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EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION - TrueBlue, Inc.tbi10q062615ex312.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CEO AND CFO CERTIFICATIONS - TrueBlue, Inc.tbi10q062615ex321.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION - TrueBlue, Inc.tbi10q062615ex311.htm

 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
    ý QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: June 26, 2015
or
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-14543
____________________________________ 
TrueBlue, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________________ 
 
Washington
 
91-1287341
(State of incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
 
1015 A Street, Tacoma, Washington
 
98402
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:    (253) 383-9101
______________________________________ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.        Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).      Yes ý No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
¨
 Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
As of July 13, 2015, there were 41,958,517 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.

 



TrueBlue, Inc.
Table of Contents







Page - 2


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TRUEBLUE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par value data)
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26,
2014
ASSETS
(unaudited)
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
21,288

 
$
19,666

Marketable securities


1,500

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $7,226 and $7,603
324,021

 
359,903

Prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets
15,811

 
18,778

Income tax receivable
6,442

 
10,516

Deferred income taxes, net
6,123

 
5,444

Total current assets
373,685

 
415,807

Property and equipment, net
56,805

 
61,392

Restricted cash and investments
164,673

 
168,426

Goodwill
241,855

 
241,855

Intangible assets, net
126,835

 
136,560

Other assets, net
44,124

 
42,631

Total assets
$
1,007,977

 
$
1,066,671

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
$
55,377

 
$
50,256

Accrued wages and benefits
72,295

 
69,692

Current portion of workers' compensation claims reserve
61,753

 
64,556

Other current liabilities
2,691

 
2,726

Total current liabilities
192,116

 
187,230

Workers’ compensation claims reserve, less current portion
185,549

 
178,283

Long-term debt, less current portion
99,750

 
199,383

Deferred income taxes, net
18,911

 
19,768

Other long-term liabilities
15,215

 
12,673

Total liabilities
511,541

 
597,337

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.131 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; No shares issued and outstanding

 

Common stock, no par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 41,962 and 41,530 shares issued and outstanding
1

 
1

Accumulated other comprehensive income
600

 
871

Retained earnings
495,835

 
468,462

Total shareholders’ equity
496,436

 
469,334

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,007,977

 
$
1,066,671

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


Page - 3


TRUEBLUE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
(unaudited)
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Revenue from services
$
627,714

 
$
453,227

 
$
1,201,029

 
$
849,290

Cost of services
475,748

 
333,644

 
919,227

 
630,148

Gross profit
151,966

 
119,583

 
281,802

 
219,142

Selling, general and administrative expenses
117,859

 
96,354

 
229,452

 
188,336

Depreciation and amortization
10,397

 
5,247

 
20,917

 
10,408

Income from operations
23,710

 
17,982

 
31,433

 
20,398

Interest expense
(881
)
 
(322
)
 
(2,047
)
 
(585
)
Interest and other income
679

 
772

 
1,311

 
1,379

Interest and other income (expense), net
(202
)
 
450

 
(736
)
 
794

Income before tax expense
23,508

 
18,432

 
30,697

 
21,192

Income tax expense
6,235

 
2,350

 
7,708

 
3,453

Net income
$
17,273

 
$
16,082

 
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.44

Diluted
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.43

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
41,240

 
40,739

 
41,135

 
40,655

Diluted
41,475

 
40,969

 
41,472

 
40,934

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax
$
587

 
$
333

 
$
(825
)
 
$
89

Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax
387

 
406

 
554

 
453

Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
974

 
739

 
(271
)
 
542

Comprehensive income
$
18,247

 
$
16,821

 
$
22,718

 
$
18,281

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
 


Page - 4


TRUEBLUE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
20,917

 
10,408

Provision for doubtful accounts
3,976

 
6,286

Stock-based compensation
5,769

 
4,987

Deferred income taxes
(1,537
)
 
(4,088
)
Other operating activities
678

 
(54
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
31,906

 
(15,180
)
Income taxes
5,035

 
3,647

Other assets
1,474

 
(66
)
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
5,919

 
(566
)
Accrued wages and benefits
2,603

 
5,291

Workers’ compensation claims reserve
4,463

 
(792
)
Other liabilities
2,506

 
1,310

Net cash provided by operating activities
106,698

 
28,922

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(7,459
)
 
(6,113
)
Purchases of marketable securities

 
(25,057
)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
1,500

 
36,175

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
8,227

 
19,007

Purchases of restricted investments
(12,959
)
 
(18,196
)
Maturities of restricted investments
7,504

 
7,202

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(3,187
)
 
13,018

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Net proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plans
837

 
1,349

Common stock repurchases for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock
(3,183
)
 
(2,665
)
Net change in revolving credit facility
(98,500
)
 

Payments on debt and other liabilities
(1,133
)
 
(1,133
)
Other
961

 
1,269

Net cash used in financing activities
(101,018
)
 
(1,180
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(871
)
 
86

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
1,622

 
40,846

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period
19,666

 
122,003

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period
$
21,288

 
$
162,849

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements


Page - 5


TRUEBLUE, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1:
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Financial statement preparation

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) of TrueBlue, Inc. (the "Company," "we," "us," "our," and "TrueBlue") are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures usually found in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted. The financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to fairly state the financial statements for the interim periods presented. We follow the same accounting policies for preparing both quarterly and annual financial statements.
These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2014. The results of operations for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any other fiscal period.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued a new accounting standard intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with the presentation for debt discounts. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 (Q1 2016 for TrueBlue), including interim periods within those annual periods and must be applied on a retrospective basis with early adoption permitted. TrueBlue plans to adopt the new standard on the effective date. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard designed to assist customers in their determination of whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The guidance will not change GAAP for a customer’s accounting for service contracts. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015 (Q1 2016 for TrueBlue). Early adoption is permitted and may be applied retrospectively or prospectively to arrangements entered into, or materially modified, after the effective date. TrueBlue plans to adopt the new standard prospectively on the effective date. This standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that sets forth a five-step revenue recognition model, which supersedes current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific revenue recognition guidance. The underlying principle of the new standard is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects in exchange for the goods or services. The standard also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The new standard provides two methods of initial adoption: retrospective for all periods presented, or through a cumulative adjustment in the year of adoption. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved a one year deferral of the effective date of the standard. The new effective date is for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue), including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted one year prior to the effective date. We have not yet determined which method of adoption will be applied and are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.


Page - 6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

NOTE 2:
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We apply a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level 1 inputs are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Our Level 1 assets primarily include cash and cash equivalents and mutual funds.
Level 2 inputs are valued based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active. Our Level 2 assets are marketable securities, which may consist of certificates of deposit ("CDs") and commercial paper, and restricted investments, which consist of municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities, asset-backed securities, and U.S. agency debentures. Our investments consist of highly rated investment grade debt securities, which are rated A1/P1 or higher for short-term securities and A- or higher for long-term securities, by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations. We obtain our inputs from quoted market prices and independent pricing vendors.
Level 3 inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We have no Level 3 assets or liabilities.
The carrying values of our accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued expenses, and accrued wages and benefits approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. We also hold certain restricted investments which collateralize workers' compensation programs and are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We hold long-term debt with variable interest rates that approximate fair value. For additional information, see Note 8: Long-term Debt.
The following tables present the fair value and hierarchy for our financial assets (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$
21,288

 
$
21,288

 
$
21,288

 
$

 
$

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)
58,226

 
58,226

 
58,226

 

 

Other restricted assets (2)
11,849

 
11,849

 
11,849

 

 

Restricted investments classified as held-to-maturity
94,598

 
95,198

 

 
95,198

 

 
December 26, 2014
 
Carrying Value
 
Total Fair Value
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Cash and cash equivalents (1)
$
19,666

 
$
19,666

 
$
19,666

 
$

 
$

Marketable securities classified as available-for-sale (3)
1,500

 
1,500

 

 
1,500

 

Restricted cash and cash equivalents (1)
68,359

 
68,359

 
68,359

 

 

Other restricted assets (2)
9,972

 
9,972

 
9,972

 

 

Restricted investments classified as held-to-maturity
90,095

 
91,066

 

 
91,066

 


(1)
Cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents consist of money market funds, deposits, and investments with original maturities of three months or less.
(2)
Other restricted assets primarily consist of deferred compensation plan accounts, which are comprised of mutual funds.
(3)
At June 26, 2015 we held no marketable securities. At December 26, 2014, all our marketable securities, which consisted of CDs, had stated maturities of less than one year.
NOTE 3:
MARKETABLE SECURITIES
We held no marketable securities as of June 26, 2015. Gross unrealized gains and losses were de minimis for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015.
As of December 26, 2014, the amortized cost and fair value of our marketable securities, which were all CDs with stated maturities of less than one year, were $1.5 million. Gross unrealized gains and losses were de minimis for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 2014.


Page - 7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

NOTE 4:
RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS
Restricted cash and investments consist principally of collateral that has been provided or pledged to insurance carriers for workers' compensation and state workers' compensation programs. Our insurance carriers and certain state workers' compensation programs require us to collateralize a portion of our workers' compensation obligation. The collateral typically takes the form of cash and cash equivalents and highly rated investment grade securities, primarily in municipal debt securities, corporate debt securities, and asset-backed securities. The majority of our collateral obligations are held in a trust at the Bank of New York Mellon ("Trust"). Our investments have not resulted in any other-than-temporary impairments.
The following is a summary of our restricted cash and investments (in thousands):
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26,
2014
Cash collateral held by insurance carriers
$
22,305

 
$
22,639

Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust
34,057

 
43,856

Investments held in Trust
94,598

 
90,095

Cash collateral backing letters of credit
1,864

 
1,864

Other (1)
11,849

 
9,972

Total restricted cash and investments
$
164,673

 
$
168,426


(1)
Primarily consists of deferred compensation plan accounts, which are comprised of mutual funds.
The following tables present fair value disclosures for our held-to-maturity investments, which are carried at amortized cost (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gain
 
Gross Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
Municipal debt securities
$
52,213

 
$
664

 
$
(155
)
 
$
52,722

Corporate debt securities
33,683

 
155

 
(134
)
 
33,704

Asset-backed securities
8,702

 
103

 
(33
)
 
8,772

 
$
94,598

 
$
922

 
$
(322
)
 
$
95,198

 
December 26, 2014
 
Amortized Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gain
 
Gross Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
Municipal debt securities
$
52,406

 
$
882

 
$
(92
)
 
$
53,196

Corporate debt securities
27,715

 
179

 
(144
)
 
27,750

Asset-backed securities
9,974

 
157

 
(11
)
 
10,120

 
$
90,095

 
$
1,218

 
$
(247
)
 
$
91,066

The amortized cost and fair value by contractual maturity of our held-to-maturity investments are as follows (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
Due in one year or less
$
10,129

 
$
10,200

Due after one year through five years
47,209

 
47,407

Due after five years through ten years
37,260

 
37,591

 
$
94,598

 
$
95,198

Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because the issuers of certain debt securities have the right to call or prepay their obligations without penalty. We have no significant concentrations of counterparties in our held-to-maturity investment portfolio.


Page - 8

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

NOTE 5:
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
Property and equipment are stated at cost and consist of the following (in thousands):
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26,
2014
Buildings and land
$
30,992

 
$
30,381

Computers and software
118,601

 
115,419

Furniture and equipment
11,853

 
11,690

Construction in progress
6,980

 
5,415

 
168,426

 
162,905

Less accumulated depreciation
(111,621
)
 
(101,513
)
 
$
56,805

 
$
61,392

Capitalized software costs, net of accumulated depreciation, were $25.8 million and $30.2 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively, excluding amounts in Construction in progress. Construction in progress consists primarily of purchased and internally-developed software.

Depreciation expense of property and equipment totaled $5.8 million and $3.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively. Depreciation expense of property and equipment totaled $11.2 million and $7.4 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively.
NOTE 6:
GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
Goodwill

The following table reflects goodwill at June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014 (in thousands):
 
Staffing Services
 
Managed Services
 
Unallocated Goodwill
 
Total Company
Balance at December 26, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill before impairment
$
128,449

 
$

 
$
159,616

 
$
288,065

Accumulated impairment loss
(46,210
)
 

 

 
(46,210
)
Goodwill, net
82,239

 

 
159,616

 
241,855

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocated goodwill
42,730

 
116,886

 
(159,616
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at June 26, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill before impairment
171,179

 
116,886

 

 
288,065

Accumulated impairment loss
(46,210
)
 

 

 
(46,210
)
Goodwill, net
$
124,969

 
$
116,886

 
$

 
$
241,855


Effective June 30, 2014, we acquired Staffing Solutions Holdings, Inc. ("Seaton"). The goodwill associated with the acquisition has been allocated to our reportable segments. For additional information regarding our segments, see Note 16: Segment Information.


Page - 9

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Intangible assets
The following table presents our purchased finite-lived intangible assets (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
December 26, 2014
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets (1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
$
123,940

 
$
(29,709
)
 
$
94,231

 
$
123,940

 
$
(22,195
)
 
$
101,745

Trade names/trademarks
4,422

 
(3,201
)
 
1,221

 
4,422

 
(2,878
)
 
1,544

Non-compete agreements
1,800

 
(997
)
 
803

 
1,800

 
(817
)
 
983

Technologies
18,300

 
(3,920
)
 
14,380

 
18,300

 
(2,212
)
 
16,088

Total finite-lived intangible assets
$
148,462

 
$
(37,827
)
 
$
110,635

 
$
148,462

 
$
(28,102
)
 
$
120,360


(1)
Excludes assets that are fully amortized.

Amortization of our finite-lived intangible assets was $4.6 million and $1.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively, and $9.7 million and $3.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively.
The following table provides the estimated future amortization of finite-lived intangible assets as of June 26, 2015 (in thousands):
Remainder of 2015
$
9,187

2016
18,186

2017
16,157

2018
14,638

2019
12,017

Thereafter
40,450

Total future amortization
$
110,635

We also held indefinite-lived trade names/trademarks of $16.2 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014.
NOTE 7:WORKERS’ COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES
We provide workers’ compensation insurance for our temporary and permanent employees. The majority of our current workers’ compensation insurance policies cover claims for a particular event above a $2.0 million deductible limit, on a “per occurrence” basis. This results in our being substantially self-insured.
For workers’ compensation claims originating in Washington, North Dakota, Ohio, Wyoming, Canada, and Puerto Rico (our “monopolistic jurisdictions”), we pay workers’ compensation insurance premiums and obtain full coverage under government-administered programs (with the exception of our Labor Ready service line in the state of Ohio where we have a self-insured policy). Accordingly, because we are not the primary obligor, our financial statements do not reflect the liability for workers’ compensation claims in these monopolistic jurisdictions. Our workers’ compensation reserve is established using estimates of the future cost of claims and related expenses that have been reported but not settled, as well as those that have been incurred but not reported.
Our workers’ compensation reserve for claims below the deductible limit is discounted to its estimated net present value using discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments available during the year in which the liability was incurred. The weighted average discount rate was 1.6% and 1.7% at June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively. Payments made against self-insured claims are made over a weighted average period of approximately 4.5 years at June 26, 2015.


Page - 10

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

The table below presents a reconciliation of the undiscounted workers’ compensation claims reserve to the discounted workers' compensation reserve for the periods presented as follows (in thousands):
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26,
2014
Undiscounted workers’ compensation reserve
$
261,582

 
$
256,220

Less discount on workers' compensation reserve
14,280

 
13,381

Workers' compensation reserve, net of discount
247,302

 
242,839

Less current portion
61,753

 
64,556

Long-term portion
$
185,549

 
$
178,283

Payments made against self-insured claims were $34.4 million and $29.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively.
Our workers’ compensation reserve includes estimated expenses related to claims above our self-insured limits (“excess claims”), and we record a corresponding receivable for the insurance coverage on excess claims based on the contractual policy agreements we have with insurance carriers. We discount this reserve and corresponding receivable to its estimated net present value using the discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments available during the year in which the liability was incurred. The claim payments are made and the corresponding reimbursements from our insurance carriers are received over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 14.7 years. The discounted workers’ compensation reserve for excess claims was $44.5 million and $42.6 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively. The discounted receivables from insurance companies, net of valuation allowance, were $40.6 million and $38.7 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively, and are included in Other assets, net on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Management evaluates the adequacy of the workers’ compensation reserves in conjunction with an independent quarterly actuarial assessment. Factors considered in establishing and adjusting these reserves include, among other things:
changes in medical and time loss (“indemnity”) costs;
changes in mix between medical only and indemnity claims;
regulatory and legislative developments impacting benefits and settlement requirements;
type and location of work performed;
impact of safety initiatives; and
positive or adverse development of claims.
Workers’ compensation expense consists primarily of changes in self-insurance reserves net of changes in discount, monopolistic jurisdictions’ premiums, insurance premiums, and other miscellaneous expenses. Workers’ compensation expense of $22.9 million and $17.5 million was recorded in Cost of services for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively. Workers’ compensation expense of $44.4 million and $33.5 million was recorded in Cost of services for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively.
NOTE 8:
LONG-TERM DEBT

The components of our borrowings were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26, 2014
Revolving Credit Facility
 
$
73,494

 
$
171,994

Term Loan
 
28,523

 
29,656

Total debt
 
102,017

 
201,650

Less current portion
 
2,267

 
2,267

Long-term debt, less current portion
 
$
99,750

 
$
199,383


Second amended and restated credit agreement

Effective June 30, 2014, we entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement for a secured revolving credit facility of $300.0 million with Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, HSBC and PNC Capital


Page - 11

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Markets LLC ("Revolving Credit Facility") in connection with our acquisition of Seaton. The Revolving Credit Facility, which matures June 30, 2019, amended and restated our previous credit facility, and replaced the Seaton credit facility.

The maximum amount we can borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to certain borrowing limits. Specifically, we are limited to the sum of 90% of our eligible billed accounts receivable, plus 85% of our eligible unbilled accounts receivable limited to 15% of all our eligible receivables, plus the value of our Tacoma headquarters office building. The real estate lending limit is $17.4 million, and is reduced quarterly by $0.4 million. As of June 26, 2015, the Tacoma headquarters office building liquidation value totaled $16.1 million. The borrowing limit is further reduced by the sum of a reserve in an amount equal to the payroll and payroll taxes for our temporary employees for one payroll cycle and other reserves, if deemed applicable. Each borrowing has a stated maturity of 90 days or less. At June 26, 2015, $261.6 million was available under the Revolving Credit Facility, $73.5 million was utilized as a draw on the facility, and $4.9 million was utilized by outstanding standby letters of credit, leaving $183.2 million available for additional borrowings. The letters of credit collateralize a portion of our workers' compensation obligation.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires that we maintain an excess liquidity of $37.5 million. Excess liquidity is an amount equal to the unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility plus certain unrestricted cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. We are required to satisfy a fixed charge coverage ratio in the event we do not meet that requirement. The additional amount available to borrow at June 26, 2015 was $183.2 million and the amount of cash, cash equivalents and certain marketable securities under control agreements was $21.3 million, for a total of $204.5 million, which is well in excess of the liquidity requirement. We are currently in compliance with all covenants related to the Revolving Credit Facility.

Under the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility, we pay a variable rate of interest on funds borrowed that is based on London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus an applicable spread between 1.25% and 2.00%. Alternatively, at our option, we may pay interest based upon a base rate plus an applicable spread between 0.25% and 1.00%. The applicable spread is determined by certain liquidity to debt ratios. The base rate is the greater of the prime rate (as announced by Bank of America), the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, or the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. At June 26, 2015, the applicable spread on LIBOR was 1.50% and the applicable spread on the base rate was 0.5%. As of June 26, 2015, the interest rate was 1.75%.

A fee of 0.375% is applied against the Revolving Credit Facility's unused borrowing capacity when utilization is less than 25%, or 0.25% when utilization is greater than or equal to 25%. Letters of credit are priced at the margin in effect for LIBOR loans, plus a fronting fee of 0.125%.

Obligations under the Revolving Credit Facility are guaranteed by TrueBlue and material U.S. domestic subsidiaries, and are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of TrueBlue and material U.S. domestic subsidiaries. The Revolving Credit Facility has variable rate interest and approximates fair value as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014.
Term loan agreement
On February 4, 2013, we entered into an unsecured Term Loan Agreement (“Term Loan”) with Synovus Bank in the principal amount of $34.0 million. The Term Loan has a five-year maturity with fixed monthly principal payments, which total $2.3 million annually based on a loan amortization term of 15 years. Interest accrues at the one-month LIBOR index rate plus an applicable spread of 1.50%, which is paid in addition to the principal payments. At our discretion, we may elect to extend the term of the Term Loan by five consecutive one-year extensions. At June 26, 2015, the interest rate for the Term Loan was 1.68%.
At June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, the remaining balance of the Term Loan was $28.5 million and $29.7 million, respectively, of which $2.3 million is current and is included in Other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Term Loan has variable rate interest and approximates fair value as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014.
Our obligations under the Term Loan may be accelerated upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Term Loan, which includes customary events of default, as well as cross-defaults related to indebtedness under our Revolving Credit Facility and other Term Loan specific defaults. The Term Loan contains customary negative covenants applicable to the Company and our subsidiaries such as indebtedness, certain dispositions of property, the imposition of restrictions on payments under the Term Loan, and other Term Loan specific covenants. We are currently in compliance with all covenants related to the Term Loan.


Page - 12

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

NOTE 9:
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Workers’ compensation commitments
Our insurance carriers and certain state workers’ compensation programs require us to collateralize a portion of our workers’ compensation obligation, for which they become responsible should we become insolvent. The collateral typically takes the form of cash and cash equivalents, highly rated investment grade debt securities, letters of credit, and/or surety bonds. On a regular basis these entities assess the amount of collateral they will require from us relative to our workers' compensation obligation. The majority of our collateral obligations are held in the Trust.
We have provided our insurance carriers and certain states with commitments in the form and amounts listed below (in thousands):
 
June 26,
2015
 
December 26,
2014
Cash collateral held by insurance carriers
$
22,305

 
$
22,639

Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust
34,057

 
43,856

Investments held in Trust
94,598

 
90,095

Letters of credit (1)
6,731

 
6,513

Surety bonds (2)
16,905

 
16,861

Total collateral commitments
$
174,596

 
$
179,964


(1)
We have agreements with certain financial institutions to issue letters of credit as collateral. We had $1.9 million of restricted cash collateralizing our letters of credit at June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014.
(2)
Our surety bonds are issued by independent insurance companies on our behalf and bear annual fees based on a percentage of the bond, which are determined by each independent surety carrier. These fees do not exceed 2.0% of the bond amount, subject to a minimum charge. The terms of these bonds are subject to review and renewal every one to four years and most bonds can be canceled by the sureties with as little as 60 days' notice.
Legal contingencies and developments
We are involved in various proceedings arising in the normal course of conducting business. We believe the liabilities included in our financial statements reflect the probable loss that can be reasonably estimated. The resolution of those proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
NOTE 10:
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
We record stock-based compensation expense for restricted and unrestricted stock awards, performance share units, stock options, and shares purchased under an employee stock purchase plan.
Our 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated effective May 2013 ("Incentive Plan"), provides for the issuance or delivery of up to 7.95 million shares of our common stock over the full term of the Incentive Plan.

Restricted and unrestricted stock awards and performance share units
Under the Incentive Plan, restricted stock awards are granted to executive officers and key employees and vest annually over three or four years. Unrestricted stock awards granted to our Board of Directors vest immediately. Restricted and unrestricted stock-based compensation expense is calculated based on the grant-date market value. We recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.
Performance share units have been granted to executive officers and certain key employees. Vesting of the performance share units is contingent upon the achievement of revenue and profitability growth goals at the end of each three-year performance period. Each performance share unit is equivalent to one share of common stock. Compensation expense is calculated based on the grant-date market value of our stock and is recognized ratably over the performance period for the performance share units which are expected to vest. Our estimate of the performance units expected to vest is reviewed and adjusted as appropriate each quarter.


Page - 13

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Restricted and unrestricted stock awards and performance share units activity for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, was as follows (shares in thousands):
 
Shares
 
Weighted- average grant-date price
Non-vested at beginning of period
1,547

 
$
20.03

Granted
487

 
$
22.11

Vested
(518
)
 
$
17.16

Forfeited
(265
)
 
$
14.87

Non-vested at the end of the period
1,251

 
$
22.44

As of June 26, 2015, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock was approximately $12.0 million, which is estimated to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.78 years. As of June 26, 2015, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to performance share units was approximately $4.6 million which is estimated to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.87 years.
Stock options
Our Incentive Plan provides for both nonqualified stock options and incentive stock options (collectively, “stock options”) for directors, officers, and certain employees. We issue new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options. All of our stock options are vested and expire if not exercised within seven years from the date of grant. Stock option activity was de minimis for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015.
Employee stock purchase plan

Our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) reserves for purchase 1.0 million shares of common stock. The plan allows eligible employees to contribute up to 10% of their earnings toward the monthly purchase of the Company's common stock. The employee's purchase price is 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of shares on either the first day or the last day of each month. We consider our ESPP to be a component of our stock-based compensation and accordingly we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period for stock purchases made under the plan. The requisite service period begins on the enrollment date and ends on the purchase date, the duration of which is one month.

During the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, participants purchased approximately 34,000 and 30,000 shares from the plan, for cash proceeds of $0.7 million each period.
Stock-based compensation expense
Total stock-based compensation expense, which is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income, was $2.4 million and $1.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively, and $5.8 million and $5.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014, respectively.
NOTE 11:
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

We offer both qualified and non-qualified defined contribution plans to eligible employees. Participating employees may elect to defer and contribute a portion of their eligible compensation. The plans offer discretionary matching contributions. The liability for the non-qualified plans was $12.2 million and $10.1 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively. The current and non-current portion of the deferred compensation liability is included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and is largely offset by restricted investments recorded in Restricted cash and investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.


Page - 14

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

NOTE 12:
INCOME TAXES

Our tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. Our quarterly tax provision and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, audit developments, changes in law, regulations and administrative practices, and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income. For example, the impact of discrete items, tax credits, and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.

Our effective tax rate on earnings for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 25.1%. The principal difference between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% and our effective income tax rate of 25.1% results from federal and state job credits earned in 2015 for prior year hires. These job credits include the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit ("WOTC") and the California Enterprise Zone Tax Credit. We generated substantially more prior year credits in 2015 because the federal WOTC application due date was extended to April 30, 2015 for 2014 hires, and more workers with higher credits were certified than expected. These factors generated additional tax benefits of approximately $3.7 million, which were recognized as of June 26, 2015. This tax credit benefit decreased our effective tax rate on income for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 from our expected 2015 rate of 37.3% to 25.1%. Other differences between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% and our effective tax rate of 25.1% result from state and foreign income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses.

Our effective tax rate on earnings for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 2014, was 16.3%. The principal difference between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% and our effective income tax rate of 16.3%, results from the WOTC earned in 2014 for prior year hires. We generated substantially more prior year credits because more veterans with higher credits were certified than expected, our qualified workers worked longer than expected, and many states processed a backlog of credit applications with higher than expected certification rates. These factors generated additional WOTC benefits of approximately $5.0 million, which were recognized as of June 27, 2014. This tax credit benefit decreased our effective tax rate on income for the twenty-six weeks ended June 27, 2014 from our expected rate of 39.9% to 16.3%. Other differences between the statutory federal income tax rate of 35.0% result from state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses.
As of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $2.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively, recorded in accordance with current accounting guidance on uncertain tax positions.
NOTE 13:
NET INCOME PER SHARE
Diluted common shares were calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015

June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Net income
$
17,273

 
$
16,082

 
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares used in basic net income per common share
41,240

 
40,739

 
41,135

 
40,655

Dilutive effect of outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock
235

 
230

 
337

 
279

Weighted average number of common shares used in diluted net income per common share
41,475

 
40,969

 
41,472

 
40,934

Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.44

Diluted
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Anti-dilutive shares
106

 
3

 
189

 
2

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares include the dilutive effects of


Page - 15

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

outstanding stock options, vested and non-vested restricted stock, performance share units, and shares issued under the employee stock purchase plan, except where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Anti-dilutive shares include non-vested restricted stock and outstanding stock options for which the sum of the assumed proceeds, including unrecognized compensation expense, exceeds the average stock price during the periods presented. Anti-dilutive shares associated with our stock options relate to those stock options with an exercise price higher than the average market value of our stock during the periods presented.
NOTE 14:
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Accumulated other comprehensive income is reflected as a net increase to shareholders’ equity. Changes in the balance of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income during the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 were as follows (in thousands):
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
Unrealized gain on marketable securities (1)
 
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax
Balance at beginning of period
$
848

 
$
23

 
$
871

Current-period other comprehensive income (loss) (2)
(825
)
 
554

 
(271
)
Balance at end of period
$
23

 
$
577

 
$
600


(1)
Consists of deferred compensation plan accounts, which include mutual funds.
(2)
The tax impact on foreign currency translation adjustment and unrealized gain on marketable securities was de minimis for the period ending June 26, 2015.

There were no material reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income during the fiscal period presented.
NOTE 15:
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information (in thousands):
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
Cash paid during the period for:
 
 
 
Interest
$
1,863

 
$
540

Income taxes
$
3,939

 
$
5,820

As of June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014 we had acquired $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of property, plant and equipment on account that was not yet paid. These are considered non-cash investing items.
NOTE 16:
SEGMENT INFORMATION

Our operating segments are based on the organizational structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, to determine resource allocation and assess performance. Our service lines are our operating segments. Our reportable segments are described below:

Our Staffing Services segment provides temporary staffing through the following service lines:
Labor Ready: On-demand general labor;
Spartan Staffing: Skilled manufacturing and logistics labor;
CLP Resources: Skilled trades for commercial, industrial, and energy construction as well as building and plant maintenance;
PlaneTechs: Skilled mechanics and technicians to the aviation and transportation industries;
Centerline Drivers: Temporary and dedicated drivers to the transportation and distribution industries; and
Staff Management On-premise Staffing: Exclusive recruitment and on-premise management of a facility's contingent industrial workforce.



Page - 16

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

Our Managed Services segment provides high-volume permanent employee recruitment process outsourcing and management of outsourced labor service providers through the following service lines:
PeopleScout and hrX: Outsourced recruitment of permanent employees on behalf of clients; and
Staff Management: Management of multiple third party staffing vendors on behalf of clients.

We have two measures of segment performance; revenue from services and income from operations. Income from operations for each segment includes net sales to third parties, related cost of sales, and operating expenses directly attributable to the segment. Costs excluded from segment income from operations include various corporate general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization expense, interest and other income (expense), and income taxes. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, since we do not manage our segments on a balance sheet basis. There are no material internal revenue transactions between our reporting segments.

Revenue from services and income from operations associated with our segments were as follows (in thousands):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
Revenue from services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staffing Services
$
601,103

 
$
453,227

 
$
1,150,815

 
$
849,290

Managed Services
26,611

 

 
50,214

 

Total Company
$
627,714

 
$
453,227

 
$
1,201,029

 
$
849,290

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Staffing Services
$
38,834

 
$
32,195

 
$
63,117

 
$
47,739

Managed Services
4,326

 

 
7,750

 

Depreciation and amortization
(10,397
)
 
(5,247
)
 
(20,917
)
 
(10,408
)
Corporate unallocated
(9,053
)
 
(8,966
)
 
(18,517
)
 
(16,933
)
Total Company
23,710

 
17,982

 
31,433

 
20,398

Interest and other income (expense), net
(202
)
 
450

 
(736
)
 
794

Income before tax expense
$
23,508

 
$
18,432

 
$
30,697

 
$
21,192

NOTE 17:
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

We evaluated events and transactions occurring after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued, and noted no other events that were subject to recognition or disclosure.


Page - 17


Item 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
COMMENT ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including the following sections: “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” and “Risk Factors.” Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and future events and circumstances could differ significantly from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ materially. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. We describe risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements in “Risk Factors” (Part II, Item 1A of this Form 10-Q), “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” (Part I, Item 3), and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” (Part I, Item 2). We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events, or otherwise.
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations and financial condition of TrueBlue. Our MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2014, and our subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The MD&A is designed to provide the reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and certain other factors that may affect future results. Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:
Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
New Accounting Standards

OVERVIEW

TrueBlue, Inc. (“TrueBlue,” “we,” “us,” “our”) is a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions helping clients improve
growth and performance by providing staffing, recruitment process outsourcing, and managed service provider solutions. Our workforce solutions meet clients’ needs for a reliable, efficient workforce in a wide variety of industries. Through our workforce solutions, we help over 135,000 businesses be more productive and we connect as many as 750,000 people to work each year. We are headquartered in Tacoma, Washington.
Revenue grew to $627.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, a 38.5% increase compared to the same period in the prior year. The revenue increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Staffing Solutions Holdings, Inc. ("Seaton"), which we completed effective June 30, 2014, the first business day of our third quarter. The end of the second quarter of fiscal 2015 marks the one year anniversary of the Seaton acquisition. The acquired on-premise staffing and recruitment process outsourcing businesses continue to deliver strong results. Revenue for Seaton was $168.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, or 37.1 percentage points of our revenue growth.
Organic revenue growth for the legacy TrueBlue business was 1.4% for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015. Excluding our services to the green energy industry, which declined in mid 2014, organic revenue growth was 2.6% for the same period. We do not expect the decline in the green energy business to negatively impact future organic revenue growth.
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 24.2% compared to 26.4% for the second quarter of 2014. The Seaton acquisition carries a lower gross margin than the legacy TrueBlue business, dropping the new blended rate by approximately 2.5% of revenue. This was partially offset by gross margin improvement in the legacy TrueBlue business of approximately 0.3% of revenue related to disciplined pricing of our services.



Page - 18


Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") increased by $21.5 million to $117.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The increase is primarily related to $21.6 million of expense from the acquired operations of Seaton and an increase of $0.7 million of integration costs, which was offset by a $0.8 million decrease within the legacy TrueBlue operations driven by disciplined cost management. The integration of Seaton is complete.
SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 18.8% for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 from 21.3% for the same period in 2014. The decline is largely due to the blended impact of the Seaton acquisition, which carries a lower SG&A percentage than the legacy TrueBlue business. The decline is also due to a decrease within the legacy TrueBlue operations driven by disciplined cost management and operating leverage.
Depreciation and amortization increased $5.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with the Seaton acquisition of $3.3 million and the depreciation of the fair value of acquired tangible assets.
Income from operations grew to $23.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, or an increase of 31.9%, compared to $18.0 million for the same period in 2014. The improved performance reflects strong revenue growth, disciplined pricing, effective cost control, and operating leverage. The performance of the Seaton acquisition in the first year of operations has delivered on our expectations for income from operations.
Our effective tax rate on earnings for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 26.5%, compared to 12.7% for the same period in 2014. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit ("WOTC") program has not been renewed for 2015 new hires. However, we continue to generate benefits from prior year programs. We generated additional credits for employees hired in 2014 because the federal WOTC application due date was extended to April 30, 2015 for 2014 hires, and more workers with higher credits were certified than expected. These factors generated additional tax benefits of approximately $2.4 million recognized as of June 26, 2015.
Net income grew to $17.3 million, or $0.42 per diluted share, for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, compared to $16.1 million, or $0.39 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014.
We believe we are in a strong financial position to fund working capital needs for growth opportunities. As of June 26, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $21.3 million and $183.2 million available under the Revolving Credit Facility.


Page - 19


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total company results
The following table presents selected financial data (in thousands, except percentages and per share amounts):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Revenue from services
$
627,714

 
$
453,227

 
$
1,201,029

 
$
849,290

Total revenue growth %
38.5
%
 
7.3
%
 
41.4
%
 
10.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit
$
151,966

 
$
119,583

 
$
281,802

 
$
219,142

Gross profit as a % of revenue
24.2
%
 
26.4
%
 
23.5
%
 
25.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
117,859

 
$
96,354

 
$
229,452

 
$
188,336

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a % of revenue
18.8
%
 
21.3
%
 
19.1
%
 
22.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
10,397

 
$
5,247

 
$
20,917

 
$
10,408

Depreciation and amortization as a % of revenue
1.7
%
 
1.2
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
23,710

 
$
17,982

 
$
31,433

 
$
20,398

Income from operations as a % of revenue
3.8
%
 
4.0
%
 
2.6
%
 
2.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest and other income (expense), net
$
(202
)
 
$
450

 
$
(736
)
 
$
794

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
17,273

 
$
16,082

 
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

Net income per diluted share
$
0.42

 
$
0.39

 
$
0.55

 
$
0.43


Our year over year trends are significantly impacted by the acquisition of Seaton, which added a full service line of on-premise contingent staffing and new complementary outsourced service offerings in RPO and MSP solutions. On-premise temporary staffing is large scale exclusive sourcing, screening, recruitment, and management of a customer's on-premise contingent labor workforce. RPO is high-volume sourcing, screening, and recruiting of permanent employees for all major industries and jobs. The MSP solution provides customers with improved quality and spend management of their contingent labor vendors. Through the Seaton acquisition we added industry leaders Staff Management | SMX ("Staff Management") for on-premise contingent staffing, PeopleScout and Australia-based hrX for RPO services, and MSP solutions under the Staff Management brand. The service lines offer staffing and outsourced workforce solutions as an integrated partner with their customers. They have dedicated customer on-site and virtual teams which leverage highly centralized support services for recruiting and delivering services to meet the specialized needs of each customer. They do not operate a branch network and accordingly operate more flexible service lines. We are pleased with the Seaton integration and the retention of the senior leadership team and customers. The Seaton acquisition added new services and capabilities to better meet our objective of providing our customers with the talent and flexible workforce solutions they need to enhance their business performance.

The performance of the Seaton acquisition in the first year of operations has delivered on our expectations for revenue and income from operations. The integration of Seaton is complete.



Page - 20


The impact of Seaton on our consolidated results is highlighted as follows (in thousands):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
 
Legacy TrueBlue
 
Seaton (1)
 
Total Company
 
Total Company
Revenue from services
$
459,707

 
$
168,007

 
$
627,714

 
$
453,227

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization
26,557

 
7,550

 
34,107

 
23,229

Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
10,397

 
5,247

Income from operations
 
 
 
 
23,710

 
17,982

Interest and other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
(202
)
 
450

Income before tax expense
 
 
 
 
23,508

 
18,432

Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
6,235

 
2,350

Net income
 
 
 
 
$
17,273

 
$
16,082

 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
 
Legacy TrueBlue
 
Seaton (1)
 
Total Company
 
Total Company
Revenue from services
$
857,263

 
$
343,766

 
$
1,201,029

 
$
849,290

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization
36,821

 
15,529

 
52,350

 
30,806

Depreciation and amortization
 
 
 
 
20,917

 
10,408

Income from operations
 
 
 
 
31,433

 
20,398

Interest and other income (expense), net
 
 
 
 
(736
)
 
794

Income before tax expense
 
 
 
 
30,697

 
21,192

Income tax expense
 
 
 
 
7,708

 
3,453

Net income
 
 
 
 
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

(1) Seaton was acquired effective June 30, 2014. Therefore, the comparative prior year amounts are not presented.
Revenue from services
Revenue from services was as follows (in thousands, except percentages): 
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015

June 27,
2014
Revenue from services
$
627,714

 
$
453,227

 
$
1,201,029

 
$
849,290

Total revenue growth %
38.5
%
 
7.3
%
 
41.4
%
 
10.5
%
Revenue grew to $627.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, a 38.5% increase compared to the same period in the prior year. The revenue increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Seaton. Revenue for Seaton was $168.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 or 37.1% of our revenue growth. Revenue grew to $1,201.0 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, a 41.4% increase compared to the same period in the prior year. The revenue increase is primarily due to the acquisition of Seaton. Revenue for Seaton was $343.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, or 40.5% of our revenue growth.
Organic revenue growth for the legacy TrueBlue business was 1.4% for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015. Excluding our services to the green energy industry, which declined in mid 2014, organic revenue growth was 2.6% for the same period. We do not expect the decline in the green energy business to negatively impact future organic revenue growth. Legacy TrueBlue organic revenue growth was approximately 0.9%, or 2.6%, excluding our service to the green energy industry for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015.



Page - 21


Gross profit
Gross profit was as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Gross profit
$
151,966

 
$
119,583

 
$
281,802

 
$
219,142

Percentage of revenue
24.2
%
 
26.4
%
 
23.5
%
 
25.8
%

Gross profit represents revenue from services less direct costs of services, which consist of payroll, payroll taxes, workers' compensation costs, and reimbursable costs.
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 24.2% compared to 26.4% for the same period in the prior year for a decline of 2.2% of revenue. This was due largely to the impact of the Seaton acquisition, which carries lower gross margins in comparison to our blended company average prior to the acquisition. The impact on our blended rate is a decline of approximately 2.5% of revenue. This was partially offset by improved gross margins in our legacy TrueBlue business of approximately 0.3% of revenue resulting from disciplined pricing and management of increasing minimum wage, payroll taxes and benefits for our temporary labor.
Gross profit as a percentage of revenue for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 23.5% compared to 25.8% for the same period in the prior year for a decline of 2.3% of revenue. The impact of Seaton on our blended rate is a decline of approximately 2.6% of revenue. This was partially offset by improved gross margins in our legacy TrueBlue business of approximately 0.3% of revenue resulting from disciplined pricing and management of increasing minimum wage, payroll taxes and benefits for our temporary labor.
Workers’ compensation expense as a percentage of revenue was 3.6% and 3.7% for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, respectively, compared to 3.9%, for the same periods in the prior year. The decline is primarily due to the acquisition of Seaton and the lower workers' compensation cost as a percentage of revenue due to the nature of their business.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
117,859

 
$
96,354

 
$
229,452

 
$
188,336

Percentage of revenue
18.8
%
 
21.3
%
 
19.1
%
 
22.2
%

SG&A spending increased by $21.5 million to $117.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The increase is primarily related to the acquired operations of Seaton of approximately $21.6 million and an increase of $0.7 million of integration costs, offset by a $0.8 million decrease within the legacy TrueBlue operations driven by disciplined cost management. We completed the integration of Seaton in the second quarter of 2015.

SG&A spending increased by $41.1 million to $229.5 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 compared to the same period in 2014. The increase is primarily related to the acquired operations of Seaton of approximately $42.0 million and a net increase of $1.8 million of integration costs, offset by a $2.7 million decrease within the legacy TrueBlue operations achieved through disciplined cost management.
SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 18.8% and 19.1% for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 from 21.3% and 22.2%, respectively, for the same periods in 2014 primarily due to Seaton's lower cost of doing business as a percent of sales. The acquired service lines offer workforce solutions as an integrated partner with our customers, which are delivered through highly centralized operations in Chicago, Illinois with support from on-site and virtual employee teams. We do not operate a branch network to service these customers and accordingly these services utilize a more flexible centralized support structure resulting in lower SG&A as a percent of sales. The decline is also due to a decrease within the legacy TrueBlue operations driven by disciplined cost management and operating leverage.


Page - 22


Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Depreciation and amortization
$
10,397

 
$
5,247

$
20,917

 
$
10,408

Percentage of revenue
1.7
%
 
1.2
%
1.7
%
 
1.2
%
Depreciation and amortization increased $5.2 million and $10.5 million for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, respectively, primarily due to the amortization of intangible assets acquired in connection with the Seaton acquisition of $3.3 million and $7.1 million, respectively, and the depreciation of the fair value of acquired tangible assets. We continue to make significant investments in projects that are designed to further improve our efficiency and effectiveness in recruiting, retaining our temporary workers, and attracting and retaining our customers.
Interest and other income (expense), net
Interest and other income (expense), net is as follows (in thousands):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Interest and other income (expense), net
$
(202
)
 
$
450

 
$
(736
)
 
$
794

Net interest expense for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 was $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, compared to net interest income of $0.5 million and $0.8 million over the same period in 2014, respectively. The increase in interest expense is primarily due to the use of our Revolving Credit Facility to acquire Seaton at the beginning of the third quarter in 2014.
Income taxes
The income tax expense and the effective income tax rate were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Income tax expense
$
6,235

 
$
2,350

 
$
7,708

 
$
3,453

Effective income tax rate
26.5
%
 
12.7
%
 
25.1
%
 
16.3
%

Our tax provision or benefit from income taxes for interim periods is determined using an estimate of our annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter we update our estimate of the annual effective tax rate, and if our estimated tax rate changes, we make a cumulative adjustment. Our quarterly tax provision and our quarterly estimate of our annual effective tax rate are subject to variation due to several factors, including variability in accurately predicting our pre-tax and taxable income and loss and the mix of jurisdictions to which they relate, audit developments, changes in law, regulations and administrative practices, and relative changes of expenses or losses for which tax benefits are not recognized. Additionally, our effective tax rate can be more or less volatile based on the amount of pre-tax income. For example, the impact of discrete items, tax credits and non-deductible expenses on our effective tax rate is greater when our pre-tax income is lower.

Our effective tax rate on earnings for the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 was 26.5% and 25.1%, respectively, compared to 12.7% and 16.3%, for the same periods in 2014, respectively. During the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 we recognized $3.7 million of discrete tax benefits from prior year federal and state hiring credits. These hiring credits include the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit ("WOTC") and the California Enterprise Zone Tax Credit (“EZTC”). Both the federal WOTC and the California EZTC have expired and do not apply to 2015 hires. However, both continue to generate trailing credits related to 2015 wages of certified workers hired prior to 2015.



Page - 23


Changes to our effective tax rate as a result of hiring credits were as follows:
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Effective income tax rate without hiring credits
39.0
 %
 
41.7
 %
 
39.2
 %
 
41.7
 %
Hiring credits estimate from current year wages 
(1.9
)
 
(1.8
)
 
(1.9
)
 
(1.8
)
Effective income tax rate before prior year adjustments
37.1

 
39.9

 
37.3

 
39.9

Additional hiring credits from prior year wages
(10.6
)
 
(27.2
)
 
(12.2
)
 
(23.6
)
Effective income tax rate with hiring credits
26.5
 %
 
12.7
 %
 
25.1
 %
 
16.3
 %

Segment results

In the fourth quarter of 2014, we changed our organizational structure as a result of our acquisition of Seaton. Legacy TrueBlue operations were all in the blue-collar staffing market of the temporary staffing industry and supplied customers with temporary workers, which we aggregated into one reportable segment in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The acquisition of Seaton added a full service line of on-premise temporary staffing. On-premise staffing is large scale exclusive sourcing, screening, recruitment and management of an on-premise contingent labor workforce at a customer's facility. This service line is an operating segment which is aggregated with our blue-collar staffing services and reported as Staffing Services.

The acquisition of Seaton also added complementary outsourced service offerings in RPO and MSP solutions. RPO is high-volume sourcing, screening and recruitment of permanent employees for all major industries and jobs. MSP solutions provide customers with improved quality and spend management of their contingent labor vendors. The complementary service lines are operating segments which are aggregated and reported as Managed Services.

We completed the acquisition of Seaton effective June 30, 2014, the first business day of our third quarter of the prior year. Our year over year segment trends will include Seaton commencing in the third quarter of 2015.

Revenue from services and income from operations associated with our segments were as follows (in thousands, except percentages):
 
Thirteen weeks ended
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
 
June 26, 2015
 
June 27, 2014
Revenue from services
 
 
Revenue growth %
 
 
 
Revenue growth %
 
 
 
Revenue growth %
 
 
 
Revenue growth %
Staffing Services
$
601,103

 
32.6%
 
$
453,227

 
7.3%
 
$
1,150,815

 
35.5%
 
$
849,290

 
10.5%
Managed Services
26,611

 
 
 

 
 
 
50,214

 
 
 

 
 
Total Company
$
627,714

 
38.5%
 
$
453,227

 
7.3%
 
$
1,201,029

 
41.4%
 
$
849,290

 
10.5%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
 
% of revenue
 
 
 
% of revenue
 
 
 
% of revenue
 
 
 
% of revenue
Staffing Services
$
38,834

 
6.5%
 
$
32,195

 
7.1%
 
$
63,117

 
5.5%
 
$
47,739

 
5.6%
Managed Services
4,326

 
16.3%
 

 
 
 
7,750

 
 
 

 
 
Depreciation and amortization
(10,397
)
 
 
 
(5,247
)
 
 
 
(20,917
)
 
 
 
(10,408
)
 
 
Corporate unallocated
(9,053
)
 
 
 
(8,966
)
 
 
 
(18,517
)
 
 
 
(16,933
)
 
 
Total Company
23,710

 
3.8%
 
17,982

 
4.0%
 
31,433

 
2.6%
 
20,398

 
2.4%
Interest and other income (expense), net
(202
)
 
 
 
450

 
 
 
(736
)
 
 
 
794

 
 
Income before tax expense
$
23,508

 
 
 
$
18,432

 
 
 
$
30,697

 
 
 
$
21,192

 
 

Future outlook
The following highlights represent our expectations regarding operating trends for the remainder of fiscal year 2015. These expectations are subject to revision as our business changes with the overall economy:
Our top priority is to produce strong organic revenue and gross profit growth, and leverage our cost structure to generate increasing operating income as a percentage of revenue. The acquisition of Seaton provides new opportunities to leverage technology and best practice processes in centralized, high-volume, and rapid recruitment of quality workers which are


Page - 24


deployed to customers with multi-location demand for temporary staffing. These centralized capabilities when combined with our local presence provide opportunities to accelerate staffing services growth.
The acquisition of Seaton added new services and capabilities to better meet our objective of providing customers with talent and flexible workforce solutions they need to enhance business performance. PeopleScout and hrX are recognized industry leaders of recruitment process outsourcing services, which are in the early stages of their adoption cycles. We expect continued growth with a differentiated service that leverages innovative technology for high-volume scalable sourcing and dedicated client service teams for connecting the best talent to work opportunity, reducing the cost of hiring, and delivering a better outcome for the customer.
Acquisitions are a key element of our growth strategy. We have a proven track record of successfully acquiring and integrating companies and believe we have a strong business competence to continue to do so.
We are committed to technology innovation that makes it easier for our customers to do business with us and easier to connect workers to work opportunity. We are making significant investments in online and mobile applications to improve access, speed, and ease of connecting our customers and workers. We will continue to invest in technology which increases our sustainability, scalability, and agility. These investments improve the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering our service and are reducing our dependence on local branches. Additionally, these investments advance our ability to centralize high-volume activities which have increased the reliability of our service delivery and allowed our field personnel to focus on matching the customer's needs with the best solution to enhance their performance.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The following discussion highlights our cash flow activities for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 and June 27, 2014.
Cash flows from operating activities
Our cash flows from operating activities were as follows (in thousands):
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Net income
$
22,989

 
$
17,739

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
20,917

 
10,408

Provision for doubtful accounts
3,976

 
6,286

Stock-based compensation
5,769

 
4,987

Deferred income taxes
(1,537
)
 
(4,088
)
Other operating activities
678

 
(54
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
31,906

 
(15,180
)
Income taxes
5,035

 
3,647

Accounts payable and other accrued expenses
8,522

 
4,725

Workers' compensation claims reserve
4,463

 
(792
)
Other assets and liabilities
3,980

 
1,244

Net cash provided by operating activities
$
106,698

 
$
28,922

Net cash provided by operating activities was $106.7 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, compared to $28.9 million for the same period in 2014.
Net income of $23.0 million increased over 2014 due to a combination of the acquisition of Seaton and improved profitability of the legacy TrueBlue business.
Depreciation and amortization increased over 2014 by $10.5 million primarily due to the amortization of acquired finite-lived intangible assets in connection with the acquisition of Seaton on the first day of our third quarter in 2014.
Stock-based compensation increased for performance shares due to improved future performance expectations from the acquisition of Seaton.


Page - 25


The significant decrease in accounts receivable for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 compared to the prior year is due to a change in the seasonal peak of accounts receivable with the acquisition of Seaton. Historically, legacy TrueBlue accounts receivable peaked in the third quarter and de-leveraged in the fourth quarter. Subsequent to the acquisition of Seaton and its significant seasonal peak in the fourth quarter, the seasonal de-leveraging of accounts receivable now occurs in the first quarter.
Income tax receivable declined due primarily to additional WOTC refunds realized.
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses increased due primarily to the acquisition of Seaton and increased volume of activity.
Generally, our workers' compensation claims reserve for estimated claims increases as temporary labor services increase and decreases as temporary labor services decline. During the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, our workers' compensation claims reserve increased as we increased the delivery of temporary labor services, which was partially offset by claim payments.
Cash flows from investing activities
Our cash flows from investing activities were as follows (in thousands):
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Capital expenditures
$
(7,459
)
 
$
(6,113
)
Purchases of marketable securities

 
(25,057
)
Sales and maturities of marketable securities
1,500

 
36,175

Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents
8,227

 
19,007

Purchases of restricted investments
(12,959
)
 
(18,196
)
Maturities of restricted investments
7,504

 
7,202

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
(3,187
)
 
$
13,018

Cash flows used in investing activities was $3.2 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015 compared to cash flows provided by investing activities of $13.0 million for the same period in 2014.
During the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015, we did not purchase marketable securities. We intend to use excess cash to pay down debt on the Revolving Credit Facility.
When combining the change in restricted cash and cash equivalents with purchases and maturities of restricted investments, restricted cash and investments increased by $2.8 million for the twenty-six weeks ended June 26, 2015. This increase is primarily due to an increase in collateral requirements to our workers' compensation insurance providers related to growth in operations, which was partially offset by claim payments.


Page - 26


Cash flows from financing activities
Our cash flows from financing activities were as follows (in thousands):
 
Twenty-six weeks ended
 
June 26,
2015
 
June 27,
2014
Net proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plans
$
837

 
$
1,349

Common stock repurchases for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock
(3,183
)
 
(2,665
)
Net change in revolving credit facility
(98,500
)
 

Payments on debt and other liabilities
(1,133
)
 
(1,133
)
Other
961

 
1,269

Net cash used in financing activities
$
(101,018
)
 
$
(1,180
)
The increase to net cash used in financing activities is primarily due to repayments on our Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 8: Long-term Debt, to our Consolidated Financial Statements found in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for details of our Revolving Credit Facility.
Future outlook
Our cash-generating capability provides us with financial flexibility in meeting our operating and investing needs. Our current financial position is highlighted as follows:
Our Revolving Credit Facility of up to a maximum of $300.0 million expires on June 30, 2019. The Revolving Credit Facility is an asset backed facility which is secured by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of TrueBlue, Inc, and material U.S. domestic subsidiaries. The additional amount available to borrow at June 26, 2015 was $183.2 million. We believe the Revolving Credit Facility provides adequate borrowing availability.
We had cash and cash equivalents of $21.3 million at June 26, 2015. We expect to continue to apply any excess cash towards the outstanding balance on our Revolving Credit Facility.
The majority of our workers’ compensation payments are made from restricted cash rather than cash from operations. At June 26, 2015, we had restricted cash and investments totaling $164.7 million.
We believe that cash provided from operations and our capital resources will be adequate to meet our cash requirements for the foreseeable future.
Capital resources
Revolving Credit Facility
See Note 8: Long-term Debt, to our Consolidated Financial Statements found in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for details of our Revolving Credit Facility.
Restricted Cash and Investments
Restricted cash and investments consist principally of collateral that has been provided or pledged to insurance carriers for workers' compensation and state workers' compensation programs. Our insurance carriers and certain state workers' compensation programs require us to collateralize a portion of our workers' compensation obligation. We have agreements with certain financial institutions that allow us to restrict cash and cash equivalents and investments for the purpose of providing collateral instruments to our insurance carriers to satisfy workers' compensation claims. At June 26, 2015, we had restricted cash and investments totaling $164.7 million. The majority of our collateral obligations are held in a trust at the Bank of New York Mellon ("Trust").
We established investment policy directives for the Trust with the first priority to ensure sufficient liquidity to pay workers' compensation claims, second to maintain and ensure a high degree of liquidity, and third to maximize after-tax returns. Trust investments must meet minimum acceptable quality standards. The primary investments include U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. agency debentures, U.S. agency mortgages, corporate securities, and municipal securities. For those investments rated by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations the minimum ratings are:


Page - 27


 
 
S&P
 
Moody's
 
Fitch
Short-term rating
 
A-1/SP-1
 
P-1/MIG-1
 
F-1
Long-term rating
 
A-
 
A3
 
A-
Workers’ compensation insurance, collateral and claims reserves
Workers' compensation insurance
We provide workers’ compensation insurance for our temporary and permanent employees. The majority of our current workers’ compensation insurance policies cover claims for a particular event above a $2.0 million deductible limit, on a “per occurrence” basis. This results in our being substantially self-insured.
For workers’ compensation claims originating in Washington, North Dakota, Ohio, Wyoming, Canada and Puerto Rico (our “monopolistic jurisdictions”), we pay workers’ compensation insurance premiums and obtain full coverage under government-administered programs (with the exception of our Labor Ready service line in the state of Ohio where we have a self-insured policy). Accordingly, because we are not the primary obligor, our financial statements do not reflect the liability for workers’ compensation claims in these monopolistic jurisdictions.
Workers' compensation collateral
Our insurance carriers and certain state workers’ compensation programs require us to collateralize a portion of our workers’ compensation obligation, for which they become responsible should we become insolvent. The collateral typically takes the form of cash and cash-backed instruments, highly rated investment grade securities, letters of credit, and/or surety bonds. On a regular basis, these entities assess the amount of collateral they will require from us relative to our workers’ compensation obligation. Such amounts can increase or decrease independent of our assessments and reserves. We generally anticipate that our collateral commitments will continue to grow as we grow our business. We pay our premiums and deposit our collateral in installments. The majority of the restricted cash and investments collateralizing our self-insured workers' compensation policies are held in the Trust.
Our total collateral commitments were made up of the following components for the fiscal period end dates presented (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
December 26, 2014
Cash collateral held by insurance carriers
$
22,305

 
$
22,639

Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust
34,057

 
43,856

Investments held in Trust
94,598

 
90,095

Letters of credit (1)
6,731

 
6,513

Surety bonds (2)
16,905

 
16,861

Total collateral commitments
$
174,596

 
$
179,964

(1)
We have agreements with certain financial institutions to issue letters of credit as collateral. We had $1.9 million of restricted cash collateralizing our letters of credit as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014.
(2)
Our surety bonds are issued by independent insurance companies on our behalf and bear annual fees based on a percentage of the bond, which is determined by each independent surety carrier. These fees do not exceed 2.0% of the bond amount, subject to a minimum charge. The terms of these bonds are subject to review and renewal every one to four years and most bonds can be canceled by the sureties with as little as 60 days' notice.


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Workers' compensation reserve
The following table provides a reconciliation of our collateral commitments to our workers’ compensation reserve as of the fiscal period end dates presented (in thousands):
 
June 26, 2015
 
December 26, 2014
Total workers’ compensation reserve
$
247,302

 
$
242,839

Add back discount on workers' compensation reserve (1)
14,280

 
13,381

Less excess claims reserve (2)
(44,500
)
 
(42,612
)
Reimbursable payments to insurance provider (3)
10,830

 
8,336

Less portion of workers' compensation not requiring collateral (4)
(53,316
)
 
(41,980
)
Total collateral commitments
$
174,596

 
$
179,964

(1)
Our workers’ compensation reserves are discounted to their estimated net present value while our collateral commitments are based on the gross, undiscounted reserve.
(2)
Excess claims reserve includes the estimated obligation for claims above our deductible limits. These are the responsibility of the insurance carriers against which there are no collateral requirements.
(3)
This amount is included in restricted cash and represents a timing difference between claim payments made by our insurance carrier and the reimbursement from cash held in the Trust. When claims are paid by our carrier, the amount is removed from the workers' compensation reserve but not removed from collateral until reimbursed to the carrier.
(4)
Represents deductible and self-insured reserves where collateral is not required.
Our workers’ compensation reserve is established using estimates of the future cost of claims and related expenses, which are discounted to their estimated net present value. We discount our workers' compensation liability as we believe the estimated future cash outflows are readily determinable. The discounted workers’ compensation claims reserve was $247.3 million at June 26, 2015.
Our workers' compensation reserve for deductible and self-insured claims is established using estimates of the future cost of claims and related expenses that have been reported but not settled, as well as those that have been incurred but not reported. Reserves are estimated for claims incurred in the current year, as well as claims incurred during prior years.
Management evaluates the adequacy of the workers’ compensation reserves in conjunction with an independent quarterly actuarial assessment. Factors considered in establishing and adjusting these reserves include, among other things:
changes in medical and time loss (“indemnity”) costs;
changes in mix between medical only and indemnity claims;
regulatory and legislative developments impacting benefits and settlement requirements;
type and location of work performed;
the impact of safety initiatives; and
positive or adverse development of claims.
Our workers’ compensation claims reserves are discounted to their estimated net present value using discount rates based on returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments with maturities comparable to the weighted average lives of our workers’ compensation claims. At June 26, 2015, the weighted average rate was 1.6%. The claim payments are made over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 4.5 years.
Our workers’ compensation reserves include estimated expenses related to claims above our deductible limits (“excess claims”), and a corresponding receivable for the insurance coverage on excess claims based on the contractual policy agreements we have with insurance carriers. We discount this reserve and corresponding receivable to its estimated net present value using the discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments available during the year in which the liability was incurred. At June 26, 2015, the weighted average rate was 3.4%. The claim payments are made and the corresponding reimbursements from our insurance carriers are received over an estimated weighted average period of approximately 14.7 years. The discounted workers’ compensation reserve for excess claims and the corresponding receivable for the insurance on excess claims were $44.5 million and $42.6 million as of June 26, 2015 and December 26, 2014, respectively.



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Certain workers’ compensation insurance companies with which we formerly did business are in liquidation and have failed to pay a number of excess claims to date. We have recorded a valuation allowance against all of the insurance receivables from the insurance companies in liquidation.

We continue to actively manage workers’ compensation expense through the safety of our temporary workers with our safety programs and actively control costs with our network of service providers. These actions have had a positive impact creating favorable adjustments to workers’ compensation liabilities recorded in prior periods. Continued favorable adjustments to our workers' compensation liabilities are dependent on our ability to continue to aggressively lower accident rates and costs of our claims. We expect diminishing favorable adjustments to our workers' compensation liabilities as the opportunity for significant reduction to frequency and severity of accident rates diminishes.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
There have been no material changes during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, outside of the ordinary course of our business, to the contractual obligations specified in the table of contractual obligations included in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2014.
SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our critical accounting estimates are discussed in Part II, “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2014. The following has been updated to reflect the results of our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of the first day of our second fiscal quarter:
Goodwill and intangible assets
We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the first day of our second fiscal quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that impairment may exist. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. We monitor the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in business combinations. If necessary, we reassign goodwill using a relative fair value allocation approach. We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. We consider our service lines to be our reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. We evaluate our reporting units on an annual basis. There were no substantial changes to our previously reported reporting units. The impairment test involves comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value reflects the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential sale of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds carrying value, then we conclude that no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is required to measure possible goodwill impairment loss. The second step includes hypothetically valuing the tangible and intangible assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Then, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared to the carrying value of that goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions to evaluate the impact of operational and macroeconomic changes on each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using an income approach and applies a fair value methodology based on discounted cash flows. This analysis requires significant estimates and judgments, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of growth for our business, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, and determination of our weighted average cost of capital, which is risk-adjusted to reflect the specific risk profile of the reporting unit being tested. Our weighted average cost of capital for our most recent impairment test ranged from 12.0% to 13.5%. We also apply the market approach, which identifies similar publicly traded companies and develops a correlation, referred to as a multiple, to apply to the operating results of the reporting units. The primary market multiples we compare to are revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. These combined fair values are then reconciled to our aggregate market value of our shares of common stock outstanding on the date of valuation, resulting in a reasonable control premium.


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We performed our annual impairment test as of the first day of our fiscal second quarter. We base 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. We consider a reporting unit’s fair value to be substantially in excess of its carrying value at 20% or greater. Based on our test, all of our legacy TrueBlue reporting units' fair values were substantially in excess of their carrying values. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recognized.

While the estimated fair value of our PlaneTechs reporting unit was in excess of 20% of its carrying value, this reporting unit continues to focus on transitioning from a concentrated portfolio with one significant customer in the aviation industry to a more diversified aviation customer portfolio, and expanding its provision of mechanics and technicians to other transportation industries. As such, we believe this reporting unit carries more risk of future impairment in comparison to our other legacy TrueBlue reporting units. In the event the forecasted revenue growth rate declines by approximately 4% or gross margins as a percentage of revenue decline by approximately 1% or the discount increases by approximately 3%, the carrying value of our PlaneTechs reporting unit would exceed its fair value. In that event, we would be required to measure for possible goodwill impairment. We will continue to closely monitor the operational performance of the PlaneTechs reporting unit as it relates to goodwill impairment.

Effective June 30, 2014, our acquisition of Seaton added a full service line of on-premise staffing with Staff Management | SMX ("Staff Management"), complementary service offerings in RPO with the PeopleScout and hrX service lines, and the MSP solutions portion of Staff Management. We consider the acquired service lines to be reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. In our annual impairment test, all of our acquired Seaton reporting units' estimated fair values exceeded their carrying values. However, the acquired PeopleScout, hrX, and MSP reporting units' fair values were not substantially in excess of their carrying values.

The estimated fair value of the PeopleScout reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 10% as of the assessment date, which is primarily due to the proximity of the goodwill impairment assessment date to the recent acquisition date of Seaton. Goodwill of $50.0 million was allocated to the PeopleScout reporting unit. A discount rate of 12% was used in calculating the fair value of this reporting unit. In the event that the discount rate increases by 1.0% or the forecasted revenue growth rate declines by approximately 1% or gross margins as a percentage of revenue decline by approximately 1%, the carrying value of the reporting unit would exceed its fair value. Should any one of these events occur, we would be required to measure for possible goodwill impairment. We will continue to monitor the operational performance of this newly acquired reporting unit as it relates to goodwill impairment.

The estimated fair value of the MSP reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 15% as of the assessment date, which is primarily due to the proximity of the goodwill impairment assessment date to the recent acquisition date of Seaton. Goodwill of $12.0 million was allocated to the MSP reporting unit. A discount rate of 12% was used in calculating the fair value of this reporting unit. In the event that the discount rate increases by 1% or the forecasted revenue growth rate declines by approximately 1% or gross margins as a percentage of revenue decline by approximately 1%, the carrying value of the reporting unit would exceed its fair value. Should any one of these events occur, we would be required to measure for possible goodwill impairment. We will continue to monitor the operational performance of this newly acquired reporting unit as it relates to goodwill impairment.

The estimated fair value of the hrX reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value by approximately 7% as of the assessment date, which is due to the proximity of the goodwill impairment assessment date to the recent acquisition date of Seaton and actual post-acquisition results not meeting revenue or profitability targets forecasted at the time of acquisition. We have updated our forecasts for this reporting unit and will closely monitor the performance of this reporting unit against these revised forecasts. Less than forecasted performance will result in reevaluation of our impairment conclusion at an interim date. Goodwill of $56.9 million was allocated to the hrX reporting unit. A discount rate of 12% was used in calculating the fair value of this reporting unit. In the event that the discount rate increases by 0.9% or the forecasted revenue growth rate declines by approximately 2% or gross margins as a percentage of revenue decline by approximately 3%, the carrying value of the reporting unit would exceed its fair value. Should any one of these events occur, we would be required to measure for possible goodwill impairment.

Our services are subject to volatility based on overall economic conditions. As a consequence, our revenues tend to increase quickly when the economy begins to grow. Conversely, our revenues also decrease quickly when the economy begins to weaken, as occurred during the most recent recession. If actual results were to significantly deviate from management's estimates and assumptions of future performance, we could experience a material impairment to our goodwill.

Indefinite-lived intangible assets



Page - 31


We have indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our CLP Resources, Spartan Staffing, Staff Management | SMX, and PeopleScout trade names. We test our trade names annually for impairment, or when indications of potential impairment exist. We utilize the relief from royalty method to determine the fair value of each of our trade names. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess. Considerable management judgment is necessary to determine key assumptions, including projected revenue, royalty rates and appropriate discount rates. We performed our annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test as the first day of our second fiscal quarter determined that the estimated fair value exceeded the carrying amount. Accordingly, no impairment loss was recognized.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
See Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Page - 32


Item 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are discussed in Part II, Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2014.
Item 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that material information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and our Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of June 26, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Effective June 30, 2014, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of Staffing Solutions Holdings, Inc. ("Seaton"). Accordingly, the acquired assets and liabilities of Seaton are included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 26, 2015, and the result of its operations and cash flows are reported in our consolidated statements of operations and cash flows for the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015. We are currently in the process of evaluating and integrating the controls and systems of Seaton into the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting.

During the fiscal quarter ended June 26, 2015, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect internal control over financial reporting.

The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as exhibits 31.1 and 31.2, respectively, to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies, to our Consolidated Financial Statements found in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves risk. The following risk factors and all other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be considered in evaluating our future prospects. If any of the events described below occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, or access to the capital markets could be materially and adversely affected.
Our workforce solutions and services are significantly affected by fluctuations in general economic conditions.
The demand for workforce solutions and services is highly dependent upon the state of the economy and upon the workforce needs of our customers which creates uncertainty and volatility. As economic activity slows, companies tend to reduce their use of contingent workers and reduce their recruitment of new employees. Significant declines in demand of any region or specific industry in which we have a significant presence may severely reduce the demand for our services and thereby significantly decrease our revenues and profits. Deterioration in economic conditions or the financial or credit markets could also have adverse impacts on our customers' ability to pay us for services we have already provided.
It is difficult for us to forecast future demand for our services due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting the direction and strength of economic cycles, and the project nature of our staffing assignments. This situation can be exacerbated by uncertain and volatile economic conditions, which may cause clients to reduce or defer projects for which they utilize our services, thereby negatively affecting demand for them. When it is difficult for us to accurately forecast future demand, we may not be able to determine the optimal level of personnel and investment necessary to profitably take advantage of growth opportunities.
Our workforce solutions and services are subject to extensive government regulation and the imposition of additional regulations that could materially harm our future earnings.
Our workforce solutions and services are subject to extensive regulation. The cost to comply, and any inability to comply with government regulation could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Increased government regulation of the workplace or of the employer-employee relationship, or judicial or administrative proceedings related to such regulation, could materially harm our business.
Our temporary staffing services employ contingent workers. The wage rates we pay to temporary workers are based on many factors, including government mandated minimum wage requirements, payroll taxes, and benefits. If we are not able to increase the fees charged to customers to absorb any increased costs related to government mandated minimum wages, payroll-related taxes and benefits, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We offer our temporary workers in the United States government mandated health insurance in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (collectively, the “ACA”). Because the requirements, regulations, and legislation related to the ACA may change, the full financial effect of the ACA is not yet known, and additional requirements, regulations, or legislation changes could increase our costs. If we are unable to comply with such additional changes, or sufficiently raise the rates we charge our customers to cover any additional costs, such increases in costs could materially harm our business.
We may incur employment related claims and costs that could materially harm our business.
We are in the business of employing people and placing them in the workplaces of other businesses. We incur a risk of liability for claims for personal injury, wage and hour violations, immigration, discrimination, harassment, and other liabilities arising from the actions of our customers and temporary workers. Some or all of these claims may give rise to negative publicity and/or litigation, including class action litigation. A material adverse impact on our financial statements could occur for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated.
We maintain insurance with respect to certain claims and costs. We cannot be certain that our insurance will be available, or if available, will be in sufficient amount or scope to cover all claims that may be asserted against us. Should the ultimate judgments or settlements exceed our insurance coverage, they could have a material effect on our business. We cannot be certain we will be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future, that adequate replacement policies will be available on acceptable


Page - 34


terms, or at all, or that the companies from which we have obtained insurance will be able to pay claims we make under such policies.
We are dependent on workers' compensation insurance coverage at commercially reasonable terms. Unexpected changes in claim trends on our workers' compensation may negatively impact our financial condition.
Our temporary staffing services employ contingent workers for which we provide workers' compensation insurance. Our workers' compensation insurance policies are renewed annually. The majority of our insurance policies are with AIG. Our insurance carriers require us to collateralize a significant portion of our workers' compensation obligation. The majority of collateral is held in trust by a third-party for the payment of these claims. The loss or decline in value of the collateral could require us to seek additional sources of capital to pay our workers' compensation claims. We cannot be certain we will be able to obtain appropriate types or levels of insurance in the future or that adequate replacement policies will be available on acceptable terms. As our business grows or if our financial results deteriorate, the amount of collateral required will likely increase and the timing of providing collateral could be accelerated. Resources to meet these requirements may not be available. The loss of our workers' compensation insurance coverage would prevent us from doing business in the majority of our markets. Further, we cannot be certain that our current and former insurance carriers will be able to pay claims we make under such policies.
We self-insure, or otherwise bear financial responsibility for, a significant portion of expected losses under our workers' compensation program. Unexpected changes in claim trends, including the severity and frequency of claims, changes in state laws regarding benefit levels and allowable claims, actuarial estimates, or medical cost inflation, could result in costs that are significantly different than initially reported. There can be no assurance that we will be able to increase the fees charged to our customers in a timely manner and in a sufficient amount to cover increased costs as a result of any changes in claims-related liabilities.
We actively manage the safety of our temporary workers with our safety programs and actively control costs with our network of workers’ compensation related service providers. These activities have had a positive impact creating favorable adjustments to workers’ compensation liabilities recorded in prior periods. The benefit of these adjustments has been declining and there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to reduce accident rates and control costs to produce these results in the future.
Our level of debt and restrictions in our credit agreement could negatively affect our operations and limit our liquidity and our ability to react to changes in the economy.
Extensions of credit under our Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement ("Revolving Credit Facility") are permitted based on a borrowing base, which is an agreed percentage of eligible accounts receivable and an agreed percentage of the appraised value of our Tacoma headquarters building, less required reserves and other adjustments. If the amount or quality of our accounts receivable deteriorates, then our ability to borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility will be directly affected. Our lenders can impose additional conditions which may reduce the amounts available to us under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Our principal sources of liquidity are funds generated from operating activities, available cash and cash equivalents, and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. We must have sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our working capital requirements, fund our workers' compensation collateral requirements, service our outstanding indebtedness, and finance investment opportunities. Without sufficient liquidity, we could be forced to curtail our operations or we may not be able to pursue promising business opportunities.
Our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement contain restrictive covenants that require us to maintain certain financial conditions. Our failure to comply with these restrictive covenants could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date. We may not have sufficient funds on hand to repay these loans, and if we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms, or are unable to refinance at all, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected by increased costs and rates.
Our increased debt levels could have significant consequences for the operation of our business, including: requiring us to dedicate a significant portion of our cash flow from operations to servicing our debt rather than using it for our operations; limiting our ability to obtain additional debt financing for future working capital, capital expenditures, or other corporate purposes; limiting our ability to take advantage of significant business opportunities, such as acquisition opportunities; limiting our ability to react to changes in market or industry conditions; and putting us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors with less debt.
Acquisitions and new business initiatives may have an adverse effect on our business.
We expect to continue making acquisitions and entering into new business initiatives as part of our business strategy. This strategy may be impeded, however, if we cannot identify suitable acquisition candidates or new business initiatives, or if acquisition candidates are not available under terms that are acceptable to us. Future acquisitions could result in our incurring additional debt and contingent liabilities, an increase in interest expense, an increase in amortization expense, and/or significant charges related


Page - 35


to integration costs. Acquisitions and new business initiatives, including initiatives outside of our workforce solutions and services business, could involve significant unanticipated challenges and risks, including that they may not advance our business strategy, we may not realize our anticipated return on our investment, we may experience difficulty in implementing initiatives or integrating acquired operations, or management's attention may be diverted from our other business. These events could cause material harm to our business, operating results, or financial condition.
If our acquired intangible assets become impaired we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings.
We regularly review acquired intangible assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances, indicating that the carrying value of the intangible assets may not be recoverable, include: macroeconomic conditions, such as deterioration in general economic conditions; industry and market considerations, such as deterioration in the environment in which we operate; cost factors, such as increases in labor or other costs that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows; our financial performance, such as negative or declining cash flows or a decline in actual or planned revenue or earnings compared with actual and projected results of relevant prior periods; and other relevant entity-specific events, such as changes in management, key personnel, strategy, or customers, and sustained decreases in share price. We may be required to record a significant charge in our financial statements during the period in which we determine an impairment of our acquired intangible assets has occurred, negatively impacting our financial results.
We operate in a highly competitive business and may be unable to retain customers or market share.
Our business is highly competitive and rapidly innovating. Our competitors include large, well-financed competitors, small local competitors, and internet-based companies providing a variety of flexible workforce solutions. We face extensive pricing pressure and the requirement to innovate changes in the way we do business to remain relevant to our customers. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain customers or market share in the future. Nor can there be any assurance that we will, in light of competitive pressures, be able to remain profitable or, if profitable, maintain our current profit margins.
The loss of or substantial decline in revenue from a major customer could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, profitability, and liquidity.
We experience revenue concentration with large customers. The loss of, or reduced demand for our services related to major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. In addition, customer concentration exposes us to concentrated credit risk, as a significant portion of our accounts receivable may be from a small number of customers.
Our management information systems may not perform as anticipated and are vulnerable to damage and interruption.
The efficient operation of our business is dependent on our management information systems. We rely heavily on proprietary and third-party management information systems, mobile device technology and related services, and other technology which may not yield the intended results. Our systems may experience problems with functionality and associated delays. The failure of our systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and could result in decreased revenue and increased overhead costs, causing our business and results of operations to suffer materially. Our primary computer systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from power outages, computer and telecommunications failures, computer viruses, security breaches, catastrophic events, and errors in usage by our employees. Failure of our systems to perform may require significant additional capital and management resources to resolve, causing material harm to our business.


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Improper disclosure of, or access to, our confidential and/or proprietary information or our employees' or customers' information could materially harm our business.
Our business involves the use, storage, and transmission of information about applicants, candidates, contingent workers, permanent placements, our employees, and customers. Additionally, our employees may have access or exposure to confidential customer information about applicants, candidates, contingent workers, permanent placements, other employees, and customers. We and our third party vendors have established policies and procedures to help protect the security and privacy of this information. It is possible that our security controls over sensitive or confidential data and other practices we and our third party vendors follow may not prevent the improper access to, disclosure of, or loss of such information, resulting in increased costs or loss of revenue. Failure to protect the integrity and security of such confidential and/or proprietary information could expose us to litigation and materially damage our relationships. Further, data privacy is subject to frequently changing rules and regulations, which sometimes conflict among the various jurisdictions in which we do business. Our failure to adhere to or successfully implement changes in response to the changing regulatory requirements could result in legal liability, additional compliance costs, and damage to our reputation.
Our results of operations could materially deteriorate if we fail to attract, develop and retain qualified employees.
Our performance is dependent on attracting and retaining qualified employees who are able to meet the needs of our customers. We believe our competitive advantage is providing unique solutions for each individual customer, which requires us to have trained and engaged employees. Our success depends upon our ability to attract, develop and retain a sufficient number of qualified employees, including management, sales, recruiting, service and administrative personnel. The turnover rate in the employment services industry is high, and qualified individuals of the requisite caliber and number needed to fill these positions may be in short supply. Our inability to recruit, train, and motivate a sufficient number of qualified individuals may delay or affect the speed of our strategy execution and planned growth. Delayed expansion, significant increases in employee turnover rates or significant increases in labor costs could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may be unable to attract sufficient qualified candidates to meet the needs of our customers.
We compete to meet our customers' needs for workforce solutions and services and we must continually attract qualified candidates to fill positions. Attracting qualified candidates depends on factors such as desirability of the assignment, location, and the associated wages and other benefits. We have in the past experienced shortages of qualified candidates and we may experience such shortages in the future. Further, if there is a shortage, the cost to employ these individuals could increase. If we are unable to pass those costs through to our customers, it could materially and adversely affect our business. Organized labor periodically engages in efforts to represent various groups of our contingent workers. If we are subject to unreasonable collective bargaining agreements or work disruptions, our business could be adversely affected.
We may have additional tax liabilities that exceed our estimates.
We are subject to federal taxes and a multitude of state and local taxes in the United States and taxes in foreign jurisdictions. In the ordinary course of our business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We are regularly subject to audit by tax authorities. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, the final determination of tax audits and any related litigation could be materially different from our historical tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit or litigation could materially harm our business.
Failure to maintain adequate financial and management processes and controls could lead to errors in our financial reporting.
If our management is unable to certify the effectiveness of our internal controls or if our independent registered public accounting firm cannot render an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, or if material weaknesses in our internal controls are identified, we could be subject to regulatory scrutiny and a loss of public confidence. In addition, if we do not maintain adequate financial and management personnel, processes and controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial performance on a timely basis, which could cause our stock price to fall.
Outsourcing certain aspects of our business could result in disruption and increased costs.
We have outsourced certain aspects of our business to third party vendors that subject us to risks, including disruptions in our business and increased costs. For example, we have engaged third parties to host and manage certain aspects of our data center, information and technology infrastructure, mobile texting and electronic pay solutions, to provide certain back office support activities, and to support business process outsourcing for our customers. Accordingly, we are subject to the risks associated with the vendors' ability to provide these services to meet our needs. If the cost of these services is more than expected, or if we or the vendors are unable to adequately protect our data and information is lost, or our ability to deliver our services is interrupted, then our business and results of operations may be negatively impacted.


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Item 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
The table below includes repurchases of our common stock pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs and those not made pursuant to publicly announced plans or programs during the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015.
Period
Total number
of shares
purchased (1)
 
Weighted
average price
paid per
share (2)
 
Total number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced plans
or programs
 
Maximum number of shares (or
approximate dollar value) that
may yet be purchased under
plans or programs at period
end (3)
3/28/15 through 4/24/15
2,302

 

$24.29

 

 
$35.2 million
4/25/15 through 5/22/15
2,468

 

$28.64

 

 
$35.2 million
5/23/15 through 6/26/15
1,033

 

$29.53

 

 
$35.2 million
Total
5,803

 

$27.07

 

 
 

(1)
During the thirteen weeks ended June 26, 2015, we purchased 5,803 shares in order to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock. These shares were not acquired pursuant to any publicly announced purchase plan or program.
(2)
Weighted average price paid per share does not include any adjustments for commissions.
(3)
Our Board of Directors authorized a $75.0 million share repurchase program in July 2011 that does not have an expiration date. As of June 26, 2015, $35.2 million remains available for repurchase of our common stock under the current authorization.

Item 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Description
31.1
 
Certification of Steven C. Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of TrueBlue, Inc., Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification of Derrek L. Gafford, Chief Financial Officer of TrueBlue, Inc., Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
32.1
 
Certification of Steven C. Cooper, Chief Executive Officer of TrueBlue, Inc. and Derrek L. Gafford, Chief Financial Officer of TrueBlue, Inc., Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase.
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.



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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
TrueBlue, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Steven C. Cooper
8/5/2015
 
 
 
Signature
Date        
 
 
By:
Steven C. Cooper, Director and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Derrek L. Gafford
8/5/2015
 
 
 
Signature
Date        
 
 
By:
Derrek L. Gafford, Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Norman H. Frey
8/5/2015
 
 
 
Signature
Date        
 
 
By:
Norman H. Frey, Chief Accounting Officer and
Senior Vice President
 
 

 


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