our Emerging Markets segments. Foreign currency exchange rate changes resulted in a total $7.5 million decrease in U.S. dollar reported revenue during 2019. The changes in revenue and gross profit are discussed in further detail below by segment.
Operating income, the components of which are discussed in detail below, increased $8.4 million or 42.9% during the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in operating income is largely due to a $12.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of our Tuition Program Management Business in October 2019. In addition, we had a $11.5 million increase in gross profit and a $1.3 million decrease in restructuring charges during 2019 compared to 2018. These increases in operating income were partially offset by a $9.6 million increase in general and administrative expenses, a $3.1 million increase in sales and marketing expense, and a $3.8 million decrease in the gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration during 2019 compared to 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we had income before income taxes of $22.4 million compared to $14.8 million for the
year ended December 31, 2018. Net income was $15.2 million, or $0.90 per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $9.8 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for 2018. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding were $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $16.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Revenue
Years ended December 31,
2019 2018
(In thousands)
North America $ 395,603 $ 366,481
EMEA 125,118 116,296
Emerging Markets 62,569 32,383
$ 583,290 $ 515,160
North America revenue increased $29.1 million or 7.9% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The revenue increase is primarily due to the following:
•a $5.2 million increase due to the IC Axon business acquisition on May 1, 2018 and a $7.7 million increase due to the acquisitions of TTi Global on November 30, 2018;
•a $7.4 million net increase in our OPS practice primarily due to an increase in revenue for managed learning and training content development services associated with new training outsourcing contracts;
•a $0.8 million net increase in our TPS practice primarily due to an increase in chemical demilitarization training services for the U.S. government and an increase in disaster relief services, partially offset by a decrease in engineering and technical training services;
•a $8.5 million net increase in our APS practice primarily due to new vehicle launch events and other new projects for automotive clients; and
•a $0.7 million decrease in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
EMEA revenue increased $8.8 million or 7.6% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The revenue increase is primarily due to the following:
•a $11.5 million increase due to the acquisitions of TTi Global on November 30, 2018 and TTi Europe on August 7, 2018;
•a $1.7 million net increase in our OPS practice primarily due to an increase in revenue for managed learning and training content development services associated with new training outsourcing contracts;
•a $2.2 million net increase in our TPS practice primarily due to an increase in vocational skills training services provided to the UK government;
•a $0.9 million net decrease in our APS practice primarily due to new projects for EMEA automotive clients; and
•a $5.8 million decrease in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Emerging Markets revenue increased $30.2 million or 93.2% during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. The revenue increase is primarily due to the following:
•a $29.9 million increase due to the acquisitions of TTi Global on November 30, 2018;
•a $6.1 million net increase in our OPS practice primarily due to an increase in revenue for managed learning and training content development services associated with new training outsourcing contracts;
•a $0.4 million net decrease in our TPS practice primarily due to a decline in engineering and technical training services;
•a $4.5 million net decrease in our APS practice primarily due to a decline in new projects for Latin America and Asia Pacific automotive clients; and
•a $1.0 million decrease in revenue due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Gross profit
Years ended December 31,
2019 2018
% Revenue % Revenue
(In thousands except % revenue)
North America $ 64,343 16.3% $ 56,434 15.4%
EMEA 14,916 11.9% 15,246 13.1%
Emerging Markets 9,954 15.9% 6,063 18.7%
$ 89,213 15.3% $ 77,743 15.1%
North America gross profit of $64.3 million or 16.3% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased by $7.9 million or 14.0% when compared to gross profit of $56.4 million or 15.4% of revenue for the same period in 2018 primarily due to the revenue increases noted above.
EMEA gross profit of $14.9 million or 11.9% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 decreased by $0.3 million or 2.2% when compared to gross profit of $15.2 million or 13.1% of revenue for the same period in 2018 primarily due to the lower margins associated with the TTi Global and TTi Europe acquisitions as well as an increase in severance costs of $0.8 million when comparing 2019 to 2018.
Emerging Markets gross profit of $10.0 million or 15.9% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 increased by $3.9 million or 64.2% when compared to gross profit of $6.1 million or 18.7% of revenue for the same period in 2018 primarily due to the revenue increases noted above. The lower gross margin percent is driven primarily by the lower gross margins for the TTi Global acquired business.
General and administrative expenses
General and administrative expenses increased $9.6 million or 17.6% from $54.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily due to a $4.5 million increase in G&A expense associated with the acquired TTi businesses and a $2.0 million increase due to internal labor costs that were capitalized in connection with our financial system implementation in 2018 but that are included in G&A expense in 2019. In addition, there was a $2.8 million increase in bad debt expense primarily due to an additional reserve of $2.2 million recognized in the year ending December 31, 2019 resulting from a settlement agreement relating to outstanding accounts receivable on a contract that was previously terminated by a foreign oil and gas client in 2017. There was also a $0.3 million net increase in miscellaneous other G&A expenses largely due to an increase in external accounting and tax consulting fees.
Sales and marketing expenses
Sales and marketing expenses increased $3.1 million or 64.1% from $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 to $7.9
million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The increase in sales and marketing expenses is primarily due to labor and benefits expense relating to the hiring of additional business development personnel as well as marketing personnel, some of which represents new investments and some of which results from centralizing marketing resources that were previously recorded in cost of revenue.
Restructuring charges
Restructuring expense were $1.6 million and $2.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In
connection with the acquisition of TTi Global. in December 2018, we initiated restructuring and transition activities in the
year ended December 31, 2019 to reduce costs and eliminate redundant positions to realize synergies with the acquired business. We recognized restructuring charges of $1.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 relating to these restructuring activities. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized $2.9 million of restructuring charges in connection with the reorganization that was initiated in December 2017.
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net
During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized a net gain of $0.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, on the change in fair value of contingent consideration related to acquisitions. The gains are due to lower earnings for the acquired businesses compared to our original forecasts, resulting in a reversal of the contingent consideration liabilities. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of the accounting for the changes in fair value of contingent consideration during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Interest expense
Interest expense increased $3.1 million to $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2.9 million for the
year ended December 31, 2018. The net increase is due to a $2.0 million increase in interest expense due to both an increase in
interest rates and higher borrowings under the Credit Agreement, as well as a $1.1 million non-recurring reversal of an interest accrual during the year ending December 31, 2018 related to an unremitted value-added tax associated with prior year client billings which was favorably settled during the year ending December 31, 2018.
Other income (expense)
Other income was $0.4 million compared to other expense of $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,
respectively. The increase in other income was primarily due to a $1.6 million decrease in foreign currency losses primarily related to the effect of exchange rates on intercompany receivables and payables and third party receivables and payables that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our legal entities. There was also a net $0.8 million improvement in other income due to a $0.5 million gain in the year ended December 31, 2019 related to a divested business for which a $0.3 million loss on disposal was included in other expense during the year ended December 31, 2018. In addition, there was a $0.4 million increase in miscellaneous other income. Partially offsetting these improvements was a $0.4 million loss on a litigation settlement, including legal costs, during the year ended December 31, 2019, which is included in other income (expense).
Gain on sale of business
On October 1, 2019, we sold our Tuition Program Management Business pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bright
Horizons Children's Centers LLC (the "buyer"). The purchase price was $20.0 million which was paid on closing, other than $1.5 million which was held in escrow to secure possible indemnification claims pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement which was received in full on October 9, 2020. An additional $0.1 million was paid to the buyer in January 2020 based on the final calculation of assumed liabilities as defined in the asset purchase agreement. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $12.1 million, net of $0.1 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain recorded represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included goodwill of $7.7 million.
Income taxes
Income tax expense was $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $4.9 million for the year ended
December 31, 2018. Our effective income tax rate was 32.1% and 33.4% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018,
respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate in 2019 compared to 2018 is primarily due to a change in the mix of
income from higher to lower taxing jurisdictions. See Note 10 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Working Capital
For the year ended December 31, 2020, our working capital increased $7.0 million from $92.9 million at December 31, 2019 to $99.9 million at December 31, 2020. We believe that cash generated from operations and borrowings available under our Credit Agreement ($79.9 million of available borrowings as of December 31, 2020 based on our consolidated leverage ratio) will be sufficient to fund our working capital and other requirements for at least the next twelve months. This belief does not take into account exacerbation of, or additional or prolonged disruptions caused by, the COVID-19 pandemic that result in a material adverse impact on our business, which are events beyond our control, or unanticipated uses of cash. The anticipated cash needs of our business could change significantly if events, including economic disruptions, arising from the COVID-19 pandemic worsen, or if other economic conditions change from those currently prevailing or from those now anticipated, or if other unexpected circumstances arise that may have a material effect on the cash flow or profitability of our business, including material negative changes in the health and welfare of our employees or those of our clients, and the operating performance or financial results of our business. Any of these events or circumstances, including any new business opportunities, could involve significant additional funding needs in excess of the identified currently available sources and could require us to raise additional debt or equity funding to meet those needs. Our ability to raise additional capital, if necessary, is subject to a variety of factors that we cannot predict with certainty, including:
•our future results of operations;
•the quality of our accounts receivable;
•our relative levels of debt and equity;
•the volatility and overall condition of the capital markets; and
•the market price of our securities.
Any new debt funding, if available, may be on terms less favorable to us than our Credit Facility. See “Forward-Looking Statements” in Part I, the information contained under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
As of December 31, 2020, the amount of cash held outside of the U.S. by foreign subsidiaries was $21.9 million. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts.
Share Repurchase Program
We have a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market, subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors. Repurchases are made at management’s discretion in accordance with applicable federal securities law. The amount and timing of share repurchases depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions and prevailing stock prices. The share repurchase authorization does not obligate us to acquire any specific number of shares in any period, and may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time at the discretion of our Board of Directors. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, we repurchased approximately 255,000, 0 and 354,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $1.8 million, $0.0 million and $8.0 million respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $1.9 million available for future repurchases under the current buyback program. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.
Proceeds from Divestitures
Effective October 1, 2020, we sold our IC Axon Division pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with CM Canada Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ClinicalMind, LLC. The upfront cash purchase price was $28.0 million, of which $1.5 million was placed in escrow for 12 months, subject to an adjustment based on the working capital of the IC Axon Division as of October 1, 2020.
Effective January 1, 2020, we sold our Alternative Fuels Division pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cryogenic Industries, LLC. The purchase price is up to $4.8 million, subject to adjustment based on a final calculation of net working capital as defined in the asset purchase agreement. Of the total purchase consideration, we received an advance payment of $1.5 million on December 31, 2019 and the remaining upfront consideration of $3.5 million on January 2, 2020 based on the estimated net working capital. In addition, up to $0.5 million of the purchase price is subject to the achievement of certain milestones under an assigned contract through the period December 31, 2021. The purchase price adjustment for closing net working capital was finalized during the first quarter of 2020.
On October 1, 2019, we sold our Tuition Program Management Business pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bright Horizons Children's Centers LLC (the "buyer"). The purchase price was $20.0 million which was paid on closing, other than $1.5 million which was held in escrow to secure possible indemnification claims pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement which was received in full on October 9, 2020. An additional $0.1 million was paid to the buyer in January 2020 based on the final calculation of assumed liabilities as defined in the asset purchase agreement. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $12.1 million, net of $0.1 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain recorded represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included goodwill of $7.7 million.
Disbursements related to Acquisitions
We did not complete any acquisitions in 2020 and 2019. Below is a summary of the acquisitions we completed during 2018.
TTi Global
On November 30, 2018, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Global) and its stockholders and acquired all of the outstanding shares of TTi Global. The transaction under the Share Purchase Agreement includes the acquisition of TTi Global’s subsidiaries (except for its UK and Spain subsidiaries and dormant entities) and certain affiliated companies. The Company purchased TTi Global’s UK and Spain subsidiaries in a separate transaction in August 2018 which is discussed further below. TTi Global is a provider of training, staffing, research and consulting solutions to industries across various sectors with automotive as a core focus. The total upfront purchase price for TTi Global was $14.2 million of cash paid at closing on November 30, 2018. The final purchase price allocation above was adjusted during 2019 based on the finalization of the working capital adjustment, as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement, and other purchase accounting adjustments identified during the measurement period. During the third quarter of 2019, the seller paid us $0.9 million in settlement of the working capital adjustment. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $4.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over nine years and $0.5 million of a marketing-related intangible asset which was amortized over one year from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired TTi Global business is included in the North America and Emerging Markets segments and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning December 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
TTi Europe
On August 7, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of TTi (Europe) Limited, a subsidiary of TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Europe), a provider of training and research services primarily for the automotive industry located in the United Kingdom. The upfront purchase price was $3.0 million in cash. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition primarily includes $0.8 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over nine years from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired TTi Europe business is included in the EMEA segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning August 7, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
IC Axon
On May 1, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of IC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiary, IC Axon Inc., a Canadian corporation (IC Axon). IC Axon develops science-driven custom learning solutions for pharmaceutical and life science customers. The upfront purchase price was $30.5 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $3.5 million of consideration, contingent upon the achievement of an earnings target during a twelve-month period subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $10.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over eight years and $0.2 million of a marketing-related intangible assets being amortized over three years from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for
financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired IC Axon business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning May 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
Hula Partners
On January 2, 2018, we acquired the business and certain assets of Hula Partners, a provider of SAP Success Factors Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation services. The purchase price was $10.0 million which was paid in cash at closing. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining operations of the acquiree with the Company. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $1.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over four years and $0.1 million of a marketing-related intangible asset which is being amortized over two years from the acquisition date. All of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired Hula Partners business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning January 2, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
Significant Customer and Concentration of Credit Risk
We have a market concentration of revenue in both the automotive sector and the financial services sector. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 25%, 28% and 23% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single automotive customer, which accounted for approximately 14%, 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020 , 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, accounts receivable from a single automotive customer totaled $16.7 million, or 15%, and $17.2 million, or 13%, of our consolidated accounts receivable balance, respectively.
Revenue from the financial services industry accounted for approximately 17%, 16% and 19% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single financial services customer, which accounted for approximately 9%, 10% and 13% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from a single financial services customer totaled $7.2 million, or 5%, and $15.4 million, or 8% of our consolidated accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances, respectively. No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2020 or consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2020.
Cash Flows
Year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the year ended December 31, 2019
Our cash balance increased $14.9 million from $8.2 million as of December 31, 2019 to $23.1 million as of December 31, 2020. The increase in cash during the year ended December 31, 2020 resulted from cash provided by operating activities of $59.0 million, cash provided by investing activities of $29.5 million, cash used in financing activities of $76.3 million and a $2.7 million positive effect due to exchange rate changes on cash.
Cash provided by operating activities was $59.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $13.4 million in 2019. The increase in cash provided by operating activities is primarily due to an improvement in cash collections of accounts receivable during the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019.
Cash provided by investing activities was $29.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared $16.0 million in 2019.
The increase in cash from investing activities is primarily due to cash proceeds from the sale of our Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020 and IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020.
Cash used in financing activities was $76.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $32.3 million in 2019. The increase in cash used in financing activities is primarily due to increased net repayments of borrowings under our Credit Agreement.
Year ended December 31, 2019 compared the year ended December 31, 2018
For a comparison of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, see "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on March 10, 2020.
Debt
On November 30, 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), replacing the prior credit agreement with Wells Fargo dated December 21, 2016, as amended on April 28, 2018 and June 29, 2018 (the "Original Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility, which expires on November 29, 2023, and consists of: a revolving loan facility with a borrowing limit of $200 million, including a $20 million sublimit for foreign borrowings; an accordion feature allowing the Company to request increases in commitments to the credit facility by up to an additional $100 million; a $20 million letter of credit sublimit; and a swingline loan credit sublimit of $20 million. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). As collateral security under the Credit Agreement and the guarantees thereof, the Company and the Guarantors have granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a lien on, and first priority security interest in substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets. The proceeds of the Credit Agreement were used, in part, to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the Original Credit Agreement, and additional proceeds of the revolving credit facility are expected to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the issuance of letters of credit and Permitted Acquisitions, as defined.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be in the form of Base Rate loans or Euro-Rate loans, at the option of the borrowers, and bear interest at the Base Rate plus 0.25% to 1.25% or the Daily Adjusted London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.25% to 2.25% respectively. Base Rate loans will bear interest at a fluctuating per annum Base Rate equal to the highest of (i) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 0.5%, (ii) the Prime Rate, and (iii) the Daily Adjusted LIBOR, plus 100 basis points (1.0%); plus an Applicable Margin. Determination of the Applicable Margin is based on a pricing grid that is generally dependent upon the Company's Leverage Ratio (as defined) as of the end of the fiscal quarter for which consolidated financial statements have been most recently delivered. We may prepay the revolving loan, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative covenants. The Credit Agreement also contains customary negative covenants, subject to negotiated exceptions, including but not limited to: (i) liens, (ii) investments, (iii) indebtedness, (iv) significant corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, (v) dispositions, (vi) restricted payments, including stock dividends, and (vii) certain other restrictive agreements. The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to maintain compliance with the following financial covenants; (i) a maximum leverage ratio, and (ii) a minimum interest expense coverage ratio. On May 7, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement that increases the maximum leverage ratio we are required to maintain from 3.0 to 1.0 to 3.75 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020, and 3.0 to 1.0 for fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2021 and thereafter, and a minimum interest expense coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0. The leverage ratio is computed by dividing our Funded Debt by our Consolidated EBITDA, as those terms are defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing four fiscal quarters, and the interest coverage ratio is computed by dividing our Consolidated EBITDA by our Consolidated Interest Expense for the trailing four fiscal quarters. As of December 31, 2020, our leverage ratio was 0.5 to 1.0 and our interest expense coverage ratio was 9.1 to 1.0, each of which was in compliance with the Credit Agreement. In addition, the amendment to the Credit Agreement reduced the borrowing limit under the credit facility from $200 million to $140 million.
As of December 31, 2020, there were $12.7 million of borrowings outstanding and $79.9 million of available borrowings under the revolving loan facility based on our leverage ratio.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the weighted average interest rate on our borrowings was 2.6% and 4.5%, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of our borrowings under the Credit Agreement approximated its carrying value as it bears interest at variable rates. There were $1.1 million of unamortized debt issue costs related to the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020 which are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Credit Agreement and are included in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
Contractual Payment Obligations
We enter into various agreements that result in contractual obligations in connection with our business activities. These obligations primarily relate to debt and interest payments under our Credit Agreement, operating leases and purchase
commitments under non-cancelable contracts for certain products and services. The following table summarizes our total contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Payments due in
2021 2022-2023 2024-2025 After
2025 Total
Operating lease commitments $ 5,957 $ 8,570 $ 6,236 $ 3,616 $ 24,379
Purchase commitments (1)
6,392 4,575 - - 10,967
Total $ 12,349 $ 13,145 $ 6,236 $ 3,616 $ 35,346
(1)
Excludes purchase orders for goods and services entered into by us in the ordinary course of business, which are non-binding and subject to amendment or termination within a reasonable notification period.
Off-Balance Sheet Commitments
As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling approximately $0.4 million, which expire by 2022. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we had two outstanding performance bonds totaling $6.6 million primarily for contracts in our Alternative Fuels Division. We do not have any off-balance sheet financing except for short-term operating leases and letters of credit entered into in the normal course of business.
Management Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Certain of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. These include revenue recognition, impairment of intangible assets, including goodwill, and income taxes, which are summarized below. In addition, Note 1 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements includes further discussion of our significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
We account for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification (ASC) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which we adopted on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Most of our contracts with customers contain transaction prices with fixed consideration, however, some contracts may contain variable consideration in the form of discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and other similar items. When a contract includes variable consideration, we evaluate the estimate of variable consideration to determine whether the estimate needs to be constrained; therefore, we include the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. This can result in recognition of revenue over time as we perform services or at a point in time when the deliverable is transferred to the customer, depending on an evaluation of the criteria for over time recognition in ASC Topic 606. Further details regarding our revenue recognition for various revenue streams are discussed below.
Nature of goods and services
Over 90% of our revenue is derived from services provided to our customers for training, consulting, technical and other services. Less than 10% of our revenue is derived from various other offerings including custom magazine publications and assembly of glovebox portfolios for automotive manufacturers, licenses of software and other intellectual property, and software as a service (SaaS) arrangements.
Our primary contract vehicles are time-and-materials, fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction) and cost-reimbursable contracts. Each contract has different terms based on the scope, deliverables and complexity of the engagement, requiring us to make judgments and estimates about recognizing revenue.
Under time-and-materials and cost-reimbursable contracts, the contractual billing schedules are based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. Revenue under these contract types are recognized over time as services are performed as the client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance throughout the engagement. The time and materials incurred for the period is the measure of performance and, therefore, revenue is recognized in that amount.
For fixed price contracts which typically involve a discrete project, such as development of training content and materials, design of training processes, software implementation, or engineering projects, the contractual billing schedules are not necessarily based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. These discrete projects generally do not contain milestones or other measures of performance. The majority of our fixed price contracts meet the criteria in ASC Topic 606 for over time revenue recognition. For these contracts, revenue is recognized using a costs incurred input method based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred over the term of the contract. We believe this methodology is a reasonable measure of progress to depict the transfer of control to the customer since performance primarily involves personnel costs and services provided to the customer throughout the course of the projects through regular communications of progress toward completion and other project deliverables. In addition, the customer is required to pay us for the proportionate amount of our fees in the event of contract termination. A small portion of our fixed price contracts do not meet the criteria in ASC Topic 606 for over time revenue recognition. For these projects, we defer revenue recognition until the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when the final deliverable is provided to the client. The direct costs related to these projects are capitalized and then recognized as cost of revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
For fixed price contracts, when total direct cost estimates exceed revenues, the estimated losses are recognized immediately. The use of the costs incurred input method requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and anticipated changes in estimated salaries and other costs. Estimates of total contract costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and recorded revenues and costs are subject to revision as the contract progresses. When revisions in estimated contract revenues and costs are determined, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are first identified. Revenue recognized in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods to our fixed price contracts in the aggregate resulted in a net increase (decrease) to revenue of $(0.8) million, $1.8 million, and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
For certain fixed-fee per transaction and fixed price contracts, such as for the shipping of publications and print materials, revenue is recognized at the point in time at which control is transferred which is upon delivery, as the over time revenue recognition criteria per ASC 606-10-25-27 are not met.
Taxes assessed by a government authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that we collect from a customer, are excluded from revenue.
Contract Related Assets and Liabilities
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, and deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet. Amounts charged to our clients become billable according to the contract terms, which usually consider the passage of time, achievement of milestones or completion of the project. When billings occur after the work has been performed, such unbilled amounts will generally be billed and collected within 60 to 120 days but typically no longer than over the next twelve months. When we advance bill clients prior to the work being performed, generally, such amounts will be earned and recognized in revenue within the next twelve months. These assets and liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period.
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill
We review goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1st and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. We test goodwill at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, as defined by U.S. GAAP. We have six reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing. Our North America operating segment is comprised of three reporting units based on our primary solution sets. The remaining three reporting units are EMEA, Latin America and Asia Pacific.
Our goodwill balances as of December 31, 2020 for each operating segment were as follows (in thousands):
North America $ 85,517
EMEA 26,534
Emerging Markets 8,538
$ 120,589
ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350), permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under ASC Topic 350, an entity is not required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test for a reporting unit if it is more likely than not that its fair value is greater than its carrying amount. As a result of our July 1, 2020 segment reorganization, we determined a triggering event occurred and performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test during the third quarter of 2020. For our annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2020 we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment test and October 1, 2019, we performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test and concluded that the fair values of each of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values and there were no indications of impairment. The Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units had fair values that exceeded their carrying value by less than 5% and 15%, respectively, at the time of the quantitative test performed during the third quarter of 2020. If the Technical Performance Solutions or Latin America reporting units fail to meet their financial projections, or if other adverse market conditions occur (such as a sustained material decrease in our stock price) which would lower the fair value of the business, we could incur material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in the future.
In the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we record an impairment loss equal to the difference, however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
We determine the fair value of our reporting units using both an income approach and a market approach, and weigh both approaches to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. Under the income approach, we perform a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporates management’s cash flow projections over a five-year period and a terminal value is calculated by applying a capitalization rate to terminal year projections based on an estimated long-term growth rate. The five-year projected cash flows and calculated terminal value are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) which takes into account the costs of debt and equity. The cost of equity is based on the risk-free interest rate, equity risk premium, industry and size equity premiums and any additional market equity risk premiums as deemed appropriate for each reporting unit. To arrive at a fair value for each reporting unit, the terminal value is discounted by the WACC and added to the present value of the estimated cash flows over the discrete five-year period. There are a number of other variables which impact the projected cash flows, such as expected revenue growth and profitability levels, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and related depreciation and amortization. Under the market approach, we perform a comparable public company analysis and apply revenue and earnings multiples from the identified set of companies to the reporting unit’s actual and forecasted financial performance to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. We evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by reconciling the total of the fair values of all of our reporting units to our total market capitalization, and adjusting for an appropriate control premium. In addition, we make certain judgments in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. In addition, we make certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units. The timing and frequency of our goodwill impairment tests are based on an ongoing assessment of events and circumstances that would indicate a possible impairment. We will continue to monitor our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and conduct formal tests when impairment indicators are present.
Accounting Standards Issued and Adopted
We discuss recently issued and adopted accounting standards in Note 1 to the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
Non-GAAP Information
This Form 10-K references Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization), a widely used non-GAAP financial measure of operating performance. It is presented as supplemental information that the Company believes is useful to investors to evaluate its results because it excludes certain items that are not directly related to the Company’s core operating performance. In particular, we believe that certain gains and charges, such as the gain on sale of business, legal acquisition and transaction costs, restructuring charges and severance expense, while difficult to predict in the current environment, will vary significantly and make a year to year comparison of net income less useful to investors than a comparison of Adjusted EBITDA in understanding the impact of COVID-19 and related effects on our results of operations.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back to net income interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, non-cash stock compensation expense and other unusual or infrequently occurring items. For the periods presented these other items are stock compensation related to severance, restructuring charges, severance expense, change in paid time off policy, gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net, ERP implementation costs, foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, legal acquisition and transaction costs, impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets, gain on sale of business and loss on settlement with foreign oil and gas client.
Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a substitute either for net income, as an indicator of the Company’s operating performance, or for cash flow, as a measure of the Company’s liquidity. In addition, because Adjusted EBITDA may not be calculated identically by all companies, the presentation here may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Non-GAAP Reconciliation - Adjusted EBITDA
Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands)
2020 2019
Net income $ 7,068 15,189
Interest expense 2,934 6,058
Income tax expense 1,542 7,180
Depreciation and amortization 7,879 9,482
EBITDA 19,423 37,909
Adjustments:
Non-cash stock compensation expense 6,256 5,595
Stock compensation related to severance 1,721 -
Restructuring charges 1,387 1,639
Severance expense
9,372 2,232
Change in paid time off policy (1,894) -
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net
- (677)
ERP implementation costs - 2,188
Foreign currency transaction losses 747 718
Legal acquisition/divestiture and transaction costs 1,922 1,291
Impairment of operating lease right-of-use asset 255 -
Gain on sale of business (6,064) (12,126)
Loss on settlement with foreign oil & gas client - 2,154
Adjusted EBITDA $ 33,125 $ 40,923

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Our primary exposure to market risk relates to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our outstanding debt obligations. On November 30, 2018, we entered into a new credit agreement with a bank which provides for a five-year secured revolving loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $140.0 million. As of December 31, 2020, we had $12.7 million outstanding under the credit facility. We may draw funds from our revolving credit facility under interest rates based on either the Federal Funds Rate or the Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR rate). If these rates increase significantly, our costs to borrow these funds will also increase. In an effort to manage our exposure to this risk, we have entered into interest rate derivative contracts. As of December 31, 2020, we did not have any interest rate hedging instruments in place but may enter into new hedging instruments in the future to mitigate our exposure to interest rate risk.
We estimate that the fair value of our borrowings under our revolving credit facility approximates its carrying value as of December 31, 2020 as it bears interest at variable rates.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We operate in various foreign countries, which exposes us to market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our foreign currency exposure primarily relates to intercompany receivables and payables and third party receivables and payables that are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of our legal entities. Our largest foreign currency exposure is unsettled intercompany payables and receivables which are reviewed on a regular basis. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in "Other income (expense)" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We had foreign currency transaction losses totaling $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Most of our foreign subsidiaries operate in a currency other than the U.S. dollar; therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies will affect our operating results and the value of our balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies. Our most significant exposures to translation risk relates to functional currency assets and liabilities that are denominated in the British Pound Sterling, Euro and Canadian dollar. The changes in the net investments of foreign subsidiaries whose currencies are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are reflected in "Foreign currency translation adjustments” on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. We have not used any exchange rate hedging programs to mitigate the effect of exchange rate fluctuations.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Page
Financial Statements of GP Strategies Corporation and Subsidiaries:
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 48
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2020 and 2019 52
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 53
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 54
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 55
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 56
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 58
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
GP Strategies Corporation:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of GP Strategies Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
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, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated March 12, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Notes 1 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 in accordance with the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these 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 Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate 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 critical audit matters 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 matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue recognition - estimated total cost to complete of fixed-price contracts
As discussed in note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reported revenue of $473.1 million, a portion of which related to fixed price contracts. The Company recognizes revenue over time for certain fixed price contracts, which typically involve a discrete project, such as development of training content and materials, design of training processes, software implementation, or engineering projects. The Company uses a cost incurred input method for these contracts based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred over the
term of the contract. The estimated cost to complete each contract is required to assess the proportion of revenues to recognize based upon the costs incurred-to-date in comparison to the total estimate of costs to complete the contract. The estimated cost to complete each contract incorporates assumptions of labor productivity and availability based on the complexity of the work to be performed and the performance of subcontractors.
We identified the evaluation of the estimate of costs to complete certain fixed price contracts that remained open as of December 31, 2020 as a critical audit matter. The assumptions used in estimating the costs to complete include the amount of future labor costs and subcontract costs which are subjective and required a high-degree of judgment. Changes to those assumptions may have a significant impact on the revenue recognized.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the critical audit matter. This included controls over the development of estimates regarding the amount of future labor and subcontract costs. We assessed the Company’s ability to accurately estimate costs to complete by comparing historical estimates to actual results for a selection of contracts. We evaluated the estimate of costs to complete for a sample of fixed price contracts that remained open as of December 31, 2020 by:
● reading the underlying contract and related amendments to obtain an understanding of the contractual requirements and related performance obligations;
● comparing the costs incurred to-date to the relative progress towards completion of the contract;
● inquiring with Company personnel and obtaining corroborating evidence, if relevant, regarding overall contract status and expected timing of completion as well as significant assumptions including labor hours and subcontractor costs utilized in the estimated costs to complete of the sampled fixed price contract;
● considering, if relevant, the estimated costs to complete on similar or predecessor contracts; and
● inspecting correspondence, if any, between the Company and the customer regarding actual to date and expected performance.
Recoverability of goodwill for the Technical Performance Solutions reporting unit
As discussed in note 5 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reported goodwill of $120.6 million and an additional $35.9 million included within assets held for sale, of which $77.9 million related to the Technical Performance Solutions (TPS) reporting unit. The Company performs goodwill impairment testing on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its fair value. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit often involves the use of estimates and assumptions that require significant judgment and that could have a substantial impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and the magnitude of any such charge.
We identified the recoverability of goodwill for the TPS reporting unit as a critical audit matter. The estimated fair value of the TPS reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by less than 5% as of the testing date, indicating a higher risk that the goodwill may be impaired and, therefore, involved a high degree of complex auditor judgment. Specifically, the revenue growth rates and the discount rate assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the reporting unit were challenging to test as minor changes to those assumptions could have a significant effect on the Company’s assessment of the carrying value of the goodwill.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment process. This included controls related to the determination of the fair value of the reporting unit, and the development of the revenue growth rates and discount rate assumptions. We evaluated the Company’s forecasted revenue growth rates for the TPS reporting unit, by comparing the Company’s forecasted growth assumptions to actual growth rates of the Company, and to the Company’s and peer companies’ analyst reports. We compared the Company’s historical revenue forecasts to actual results to assess the Company’s ability to accurately forecast. In addition, we involved a valuation professional with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted in:
● Evaluating the overall reasonableness of the long-term growth rate assumption by comparing it to third party industry reports and performing a sensitivity analysis over the long-term growth rate;
● Evaluating the Company’s methodology used to develop the discount rate; and
● Evaluating the Company’s determination of the discount rate, by comparing it against a discount rate range that was developed using publicly available market data for comparable entities.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We or our predecessor firms have served as the Company’s auditor since 1970.
Baltimore, Maryland
March 12, 2021
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
GP Strategies Corporation:
Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited GP Strategies Corporation and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
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, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated March 12, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
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 Management's Annual 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 the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit 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 of internal control over financial reporting 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/ KPMG LLP
Baltimore, Maryland
March 12, 2021
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2020 and 2019
(In thousands, except shares and par value per share)
2020 2019
Assets
Current assets:
Cash $ 23,076 $ 8,159
Accounts and other receivables, less allowance for credit losses of $3,086 in
2020 and $1,132 in 2019 110,575 131,852
Unbilled revenue 28,100 57,229
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 15,186 19,115
Assets held for sale 42,463 -
Total current assets 219,400 216,355
Property, plant and equipment, net 4,650 5,803
Operating lease right-of-use assets 20,862 27,251
Goodwill 120,589 171,563
Intangible assets, net 5,656 16,344
Deferred tax assets 1,425 1,121
Other assets, net 9,194 10,465
$ 381,776 $ 448,902
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 91,572 $ 92,332
Current portion of operating lease liability 5,523 7,871
Deferred revenue 16,509 23,234
Liabilities held for sale 5,868 -
Total current liabilities 119,472 123,437
Long-term debt 12,748 82,870
Long-term portion of operating lease liability 16,260 22,159
Deferred tax liabilities 4,028 7,439
Other noncurrent liabilities 5,922 3,083
Total liabilities 158,430 238,988
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; Authorized 35,000,000 shares;
issued 17,276,474 shares in 2020 and 17,222,781 in 2019 173 172
Additional paid-in capital 103,225 102,319
Retained earnings 138,296 131,228
Treasury stock, at cost (3,202 shares in 2020 and 190,115 shares in 2019) (25) (4,070)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (18,323) (19,735)
Total stockholders’ equity 223,346 209,914
$ 381,776 $ 448,902
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands, except per share data)
2020 2019 2018
Revenue $ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160
Cost of revenue 395,845 494,077 437,417
Gross profit 77,262 89,213 77,743
General and administrative expenses 62,694 64,492 54,848
Sales and marketing expenses 7,190 7,875 4,798
Restructuring charges 1,387 1,639 2,930
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net - 677 4,438
Gain on sale of business 6,064 12,126 -
Operating income 12,055 28,010 19,605
Interest expense 2,934 6,058 2,945
Other income (expense) (including interest income of $66 in 2020, $50 in 2019, and $8 in 2018) (511) 417 (1,897)
Income before income tax expense 8,610 22,369 14,763
Income tax expense 1,542 7,180 4,927
Net income $ 7,068 $ 15,189 $ 9,836
Basic weighted average shares outstanding 17,131 16,827 16,608
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 17,415 16,861 16,696
Per common share data:
Basic earnings per share $ 0.41 $ 0.90 $ 0.59
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.41 $ 0.90 $ 0.59
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands)
2020 2019 2018
Net income $ 7,068 $ 15,189 $ 9,836
Foreign currency translation adjustments 1,412 1,955 (6,914)
Change in fair value of interest rate cap, net of tax - - 142
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax - - (63)
Comprehensive income $ 8,480 $ 17,144 $ 3,001
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands except par value)
Common
stock
($0.01 par) Additional
paid-in capital Retained
earnings Treasury
stock at cost Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss Total
stockholders’
equity
Balance at December 31, 2017 $ 172 $ 107,256 $ 106,599 $ (11,118) $ (14,855) $ 188,054
Cumulative effect adjustment of adopting ASU 2014-09 - - (396) - - (396)
Adjusted balance at December 31, 2017 172 107,256 106,203 (11,118) (14,855) 187,658
Net income - - 9,836 - - 9,836
Foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - (6,914) (6,914)
Change in fair value of interest rate cap, net of tax
142 142
Change in fair value of interest rate swap, net of tax
(63) (63)
Repurchases of common stock in the open market
- - - (7,993) - (7,993)
Stock-based compensation expense - 1,350 - - - 1,350
Shares withheld in exchange for tax withholding payments on stock-based compensation
- (416) - - - (416)
Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan
- (867) - 3,827 - 2,960
Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation plans and other
- (1,473) - 1,482 - 9
Balance at December 31, 2018 172 105,850 116,039 (13,802) (21,690) 186,569
Net income - - 15,189 - - 15,189
Foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - 1,955 1,955
Stock-based compensation expense - 2,617 - - - 2,617
Shares withheld in exchange for tax withholding payments on stock-based compensation
- (278) - - - (278)
Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan
- (2,251) - 5,229 - 2,978
Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation plans and other
- (3,619) - 4,503 - 884
Balance at December 31, 2019 172 102,319 131,228 (4,070) (19,735) 209,914
Net income - - 7,068 - - 7,068
Foreign currency translation adjustments - - - - 1,412 1,412
Repurchases of common stock in the open market
- - - (1,833) - (1,833)
Stock-based compensation expense - 4,940 - - 4,940
Shares withheld in exchange for tax withholding payments on stock-based compensation
(325) (325)
Issuance of stock for employer contributions to retirement plan
1 (951) - 3,987 - 3,037
Net issuances of stock pursuant to stock compensation plans and other
- (2,758) - 1,891 - (867)
Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 173 $ 103,225 $ 138,296 $ (25) $ (18,323) $ 223,346
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands)
2020 2019 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income $ 7,068 $ 15,189 $ 9,836
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net - (677) (4,438)
Gain on sale of business (6,064) (12,126) -
Depreciation and amortization 7,879 9,482 7,921
Non-cash compensation expense 7,977 5,595 4,310
Deferred income taxes (2,151) (1,086) 876
Changes in other operating items, net of acquired amounts:
Accounts and other receivables 15,979 (23,803) 23,092
Unbilled revenue 27,032 23,473 (36,868)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,002 421 705
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and net change in
operating leases
3,206 (4,859) 8,110
Deferred revenue (560) (326) (2,094)
Other (2,376) 2,117 (240)
Net cash provided by operating activities 58,992 13,400 11,210
Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment (1,630) (2,315) (2,834)
Proceeds from sale of business 31,261 20,048 -
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired - 850 (55,290)
Capitalized software development costs (102) (2,632) (3,544)
Other investing activities - - (86)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 29,529 15,951 (61,754)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayment of short-term borrowings - - (37,577)
Proceeds from long-term debt 154,752 178,750 146,000
Repayments of long-term debt (224,873) (212,380) (57,500)
Change in negative cash book balance (3,701) 1,932 (1,278)
Repurchases of common stock (1,833) - (8,522)
Tax withholding payments for employee stock-based compensation in
exchange for shares surrendered (325) (278) (416)
Cash proceeds from termination of interest rate derivatives - - 544
Payment of debt issuance costs (298) (303) (1,231)
Other financing activities - - 10
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (76,278) (32,279) 40,030
2020 2019 2018
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2,674 (2,330) 319
Net change in cash 14,917 (5,258) (10,195)
Cash at beginning of year 8,159 13,417 23,612
Cash at end of year $ 23,076 $ 8,159 $ 13,417
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 2,193 $ 5,831 $ 3,741
Income taxes $ 5,555 $ 4,327 $ 4,528
Non-cash financing activities:
Accrued share repurchases $ - $ - $ (529)
Accrued contingent consideration $ - $ - $ 905
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(1)Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Business
GP Strategies is a leading workforce transformation partner.. References in this report to “GP Strategies,” the “Company,” “we” and “our” are to GP Strategies Corporation and its subsidiaries, collectively.
FASB Codification
We follow United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (U.S. GAAP) set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB). References to U.S. GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, sometimes referred to as ASC.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the operations of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Significant Customers & Concentration of Credit
We have a market concentration of revenue in both the automotive sector and financial services sector. Revenue from the automotive industry accounted for approximately 25%, 28% and 23% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single automotive customer, which accounted for approximately 14%, 13% and 14% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019 accounts receivable from a single automotive customer totaled $16.7 million, or 15%, and $17.2 million, or 13%, respectively, of our consolidated accounts receivable balance.
Revenue from the financial services industry accounted for approximately 17%, 16% and 19% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, we have a concentration of revenue from a single financial services customer, which accounted for approximately 9%, 10% and 13% of our consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, billed and unbilled accounts receivable from a single financial services customer totaled $7.2 million, or 5%, and $15.4 million, or 8%, respectively, of our consolidated accounts receivable and unbilled revenue balances.
No other single customer accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively or consolidated accounts receivable balance as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Cash
We maintain our cash balances in bank accounts at various financial institutions. Outstanding checks which have been issued but not presented to the banks for payment in excess of amounts on deposit may create negative book cash balances. We transfer cash on an as-needed basis to fund these items as they clear the bank in subsequent periods. Such negative cash balances are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses. There was no negative cash balance as of December 31, 2020 and $3.7 million as of 2019. Changes in negative book cash balances from period to period are reported as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts. We evaluate the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When we are aware that a specific customer may be unable to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, we evaluate the need to record a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount we reasonably believe is collectible. We also record reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due, historical collection experience and trends of past due accounts, write-offs and specific identification and review of past due accounts. Actual collections of trade receivables could differ
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
from management’s estimates due to changes in future economic or industry conditions or specific customers’ financial conditions.
Activity in our allowance for credit losses was comprised of the following for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Beginning balance $ 1,132 $ 2,034 $ 2,492
Additions 2,541 2,871 234
Deductions (587) (3,773) (692)
Ending balance $ 3,086 $ 1,132 $ 2,034
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we entered into a settlement agreement with the client and recognized an additional bad debt reserve of $2.2 million to reflect the accounts receivable at its recoverable amount as of December 31, 2019. The remaining accounts receivable, net of the reserve, totaling $1.6 million was collected in January 2020.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currencies of our international operations are the respective local currencies of the countries in which we operate. The translation of the foreign currency into U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using the weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The unrealized gains and losses resulting from such translation are included as a component of comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses arising from currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local functional currency are included in “Other income (expense)" on our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We had foreign currency transaction losses totaling $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
We account for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which we adopted on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Most of our contracts with customers contain transaction prices with fixed consideration, however, some contracts may contain variable consideration in the form of discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and other similar items. When a contract includes variable consideration, we evaluate the estimate of variable consideration to determine whether the estimate needs to be constrained; therefore, we include the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. This can result in recognition of revenue over time as we perform services or at a point in time when the deliverable is transferred to the customer, depending on an evaluation of the criteria for over time recognition in ASC Topic 606. See Note 2 for further details regarding our revenue recognition for various revenue streams.
Contract Related Assets and Liabilities
The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections results in billed accounts receivable, unbilled revenue, and deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheet. Amounts charged to our clients become billable according to the contract terms, which usually consider the passage of time, achievement of milestones or completion of the project. When billings occur after the work has been performed, such unbilled amounts will generally be billed and collected within 60 to 120 days but typically no longer than over the next twelve months. When we advance bill clients prior to the work being performed, generally, such amounts will be earned and recognized in revenue within the next twelve months. These assets and liabilities are reported on the consolidated balance sheet on a contract-by-contract basis at the end of each reporting period.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, and the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net of tax.
Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets on our consolidated balance sheet include prepaid expenditures for goods or services before the goods are used or the services are received, inventories and work in progress on customer contracts. Prepaid expenses are charged to expense in the periods the benefits are realized. Inventories are stated at lower of cost
and net realizable value. Provision is made to reduce excess and obsolete inventories to their estimated net realizable value. Costs included in work in progress on customer contracts are recognized to cost of revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied and revenue is recognized.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost (or fair value at acquisition date for assets obtained through business combinations). Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs which do not extend the lives of the assets are expensed as incurred. Gain or loss on the disposition of property, plant and equipment is recognized in operations when realized.
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is recognized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Class of assets Useful life
Buildings and improvements 5 to 40 years
Machinery, equipment, and furniture and fixtures 3 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements Shorter of asset life or term of lease
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, operating lease right of use assets and intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized at the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Impairment of long-lived assets is assessed at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent from other groups of assets. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents costs in excess of values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets acquired are recorded at estimated fair value. Goodwill is deemed to have an indefinite life and is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, and at any time when events suggest an impairment more likely than not has occurred. We test goodwill at the reporting unit level.
ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350), permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under ASC Topic 350, an entity is not required to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test for a reporting unit if it is more likely than not that its fair value is greater than its carrying amount. As a result of our July 1, 2020 segment reorganization, we determined a triggering event occurred and performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test during the third quarter of 2020. A reporting unit is an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, as defined by U.S. GAAP. Our North America operating segment is comprised of three reporting units based on our primary solution sets. The remaining three
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
reporting units are our EMEA, Latin America and Asia Pacific operating segments. For our annual goodwill impairment tests as of October 1, 2020 and 2019, we concluded that the fair values of each of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values.
In the quantitative impairment test, we compare the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the net assets assigned to that reporting unit, goodwill is not impaired and we are not required to perform further testing. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, then we record an impairment loss equal to the difference, however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. We concluded that each of our reporting units had excess fair values greater than their respective carrying values and that there was no indication of impairment. The Technical Performance Solutions and Latin America reporting units had a fair value that exceeded the carrying value by less than 5% and 15%, respectively, at the time of the quantitative test performed during the third quarter of 2020. If the Technical Performance Solutions or Latin America reporting units fails to meet its financial projections, or if other adverse market conditions occur (such as a sustained material decrease in our stock price) which would lower the fair value of the business, we could incur material goodwill and other intangible asset impairment charges in the future.
We determine the fair value of our reporting units using both an income approach and a market approach, and weighted both approaches to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. Under the income approach, we perform a discounted cash flow analysis which incorporates management’s cash flow projections over a five-year period and a terminal value is calculated by applying a capitalization rate to terminal year projections based on an estimated long-term growth rate. The five-year projected cash flows and calculated terminal value are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) which takes into account the costs of debt and equity. The cost of equity is based on the risk-free interest rate, equity risk premium, industry and size equity premiums and any additional market equity risk premiums as deemed appropriate for each reporting unit. To arrive at a fair value for each reporting unit, the terminal value is discounted by the WACC and added to the present value of the estimated cash flows over the discrete five-year period. There are a number of other variables which impact the projected cash flows, such as expected revenue growth and profitability levels, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and related depreciation and amortization. Under the market approach, we perform a comparable public company analysis and apply revenue and earnings multiples from the identified set of companies to the reporting unit’s actual and forecasted financial performance to determine the fair value of each reporting unit. We evaluate the reasonableness of the fair value calculations of our reporting units by reconciling the total of the fair values of all of our reporting units to our total market capitalization, and adjusting for an appropriate control premium. In addition, we make certain judgments in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. In addition, we make certain judgments and assumptions in allocating shared assets and liabilities to determine the carrying values for each of our reporting units. The timing and frequency of our goodwill impairment tests are based on an ongoing assessment of events and circumstances that would indicate a possible impairment. We will continue to monitor our goodwill and intangible assets for impairment and conduct formal tests when impairment indicators are present.
Our intangible assets include amounts recognized in connection with acquisitions, including customer relationships, tradenames, technology and intellectual property. Intangible assets are initially valued at fair market value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the intangible assets. Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment if indicators of impairment arise. Except for goodwill, we do not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
Contingent Consideration for Business Acquisitions
Acquisitions may include contingent consideration payments based on future financial measures of an acquired company. Contingent consideration is required to be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of these liabilities using an appropriate valuation methodology, typically either an income-based approach or a simulation model, such as the Monte Carlo model, depending on the structure of the contingent consideration arrangement. At each
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
reporting date, the contingent consideration obligation is revalued to estimated fair value and changes in fair value subsequent to the acquisition are reflected in income or expense in the consolidated statements of operations, and could cause a material impact to our operating results. Changes in the fair value of contingent consideration obligations may result from changes in discount periods and rates and changes in the timing and amount of revenue and/or earnings projections.
Other Assets
Other assets primarily include an investment in a joint venture, certain software development costs, and unamortized debt issuance costs relating to our revolving credit facility. We account for a 10% interest in a joint venture partnership under the equity method of accounting because significant influence exists due to certain factors, including representation on the partnership’s Management Board and voting rights. We capitalize the cost of internal-use software in accordance with ASC Topic 350-40, Internal-Use Software and ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract. These costs consist of internal labor costs and payments made to third parties for software development and implementation and are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, ranging from three to eight years. We amortize debt issuance costs to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the term of our revolving credit facility.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. 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 basis and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We establish accruals for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Favorable or unfavorable adjustment of the accrual for any particular issue would be recognized as an increase or decrease to income tax expense in the period of a change in facts and circumstances. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share (EPS) are computed by dividing earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of common stock equivalent shares that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
Our dilutive common stock equivalent shares consist of stock options and restricted stock units outstanding under our stock-based incentive plans and are computed under the treasury stock method, using the average market price during the period. Performance-based restricted stock unit awards are included in the computation of diluted shares based on the probable outcome of the underlying performance conditions being achieved. The following table presents instruments which were not dilutive and were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS in each period, as well as the weighted average dilutive common stock equivalent shares which were included in the computation of diluted EPS (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Non-dilutive instruments 52 103 82
Dilutive common stock equivalents 284 34 88
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Stock-Based Compensation
Pursuant to our stock-based incentive plans which are described more fully in Note 12, we grant stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based stock units (PSU's) and equity to officers, employees, and members of the Board of Directors. We compute compensation expense for all equity-based compensation awards issued to employees using the fair-value measurement method. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for stock-based compensation awards with both graded and cliff vesting terms. We recognize forfeitures as they occur with a reduction in compensation expense in the period of forfeiture. We do not capitalize any material portion of our stock-based compensation.
For performance-based PSUs with financial targets, we recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period based on the probable outcome of achievement of the financial targets. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate the number of PSU's expected to vest, based on the probability and extent to which the performance goals will be met, and take into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period. If the number of shares expected to be earned changes during the performance period, we make a cumulative adjustment to compensation expense based on the revised number of shares expected to be earned. For PSUs with stock price appreciation targets, we applied a lattice approach that incorporated a Monte Carlo simulation, which involved random iterations that took different future price paths over the PSU’s contractual life based on the appropriate probability distributions (which are based on commonly applied Black Scholes inputs). The fair value was determined by taking the average of the grant date fair values under each Monte Carlo simulation trial. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period and there is no ongoing adjustment or reversal based on actual achievement during the period.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates used, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, impairments of goodwill and other intangible assets, valuation of intangible assets acquired and contingent consideration liabilities assumed in business acquisitions, valuation of stock-based compensation awards and income taxes. We believe that the accounting estimates and assumptions are appropriate given the increased uncertainties surrounding the severity and duration of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, however actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value Estimates
ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure (ASC Topic 820), defines fair value, establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The guidance within ASC Topic 820 is applicable whenever another accounting pronouncement requires or permits assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:
•Level 1 - unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets;
•Level 2 - quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable or that can be corroborated by observable market data by correlation; and
•Level 3 - unobservable inputs based upon the reporting entity’s internally developed assumptions which market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The carrying value of financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate estimated market values because of short-term maturities and interest rates that approximate current rates. In addition, the fair value of our long-term debt approximated its carrying value as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as it
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
bears interest at variable rates. Our fair value measurements related to goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration are recognized in connection with acquisitions and are valued using Level 3 inputs.
Leases
On January 1, 2019, we adopted FASB ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC Topic 842) and all the related amendments. Further information regarding our lease accounting, including our full accounting policy description and adoption impact, can be found in Note 14.
Legal Expenses
We are involved, from time to time, in litigation and proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of business. Costs for legal services rendered in the course of these proceedings are charged to expense as they are incurred.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.
Recent Adopted Accounting Standards
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASC 326), which requires companies to record an allowance for expected credit losses over the contractual term of financial assets, including short-term trade receivables and contract assets, and expands disclosure requirements for credit quality of financial assets. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2020 and began recognizing an allowance for credit losses based on the estimated lifetime expected credit loss related to our financial assets. The adoption of ASC Topic 326 did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we incorporated the forecasted impact of future economic conditions into our allowance for credit losses measurement process including the expected adverse impact of COVID-19 on the global economy.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The guidance promotes a framework to help improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes and is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, although early adoption is permitted. We adopted the standard on January 1, 2020. The new standard did not impact our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The guidance issued in this update simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions to the guidance in ASC 740 related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition for deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. ASU 2019-12 also simplifies aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2021, and is not expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements.
(2) Revenue
Significant Accounting Policy
We account for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which we adopted on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method. Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer. Most of our contracts with customers contain transaction prices with fixed consideration, however, some contracts may contain variable consideration in the form of discounts, rebates, refunds, credits, price concessions, incentives, performance bonuses, penalties and other similar items. When a contract includes variable consideration, we evaluate the estimate of variable consideration to determine whether the estimate needs to be
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
constrained; therefore, we include the variable consideration in the transaction price only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. This can result in recognition of revenue over time as we perform services or at a point in time when the deliverable is transferred to the customer, depending on an evaluation of the criteria for over time recognition in ASC Topic 606. Further details regarding our revenue recognition for various revenue streams are discussed below.
Nature of goods and services
Over 90% of our revenue is derived from services provided to our customers for training, consulting, technical, and other services. Less than 10% of our revenue is derived from various other offerings including custom magazine publications and assembly of glovebox portfolios for automotive manufacturers, licenses of software and other intellectual property, and software as a service (SaaS) arrangements.
Our primary contract vehicles are time-and-materials, fixed price (including fixed-fee per transaction) and cost-reimbursable contracts. Each contract has different terms based on the scope, deliverables and complexity of the engagement, requiring us to make judgments and estimates about recognizing revenue.
Under time-and-materials and cost-reimbursable contracts, the contractual billing schedules are based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. Revenue under these contract types are recognized over time as services are performed as the client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by our performance throughout the engagement. The time and materials incurred for the period is the measure of performance and, therefore, revenue is recognized in that amount.
For fixed price contracts which typically involve a discrete project, such as development of training content and materials, design of training processes, software implementation, or engineering projects, the contractual billing schedules are not necessarily based on the specified level of resources we are obligated to provide. These discrete projects generally do not contain milestones or other measures of performance. The majority of our fixed price contracts meet the criteria in ASC Topic 606 for over time revenue recognition. For these contracts, revenue is recognized using a costs incurred input method based on the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated costs expected to be incurred over the term of the contract. We believe this methodology is a reasonable measure of progress to depict the transfer of control to the customer since performance primarily involves personnel costs and services provided to the customer throughout the course of the projects through regular communications of progress toward completion and other project deliverables. In addition, the customer is required to pay us for the proportionate amount of our fees in the event of contract termination. A small portion of our fixed price contracts do not meet the criteria in ASC Topic 606 for over time revenue recognition. For these projects, we defer revenue recognition until the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when the final deliverable is provided to the client. The direct costs related to these projects are capitalized and then recognized as cost of revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied.
For fixed price contracts, when total direct cost estimates exceed revenues, the estimated losses are recognized immediately. The use of the costs incurred input method requires significant judgment relative to estimating total contract costs, including assumptions relative to the length of time to complete the project, the nature and complexity of the work to be performed, and anticipated changes in estimated salaries and other costs. Estimates of total contract costs are continuously monitored during the term of the contract, and recorded revenues and costs are subject to revision as the contract progresses. When revisions in estimated contract revenues and costs are determined, such adjustments are recorded in the period in which they are first identified. Revenue recognized in the reporting period from performance obligations satisfied (or partially satisfied) in previous periods to our fixed price contracts in the aggregate resulted in a net increase (decrease) to revenue of $(0.8) million, $1.8 million, and $1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
For certain fixed-fee per transaction contracts, such as delivering training courses or conducting workshops, revenue is recognized during the period in which services are delivered in accordance with the pricing outlined in the contracts.
For certain fixed-fee per transaction and fixed price contracts, such as for the shipping of publications and print materials, revenue is recognized at the point in time at which control is transferred which is upon delivery, as the over time revenue recognition criteria per ASC 606-10-25-27 are not met.
Taxes assessed by a government authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that we collect from a customer, are excluded from revenue.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Performance Obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account in ASC Topic 606. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, we allocate the contract’s transaction price to each performance obligation using our best estimate of the standalone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract. As of December 31, 2020 we had $316.1 million of remaining performance obligations, which we also refer to as total backlog. We anticipate to recognize approximately 85 percent of our remaining performance obligations within the next twelve months.
Contract Balances
Revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, that was included in the contract liability balance at the beginning of the year was $14.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively, and primarily represented revenue from services performed during the current period for which we received advance payment from clients in a prior period.
Contract Costs
Costs to fulfill contracts which do not meet the over time revenue recognition criteria are capitalized and recognized to cost of revenue when the performance obligation is satisfied and revenue is recognized. Such costs are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet and totaled $0.6 million for both December 31, 2020 and 2019.
Applying the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606, we recognize the incremental costs of obtaining contracts (i.e. sales commissions) as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets that we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not have any capitalized sales commissions.
Disaggregation of Revenue
See Note 15 (Business Segments) to these Consolidated Financial Statements for our disaggregated revenues.
(3)Acquisitions
We did not complete any acquisitions in 2020 and 2019. Below is a summary of the acquisitions we completed during 2018.
2018 Acquisitions
The following table summarizes the purchase prices and purchase price allocations for the acquisitions completed during the year ended December 31, 2018. A description of the acquired businesses is summarized below the table.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Acquired company TTi Global TTi Europe IC Axon Hula
Acquisition date 11/30/2018 8/7/2018 5/1/2018 1/2/2018
Cash purchase price $ 14,195 $ 3,000 $ 30,535 $ 10,000
Fair value of contingent consideration - - 905 -
Working capital adjustment (850) - - -
Total purchase price $ 13,345 $ 3,000 $ 31,440 $ 10,000
Purchase price allocation:
Cash $ 1,780 $ 125 $ 538 $ -
Accounts receivable and other assets 14,218 1,684 3,110 -
Fixed assets 300 9 368 -
Customer-related intangible assets 4,428 762 10,365 1,367
Marketing-related intangible assets (tradename) 454 45 239 106
Goodwill 4,655 2,179 21,613 8,527
Total assets 25,835 4,804 36,233 10,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 10,066 1,609 983 -
Deferred revenue 219 126 979 -
Deferred tax liability 2,205 69 2,831 -
Total liabilities 12,490 1,804 4,793 -
Net assets acquired $ 13,345 $ 3,000 $ 31,440 $ 10,000
TTi Global
On November 30, 2018, we entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Global) and its stockholders and acquired all of the outstanding shares of TTi Global. The transaction under the Share Purchase Agreement includes the acquisition of TTi Global’s subsidiaries (except for its UK and Spain subsidiaries and dormant entities) and certain affiliated companies. The Company purchased TTi Global’s UK and Spain subsidiaries in a separate transaction in August 2018 which is discussed further below. TTi Global is a provider of training, staffing, research and consulting solutions to industries across various sectors with automotive as a core focus. The total upfront purchase price for TTi Global was $14.2 million of cash paid at closing on November 30, 2018. The final purchase price allocation above was adjusted during 2019 based on the finalization of the working capital adjustment, as defined in the Share Purchase Agreement, and other purchase accounting adjustments identified during the measurement period. During the third quarter of 2019, the seller paid us $0.9 million in settlement of the working capital adjustment. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $4.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over nine years and $0.5 million of a marketing-related intangible asset which was amortized over one year from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired TTi Global business is included in the North America and Emerging Markets segments and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning December 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
TTi Europe
On August 7, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of TTi (Europe) Limited, a subsidiary of TTi Global, Inc. (TTi Europe), a provider of training and research services primarily for the automotive industry located in the United Kingdom. The upfront purchase price was $3.0 million in cash. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition primarily includes
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
$0.8 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over nine years from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired TTi Europe business is included in the EMEA segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning August 7, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
IC Axon
On May 1, 2018, we acquired the entire share capital of IC Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiary, IC Axon Inc., a Canadian corporation (IC Axon). IC Axon develops science-driven custom learning solutions for pharmaceutical and life science customers. The upfront purchase price was $30.5 million in cash. In addition, the purchase agreement requires up to an additional $3.5 million of consideration, contingent upon the achievement of an earnings target during a twelve-month period subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $10.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over eight years and $0.2 million of a marketing-related intangible assets being amortized over three years from the acquisition date. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining the operations of the acquiree with the company. None of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired IC Axon business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning May 1, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
Hula Partners
On January 2, 2018, we acquired the business and certain assets of Hula Partners, a provider of SAP Success Factors Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation services. The purchase price was $10.0 million which was paid in cash at closing. The goodwill recognized is due to the expected synergies from combining operations of the acquiree with the Company. The purchase price allocation for the acquisition includes $1.4 million of a customer-related intangible asset which is being amortized over four years and $0.1 million of a marketing-related intangible asset which is being amortized over two years from the acquisition date. All of the goodwill recorded for financial statement purposes is deductible for tax purposes. The acquired Hula Partners business is included in the North America segment and the results of its operations have been included in the consolidated financial statements beginning January 2, 2018. The pro-forma impact of the acquisition is not material to our results of operations.
(4)Divestitures & Assets Held for Sale
Business Held for Sale
As of December 31, 2020, we are in the process of selling a business outside of our focus industries and as a result we have classified all of this business' assets and liabilities to held for sale. The sale is expected to occur within 12 months. The assets held for sale are primarily composed of $35.9 million of goodwill, $2.9 million of unbilled revenue, and $3.4 million of accounts receivables. The liabilities held for sale are primarily composed of $5.1 million of deferred revenue and $0.7 million of accounts payable and accrued expense. This business is part of the North America segment.
Sale of Tuition Program Management Business
On October 1, 2019, we sold our Tuition Program Management Business pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Bright Horizons Children's Centers LLC (the "buyer"). The purchase price was $20.0 million which was paid on closing, other than $1.5 million which was held in escrow to secure possible indemnification claims pursuant to the terms of an escrow agreement which was received in full on October 9, 2020. An additional $0.1 million was paid to the buyer in January 2020 based on the final calculation of assumed liabilities as defined in the asset purchase agreement. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $12.1 million, net of $0.1 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain recorded represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included goodwill of $7.7 million. The Tuition Program Management Business was part of the North America segment.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Sale of Alternative Fuels Division
Effective January 1, 2020, we sold our Alternative Fuels Division pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement with Cryogenic Industries, LLC. The upfront cash purchase price was $4.8 million, which consisted of an advance payment of $1.5 million received on December 31, 2019 and $3.5 million received on January 2, 2020, offset by a $0.2 million cash payment to the buyer in March 2020 in settlement of the final net working capital as defined in the asset purchase agreement. In addition, up to $0.5 million of the purchase price is subject to the achievement of certain milestones under an assigned contract through the period December 31, 2021. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $1.1 million, net of $1.3 million direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain represents the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which primarily included net working capital of $0.1 million and goodwill of $2.6 million. The Alternative Fuels Division was part of the North America segment.
Sale of IC Axon Division
Effective October 1, 2020, we sold our IC Axon Division pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement with CM Canada Acquisitions, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of ClinicalMind, LLC. The upfront cash purchase price was $28.0 million, of which $1.5 million was placed in escrow for 12 months, subject to an adjustment to the buyer in settlement of the final net working capital as defined in the Stock Purchase Agreement. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $5.0 million, net of $0.3 million of direct selling costs, on the sale of the business. The gain represent the difference between the purchase price and the carrying value of the business, which was primarily $14.2 million of goodwill, $7.0 million of intangibles, $2.8 million of account receivables offset by liabilities of $1.9 million of deferred taxes. The IC Axon Division was part of the North America segment.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(5)Goodwill & Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable business segment for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
North America EMEA Emerging Markets Total
Balance at January 1, 2019
Goodwill $ 148,634 $ 31,283 $ 11,624 $ 191,541
Accumulated impairment losses (12,752) (1,328) (1,337) (15,417)
$ 135,882 $ 29,955 $ 10,287 $ 176,124
Purchase accounting adjustment 1,131 (69) 265 1,327
Divestitures (7,681) - - (7,681)
Foreign currency translation 1,715 (33) 111 1,793
Balance at December 31, 2019
Goodwill $ 143,799 $ 31,181 $ 12,000 $ 186,980
Accumulated impairment losses (12,752) (1,328) (1,337) (15,417)
$ 131,047 $ 29,853 $ 10,663 $ 171,563
Assets held for sale (35,939) - - (35,939)
Divestitures (11,220) (3,523) (2,081) (16,824)
Foreign currency translation 1,629 204 (44) 1,789
Balance at December 31, 2020
Goodwill $ 98,269 $ 27,862 $ 9,875 $ 136,006
Accumulated impairment losses (12,752) (1,328) (1,337) (15,417)
$ 85,517 $ 26,534 $ 8,538 $ 120,589
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Intangible assets with finite lives are subject to amortization over their estimated useful lives. The primary assets included in this category and their respective balances were as follows (in thousands):
Gross Carrying Accumulated Net Carrying
Amount Amortization Amount
December 31, 2020
Customer relationships $ 9,447 $ (4,457) $ 4,990
Intellectual property and other 3,104 (2,438) 666
$ 12,551 $ (6,895) $ 5,656
December 31, 2019
Customer relationships $ 22,348 $ (7,473) $ 14,875
Intellectual property and other 3,915 (2,446) 1,469
$ 26,263 $ (9,919) $ 16,344
Amortization expense for intangible assets was $3.5 million, $5.0 million and $4.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense for intangible assets included in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 is as follows (in thousands):
Fiscal years ending:
2021 $ 1,811
2022 1,017
2023 581
2024 581
2025 581
Thereafter 1,085
Total $ 5,656
As of December 31, 2020, our intangible assets with definite lives had a weighted average remaining useful life of 5.2 years. We have no intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
(6)Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Machinery, equipment and vehicles $ 14,999 $ 17,170
Furniture and fixtures 3,142 3,530
Leasehold improvements 2,290 2,725
Buildings 334 321
20,765 23,746
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (16,115) (17,943)
$ 4,650 $ 5,803
Depreciation expense was $2.3 million, $2.4 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(7)Debt
On November 30, 2018, we entered into a Credit Agreement with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and a syndicate of lenders (the “Credit Agreement”), replacing the prior credit agreement with Wells Fargo dated December 21, 2016, as amended on April 28, 2018 and June 29, 2018 (the "Original Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility, which expires on November 29, 2023, and consists of: a revolving loan facility with a borrowing limit of $200 million, including a $20 million sublimit for foreign borrowings; an accordion feature allowing the Company to request increases in commitments to the credit facility by up to an additional $100 million; a $20 million letter of credit sublimit; and a swingline loan credit sublimit of $20 million. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). As collateral security under the Credit Agreement and the guarantees thereof, the Company and the Guarantors have granted to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a lien on, and first priority security interest in substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets. The proceeds of the Credit Agreement were used, in part, to repay in full all outstanding borrowings under the Original Credit Agreement, and additional proceeds of the revolving credit facility are expected to be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the issuance of letters of credit and Permitted Acquisitions, as defined.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement may be in the form of Base Rate loans or Euro-Rate loans, at the option of the borrowers, and bear interest at the Base Rate plus 0.25% to 1.25% or the Daily Adjusted London Inter-bank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 1.25% to 2.25% respectively. Base Rate loans will bear interest at a fluctuating per annum Base Rate equal to the highest of (i) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate, plus 0.5%, (ii) the Prime Rate, and (iii) the Daily Adjusted LIBOR, plus 100 basis points (1.0%); plus an Applicable Margin. Determination of the Applicable Margin is based on a pricing grid that is generally dependent upon the Company's Leverage Ratio (as defined) as of the end of the fiscal quarter for which consolidated financial statements have been most recently delivered. We may prepay the revolving loan, in whole or in part, at any time without premium or penalty, subject to certain conditions.
The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and affirmative covenants. The Credit Agreement also contains customary negative covenants, subject to negotiated exceptions, including but not limited to: (i) liens, (ii) investments, (iii) indebtedness, (iv) significant corporate changes, including mergers and acquisitions, (v) dispositions, (vi) restricted payments, including stock dividends, and (vii) certain other restrictive agreements. The Credit Agreement also requires the Company to maintain compliance with the following financial covenants; (i) a maximum leverage ratio, and (ii) a minimum interest expense coverage ratio. On May 7, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Credit Agreement that increases the maximum leverage ratio we are required to maintain from 3.0 to 1.0 to 3.75 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2020, September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2020, and 3.0 to 1.0 for fiscal quarters ending March 31, 2021 and thereafter, and a minimum interest expense coverage ratio of 3.0 to 1.0. The leverage ratio is computed by dividing our Funded Debt by our Consolidated EBITDA, as those terms are defined in the Credit Agreement, for the trailing four fiscal quarters, and the interest coverage ratio is computed by dividing our Consolidated EBITDA by our Consolidated Interest Expense for the trailing four fiscal quarters. As of December 31, 2020, our leverage ratio was 0.5 to 1.0 and our interest expense coverage ratio was 9.1 to 1.0, each of which was in compliance with the Credit Agreement. In addition, the amendment to the Credit Agreement reduced the borrowing limit under the credit facility from $200 million to $140 million.
As of December 31, 2020, there were $12.7 million of borrowings outstanding and $79.9 million of available borrowings under the revolving loan facility based on our leverage ratio.
For the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the weighted average interest rate on our borrowings was 2.6% and 4.5%, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of our borrowings under the Credit Agreement approximated its carrying value as it bears interest at variable rates. There were $1.1 million of unamortized debt issue costs related to the Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2020 which are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Credit Agreement and are included in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(8)Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Trade accounts payable $ 40,851 $ 37,792
Accrued salaries, vacation and benefits 26,158 22,322
Other accrued expenses 24,563 28,517
Negative cash book balance - 3,701
$ 91,572 $ 92,332
(9)Employee Benefit Plan
We offer the GP Retirement Savings Plan (the “Plan”) to our employees in the U.S. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled unless they elect to not participate in the Plan, and contributions begin as soon as administratively feasible after enrollment. The Plan permits pre-tax contributions to the Plan by participants pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). We make matching contributions at our discretion. In 2020, 2019 and 2018, we contributed 337,371, 219,427, and 162,572 shares, respectively, of our common stock directly to the Plan which had a value of approximately $3.0 million each year, and is recognized as compensation expense in the consolidated statements of operations for matching contributions to the Plan.
We also maintain several defined contribution pension plans for our employees in the U.S., United Kingdom and other countries. We contributed to these plans $2.8 million, $2.7 million and $2.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
(10) Income Taxes
The components of income before income taxes and income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Income before income tax expense:
Domestic $ 427 $ 12,814 $ 5,577
Foreign 8,183 9,555 9,186
Total income before income tax expense $ 8,610 $ 22,369 $ 14,763
Income tax expense:
Current:
Federal $ 492 $ 2,634 $ 388
State and local 333 586 378
Foreign 2,868 5,046 3,285
Total current 3,693 8,266 4,051
Deferred:
Federal (1,500) (338) 813
State and local (353) (99) 258
Foreign (298) (649) (195)
Total deferred (2,151) (1,086) 876
Total income tax expense $ 1,542 $ 7,180 $ 4,927
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:
December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State and local taxes net of federal benefit (4.4) 3.0 1.9
Sale of subsidiary (23.0) - -
Valuation allowance 20.0 6.3 0.4
Foreign tax credits (10.0) (5.0) -
Foreign tax rate differential 5.0 4.1 1.8
Permanent differences 4.9 3.5 2.7
Other 3.7 (1.0) 2.2
Global Intangible Low-taxed Income 0.7 0.2 1.5
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 - - 1.9
Effective tax rate 17.9 % 32.1 % 33.4 %
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 created a requirement that Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) earned by a controlled foreign corporation (CFC) must be included in the gross income of the U.S. shareholder. The FASB Staff Q&A Topic 740, No. 5, “Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income” states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis difference expected to reverse as GILTI in future years, or to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense only. The Company has elected to account for GILTI as a current period expense when incurred.
Income tax expense was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Our effective income tax rate was 17.9% and 32.1% for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in the effective income tax rate compared to 2019 is primarily due to a the tax effect of the sale of a subsidiary, partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance on deferred tax assets.
On March 27, 2020, Congress enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, includes various income and payroll tax provisions, as well as provisions relating to net operating loss carryback periods, alternative minimum tax credit refunds, and modification to the net interest deduction limits. Tax payment deferrals provided for under the Cares Act resulted in liabilities for deferred payroll tax payments and other deferred tax payments under other government relief programs in different regions of the world where we operate, totaled $10.4 million as of December 31, 2020, of which approximately $7.0 million is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses and $3.4 million is in other noncurrent liabilities. We continue to monitor any effects that may result from the CARES Act.
Uncertain Tax Positions
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no uncertain tax positions reflected on our consolidated balance sheet. The Company files income tax returns in U.S. federal, state and local jurisdictions, and various non-U.S. jurisdictions, and is subject to audit by tax authorities in those jurisdictions. Tax years 2017 through 2020 remain open to examination by these tax jurisdictions, and earlier years remain open to examination in certain of these jurisdictions which have longer statutes of limitations.
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31,
2020 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for credit losses $ 1,201 $ 291
Accrued liabilities and other 2,860 2,066
Stock-based compensation expense 807 297
Net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards 3,147 2,825
Other 305 -
Foreign tax credit carryforwards 1,295 1,379
Deferred tax assets 9,615 6,858
Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets (5,081) (4,025)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Other - 182
Intangible assets, property and equipment, principally
due to difference in depreciation and amortization 7,137 8,969
Net deferred tax liabilities $ (2,603) $ (6,318)
As of December 31, 2020, we had foreign and U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards of $12.1 million for tax purposes, which will be available to offset future taxable income. If not used, these carryforwards will expire beginning in 2021.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which temporary differences are deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon these factors, management placed a valuation allowance of $5.1 million and $4.0 million as of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, against certain deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, due to the uncertainty of future profitability in foreign jurisdictions. Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the remaining deferred tax assets.
Foreign Income
The 2017 Tax Act includes a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, and as a result, all previously unremitted earnings for which no U.S. deferred tax liability had been accrued have now been subject to U.S. tax. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to invest these earnings, as well as the capital invested in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S. and do not expect to incur any significant, additional taxes related to such amounts. The Company has not provided for any additional outside basis difference inherent in its foreign subsidiaries, as these amounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis difference in these entities is not practicable.
(11) Restructuring
The following table shows the balances and activity for our restructuring liability (in thousands):
Employee Severance and Related Benefits Excess Facilities and Other Costs Total
Liability as of December 31, 2019 $ 230 $ 28 $ 258
Additional restructuring charges 855 532 1,387
Payments (1,085) (560) (1,645)
Liability as of December 31, 2020 $ - $ - $ -
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we initiated restructuring and transition activities to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and better position the company to drive future revenue growth. We recorded severance related to restructuring expense of $0.9 million resulting from these activities. These restructuring costs were completed in 2020. In
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
addition during 2020, we initiated restructuring and transition activities to improve the efficiency of our general and administrative support functions. We recorded a $0.5 million restructuring cost to an outside consultant to perform a review and assessment to determine efficiency opportunities. We expect to incur additional costs during the first half of 2021. These costs are included in restructuring charges on the consolidated statements of operations and were paid by the end of 2020.
(12) Stock-Based Compensation
Under our 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"), we may grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive stock options, restricted stock, stock units, performance shares, performance units and other incentives payable in cash or in shares of our common stock to officers, employees or members of the Board of Directors. We are authorized to grant an aggregate of 3,105,764 shares under the 2011 Plan. As of December 31, 2020, there were 941,749 shares available for issuance of future grants of awards under the 2011 Plan and 1,208,610 shares representing outstanding awards under the 2011 Plan. We may issue new shares or use shares held in treasury to deliver shares to employees for our equity grants or upon exercise of non-qualified stock options.
The following table summarizes the pre-tax stock-based compensation expense included in reported net income (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cost of revenue $ 4,020 $ 1,995 $ 992
General and administrative expenses 920 622 358
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 4,940 $ 2,617 $ 1,350
We recognized a deferred income tax benefit of $0.9 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018 associated with the compensation expense recognized in our consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2020, we had restricted stock units outstanding under these plans as discussed below.
Non-Qualified Stock Options
Non-qualified stock options are granted with an exercise price not less than the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant, vest over a period up to ten years, and expire at various terms up to ten years from the date of grant. There were no outstanding stock options as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We received cash for the exercise price associated with stock options exercised of less than $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. The total intrinsic value realized by participants on stock options exercised and/or settled was less than $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Restricted Stock Units
In addition to stock options, we issue restricted stock units to key employees and members of the Board of Directors based on meeting certain service goals. The stock units vest to the recipients at various dates, up to five years, based on fulfilling service requirements. We recognize the value of the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant to compensation expense over the requisite service period. Upon vesting, the stock units are settled in shares of our common stock. Summarized share information for our restricted stock units is as follows:
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Year ended
December 31,
2020 Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
(In shares) (In dollars)
Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period 92,101 $ 18.19
Granted 512,922 6.82
Vested (59,710) 17.82
Forfeited (76,757) 7.08
Outstanding and unvested, end of period 468,556 $ 7.62
The total intrinsic value realized by participants upon the vesting of restricted stock units was $0.4 million, $2.3 million and $1.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, we had unrecognized compensation cost of $2.3 million related to the unvested portion of our outstanding restricted stock units to be recognized over a weighted average remaining service period of 2.8 years. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we realized excess income tax deficiencies of $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million respectively, related to stock option exercises or expirations and restricted stock vesting.
We have a long-term incentive program (LTIP) which provides for the issuance of performance-based stock units (PSUs) under the 2011 Plan to certain executives. Under the LTIP, a target level of equity compensation is set for each officer. Under the program, the Compensation Committee typically sets the performance-based goals within the first 90 days of each year. Vesting of the PSU's is contingent upon the employee's continued employment and the Company's achievement of certain performance goals during a three-year performance period. The performance goals are established by the Compensation Committee for a three-year performance period based on (i) PSUs granted for the 2019-2021 performance period, certain financial targets, and (ii) PSUs granted in 2020, certain stock price appreciation based targets. For PSUs with financial targets, we recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period based on the probable outcome of achievement of the financial targets. At the end of each reporting period, we estimate the number of PSU's expected to vest, based on the probability and extent to which the performance goals will be met, and take into account these estimates when calculating the expense for the period. If the number of shares expected to be earned changes during the performance period, we make a cumulative adjustment to compensation expense based on the revised number of shares expected to be earned. For PSUs with stock price appreciation targets, we applied a lattice approach that incorporated a Monte Carlo simulation, which involved random iterations that took different future price paths over the PSU’s contractual life based on the appropriate probability distributions (which are based on commonly applied Black Scholes inputs). The fair value was determined by taking the average of the grant date fair values under each Monte Carlo simulation trial. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the performance period and there is no ongoing adjustment or reversal based on actual achievement during the period.
Summarized share information for our performance-based and market based restricted stock units is as follows:
Year ended December 31,
2020 Weighted
average
grant date
fair value
(In shares) (In dollars)
Outstanding and unvested, beginning of period 476,711 $ 18.67
Granted 533,204 5.52
Vested (59,102) 7.08
Forfeited (210,759) 18.65
Outstanding and unvested, end of period 740,054 $ 10.13
As of December 31, 2020, we had unrecognized compensation cost of $2.2 million related to the unvested portion of our outstanding performance-based restricted stock units to be recognized over a weighted average remaining service period of 2.2 years.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(13)Common Stock
The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share. As of December 31, 2020, there were 17,273,272 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, there were 1,208,610 shares reserved for issuance under outstanding equity compensation awards for unvested restricted stock units and an additional 941,749 shares available for issuance for future grants of awards under the 2011 Plan.
Stock Repurchase Program
We have a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market, subject to prevailing business and market conditions and other factors. During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, we repurchased approximately 255,000, 0 and 354,000 shares, respectively, of our common stock in the open market for a total cost of approximately $1.8 million, $0.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, there was approximately $1.9 million available for future repurchases under the buyback program. There is no expiration date for the repurchase program.
Securities Purchase Agreement
On December 30, 2009, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with a single accredited investor, Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. (Sagard), pursuant to which we sold to Sagard, in a private placement, an aggregate of 2,857,143 shares (the “Shares”) of our common stock, par value $0.01, at a price of $7.00 per share (the “Offering”), for an aggregate purchase price of $20.0 million. The Offering closed on December 30, 2009. The Purchase Agreement prohibits Sagard from acquiring beneficial ownership of more than 23% of our common stock (calculated on a fully diluted basis). As of December 31, 2020, Sagard beneficially owned 3,639,367 shares or 21.1% of our outstanding common stock.
In connection with the Offering, on December 30, 2009, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with Sagard. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, we filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for purposes of registering the resale of the Shares and any shares of common stock issued pursuant to the preemptive rights under Section 4(l) of the Purchase Agreement (or any shares of common stock issuable upon exercise, conversion or exchange of securities issued pursuant to the preemptive rights). We filed the registration statement with the SEC on September 27, 2010 and it was declared effective by the SEC on October 8, 2010. If we fail to meet filing or effectiveness deadlines with respect to any additional registration statements required by the Registration Rights Agreement, or fail to keep any registration statements continuously effective (with limited exceptions), we will be obligated to pay to the holders of the Shares liquidated damages in the amount of 1% of the purchase price for the Shares per month, up to a maximum of $2.4 million. We also agreed, among other things, to indemnify the selling holders under the registration statements from certain liabilities and to pay all fees and expenses (excluding underwriting discounts and selling commissions and all legal fees of the selling holders in excess of $25,000) incident to our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement.
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(14)Leases
We determine at its inception whether an arrangement that provides us control over the use of an asset is a lease. We recognize at lease commencement a right-of-use (ROU) asset and lease liability based on the present value of the future lease payments over the lease term. We have elected not to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability for leases with terms of 12 months or less. Certain of our leases include options to extend the term of the lease or to terminate the lease prior to the end of the initial term. When it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the option, we include the impact of the option in the lease term for purposes of determining total future lease payments. As most of our lease agreements do not explicitly state the discount rate implicit in the lease, we use our incremental borrowing rate on the commencement date to calculate the present value of future payments.
Some of our leases include future rent escalations that are based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or other similar indices. These future rent escalations are not included in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability because they cannot be forecasted at the lease inception date. These are considered variable lease payments and are expensed as incurred. In addition to the present value of the future lease payments, the calculation of the ROU asset also includes any lease pre-payments and initial direct costs of obtaining the lease, such as commissions.
In addition to the base rent, real estate leases typically contain provisions for common-area maintenance and other similar services, which are considered non-lease components for accounting purposes. For our real estate leases, we apply a practical expedient to include these non-lease components in calculating the ROU asset and lease liability. For all other types of leases, non-lease components are excluded from our ROU assets and lease liabilities and expensed as incurred.
We have operating leases for office facilities, vehicles and computer and office equipment. We do not have any material finance leases.
Lease expense is included in Cost of Revenue and General & Administrative Expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, and is recorded net of immaterial sublease income. The components of lease expense were as follows (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019
Operating lease cost $ 8,312 $ 9,148
Short-term lease cost 1,012 1,695
Total lease costs $ 9,324 $ 10,843
Supplemental information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 20,862 $ 27,251
Current portion of operating lease liabilities $ 5,523 $ 7,871
Non-current portion of operating lease liabilities 16,260 22,159
Total operating lease liabilities $ 21,783 $ 30,030
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities $ 11,188 $ 10,137
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 4,523 $ 4,353
Weighted-average remaining lease term for operating leases (years) 5.6 years 5.5 years
Weighted-average discount rate for operating leases 3.8 % 4.7 %
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following is a reconciliation of future undiscounted cash flows to the operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2021 $ 5,957
2022 4,796
2023 3,774
2024 3,333
2025 2,903
Thereafter 3,616
Total future lease payments 24,379
Less: imputed interest (2,596)
Present value of future lease payments 21,783
Less: current portion of lease liabilities (5,523)
Long-term lease liabilities $ 16,260
Rent expense was approximately $10.9 million for the year ended December, 31, 2018.
(15) Business Segments
Effective July 1, 2020, we began managing our business under a new organizational structure on a regional basis through our three geographic markets, North America, EMEA and Emerging Markets. These became our reportable segments in the third quarter of 2020. Each of our three reportable segments represents an operating segment under ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting. We test our goodwill at the reporting unit level, or one level below an operating segment, under ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. We have six reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing, Prior to this change, our reportable segments consisted of two global practices, Workforce Excellence and Business Transformation Services, which focused on providing similar and/or complementary products and services across our diverse customer base within target markets.
The reorganization was done to achieve the following:
•Unlock the potential of organic growth to achieve better business results for our clients and the Company.
•Simplify the matrix and empower rapid local decision making in service of our clients.
•Leverage global practice systems, processes, and intellectual property while enabling regional authority to better align and deliver to local client needs.
•Enable efficient use of our corporate infrastructure with regional resources.
Across our regional operating structure, the Company provides Workforce Transformation Services categorized into three
primary solution sets:
•Organizational Performance Solutions (OPS) - focus is on managed learning services, digital learning strategies and content development, business consulting, and leadership development solutions
•Technical Performance Solutions (TPS) - focus is on technical consulting services, enterprise technology adoption and Human Capital Management (HCM) implementation services.
•Automotive Performance Solutions (APS) - provides sales enablement solutions, including custom product sales training and other customer loyalty and marketing related services.
We have also identified four focus industries to deliver these services which include Automotive, Financial Services,
Defense and Aerospace and Technology.
We do not allocate the following items to the segments: general & administrative expenses, sales & marketing expenses,
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
restructuring charges, gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, gain on sale of business, interest expense,
other income (expense), and income tax expense.
The following table sets forth the revenue and operating results attributable to each reportable segment and includes a reconciliation of segment revenue to consolidated revenue and operating results to consolidated income before income tax expense (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Revenue:
North America $ 317,735 $ 395,603 $ 366,481
EMEA 107,203 125,118 116,296
Emerging Markets 48,169 62,569 32,383
$ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160
Gross Profit:
North America $ 59,258 $ 64,343 $ 56,434
EMEA 11,532 14,916 15,246
Emerging Markets 6,472 9,954 6,063
Total gross profit
77,262 89,213 77,743
General and administrative expenses 62,694 64,492 54,848
Sales and marketing expenses 7,190 7,875 4,798
Restructuring charges 1,387 1,639 2,930
Gain on change in fair value of contingent consideration, net - 677 4,438
Gain on sale of business 6,064 12,126 -
Operating income
12,055 28,010 19,605
Interest expense 2,934 6,058 2,945
Other income (expense) (511) 417 (1,897)
Income before income tax expense $ 8,610 $ 22,369 $ 14,763
Revenue by Category
The following series of tables presents our revenue disaggregated by various categories (in thousands).
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31,
North America EMEA Emerging Markets Consolidated
2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018 2020 2019 2018
Revenue by type of service:
Organizational Performance Solutions $ 121,955 $ 141,134 $ 129,107 $ 39,924 $ 51,976 $ 52,730 $ 23,564 $ 32,253 $ 26,852 $ 185,443 $ 225,363 $ 208,689
Technical Performance Solutions 120,904 152,513 143,562 62,283 61,302 62,199 657 1,214 1,800 183,844 215,029 207,561
Automotive Performance Solutions 74,876 101,956 93,812 4,996 11,840 1,367 23,948 29,102 3,731 103,820 142,898 98,910
$ 317,735 $ 395,603 $ 366,481 $ 107,203 $ 125,118 $ 116,296 $ 48,169 $ 62,569 $ 32,383 $ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160
Revenue by client market sector:
Automotive $ 86,686 $ 116,260 $ 105,780 $ 7,495 $ 15,757 $ 2,627 $ 23,615 $ 33,112 $ 7,670 $ 117,796 $ 165,129 $ 116,077
Financial Services 37,428 37,610 46,861 25,822 34,104 35,452 14,639 21,435 17,803 77,889 93,149 100,116
Defense & Aerospace 72,908 69,903 53,789 5,019 8,779 7,918 - - 16 77,927 78,682 61,723
Technology 29,901 33,284 34,881 2,887 3,953 4,476 1,334 372 164 34,122 37,609 39,521
All Other 90,812 138,546 125,170 65,980 62,525 65,823 8,581 7,650 6,730 165,373 208,721 197,723
$ 317,735 $ 395,603 $ 366,481 $ 107,203 $ 125,118 $ 116,296 $ 48,169 $ 62,569 $ 32,383 $ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160
Additional information relating to our business segments is as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
Identifiable assets:
North America $ 231,708 $ 308,941
EMEA 110,468 101,892
Emerging Markets 39,600 38,069
Total assets $ 381,776 $ 448,902
Corporate and other assets which consist primarily of cash, other assets, and deferred tax assets and liabilities are allocated to the segments based on their respective percentage of consolidated revenues.
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Additions to property, plant and equipment:
North America $ 795 $ 1,048 $ 2,003
EMEA 492 937 694
Emerging Markets 343 330 137
$ 1,630 $ 2,315 $ 2,834
Depreciation and amortization:
North America $ 4,350 $ 5,202 $ 4,955
EMEA 1,376 1,788 1,997
Emerging Markets 776 1,090 237
Corporate and other 1,377 1,402 732
$ 7,879 $ 9,482 $ 7,921
GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Information about our revenue in different geographic regions, which is attributable to our operations located primarily in the U.S., United Kingdom and other countries is as follows (in thousands):
Years ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
United States $ 303,384 $ 374,017 $ 344,720
United Kingdom 74,291 86,511 92,059
Other 95,432 122,762 78,381
$ 473,107 $ 583,290 $ 515,160
Information about our total assets in different geographic regions is as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
2020 2019
United States $ 230,693 $ 255,649
United Kingdom 72,562 72,939
Canada 3,656 43,503
Other 74,865 76,811
$ 381,776 $ 448,902
(16)Commitments, Guarantees, and Contingencies
As of December 31, 2020, we had outstanding letters of credit totaling $0.4 million, which expire by 2022. In addition, as of December 31, 2020, we had two outstanding performance bonds totaling $6.6 million primarily for contracts in our Alternative Fuels Division.
(17)Quarterly Information (unaudited)
Our quarterly financial information has not been audited but, in management’s opinion, includes all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation.
(In thousands) Three months ended Year ended
2020 March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31 December 31
Revenue $ 128,281 $ 106,144 $ 115,594 $ 123,088 $ 473,107
Gross profit 17,614 15,897 20,665 23,086 77,262
Net income (loss) (1,294) (a) (606) 521 8,447 (a) 7,068
Earnings per share:
Basic $ (0.08) $ (0.04) $ 0.03 $ 0.49 $ 0.41
Diluted $ (0.08) $ (0.04) $ 0.03 $ 0.47 $ 0.41
Revenue $ 139,473 $ 149,413 $ 139,005 $ 155,399 $ 583,290
Gross profit 21,278 22,959 21,667 23,309 89,213
Net income 334 3,219 2,141 9,495 (a) 15,189
Earnings per share:
Basic $ 0.02 $ 0.19 $ 0.13 $ 0.56 $ 0.90
Diluted $ 0.02 $ 0.19 $ 0.13 $ 0.56 $ 0.90
The sum of the quarterly earnings per share amounts may not equal the total for the year due to the effects of rounding and dilution as a result of issuing common shares during the year.
(a) For the three ended March 31, 2020, Net income (loss) includes a $1.1 million gain on the sale of our Alternative Fuels Division on January 1, 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, Net income (loss) includes a $5.0 million gain from the sale of our IC Axon Division on October 1, 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, Net income includes a $12.1 million gain on the sale of our Tuition Program Management Business on October 1, 2019. (see Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements)

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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
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2020 were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control processes and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that reasonably allow us to record, process, summarize, and report information and financial data within prescribed time periods and in accordance with Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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.
Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) (“COSO Framework”). Based upon our evaluation, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2020. Our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020 has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report appears in Item 8.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Except for the remediation activities described below which occurred throughout the year, including during the fourth quarter, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred in the annual period covered by this report that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
2020 Remediation Activities
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 we implemented remediation actions to address material weaknesses previously identified in our control environment related to financial processing and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems. Specifically, we enhanced our processes by assigning appropriate internal and external resources to evaluate processes and identify risks and by holding process owners accountable for executing internal controls. We also redesigned user access roles and implemented regular access review programs, and we implemented change management procedures to ensure that processing and reporting of data within ERP systems are accurate and complete.
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 we successfully completed the testing necessary, and we believe that the identified material weaknesses have been remediated as of December 31, 2020.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B: Other Information
None.
Part III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The additional information required by this item will be either set forth under the Election of Directors section in the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2021.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), and to furnish us with such reports. Based solely on a review of copies of such reports for 2020, we believe that during 2020 all reports applicable to our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners were filed on a timely basis, with the exception of one Form 4 reporting shares granted to the CEO that was filed two days late and one Form 3 that was filed thirty four days late due to difficulty in getting notarized documents.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be either set forth under the Executive Compensation section in the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2021.

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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 additional information required by this item will be either set forth under the Principal Stockholders and Security Ownership of Directors and Named Executive Officers sections in the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2021.
Equity Compensation Plan information as of December 31, 2020
Plan category:
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders:
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
-
(b) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options
$ -
(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in row (a))
-
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:
(a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
-
(b) Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options
$ -
(c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity
compensation plans
941,749
For a description of the material terms of our stock-based compensation plans, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.

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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 will be either set forth in the Certain Relationships and Related Transactions section of the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2021.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be either set forth in the Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm section of the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and incorporated herein by reference or provided in an amendment to this Form 10-K to be filed no later than April 30, 2021.
Part IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15: Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Report:
(1) Financial Statements of GP Strategies Corporation and Subsidiaries (Part II, Item 8):
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules:
Other financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto, or contained in this report.
(3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
Exhibit number
3.1 Composite of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of GP Strategies Corporation including all amendments through December 31, 2011. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2012.
3.2 GP Strategies Corporation Amended and Restated By-Laws, including all amendments through November 17, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2020.
4.1 Description of Securities. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2019.
10.1 Employment Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1999, between GP Strategies Corporation’s and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999.
10.2 Amendment, dated January 21, 2005, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2005.
10.3 Amendment, dated June 20, 2007, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on June 26, 2007.
10.4 Amendment, dated December 30, 2008, to Employment Agreement by and between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2009.
10.5 Amendment, dated December 30, 2009, to Employment Agreement by and between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg dated July 1, 1999. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.
10.6 Amendment, dated December 30, 2011, to Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1999 between General Physics Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2012.
10.7 Form of Employment Agreement between General Physics Corporation and certain of its executive vice presidents. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on October 4, 2007.
10.8 Form of Employment Agreement between General Physics Corporation and certain of its senior vice presidents. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.
10.9 Amendment, dated December 30, 2011, to Form of Employment Agreement between General Physics Corporation and certain of its executive officers. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2012.
10.10 Form of Stock Unit Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and certain officers, dated November 7, 2008. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
10.11 Lease Agreement, entered into as of February 28, 2013 by and between 70 CC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Landlord”) and GP Strategies Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on March 5, 2013.
10.12 Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, between GP Strategies Corporation and Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.
10.13 Amendment, dated December 30, 2011, to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, between GP Strategies Corporation and Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2012.
10.14 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2009, between GP Strategies Corporation and Sagard Capital Partners, L.P. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K filed December 31, 2009.
10.15 Code of Ethics Policy. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.
10.16 Form of Indemnification Agreement. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation’s Form 8-K dated December 23, 2005.
10.17 Employment Agreement by and between the Company and Adam H. Stedham dated August 2, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to GP Strategies Corporation's Form 8-K filed August 8, 2018.
10.18 Further Amended and Restated Agreement by and between HSBC Global Services (UK) Limited and GP Strategies Limited relating to the Provision of Global Learnings Services, dated as of November 5, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.39 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2018.
10.19 Credit Agreement by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited and GP Strategies Training Limited, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of November 30, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.40 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2018.
10.20 Share purchase agreement by and among GP Strategies Corporation, as Buyer, TTi Global, Inc., as the Company, the Lori A. Blaker Trust dated October 4, 2000, as amended, and Lori A. Blaker, as Sellers, and Lori A. Blaker, as Sellers' Representative, dated November 30, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.41 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December, 31, 2018.
10.21 First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated April 1, 2019, by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited and GP Strategies Training Limited, as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of November 30, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019.
10.22 Second Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated June 28, 2019, by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited, GP Strategies Training Limited and TTi Global, Inc., as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of November 30, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.
10.23 GP Strategies Corporation 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, As Amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix A of the Registrant’s Form DEF 14A filed on June 25, 2019.
10.24 GP Strategies Corporation 2018 Amended Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended January 10, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 8-K filed on January 16, 2020.
10.25 Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated June 28, 2019, by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited, GP Strategies Training Limited and TTi Global, Inc., as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of December 24, 2019. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.27 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019..
10.26 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
10.27 Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated May 7, 2020, by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited, GP Strategies Training Limited and TTi Global, Inc., as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of November 30, 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 7, 2020.
10.28 Third Amendment to Lease Agreement, executed on October 8, 2020 by and between 70 CC, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Landlord") and GP STRATEGIES CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation ("Tenant"). Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 8-K filed on October 14, 2020.
10.29 Consent and Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, by and among GP Strategies Corporation, General Physics (UK) Ltd., GP Strategies Holdings Limited, GP Strategies Limited, GP Strategies Training Limited and TTi Global, Inc., as Borrowers, and the Guarantors party hereto and the lenders party hereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, dated as of September 30, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.30 Separation Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and Kenneth L. Crawford, dated August 21, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.31 Employment Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and Adam H. Stedham, dated July 21, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.32 Transition Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg, dated July 21, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.33 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and Adam H. Stedham, dated September 11, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.34 Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and Scott N. Greenberg, dated July 21, 2020. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.35 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and certain executive officers. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.36 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and certain executive officers. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.8 of GP Strategies Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2020.
10.37 Long Term Incentive Plan adopted on April 20, 2018, as amended through November 17, 2020.*
10.38 Short Term Incentive Plan adopted on August 8, 2018, as amended through November 17, 2020.*
10.39 Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between GP Strategies Corporation and certain executive officers.*
21 Subsidiaries of GP Strategies Corporation*
23 Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm*
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer*
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer*
32.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
101 The following materials from GP Strategies Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.*
* Filed herewith.