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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

x      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2012

OR

o         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 001-33076

WILLDAN GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 424-9144

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report).

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 o

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 x No o

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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

As of November 5, 2012, there were 7,335,365 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share, of Willdan Group, Inc. issued and outstanding.

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WILLDAN GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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 WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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WILLDAN GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

September 28, 2012

(Unaudited)

1.                     BASIS OF PRESENTATION, ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and reflect all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated results for the interim periods presented.  Results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Willdan Group, Inc.’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2012.

Nature of Business

Willdan Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Willdan Group” or the “Company”) is a provider of professional technical and consulting services to public agencies at all levels of government, public and private utilities and commercial and industrial firms in California and New York. The Company also has operations in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C. The Company enables these entities to provide a wide range of specialized services without having to incur and maintain the overhead necessary to develop staffing in-house. The Company provides a broad range of complementary services including engineering and planning, energy efficiency and sustainability, economic and financial consulting, and national preparedness and interoperability. The Company’s clients primarily consist of public and governmental agencies, including cities, counties, public utilities, redevelopment agencies, water districts, school districts and universities, state agencies, federal agencies, a variety of other special districts and agencies, private utilities and industry and tribal governments.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Willdan Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Willdan Engineering, Willdan Energy Solutions, Public Agency Resources, Willdan Financial Services and Willdan Homeland Solutions. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Accounting for Contracts

The Company enters into contracts with its clients that contain three principal types of pricing provisions: fixed price, time-and-materials, and unit-based. Revenue on fixed price contracts is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method based generally on the ratio of direct costs (primarily exclusive of depreciation and amortization costs) incurred to date to estimated total direct costs at completion. Revenue on time-and-materials and unit-based contracts is recognized as the work is performed in accordance with the specific terms of the contract. Contracts that provide for multiple services or deliverables are evaluated as multiple element arrangements to determine the appropriate unit of accounting, allocation of contract value, and method of revenue recognition for each element. Revenue for amounts that have been billed but not earned is deferred and such deferred revenue is referred to as billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Adjustments to contract cost estimates are made in the periods in which the facts requiring such revisions become known. When the revised estimate indicates a loss, such loss is provided for currently in its entirety. Claims revenue is recognized only upon resolution of the claim. Change orders in dispute are evaluated as claims. Costs related to un-priced change orders are expensed when incurred and recognition of the related contract revenue is based on an evaluation of the probability of recovery of the costs. Estimated profit is recognized for un-priced change orders if realization of the expected price of the change order is probable.

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Applying the percentage-of-completion method of recognizing revenue requires the Company to estimate the outcome of its long-term contracts. The Company forecasts such outcomes to the best of its knowledge and belief of current and expected conditions and its expected course of action. Differences between the Company’s estimates and actual results often occur resulting in changes to reported revenue and earnings. Such changes could have a material effect on future consolidated financial statements.

Direct costs of contract revenue consist primarily of that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages that has been incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue also include production expenses, subconsultant services and other expenses that are incurred in connection with revenue producing projects.

Direct costs of contract revenue exclude that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages related to marketing efforts, vacations, holidays and other time not spent directly generating revenue under existing contracts. Such costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Additionally, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefit costs for all Company personnel are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations since no allocation of these costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue. No allocation of facilities costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue. Other companies may classify as direct costs of contract revenue some of the costs that the Company classifies as general and administrative costs. The Company expenses direct costs of contract revenue when incurred.

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based upon a review of all outstanding amounts on a quarterly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. Credit risk is generally minimal with governmental entities, but disputes may arise related to these receivable amounts. Accounts receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivables previously written off are recorded when received.

The value of retainage is included in accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Retainage represents the billed amount that is retained by the customer, in accordance with the terms of the contract, generally until performance is substantially complete.  At September 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, the Company had retained accounts receivable of approximately $623,000 and $579,000, respectively.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, other receivables, prepaid expenses and other current assets, excess of outstanding checks over bank balance, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts and approximate their fair values because of the relatively short period of time between the origination of these instruments and their expected realization or payment. The carrying amounts of debt obligations approximate their fair values since the terms are comparable to terms currently offered by local lending institutions for loans of similar terms to companies with comparable credit risk.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Liquidity

The Company had $9.2 million of cash and cash equivalents as of September 28, 2012. The Company’s primary source of liquidity is cash generated from operations. The Company also has a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), that matures on April 1, 2013, but the Company’s ability to borrow funds under this line of credit is currently subject to Wells Fargo’s discretion (see Note 7). While the Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents on hand and cash generated by operating activities will be sufficient to finance its operating activities for at least the next 12 months, if the Company does experience a cash flow shortage, the Company may have difficulty obtaining additional funds on favorable terms, if at all, to meet its obligations as they come due in the normal course of business.

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2.                     BUSINESS COMBINATION

On June 9, 2008, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Willdan Energy Solutions, formerly known as Intergy Corporation, a California—based consulting company that assists companies, institutions and agencies with planning and implementing their energy efficiency, water conservation and renewable energy strategies. The acquisition cost recorded by the Company as of September 28, 2012 was $17.9 million, consisting of $9.9 million in cash paid at closing, a $0.2 million net asset value adjustment, a guaranteed payment of $1.0 million in cash paid in June 2009, an earn-out payment of $1.3 million paid in August 2009, an earn-out payment of $2.1 million paid in September 2010, an earn-out payment of $2.7 million paid in August 2011 and $0.7 million in transaction costs. The earn-out payments were required because Willdan Energy Solutions achieved certain financial targets over the relevant periods. The Company recorded $15.2 million of goodwill in connection with the acquisition, and as of September 28, 2012, this entire goodwill amount has been written off (See Note 3).

3.                     GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

As of December 30, 2011, the Company had $15.2 million of goodwill, all of which related to the Energy Solutions reporting unit, which comprises the Energy Efficiency Services reporting segment. During the nine months ended September 28, 2012, the Company determined that all such goodwill was impaired resulting in an impairment charge of $15.2 million, and, as of September 28, 2012, the Company had no remaining goodwill.

During the second quarter of 2012, the Company determined that a quantitative assessment of its goodwill was warranted for the Energy Solutions reporting unit.  This assessment indicated that the estimated fair value of the Energy Solutions reporting unit was less than its carrying value.  For this testing, the Company weighted the income approach and the market approach at 80% and 20%, respectively.  The Company further determined that all of the remaining goodwill for the Energy Solutions reporting unit was impaired and recognized an impairment charge of $15.2 million.

The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for the Energy Solutions reporting unit for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 were as follows:

The gross amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company’s acquired identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives as of September 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, were as follows:

The Company’s amortization expense for acquired identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives was $9,000 and $29,000 for the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2012, respectively, as compared to $9,000 and $36,000 for the fiscal three and nine months ended September 30, 2011.  Estimated amortization expense for acquired identifiable intangible assets for the remainder of fiscal 2012 and the succeeding years is as follows:

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4.                     EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares for the period.  Potential common shares include the weighted-average dilutive effects of outstanding stock options using the treasury stock method.

The following table sets forth the number of weighted-average shares used to compute basic and diluted EPS:

For the three months and nine months ended September 28, 2012, 990,000 options were excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares, compared to 297,000 options for the same periods last year. These options were not included in the computation of dilutive potential common shares because of the net loss position for the 2012 periods and because the assumed proceeds per share exceeded the average market price per share for the 2011 periods. Accordingly, the inclusion of these options would have been anti-dilutive. For periods in which the Company incurs net losses, dilutive potential common shares are excluded as they would be anti-dilutive.

5.                     EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS

Equipment and leasehold improvements consist of the following:

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6.                     ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

7.                     LINE OF CREDIT

The Company currently has a revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo”), which was entered into on December 23, 2011 and became effective as of January 1, 2012. The credit agreement replaced the Company’s prior credit facility with Wells Fargo that expired on January 1, 2012.  There were $3.0 million of outstanding borrowings under this agreement as of September 28, 2012.

The Company’s credit agreement with Wells Fargo provides for a $5.0 million revolving line of credit, including a $5.0 million standby letter of credit sub-facility, and matures on April 1, 2013. Loans made under the revolving line of credit will accrue interest at either (i) a floating rate equal to the prime rate in effect from time to time or (ii) a fixed rate of 2.25% above LIBOR, with the interest rate to be selected by the Company.

Borrowings under the revolving line of credit are guaranteed by all of the Company’s subsidiaries except Public Agency Resources (the “Guarantors”) and secured by all of the Company’s and the Guarantors’ accounts receivable and other rights to payment, general intangibles, inventory and equipment. Pursuant to the credit agreement, the Company also must pay a 0.25% fee on unused commitments and customary fees on any letters of credit drawn under the facility.

The credit agreement contains customary representations and affirmative covenants, including financial covenants that require the Company to maintain (i) net income after taxes of at least $250,000, measured on a rolling four quarter basis, without losses in two consecutive quarters; (ii) a maximum ratio of total funded debt (measured as the sum of all obligations for borrowed money, including subordinated debt, plus all capital lease obligations) to EBITDA of 1.75 to 1.00, measured quarterly on a rolling four quarter basis; and (iii) a minimum asset coverage ratio of 2.50 to 1.00 as of each quarter end, measured as unrestricted cash plus net-billed accounts receivables divided by amounts outstanding and issued letters of credit under the revolving line of credit.

The credit agreement also includes customary negative covenants, including (i) restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness by the Company or the Guarantors other than purchase money indebtedness not to exceed $2.0 million and indebtedness existing on the date of the credit agreement, (ii) restrictions on the payment of dividends on the Company’s stock and redemptions, repurchases or other acquisitions of the Company’s stock, except that the Company can repurchase stock with an aggregate fair market value up to $5.0 million in any calendar year, and (iii) limitations on asset sales, mergers and acquisitions. In addition, the credit agreement includes customary events of default.

As of September 28, 2012, the Company had breached the net income covenant under the credit agreement because it did not have net income of at least $250,000 measured on a rolling four quarter basis and it sustained net losses during two consecutive quarters in the past year.  Additionally, the Company’s ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA exceeds the limit permitted under the credit agreement. Because of these covenant breaches, the Company’s ability to borrow additional amounts under the credit agreement is currently subject to Wells Fargo’s discretion and Wells Fargo could choose to increase the interest rate by 4.0%, make the loans outstanding under the credit agreement immediately due and payable, and/or terminate its commitments to the Company under the credit agreement. Although the Company is seeking a waiver for these covenant breaches, and is seeking to amend certain covenants in the credit agreement, Wells Fargo is not obligated to provide any waiver for current or future covenant breaches or modify the terms of the credit agreement.

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8.                     COMMITMENTS

Leases

The Company is obligated under capital leases for certain furniture and office equipment that expire at various dates through the year 2015.

The Company also leases certain office facilities under noncancellable operating leases that expire at various dates through the year 2015 and is committed under noncancellable operating leases for the lease of computer equipment and automobiles through the year 2015.

Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has a qualified profit sharing plan (the Plan) pursuant to Code Section 401(a) and qualified cash or deferred arrangement pursuant to Code Section 401(k) covering substantially all employees. Employees may elect to contribute up to 50% of compensation limited to the amount allowed by tax laws. Company contributions are made solely at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors.

The Company has a discretionary bonus plan for regional managers, division managers and others as determined by the Company president. Bonuses are awarded if certain financial goals are achieved. The financial goals are not stated in the plan; rather they are judgmentally determined each year. In addition, the board of directors may declare discretionary bonuses to key employees and all employees are eligible for what the Company refers to as the “hot hand” bonus program, which pays awards for outstanding performance.  The Company’s compensation committee of the board of directors determines the compensation of the president.

Post Employment Health Benefits

In May 2006, the Company’s board of directors approved providing lifetime health insurance coverage for Win Westfall, the Company’s former chief executive officer and current chairman of the board of directors, and his spouse and for Linda Heil, the widow of the Company’s former chief executive officer, Dan Heil. These benefits relate to past services provided to the Company. Accordingly, there is no unamortized compensation cost for the benefits.

9.                    INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method and are determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities, subject to a judgmental assessment of recoverability of deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets may not be realized.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

The Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.6 million and an income tax benefit of $3.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2012, respectively, as compared to income tax expense of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The tax benefit is attributable to the $15.2 million of goodwill impairment included in the Company’s pretax loss for the nine month period of $20.5 million, offset by a valuation allowance of $5.3 million due to the uncertainty of realization of net deferred tax assets after the reduction of deferred tax liabilities associated with the goodwill impairment. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 differ from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income tax rates, permanent items that are not deductible for U.S. tax purposes, and the establishment of the valuation allowance during the nine months ended September 28, 2012.

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10.                  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has four reporting segments: Engineering Services, Energy Efficiency Services, Public Finance Services and Homeland Security Services. The Engineering Services segment consists of Willdan Engineering and Public Agency Resources. The Engineering Services segment offers a broad range of engineering and planning services to our public and private sector clients. The Energy Efficiency Services segment, which consists of Willdan Energy Solutions, provides energy efficiency and sustainability consulting services to utilities, state agencies, municipalities, private industry and non-profit organizations. Prior to December 30, 2011, the energy efficiency and sustainability services were aggregated into the Engineering Services segment. Given the manner in which the chief operating decision maker reviews financial results and allocates resources, these services now compromise a separate reporting segment. Segment information for the comparable prior year period has been restated to conform to the Company’s current segment presentation of four operating segments. The Public Finance Services segment, which consists of Willdan Financial Services, provides expertise and support for the various financing techniques employed by public agencies to finance their operations and infrastructure along with the mandated reporting and other requirements associated with these financings. The Homeland Security Services segment, which consists of Willdan Homeland Solutions, provides national preparedness, homeland security consulting, public safety and emergency response services to cities, related municipal service agencies and other entities.

The accounting policies applied to determine the segment information are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies included in the Company’s 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 29, 2012. There were no intersegment sales in the three and nine months ended September 28, 2012. Management evaluates the performance of each segment based upon income or loss from operations before income taxes. Certain segment asset information including expenditures for long-lived assets has not been presented as it is not reported to or reviewed by the chief operating decision maker. In addition, enterprise-wide service line contract revenue is not included as it is impracticable to report this information for each group of similar services.

Financial information with respect to the reportable segments as of and for the fiscal three and nine months ended September 28, 2012 and for the fiscal three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

(1)   Segment assets are presented net of intercompany receivables.

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11.                  CONTINGENCIES

Claims and Lawsuits

The Company is subject to claims and lawsuits from time to time, including those alleging professional errors or omissions that arise in the ordinary course of business against firms that operate in the engineering and consulting professions. The Company carries professional liability insurance, subject to certain deductibles and policy limits, for such claims as they arise and may from time to time establish reserves for litigation that is considered probable of a loss.

In accordance with accounting standards regarding loss contingencies, the Company accrues an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, and discloses the amount accrued and an estimate of any reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for the Company’s financial statements not to be misleading. The Company does not accrue liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote.

Because litigation outcomes are inherently unpredictable, the Company’s evaluation of legal proceedings often involves a series of complex assessments by management about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. If the assessments indicate that loss contingencies that could be material to any one of the Company’s financial statements are not probable, but are reasonably possible, or are probable, but cannot be estimated, then the Company will disclose the nature of the loss contingencies, together with an estimate of the possible loss or a statement that such loss is not reasonably estimable. While the consequences of certain unresolved proceedings are not presently determinable, and a reasonable estimate of the probable and reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued for such proceedings cannot be made, an adverse outcome from such proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings in any given reporting period. However, in the opinion of the Company’s management, after consulting with legal counsel, and taking into account insurance coverage, the ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

French v. Willdan Engineering, Superior Court of California, Riverside County

In January 1991, the Company was retained by the City of Calimesa, California to review and process development plans.  The Company had provided plan review continuously since that date under various contracts with the city. As the city receives applications from developers for project approvals, the city forwards the project plans to the Company for processing. The Company processes the plans and the city pays the Company for its services. In August 2008, a suit was filed by a city employee alleging that the city processed development applications without first collecting fees from developers to cover the costs of processing. The suit further alleged that even though the Company performed the work requested by the city, the city should not have paid the Company for its work in advance of collecting the developers’ fees. The plaintiff sought to recover for the city amounts paid to the Company for processing project plans for which the developer fees have not been paid. On January 11, 2012, this suit proceeded to trial where the Company prevailed. The plaintiff has filed an appeal, which was abandoned on October 12, 2012.  This matter did not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

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Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and the audited financial statements for the year ended December 30, 2011, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-33076).  This Quarterly Report contains, in addition to unaudited historical information, forward-looking statements, which involve risk and uncertainties.  The words “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “plan,” or “continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Our actual results could differ significantly from the results discussed in such forward-looking statements.  Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those discussed under the headings “Risk Factors” in our 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 30, 2012 and June 29, 2012 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  We undertake no obligation to (and we expressly disclaim any obligation to) revise or update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events, or otherwise (except as may be required by law), in order to reflect any event or circumstance which may arise after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We are a provider of professional technical and consulting services to public agencies at all levels of government, public and private utilities, and commercial and industrial firms. We enable these entities to provide a wide range of specialized services without having to incur and maintain the overhead necessary to develop staffing in-house. We assist our clients with a broad range of complementary services relating to:

·             Engineering and Planning;

·             Energy Efficiency and Sustainability;

·             Economic and Financial Consulting; and

·             National Preparedness and Interoperability.

We operate our business through a network of offices located primarily in California and New York. We also have operations in Arizona, Florida, Texas, Washington and Washington, D.C. As of September 28, 2012, we had a staff of 524 which includes licensed engineers and other professionals. Historically, our clients have primarily been public agencies in communities with populations ranging from 10,000 to 300,000 people. We believe communities of this size are underserved by large outsourcing companies that tend to focus on securing large federal and state projects, as well as projects for the private sector. Recently, we have begun to provide increased services to public and private utilities that service major metropolitan communities and commercial and industrial firms, particularly in connection with the growth of our energy efficiency and sustainability services. We seek to establish close working relationships with our clients and expand the breadth and depth of the services we provide to them over time.

While we currently serve communities throughout the country, our business with public agencies is concentrated in California and neighboring states. We provide services to approximately 58% of the 482 cities and over 62% of the 58 counties in California. We also serve special districts, school districts, a range of public agencies and private industry. Our business with public and private utilities is concentrated in California and New York.

We were founded in 1964 and Willdan Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed in 2006 to serve as our holding company. We consist of a family of wholly owned companies that operate within the following segments for financial reporting purposes:

Engineering Services.    Our Engineering Services segment includes the operations of our subsidiaries, Willdan Engineering and Public Agency Resources (“PARs”). Willdan Engineering provides civil engineering-related and city planning services to our clients. PARs primarily provides staffing to Willdan Engineering.  Contract revenue for the Engineering Services segment represented approximately 36.1% and 33.8% of our consolidated contract revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

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Energy Efficiency Services.   Our Energy Efficiency Services segment consists of the business of our subsidiary, Willdan Energy Solutions, which offers energy efficiency and sustainability consulting services to utilities, public agencies and private industry. This segment is currently our largest segment based on contract revenue, representing approximately 49.0% and 50.6% of our consolidated contract revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

Public Finance Services.    Our Public Finance Services segment consists of the business of our subsidiary, Willdan Financial Services, which offers economic and financial consulting services to public agencies. Contract revenue for the Public Finance Services segment represented approximately 10.5% and 9.6% of our consolidated contract revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

Homeland Security Services.    Our Homeland Security Services segment consists of the business of our subsidiary, Willdan Homeland Solutions, which offers national preparedness and interoperability services and communications and technology solutions. Contract revenue for our Homeland Security Services segment represented approximately 4.4% and 6.0% of our consolidated contract revenue for the nine months ended September 28, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

Recent Developments

Revolving Credit Facility.  As of September 28, 2012, we had breached the net income covenant under our credit agreement with Wells Fargo because we did not have net income of at least $250,000 measured on a rolling four quarter basis and we sustained net losses during two consecutive quarters in the past year.  Additionally, our ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA exceeds the limit permitted under the credit agreement.  Because of these covenant breaches, our ability to borrow additional funds under the credit agreement is subject to Wells Fargo’s discretion and Wells Fargo could choose to increase the interest rate by 4.0%, make the loans outstanding under the credit agreement immediately due and payable, and/or terminate its commitments to us under the credit agreement. Although we are seeking a waiver for these covenant breaches and are seeking to amend certain covenants in the credit agreement, Wells Fargo is not obligated to provide any waiver for current or future covenant breaches or modify the terms of the credit agreement. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Outstanding Indebtedness.”

Consolidated Edison SBDI Program.  On July 9, 2012, Willdan Energy Solutions entered into an Agreement for a Small Business Direct Install Program with Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (“Consolidated Edison”).  The agreement continues our partnership with Consolidated Edison to develop Consolidated Edison’s Small Business Direct Install Program, which began in 2009. The initial term of this agreement extends through June 2014. The maximum amount we can receive under the agreement is approximately $39 million through 2015 and we are not guaranteed to receive any minimum amount of revenue.

Impairment Charges.  During the second quarter of 2012, we determined that a quantitative assessment of our goodwill was warranted for the Energy Solutions reporting unit.  This assessment indicated that the estimated fair value of such reporting unit was less than its carrying value.  For this testing, we weighted the income approach and the market approach at 80% and 20%, respectively.  We further determined that all of the remaining goodwill for the Energy Solutions reporting unit was impaired and recognized an impairment charge of $15.2 million.

Components of Income and Expense

Contract Revenue

We provide our services under contracts, purchase orders or retainer letters. The contracts we enter into with our clients contain three principal types of pricing provisions: time and materials, unit based, and fixed price. Revenue on our time and materials and unit based contracts are recognized as the work is performed in accordance with specific terms of the contract. Approximately 47.0% of our contracts are based on contractual rates per hour plus costs incurred. Some of these contracts include maximum contract prices, but the majority of these contracts are not expected to exceed the maximum. Contract revenue on our fixed price contracts is determined on the percentage of completion method based generally on the ratio of direct costs incurred to date to estimated total direct costs at completion. Many of our fixed price contracts are relatively short in duration, thereby lowering the risks of not properly estimating the percent complete.

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Adjustments to contract cost estimates are made in the periods in which the facts requiring such revisions become known. When the revised estimate indicates a loss, such loss is recognized currently in its entirety. Claims revenue is recognized only upon resolution of the claim. Change orders in dispute are evaluated as claims. Costs related to un-priced change orders are expensed when incurred and recognition of the related contract revenue is based on an evaluation of the probability of recovery of the costs. Estimated profit is recognized for un-priced change orders if realization of the expected price of the change order is probable.

Our contracts come up for renewal periodically and at the time of renewal may be subject to renegotiation, which could impact the profitability on that contract. In addition, during the term of a contract, public agencies may request additional or revised services which may impact the economics of the transaction. Most of our contracts permit our clients, with prior notice, to terminate the contracts at any time without cause. While we have a large volume of transactions, the renewal, termination or modification of a contract, in particular our contract with Consolidated Edison of New York, may have a material adverse effect on our consolidated operations.

Direct Costs of Contract Revenue

Direct costs of contract revenue consist primarily of subconsultant services and that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages that have been incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue also include production expenses and other expenses that are incurred in connection with revenue producing projects. Direct costs of contract revenue generally exclude depreciation and amortization, that portion of technical and nontechnical salaries and wages related to marketing efforts, vacations, holidays and other time not spent directly generating revenue under existing contracts. Such costs are included in general and administrative expenses. Additionally, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefit costs for all of our personnel are included in general and administrative expenses since no allocation of these costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue. No allocation of facilities costs is made to direct costs of contract revenue nor is depreciation and amortization allocated to direct costs. We expense direct costs of contract revenue when incurred.

As a firm that provides multiple and diverse services, we do not believe gross margin is a consistent or appropriate indicator of our performance and therefore we do not use this measure as construction contractors and other types of consulting firms may. Other companies may classify as direct costs of contract revenue some of the costs that we classify as general and administrative expenses. As a result, our direct costs of contract revenue may not be comparable to direct costs for other companies, either as a line item expense or as a percentage of contract revenue.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses include the costs of the marketing and support staffs, other marketing expenses, management and administrative personnel costs, payroll taxes, bonuses and employee benefits for all of our employees and the portion of salaries and wages not allocated to direct costs of contract revenue for those employees who provide our services. General and administrative expenses also include facility costs, depreciation and amortization, professional services, legal and accounting fees and administrative operating costs. Within general and administrative expenses, “Other” includes expenses such as provision for billed or unbilled receivables, professional services, legal and accounting, computer costs, travel and entertainment and marketing costs. We expense general and administrative costs when incurred.

Critical Accounting Policies

This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., or GAAP. To prepare these financial statements in conformity with GAAP, we must make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses in the reporting period. Our actual results may differ from these estimates. We have provided a summary of our significant accounting policies in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2011. We describe below those accounting policies that require material subjective or complex judgments and that have the most significant impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Our management evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, based upon information currently available and on various assumptions management believes are reasonable as of the date of this report.

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Contract Accounting

Applying the percentage-of-completion method of recognizing revenue requires us to estimate the outcome of our long-term contracts. We forecast such outcomes to the best of our knowledge and belief of current and expected conditions and our expected course of action. Differences between our estimates and actual results often occur resulting in changes to reported revenue and earnings. Such changes could have a material effect on our future consolidated financial statements.

Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based upon our review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. We determine the allowance for doubtful accounts by identifying troubled accounts and by using historical experience applied to an aging of accounts. Our credit risk is minimal with governmental entities. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recorded when received.

For further information on the types of contracts under which we perform our services, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Components of Income and Expense—Contract Revenue” elsewhere in this report.

Goodwill

We test our goodwill at least annually for possible impairment. We complete our annual testing of goodwill as of the last day of the first month of our fourth fiscal quarter each year to determine whether there is impairment. In addition to our annual test, we regularly evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred that may indicate a potential impairment of goodwill. We recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $15.2 million related to our Energy Solutions reporting unit during the second quarter of 2012.  Following this impairment charge, none of our reporting units had any goodwill remaining.

We test our goodwill for impairment at the level of our reporting units, which are components of our operating segments. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08 (“ASU 2011-08”), Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment. This accounting guidance allows companies to perform a qualitative assessment on goodwill impairment to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. The guidance is for goodwill impairment tests performed in interim and annual periods for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. The process of testing goodwill for impairment, pursuant to ASU 2011-08, now involves an optional qualitative assessment on goodwill impairment of our reporting units to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. If a quantitative assessment is warranted, we then determine the fair value of the applicable reporting units. To estimate the fair value of our reporting units, we use both an income approach based on management’s estimates of future cash flows and other market data and a market approach based upon multiples of EBITDA earned by similar public companies. For our annual impairment testing in fiscal 2011, we weighted the income approach and the market approach at 80% and 20%, respectively. The income approach was given a higher weight because it has a more direct correlation to the specific economics of the reporting units than the market approach, which is based on multiples of public companies that, although comparable, may not provide the same mix of services as our reporting units.

Once the fair value is determined, we then compare the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is determined to be less than the carrying value, we perform an additional assessment to determine the extent of the impairment based on the implied fair value of goodwill compared with the carrying amount of the goodwill. In the event that the current implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized.

Inherent in such fair value determinations are significant judgments and estimates, including but not limited to assumptions about our future revenue, profitability and cash flows, our operational plans and our interpretation of current economic indicators and market valuations. To the extent these assumptions are incorrect or economic conditions that would impact the future operations of our reporting units change, any goodwill may be deemed to be impaired, and an impairment charge could result in a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operation.

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During the second quarter of 2012, we determined that a quantitative assessment of our goodwill was warranted for the Energy Solutions reporting unit.  This assessment indicated that the estimated fair value of such reporting unit was less than its carrying value.  For this testing, we weighted the income approach and the market approach at 80% and 20%, respectively.  We further determined that all of the remaining goodwill for the Energy Solutions reporting unit was impaired and recognized an impairment charge of $15.2 million.

Accounting for Claims Against the Company

We accrue an undiscounted liability related to claims against us for which the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We disclose the amount accrued and an estimate of any reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for our financial statements not to be misleading. We do not accrue liabilities related to claims when the likelihood that a loss has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. Losses related to recorded claims are included in general and administrative expenses.

Determining probability and estimating claim amounts is highly judgmental. Initial accruals and any subsequent changes in our estimates could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of our assets and liabilities, subject to a judgmental assessment of recoverability of deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets may not be realized.

We recognize the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain information derived from our consolidated statements of operations expressed as a percentage of contract revenue.