Unassociated Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
 
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended September 6, 2008
 
OR
[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES   EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                             to                           

Commission File Number 001-33987

HERITAGE-CRYSTAL CLEAN, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
26-0351454
State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation
 
Identification No.)

2175 Point Boulevard
Suite 375
Elgin, IL 60123
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (847) 836-5670

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 [X] No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 
Large accelerated filer
[   ]
 
Accelerated Filer   [   ]
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
[X]
 
Smaller reporting company   [   ]
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [   ] No [X]

Number of shares outstanding of registrant’s class of common stock as of September 30, 2008: 10,675,390

1

Table of Contents

PART I
 
   
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
3
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
               RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
14
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
19
ITEM 4. CONTROL AND PROCEDURES
19
   
PART II
 
   
OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
20
SIGNATURES
21
 

 
2

PART I
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In Thousands, Except Share and Par Value Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
   
September 6, 2008
   
December 29, 2007
 
ASSETS
           
             
Current Assets:
           
  Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 363     $ 479  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $849
         
  and $1,130 at September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively
    15,516       13,446  
  Inventory
    14,530       10,447  
  Deferred income taxes
    1,163       -  
  Prepaid and other current assets
    1,937       1,208  
Total Current Assets
    33,509       25,580  
  Fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation
    20,584       19,420  
  Deferred offering costs
    -       1,276  
  Deferred income taxes
    132       -  
  Software and intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization
    1,956       1,708  
Total Assets
  $ 56,181     $ 47,984  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
                 
Current Liabilities:
               
  Accounts payable
  $ 7,003     $ 7,258  
  Accrued salaries, wages, and benefits
    2,172       1,560  
  Taxes payable
    2,115       983  
  Other accrued expenses
    1,249       1,169  
Total Current Liabilities
    12,539       10,970  
  Note payable - bank
    1,165       22,045  
Total Liabilities
    13,704       33,015  
                 
Redeemable Capital Units
    -       2,261  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
                 
Preferred members' capital
    -       14,704  
Common members' capital
    -       368  
Common stock - 15,000,000 Shares authorized at $0.01 par value,
         
10,675,390 shares issued and outstanding at September 6, 2008
    107       -  
Additional paid-in capital
    42,493       -  
Accumulated deficit
    (123 )     (2,364 )
Total Stockholders' Equity
  $ 42,477     $ 12,708  
                 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  $ 56,181     $ 47,984  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
3

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
   
First Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
 
                         
Sales
  $ 25,646     $ 20,967     $ 73,482     $ 60,541  
Cost of sales
    6,020       5,480       17,936       15,361  
Cost of sales - inventory impairment
    -       -       -       2,182  
      Gross profit
    19,626       15,487       55,546       42,998  
Operating costs
    12,523       10,100       36,640       29,270  
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    4,278       3,263       15,042       9,882  
Proceeds from contract termination
    -       -       -       (3,000 )
     Operating income
    2,825       2,124       3,864       6,846  
Interest expense - net
    24       314       395       957  
Income before income taxes
    2,801       1,810       3,469       5,889  
Provision for income taxes
    1,179       -       3,206       -  
Net income
    1,622       1,810       263       5,889  
Preferred return
    -       390       339       1,171  
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ 1,622     $ 1,420     $ (76 )   $ 4,718  
                                 
Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders: basic
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.66  
Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders: diluted
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.65  
                                 
Pro forma data:
                               
Net income
  $ 1,622     $ 1,810     $ 263     $ 5,889  
Pro forma provision for income taxes
    -       742       497       2,415  
Return on preferred and mandatorily redeemable capital units
    -       401       372       1,206  
Pro forma net income (loss) available to common members
  $ 1,622     $ 667     $ (606 )   $ 2,268  
                                 
Pro forma net income (loss) per share: basic
  $ 0.15     $ 0.09     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.32  
Pro forma net income (loss) per share: diluted
  $ 0.15     $ 0.09     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.31  
                                 
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding: basic
    10,675       7,182       9,657       7,176  
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding: diluted
    10,848       7,242       9,657       7,223  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
4

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
               
Par
   
Paid-in
   
Retained
       
   
Units/
   
Members'
   
Value
   
Capital
   
Earnings
       
   
Shares
   
Capital
   
Common
   
Common
   
(Deficit)
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance, December 29, 2007
    24     $ 15,072     $ -     $ -     $ (2,364 )   $ 12,708  
  Distribution to preferred members
    -       (10,887 )     -       -       -       (10,887 )
  Tax distributions
    -       (425 )     -       -       (365 )     (790 )
  Reorganization
    6,642       (3,760 )     66       3,694       -       -  
  Income tax benefit of reorganization
    -       -       -       -       2,343       2,343  
  Net income
    -       -       -       -       263       263  
  Conversion of redeemable capital units
    564       -       6       2,256       -       2,262  
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net
    3,401       -       34       33,211       -       33,245  
  Share-based compensation
    68       -       1       3,332       -       3,333  
                                                 
Balance, September 6, 2008
    10,675     $ -     $ 107     $ 42,493     $ (123 )   $ 42,477  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
5

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
 
             
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
           
Net income
  $ 263     $ 5,889  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
         
 Depreciation and amortization
    2,441       1,917  
 Bad debt provision
    584       454  
 Share-based compensation
    3,333       204  
 Non-cash inventory charge related to contract termination
    -       2,182  
 Deferred tax expense
    1,048       -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
     Decrease (increase) in accounts receivables
    (2,654 )     (2,339 )
     Decrease (increase) in inventory
    (4,082 )     (2,564 )
     Decrease (increase) in prepaid and other current assets
    (730 )     (186 )
     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    210       1,093  
     Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    1,824       689  
Cash provided by operating activities
    2,237       7,339  
                 
Cash flows from Investing Activities:
               
 Capital expenditures
    (3,436 )     (5,612 )
 Software and intangible asset costs
    (489 )     (126 )
Cash used in investing activities
    (3,925 )     (5,738 )
                 
Cash flows from Financing Activities:
               
 Deferred offering costs
    -       (559 )
 Deferred financing costs
    -       (33 )
 Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs
    34,220       -  
 Proceeds from note payable - bank
    30,760       19,974  
 Repayments of note payable - bank
    (51,640 )     (18,679 )
 Common member contributions
    -       2  
 Distributions to preferred members
    (11,768 )     (2,375 )
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    1,572       (1,670 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    (116 )     (69 )
 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    479       271  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 363     $ 202  
                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
  Cash paid for interest
  $ 526     $ 1,104  
  Payables for construction in process
    -       751  
  Payables for offering costs
    103       -  
  Income taxes paid
    1,024       -  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
 
6

HERITAGE-CRYSTAL CLEAN, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 6, 2008
(Unaudited)
(1)  ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, provides parts cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to small and mid-sized customers in both the manufacturing and automotive service sectors.  Our service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection, and vacuum truck services.

On March 12, 2008, Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. raised net proceeds of $33.2 million in an initial public offering and a direct placement (the “offerings”). Concurrently, the Company paid preferred members an accrued return through March 11, 2008 of $10.9 million as part of a reorganization, in which, prior to the consummation of the offerings, the members of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC and the former stockholders of BRS-HCC Investment Co., Inc. became stockholders of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. (the “reorganization”). Further details regarding these transactions can be found below under the heading “Shareholders’ Equity.”

Prior to the completion of the reorganization, the Company filed an amendment to its certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State, increasing its authorized capital to 15,000,000 shares of common stock at a par value of $0.01 per share and 500,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock.

(2)  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

(a) Principles of consolidation and basis of presentation

The Company conducts its primary business operations through Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC., its wholly owned subsidiary, and all intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

The unaudited interim financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the year as a whole. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These financial statements and notes thereto should  be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007 filed with the Unites States Securities and Exchange Commission on a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (SEC Reg. No. 333-143864)

The 2007 year-end consolidated balance sheet data included in this Form 10-Q was derived from the audited financial statements referenced above, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

GAAP requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions are the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable and valuation of inventory at lower of cost or market. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to December 31. The most recent fiscal year ended on December 29, 2007. Our convention with respect to reporting periodic financial data is such that each of our first three fiscal quarters consist of twelve weeks while our last fiscal quarter consists of sixteen or seventeen weeks. Interim results are presented for the twelve week periods and thirty-six week periods ended September 6, 2008 and September 8, 2007 each referred to as “third quarter ended” or “third fiscal quarter” and “first three quarters ended” respectively.

 (b) Income Taxes

In connection with the Company's reorganization and initial public offering, the Company became a ‘C’ corporation subject to federal and state income taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes ("SFAS No. 109"), under which deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that
7

such assets will not be realized. Any change in the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

Prior to converting to a ‘C’ corporation on March 11, 2008, the Company operated as a limited liability company and was taxed as a partnership. As such, the Company's income or losses were passed through to its owners who are liable for any related income taxes.

(c) Stock-Based Compensation

Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (Statement 123(R)). This statement replaces FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (Statement 123) and supersedes APB No. 25. Statement 123(R) requires that all stock-based compensation be recognized as an expense in the financial statements and that such cost be measured at the fair value of the award. This statement was adopted using the prospective method of application, which requires the Company to recognize compensation cost on a prospective basis. For share-based awards granted after January 1, 2006, the Company recognized compensation expense based on estimated grant date fair value.

The Company values restricted stock as of the closing stock price on the grant date, then amortizes the expense on a straight-line basis in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123(R) over the remaining vesting period of the awards.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and a single option award approach. This fair value is then amortized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. The following assumptions are used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model:

Expected Term —The Company’s expected term represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding;

Expected Volatility —Due to the Company’s limited trading history, the average volatility estimate used was determined by using a composite group of peer companies;

Expected Dividend —The Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model calls for a single expected dividend yield as an input. The Company currently pays no dividends and does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future;

Risk-Free Interest Rate —The Company bases the risk-free interest rate on the implied yield currently available on United States Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term.

(d) Recent Accounting Pronouncements  

In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141R, Business Combinations (Statement 141R) and FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment to ARB No. 51 (Statement 160). Statements 141R and 160 require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with noncontrolling interest holders. Both Statements are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and earlier adoption is prohibited. Statement 141R will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date. Statement 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date. The impact of SFAS 141R on the Company will be dependant upon the extent to which we have transactions or events occur that are within its scope.

(e) New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This Statement applies to previous accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this Statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Delayed application is permitted for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Financial Statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company has adopted SFAS 157 and the impact has been immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities — Including on amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (SFAS 159). This standard amends SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, with respect to accounting for a transfer to the trading category for all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities electing the fair value option. This standard allows companies to elect fair value accounting for many financial instruments and other items that currently are not required to be accounted as such, allows different applications for electing the option for a single item or groups of items, and requires disclosures to facilitate comparisons of similar assets and liabilities that are
8

accounted for differently in relation to the fair valueoption. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company has adopted SFAS 159 and the impact has been immaterial to the consolidated financial statements.

(3)  INVENTORY

The carrying value of inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
   
September 6, 2008
   
December 29, 2007
 
Machines
  $ 2,494     $ 2,228  
Solvents
    9,901       6,379  
Drums
    1,110       1,004  
Accessories
    1,025       836  
Total inventory
  $ 14,530     $ 10,447  
 
(4)   NOTE PAYABLE

The Company has a bank credit facility that provides for borrowings of up to $25 million. On March 3, 2008, the Company amended the credit facility to extend the maturity date of the credit facility to December 31, 2010. As of September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007, $1.2 million and $22.0 million respectively, were outstanding under the credit facility. Under the terms of the credit facility, interest is payable monthly at the prime rate, unless the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1. The weighted average effective interest rate for amounts outstanding was 6.68% and 8.34% at September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets. As of September 6, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its credit facility. As of September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007 $23.8 million and $3.0 million respectively, were available under the credit facility.

(5)   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to contingencies as a result of environmental laws and regulations. The related future cost is not determinable due to such factors as the unknown timing and extent of corrective actions, if any, that may be required and also due to the application of joint and several liability. The Company believes, however, that any such costs will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, future operations, or cash flows.

The Company leases office space, equipment, and vehicles under noncancelable operating lease agreements which expire through 2016. Rental expense under operating leases was approximately $1.7 million and $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $5.2 million and $4.5 million for the first three quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating leases as of September 6, 2008 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Fiscal period:
Remainder of 2008
  $ 2,669  
2009
    7,066  
2010
    5,649  
2011
    4,314  
2012
    3,562  
Thereafter
    4,449  
Total
  $ 27,709  
 
9

(6)  INCOME TAXES

On March 11, 2008, in connection with the reorganization and the Company converting from a limited liability company to a 'C' corporation, the Company established beginning balances in its deferred tax assets and liabilities in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Accordingly, the Company recorded a cumulative net deferred tax asset of $0.1 million.   Of this amount, a tax benefit of $2.3 million was recorded directly to equity in accordance with EITF 94-10, related to the increase in the tax basis of the Company's assets due to the reorganization. This was partially offset by a $2.2 million tax liability related to the change in tax status which was recorded as a component of the income tax provision.

Components of the Company's income tax benefit and provision for the period following the Company's conversion to a ‘C’ corporation from December 30, 2007 through September 6, 2008, including the $2.2 million deferred tax charge discussed above, are as follows:
 
   
December 30, 2007
 
   
through
 
   
September 6, 2008
 
Current:
     
  Federal
  $ 1,759  
  State
    399  
Total current
  $ 2,158  
Deferred:
       
  Change in tax status
  $ 2,210  
  Federal
    (1,017 )
  State
    (145 )
Total deferred
  $ 1,048  
         
Income tax provision
  $ 3,206  
Pro forma tax for period prior to conversion
    497  
Total pro forma tax provision
  $ 3,703  
 
A reconciliation of the expected income taxes at the statutory federal rate to the Company's actual income taxes for December 30, 2007 through September 6, 2008, is as follows:
 
   
December 30, 2007
 
   
through
 
   
September 6, 2008
 
Tax at statutory federal rate
  $ 1,180  
State and local tax, net of federal benefit
    164  
Other
    149  
Change in tax status
    2,210  
Earnings for period prior to conversion
    (497 )
Total income tax provision
  $ 3,206  
Pro forma tax for period prior to conversion
    497  
Total pro forma tax provision
  $ 3,703  
 
10

Components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) are as follows:
 
   
September 6, 2008
 
Deferred tax assets:
     
Tax intangible assets
  $ 2,272  
Allowances
    765  
Accrued other
    728  
Stock compensation
    1,182  
Total deferred tax asset
  $ 4,947  
         
Deferred tax liabilities:
       
Prepaids
    (360 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (3,292 )
Total deferred tax liability
  $ (3,652 )
         
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 1,295  
         
Current deferred tax asset
  $ 1,163  
Noncurrent deferred tax asset
    132  
         
Net deferred tax asset
  $ 1,295  
 
The Company has not provided any valuation allowance as it believes the realization of its deferred tax assets is more likely than not based on the expectation of future taxable income.


(7)  SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 
On March 11, 2008 the Company completed a reorganization, initial public offering and direct placement.  In connection with the reorganization, initial public offering and direct placement the Company:
 
 
   Became a ‘C’ corporation through the reorganization of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC and a merger of BRS-HCC Investment Co., Inc. with and into Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.;
 
 
   Issued an aggregate of 1,217,390 shares of common stock as part of the exchange of preferred units of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC into common stock of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. in the reorganization;
 
 
   Issued an aggregate of 6,056,900 shares of common stock as part of the exchange of common units of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC into common stock of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
 
 
   Sold 2,201,100 shares of common stock in the initial public offering, at $11.50 per share, raising approximately $20.4 million after underwriting discounts and transaction costs;
 
 
   Sold 1,200,000 new shares at $11.50 per share in a direct placement, raising approximately $12.8 million after underwriting discounts and transaction costs;
 
 
    Repaid approximately $21.3 million of indebtedness with the proceeds raised in the initial public offering and direct placement;
 
 
    Paid distributions of $10.9 million to preferred unit holders of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC as part of the reorganization relating to an accrued return through March 11, 2008; and
 
 
    Recorded a cumulative net deferred tax liability of $2.2 million and a corresponding charge to our provision for income taxes upon becoming taxable as a ‘C’ corporation.
 
11

(8) SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
On March 3, 2008, the Company adopted the 2008 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by providing employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and members of the Board who are not employees of the Company (“Non-Employee Directors) with additional incentives to increase their efforts on the Company’s behalf and to remain in the employ or service of the Company and with the opportunity, through stock ownership, to increase their proprietary interest in the Company and their personal interest in its continued success and progress.  The aggregate number of shares of common stock which may be issued under the Plan is 1,902,077 plus any common stock that becomes available for issuance pursuant to the reusage provision of the Plan.

These options may vest over various periods up to four years and expire no more than ten years from the date of grant. A summary of activity under this Plan is as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Options
   
 
   
Weighted
Average Fair
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
 
   
Available
   
Number of
   
Value Per
   
Price Per
 
   
For Grant
   
Options
   
Option
   
Option
 
Balance at December 29, 2007
    -       -       -       -  
Shares reserved
    1,902       -       -       -  
Options granted
    (732 )     732     $ 3.90     $ 11.50  
Balance at September 6, 2008
    1,170       732     $ 3.90     $ 11.50  
 
 At September 6, 2008, 732,045 options were outstanding and had a weighted-average remaining contractual life of 9.54 years and an exercise price of $11.50. All of these options are fully vested and exercisable and the Company incurred $2.9 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense with respect to these options. The Company also incurred $0.3 million of non-cash share-based compensation expense that related to Key Employee Membership Interest Trust “KEMIT” units that converted to shares of common stock upon the completion of our initial public offering.

The fair values of employee stock options granted were estimated to be $3.90 per share on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

 
Volatility of 33.23%;

 
Risk-free interest rate of 2.76%;

 
Expected term of 5 years;

 
No dividend yield; and

 
Market value per share of stock on measurement date of $11.50.

In addition to the stock options listed above, in February 2007, the Company granted to certain key employees in our oil and vacuum business 120 common units that subsequently converted to 60,000 restricted shares in connection with our initial public offering in March 2008. These shares are subject to forfeiture if certain performance goals are not achieved by fiscal year end 2011. As of September 6, 2008, the Company believes that the performance criteria will be met and has recorded compensation expense of $33,000 and $99,000 during the third quarter and first three quarters of 2008, respectively, with respect to these shares. At September 6, 2008, there was approximately $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards which will be recorded through 2011.

The Company has granted in May 2008, 9,072 restricted shares to its Board of Directors in which the shares become fully vested after one year of service from their grant date. At September 6, 2008, there was less than $0.1 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards which will be recorded through the second quarter of 2009.
 
12

(9) PRO FORMA NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available for common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period in accordance with FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing the sum of net income available for common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and any dilutive potential common equivalents for the period.

The following table reconciles the components of net income, net income available to common shareholders, and pro forma net income available to common members both for basic and diluted income per common share (in thousands, except per share data):
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
   
First Three Quarters Ended
 
   
September 6, 2008
 
 
September 8, 2007
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
 
                         
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders
  $ 1,622     $ 1,420     $ (76 )   $ 4,718  
 
 
                             
Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders: basic
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.66  
Net income (loss) per share available to common shareholders: diluted
  $ 0.15     $ 0.20     $ (0.01 )   $ 0.65  
                                 
Pro Forma                                
Net Income
  $ 1,622     $ 1,810     $ 263     $ 5,889  
Pro forma provision for income taxes
    -       742       497       2,415  
Return on perferred and mandatorily redeemable capital units
    -       401       372       1,206  
Pro forma net income (loss) available to common members
  $ 1,622     $ 667     $ (606 )   $ 2,268  
                                 
Pro forma net income (loss) per share: basic
  $ 0.15     $ 0.09     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.32  
Pro forma net income (loss) per share: diluted
  $ 0.15     $ 0.09     $ (0.06 )   $ 0.31  
                                 
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding: basic
    10,675       7,182       9,657       7,176  
Diluted shares for share-based compensation plans
    173       60       -       47  
Number of weighted average common shares outstanding: diluted
    10,848       7,242       9,657       7,223  
 
The Company has included the redeemable common capital units outstanding prior to the reorganization in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share as the effect of excluding them would be anti-dilutive. In accordance with SFAS 150, shares of common stock that are mandatorily redeemable are excluded from the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company has deducted earnings attributable to mandatorily redeemable units from income available to common unit holders.

For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008 the Company has excluded the effects of the stock options and restricted stock granted as their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect on loss per share.
 
13

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

All references to the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc., and its subsidiaries.

This report contains forward-looking statements that are based upon current management expectations. Generally, the words "aim," "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "should," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," "would" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements or industry results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and other important factors include, among others: our ability to comply with the extensive environmental, health and safety and employment laws and regulations that our Company is subject to; changes in environmental laws that affect our business model; competition; claims relating to our handling of hazardous substances; the limited demand for our used solvent; our dependency on key employees; our ability to effectively manage our extended network of branch locations; warranty expense and liability claims; personal injury litigation; dependency of suppliers; economic conditions and downturns in the business cycles of automotive repair shops, industrial manufacturing business and small businesses in general; increased solvent, fuel and energy costs; the control of The Heritage Group over our Company; and the risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Registration Statement on Form S-1. Given these uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update or revise them or provide reasons why actual results may differ. The information in this report should be read in light of such risks and in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. 

Overview
 
Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. provides parts cleaning, hazardous and non-hazardous waste services to small and mid-sized customers in both the manufacturing and automotive service sectors.  Our service programs include parts cleaning, containerized waste management, used oil collection, and vacuum truck services.  These services help our customers manage their used chemicals and liquid and solid wastes, while also helping to minimize their regulatory burdens.  Our customers include businesses involved in vehicle maintenance operations, such as car dealerships, automotive repair shops, and trucking firms, as well as small manufacturers, such as metal product fabricators and printers.  Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. is headquartered in Elgin, Illinois, and operates through more than 50 branches serving over 36,000 customer locations.
 
On March 11, 2008 we completed a reorganization, initial public offering, and direct placement.  In connection with our reorganization, initial public offering, and direct placement we:
 
 
   Became a ‘C’ corporation through the reorganization of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC and a merger of BRS-HCC Investment Co., Inc. with and into Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.;
 
 
   Issued an aggregate of 1,217,390 shares of common stock as part of the exchange of preferred units of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC into common stock of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc. in the reorganization;
 
 
   Issued an aggregate of 6,056,900 shares of common stock as part of the exchange of common units of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC into common stock of Heritage-Crystal Clean, Inc.
 
 
   Sold 2,201,100 shares of common stock in the initial public offering, at $11.50 per share, raising approximately $20.4 million after underwriting discounts and transaction costs;
 
 
   Sold 1,200,000 new shares at $11.50 per share in a direct placement, raising approximately $12.8 million after underwriting discounts and transaction costs;
 
 
    Repaid approximately $21.3 million of indebtedness with the proceeds raised in the initial public offering and direct placement;
 
 
    Paid distributions of $10.9 million to preferred unit holders of Heritage-Crystal Clean, LLC as part of the reorganization relating to an accrued return through March 11, 2008; and
 
 
    Recorded a cumulative net deferred tax liability of $2.2 million and a corresponding charge to our provision for income taxes upon becoming taxable as a ‘C’ corporation.
 
Critical Accounting Policies

Critical accounting policies are those that both are important to the accurate portrayal of a company’s financial condition and
 
14

 
results, and require subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain.

In order to prepare financial statements that conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, commonly referred to as GAAP, we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in our financial statements and accompanying notes. Certain estimates are particularly sensitive due to their significance to the financial statements and the possibility that future events may be significantly different from our expectations.

Management believes that there have been no significant changes during the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008 to the items that we disclosed as our critical accounting policies and estimates in the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on March 11, 2008 (as amended) for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In December 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141R, Business Combinations (Statement 141R) and FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements — an amendment to ARB No. 51 (Statement 160). Statements 141R and 160 require most identifiable assets, liabilities, noncontrolling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination to be recorded at “full fair value” and require noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as minority interests) to be reported as a component of equity, which changes the accounting for transactions with noncontrolling interest holders. Both Statements are effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2008, and earlier adoption is prohibited. Statement 141R will be applied to business combinations occurring after the effective date. Statement 160 will be applied prospectively to all noncontrolling interests, including any that arose before the effective date. The impact of SFAS 141R on the Company will be dependant upon the extent to which we have transactions or events occur that are within its scope.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Third quarter and first three quarters ended September 6, 2008 compared to third quarter and first three quarters ended September 8, 2007

Sales, Cost of sales, and Gross profit
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Sales
  $ 25,646     $ 20,967     $ 4,679  
Cost of sales
    6,020       5,480       540  
Gross profit
  $ 19,626     $ 15,487     $ 4,139  
Gross profit as % of sales
    77 %     74 %        
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Sales
  $ 73,482     $ 60,541     $ 12,941  
Cost of sales
    17,936       15,361       2,575  
Cost of sales - inventory impairment
    -       2,182       (2,182 )
Gross profit
  $ 55,546     $ 42,998     $ 12,548  
Gross profit as % of sales
    76 %     71 %        
 
For the quarter ended September 6, 2008, sales increased $4.7 million, or 22%, to $25.6 million from $20.9 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2007. For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008, sales increased $12.9 million, or 21%, to $73.4 million from $60.5 million for the first three quarters ended September 8, 2007. At the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2008, we were operating 54 branch locations compared with 48 at the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2007. There were 47 branches that were in operation during both the third fiscal quarters of 2008 and 2007, which experienced same-branch sales growth of $4.1 million, or 20%.  Excluding the 5 branches in this group that gave up customers to new branch openings, the remaining 42 branches experienced same-branch sales growth of 21%. On a year-to-date basis, same-branch sales growth was $11.1 million, or 19% for the 47 branches and $10.1 or 19% excluding the 5 branches in this group that gave up customers to new branch openings.

For the quarter ended September 6, 2008, total cost of sales increased $0.5 million, or 10%, to $6.0 million from $5.5 million for the quarter ended September 8, 2007. Within cost of sales, increased solvent costs related to higher energy costs were partially mitigated by improved margins on the reuse solvent, as we sold solvent that had been carried in inventory at historically lower values.

For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008, total cost of sales increased $0.4 million, or 2%, to $17.9 million from $17.5 million for the first three quarters ended September 8, 2007. In the first quarter of 2007, we received $3.0 million from the termination of a contract for our used solvent with a customer who had failed to meet their volume purchase obligations. We recorded cost of sales of $2.2 million to reduce solvent inventories to net realizable value in connection with this settlement.
 
15

Operating costs
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Operating costs
  $ 12,523     $ 10,100     $ 2,423  
As a % of sales
    49 %     48 %        
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Operating costs
  $ 36,640     $ 29,270     $ 7,370  
As a % of sales
    50 %     48 %        
 
For the quarter ended September 6, 2008, operating costs increased $2.4 million, or 24%, to $12.5 million from $10.1 million in the quarter ended September 8, 2007. For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008, operating costs increased $7.3 million, or 25%, to $36.6 million from $29.3 million for the first three quarters ended September 8, 2007. Operating costs, including branch labor and collection truck costs, increased primarily due to volume increases and higher costs for fuel and transportation related to fuel prices.

Selling, general & administrative
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Selling, general & administrative
  $ 4,278     $ 3,263     $ 1,015  
As a % of sales
    17 %     16 %        
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Selling, general & administrative
  $ 15,042     $ 9,882     $ 5,160  
As a % of sales
    20 %     16 %        
 
For the quarter ended September 6, 2008, selling, general and administrative expense increased $1.0 million, or 31%, to $4.3 million from $3.3 million in the quarter ended September 8, 2007. Selling, general and administrative expense increased by approximately $0.4 million due to costs associated with being a public company which include among others, Board of Directors compensation and insurance, incremental legal and accounting fees and Sarbanes-Oxley consulting services.

For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008, selling, general and administrative expense increased $5.1million, or 52%, to $15.0 million from $9.9 million for the first three quarters ended September 8, 2007. Selling, general and administrative expense included employee share-based compensation charges of $3.2 million related to employee stock options granted at the time of our initial public offering which vested immediately and also related to the vesting of certain Key Employee Membership Interest Trust “KEMIT” units and additional costs associated with being a public company which include among others, Board of Directors compensation and insurance, incremental legal and accounting fees and Sarbanes-Oxley consulting services.

Proceeds from contract termination
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Proceeds from contract termination
  $ -     $ 3,000     $ (3,000 )
As a % of sales
    0 %     5 %        
 
In the first quarter of 2007, we received $3.0 million from the termination of a contract for our used solvent with a customer who had failed to meet their volume purchase obligations. We recorded cost of sales of $2.2 million to reduce solvent inventories to net realizable value in connection with this settlement. Please refer to the above section referenced “Cost of sales – inventory impairment.”

16

Interest expense - net
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Interest expense - net
  $ 24     $ 314     $ (290 )
As a % of sales
    0 %     1 %        
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Interest expense - net
  $ 395     $ 957     $ (562 )
As a % of sales
    1 %     2 %        
 
For the quarter ended September 6, 2008, interest expense decreased by $0.3 million, or 93%, from $0.3 million in the quarter ended September 8, 2007. For the first three quarters ended September 6, 2008, interest expense decreased $0.6 million, or 59%, to $0.4 million from $1.0 million for the first three quarters ended September 8, 2007. The decrease was due to our reduction in total debt outstanding substantially due to our initial public offering in March 2008.

Provision for income taxes
 
   
Third Quarter Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Provision for income taxes
  $ 1,179     $ -     $ 1,179  
As a % of sales
    5 %     0 %        
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
       
   
(Dollars in thousands)
       
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
   
Change
 
Provision for income taxes
  $ 3,206     $ -     $ 3,206  
As a % of sales
    4 %     0 %        
 
In connection with our initial public offering, we changed our parent company legal structure from a limited liability company to a ‘C’ corporation. As a limited liability company, we were not subject to federal or state corporate income taxes and as such had not incurred any historical taxes. For comparison purposes, we have presented pro forma net income, which reflects income taxes assuming we had been a corporation since the time of our formation and assuming tax rates equal to the rates that would have been in effect had we been required to report tax expense in such years. A one-time charge to earnings of $2.2 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2008 reflecting the net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at the time of the reorganization of the LLC to a ‘C’ corporation.  Income subject to federal and state income taxes since becoming a ‘C’ corporation was $5.4 million.  For the three quarters ended September 6, 2008, our current provision for income tax was $2.2 million and the deferred portion was $1.0 million.
 
17

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
   
First Three Quarters Ended
 
   
(Dollars in thousands)
 
   
September 6, 2008
   
September 8, 2007
 
Net cash provided by (used in):
 
Operating activities
  $ 2,237     $ 7,339  
Investing activities
    (3,925 )     (5,738 )
Financing activities
    1,572       (1,670 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
  $ (116 )   $ (69 )
 
We had $0.4 million of cash and cash equivalents at September 6, 2008 and $0.5 million at December 29, 2007. We have historically financed our operations primarily through the private placement of preferred equity securities, borrowings from banks and investors and through funds from operations. During the first quarter of 2007, we received $3.0 million from the termination of a contract with a customer for used solvent who had failed to meet their volume purchase obligations. In March 2008, we received net proceeds of $35.1 million from an initial public offering and concurrent direct placement. These net proceeds exclude offering costs of $0.9 million paid prior to fiscal year end 2007 and $0.1 million accrued but not yet paid as of September 6, 2008. The proceeds were used to reduce borrowings under our credit facility which included $10.9 million borrowed in March 2008 used to pay preferred members for an accrued return on preferred units as part of the reorganization described above under “Overview.”

Our secured bank credit facility provides for borrowings of up to $25 million. On March 3, 2008, we amended the facility to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2010. As of September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007 $1.2 million and $22.0 million, respectively, were outstanding under the credit facility. Under the credit facility, interest is payable monthly at the prime rate, unless the total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 2.75 to 1. The weighted average effective interest rate for amounts outstanding was 6.68% and 8.34% at September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007, respectively. Amounts borrowed under the credit facility are secured by a security interest in substantially all of our tangible and intangible assets. As of September 6, 2008, we were in compliance with all covenants under the credit facility. As of September 6, 2008 and December 29, 2007, $23.8 million and $3.0 million respectively, were available under the credit facility.

At September 6, 2008, our working capital was $21.0 million compared to $14.6 million at December 29, 2007. The increase was primarily due to a $4.1 million increase in inventory, a $2.1 million increase in net accounts receivable and a $1.2 million current deferred tax asset. The increase was partially offset by the increase in current taxes payable of approximately $1.1 million. The increase in inventory was due to rising solvent prices. The increase in our deferred tax asset was due to our conversion from a limited liability company to a ‘C’ corporation and the establishment of beginning balances for our net current deferred tax assets and liabilities. The increase in accounts receivable was due to our increase in sales.

Net cash provided by operations was $2.2 million and $7.3 million in the first three quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. The decrease primarily reflects the receipt of $3.0 million in the first quarter of 2007 from the termination of a contract with a customer coupled with an increase in inventory of $4.1 million versus the $2.6 million increase reported in 2007.

Net cash used in investing activities was $3.9 million and $5.7 million in the first three quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. In the first three quarters of 2007, approximately $3.5 million was for expenditures relating to the construction of our distillation tower. Approximately $2.5 million of the capital expenditures made in the first three quarters of 2008 was for purchases of parts cleaning machines, and $1.4 million was for other items including office equipment, leasehold improvements, software and intangible assets. We expect future capital expenditures commensurate with business growth.

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $1.6 million and $(1.7) million in the first three quarters of 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase is primarily due to the net proceeds from the issuance of common stock net of offering costs. The net proceeds were primarily used to repay bank debt and to make a distribution to preferred members of the Company prior to the reorganization.

We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and available borrowings will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures in the next twelve months. We cannot assure you that this will be the case or that our assumptions regarding sales and expense underlying this belief will be accurate.
 
18

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK