Orion Group Holdings - 10-Q quarterly report FY

(Mark One)

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 [√]  No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive date file required to be submitted  and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files

Yes [  ]  No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definitions 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 [  ]   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 [√]

As of November 1, 2010, 26,899,679 shares of the Registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value were outstanding.

Part I – Financial Information

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

Orion Marine Group, Inc., and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “Orion” or the “Company”) provide a broad range of marine construction services on, over and under the water along the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Seaboard, the West Coast, Canada and the Caribbean Basin.  Our heavy civil marine projects include marine transportation facilities; bridges and causeways; marine pipeline construction; marine environmental structures, mechanical and hydraulic dredging and specialty projects.  We are headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Although we describe our business in this report in terms of the services we provide, our base of customers and the geographic areas in which we operate, we have concluded that our operations comprise one reportable segment pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic 280 – Segment Reporting.  In making this determination, we considered that each project has similar characteristics, includes similar services, has similar types of customers and is subject to similar regulatory environments.  We organize, evaluate and manage our financial information around each project when making operating decisions and assessing our overall performance.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and financial information included herein have been prepared pursuant to the interim period reporting requirements of Form 10-Q.  Consequently, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted.  Readers of this report should also read our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (“2009 Form 10-K”) as well as Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations also included in our 20 09 Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  Interim results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2010.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.   Management’s estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated based on available information and experience; however, actual amounts could differ from those estimates.  The Company’s significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the 2009 Form 10-K.

On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the significant accounting policies used to prepare its condensed consolidated financial statements, including, but not limited to, those related to:

The Company records revenue on construction contracts for financial statement purposes on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of contract costs incurred to date to total estimated costs for each contract. This method is used because management considers contract costs incurred to be the best available measure of progress on these contracts. The Company follows the guidance of ASC 605-35 – Revenue Recognition, Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, for its accounting policy relating to the use of the percentage-of-completion method, estimated costs and claim recognition for construction contracts. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability, including those arising from final contract settlements, may result in revisions to costs and revenues and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined.  Revenue is recorded net of any sales taxes collected and paid on behalf of the customer, if applicable.

The current asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed, which management believes will be billed and collected within one year of the completion of the contract. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts” represents billings in excess of revenues recognized.

The Company’s projects are typically short in duration, and usually span a period of three to nine months.  Historically, we have not combined or segmented contracts.

The Company includes in current assets and liabilities amounts realizable and payable in the normal course of contract completion.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  At times, cash held by financial institutions may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not historically sustained losses on our cash balances in excess of federally insured limits.  Cash equivalents at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 consisted primarily of money market mutual funds and overnight bank deposits.

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

The Company depends on its ability to continue to obtain federal, state and local governmental contracts, and indirectly, on the amount of funding available to these agencies for new and current governmental projects. Therefore, the Company’s operations can be influenced by the level and timing of government funding.  Statutory mechanics liens provide the Company high priority in the event of lien foreclosures following financial difficulties of private owners, thus minimizing credit risk with private customers.

At September 30, 2010, 10.2% of our accounts receivable was due from a single customer, and at December 31, 2009, one customer accounted for 12.3% of total receivables. In the three months ended September 30, 2010 two customers generated 47.5% of total revenue(34.6% and 12.9%, respectively).  In the three months ended September 30, 2009, one customer generated 13.7% of total revenues for the period.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, one customer generated 30.3% and 14.5% of total revenues, respectively.

Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying value, less write-offs and allowances for doubtful accounts. The Company writes off uncollectible accounts receivable against the allowance for doubtful accounts if it is determined that the amounts will not be collected or if a settlement is reached for an amount that is less than the carrying value. As of September 30, 2010 the Company did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts.  At December 31, 2009, the Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1.2 million.  The decrease was due to a write-off of a receivable upon settlement which had previously been fully reserved, as well as collection of a previously reserved receivable.

Balances billed to customers but not paid pursuant to retainage provisions in construction contracts generally become payable upon contract completion and acceptance by the owner.  Retention at September 30, 2010 totaled $9.5 million, of which $0.3 million is expected to be collected beyond 2010.  Retention at December 31, 2009 totaled $12.0 million.

The Company determines its consolidated income tax provision using the asset and liability method prescribed by US GAAP, which requires the recognition of income tax expense for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current period and for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns.   The Company accounts for any uncertain tax positions in accordance with the provisions of US GAAP, which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, on our consolidated tax return.  The Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2009 or September 30, 2010.

The Company maintains insurance coverage for its business and operations.  Insurance related to property, equipment, automobile, general liability, and a portion of workers' compensation is provided through traditional policies, subject to a deductible.  A portion of the Company's workers’ compensation exposure is covered through a mutual association, which is subject to supplemental calls.

Separately, the Company’s employee health care is provided through a trust, administered by a third party.  The Company funds the trust based on current claims.  The administrator has purchased appropriate stop-loss coverage.  Losses on these policies up to the deductible amounts are accrued based upon known claims incurred and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported.  The accruals are derived from known facts, historical trends and industry averages to determine the best estimate of the ultimate expected loss.   Actual claims may vary from our estimate.  We include any adjustments to such reserves in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which they become known.

The Company recognizes compensation expense for equity awards over the vesting period based on the fair value of these awards at the date of grant.  The computed fair value of these awards is recognized as a non-cash cost over the period the employee provides services, which is typically the vesting period of the award.   The fair value of options granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.  The fair value of restricted stock grants is equivalent to the fair value of the stock issued on the date of grant.

Compensation expense is recognized only for share-based payments expected to vest. The Company estimates forfeitures at the date of grant based on historical experience and future expectations.

The Company has acquired businesses and assets in purchase transactions that resulted in the recognition of goodwill.  Goodwill represents the costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets in the acquisition.  In accordance with US GAAP, acquired goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to impairment testing at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the asset more likely than not may be impaired.

Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be subject to amortization.  In addition, the Company must evaluate the remaining useful life in each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision of the remaining period of amortization.  If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining life is changed, the remaining carrying value of such asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (the “Update”), which provides amendments to Accounting Standards Codification 820-10 (Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall Subtopic) of the Codification.  The Update requires improved disclosures about fair value measurements.  Separate disclosures need to be made of the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements along with a description of the reasons for the transfers.  Also, disclosure of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements needs to be made on a gross basis rather than as one net number.  The Update also requires: (1) fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities, a nd (2) disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements, which are required for fair value measurements that fall in either Level 2 or Level 3.  The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 activity disclosures, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years.  Because these are enhanced disclosure requirements, there has been no impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position.  In addition, the enhanced disclosure requirements have not materially affected he Company’s financial reporting.

On January 28, 2010, the Company  purchased (a) the membership interests of T.W. LaQuay Dredging, LLC (“TWLD”), a Texas limited liability company, from LaQuay Holdings, Inc. (the “Seller”), (b) all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of Industrial Channel and Dock Company, a Texas Corporation, and Commercial Channel and Dock Company, a Texas Corporation (collectively, the “Channel and Dock Companies”), from Timothy W. LaQuay and Linda F. LaQuay (the principal shareholders of the Seller, the “Principal Shareholders”), and (c) certain parcels of real property located in Port Lavaca, Texas from the Principal Shareholders (collectively, the “Purchase Transactions”).  TWLD and its predecessor company have operated as a marine construction and dredging co mpany in the Gulf Coast markets since 2000.  The integration of TWLD’s operations and assets have added to the Company’s dredging fleet and enhanced its presence in the Gulf Coast.  At the closing, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Timothy and Linda LaQuay and with Charles F. Barnett for a term of one year from the Closing Date.

Upon the terms of and subject to the conditions set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the total aggregate consideration paid by the Company to the Seller and the Principal Shareholders consisted of the following:

The Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities, including certain post-closing covenants with respect to confidentiality and non-competition.

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the purchase price:

The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed using estimated fair values as of the acquisition date.  The estimates and assumptions are subject to change upon the finalization of valuations, which are contingent upon final appraisals of property and equipment, identifiable intangible assets, and other adjustments through January 28, 2010.  Revisions to the preliminary purchase price allocation could result in significant deviations from the preliminary allocation.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements at September 30, 2010 include results of TWLD for the period since the acquisition.  Pro-forma information is presented below as if the purchase had occurred on January 1 of each reporting period:

On February 11, 2010, the Company purchased several heavy civil marine construction equipment items including derrick barges, cranes, hammers and ancillary equipment from a private company exiting the marine construction business, for a purchase price of approximately $7.0 million.  In accordance with ASC 820, the Company recorded these assets at fair value, which was based on information derived from dealer markets, known transactions, and availability in the marketplace.  The Company’s preliminary valuation of these assets  is approximately $9.2 million, which resulted in a gain of approximately $2.2 million.  The Company is still in the process of finalizing its purchase price allocation to these assets.   Pro forma information is not presented, as the Company’s purc hase of assets was limited to items of equipment.

Contract costs include all direct costs, such as materials and labor, and those indirect costs related to contract performance such as payroll taxes and insurance. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined. Changes in job performance, job conditions and estimated profitability may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined. An amount equal to contract costs attributable to claims is included in revenues when realization is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, depreciation expense was $4.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  Depreciation expense for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $14.0 million and $11.7 million, respectively.  The assets of the Company are pledged as collateral for the Company’s credit facility.

Inventory at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, of $2.4 million  and $1.5 million, respectively, consists of spare parts and small equipment held for use in the ordinary course of business.

The fair value of financial instruments is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties.  Due to their short term nature, we believe that the carrying value of our accounts receivables, other current assets, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate their fair values. We have a note receivable in the amount of $121,000 from a customer.  Due to the short-term payment schedule, we believe that the carrying value of the note receivable approximates its fair value.

The table below summarizes changes in goodwill recorded by the Company during the periods ended September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

The Company’s intangible assets consists primarily of non-compete agreements, which amortize over the next 6 months.  The Company is continuing to identify and evaluate intangible assets, if any, related to the TWLD acquisition.

On June 29, 2010, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as sole lead arranger and bookrunner; and the lenders from time to time as party thereto.

The Credit Agreement provides for borrowings of up to $75,000,000 under revolving and swingline loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with a $20,000,000 sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit.  An additional $25 million is available under the facility subject to the lenders’ discretion (together, the “Credit Facility”).  The Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2013, and is guaranteed by the subsidiaries of the Company.  The Credit Facility may be used to finance working capital, repay indebtedness, fund acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes.

Revolving loans may be designated as prime rate based loans (“ABR Loans”) or Eurodollar Loans, at the Company’s request, and may be made in integrals of $500,000, in the case of an ABR Loan, or $1,000,000 in the case of a Eurodollar Loan.   Swingline loans may only be designated as ABR Loans, and may be made in amounts equal to integral multiples of $100,000.  The Company may convert, change or modify such designations from time to time.  Interest is computed based on the designation of the Loans, and bear interest at either a prime-based interest rate or a LIBOR-based interest rate.  Principal balances drawn under the Credit Facility may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.  Amounts repaid under the Credit Facility may be re-bo rrowed.

The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive financial covenants that are usual and customary for similar transactions, including;

In addition, the Credit Facility contains events of default that are usual and customary for similar transactions, including non-payment of principal, interest or fees; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; violation of covenants; bankruptcy and insolvency events; and events constituting a change of control.

The Company is subject to a commitment fee, payable quarterly in arrears on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at a current rate of 0.25% of the unused balance.  As of September 30, 2010, no amounts had been drawn under the Credit Facility.

At September 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all its financial covenants with a sufficient margin as to not impair its ability to incur additional debt or violate the terms of the Credit Facility, and had outstanding letters of credit of $979,221.  Historically, the Company has not relied on debt financing to fund its operations or working capital.

The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to it.  For interim financial reporting, the Company estimates its annual tax rate based on projected taxable income for the full year and records a quarterly tax provision in accordance with the anticipated annual rate.  The effective rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was 37.8% and 34.9%, respectively, and for the nine month periods was 37.1% and 36.6%, respectively.  The effective rate in the current year period differed from the Company’s statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, the non-deductibility of certain permanent tax items, such as incentive stock compensation expense, offset in part by the benefit of the domestic production a ctivities deduction on its federal tax return, which net effect increased the overall effective tax rate.

The Company does not believe that its uncertain tax positions will significantly change due to the settlement and expiration of statutes of limitations prior to September 30, 2011.

Basic earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the effect of all dilutive common stock equivalents during each period.

The following table reconciles the denominators used in the computations of both basic and diluted earnings per share:

The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the administration of the Company’s two stock incentive plans.  In general, the plans provide for grants of restricted stock and stock options to be issued with a per-share price equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of grant.  Option terms are specified at each grant date, but generally are 10 years.  Options generally vest over a three to five year period.  Total shares of common stock that may be delivered under these plans may not exceed 2,943,946.

Compensation expense related to stock options  for the three month period ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, was $481,000 and $350,000, respectively; and for the nine month period was $1.9 million and $1.1 million in 2010 and 2009, respectively.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company granted options to purchase 6,481 shares of common stock and used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards.  The option awards granted in 2010 used the following weighted average assumptions:

In March 2010, 3,539 shares of common stock were granted to certain employees of the Company.  These shares are restricted from sale until vesting requirements are fulfilled, which vesting is over a period of three years from the date of grant.  Compensation expense to be recorded over the three year vesting period is approximately $63,000.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company received proceeds of approximately $1,000 and $528,000 from the exercise of 224 and 55,964 stock options, respectively.  Proceeds received by the Company for the exercise of stock options for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $208,000 and $1.9 million, respectively.

From time to time the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business.  These actions typically seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage, punitive damages, civil penalties or other losses, or injunctive or declaratory relief.  With respect to such lawsuits, the Company accrues reserves when it is probable a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.  The Company does not believe any of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, would be expected to have a material adverse effect on results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

The Company was named as one of a substantial number of defendants in numerous individual claims and lawsuits brought by the residents and landowners of New Orleans, Louisiana and surrounding areas in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. These suits have been classified as a subcategory of suits under the more expansive proceeding, In re Canal Breaches Consolidation Litigation, Civil Action No: 05-4182, (E.D. La,), which was instituted in late 2005. While not technically class actions, the individual claims and lawsuits are being prosecuted in a manner similar to that employed for federal class actions. The claims are based on flooding and related damage from Hurricane Katrina. In general, the claimants state that the flooding and related damage resulted from the failure of certain aspects of the levee system constructed by the Corps of Engineers, and the claimants seek recovery of alleged general and special damages. The Corps of Engineers contracted with various private dredging companies, including us, to perform maintenance dredging of the waterways. On October 15, 2010, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision and dismissed the claimants’ suit against us and all defendant dredgers.

The Company is a heavy civil contractor specializing in marine construction, and operates as a single segment, as each project has similar characteristics, includes similar services, has similar types of customers and is subject to the same regulatory environment.  The Company organizes and evaluates its financial information around each project when making operating decisions and assessing its overall performance.

Revenues generated from projects located in the Caribbean Basin totaled 5% of total revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared with 18.5% in the comparable period last year.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, revenues generated from projects located in the Caribbean Basin totaled 6.2% and 14.6% of total revenues, respectively.

The Company’s long-lived assets are substantially located in the United States.

The Company filed a registration statement on Form S−3 which became effective August 7, 2009, and registered certain securities described therein, including debt securities, which may be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933. Orion Marine Group, Inc., as the parent company, has no independent assets or operations. The Company contemplates that if it offers guaranteed debt securities pursuant to the registration statement, all guarantees will be full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of the Company other than the subsidiary guarantors will be minor. In addition, there are no restrictions on the ability of Orion Marine Group, Inc. to obtain funds from its subsidiaries by d ividend or loan. Finally, there are no restricted assets in any subsidiaries.

Certain information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including but not limited to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”), may constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

All statements other than statements of historical facts, including those that express a belief, expectation, or intention are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may include projections and estimates concerning the timing and success of specific projects and our future production, revenues, income and capital spending. Our forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as “estimate,” “project,” “predict,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “plan,” “goal” or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes.

We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions about future events. While our management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. These and other important factors, including those described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (“2009 Form 10-K”) may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  The forwa rd-looking statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q speak only as of the date of this report; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to rely on them unduly.

MD&A provides a narrative analysis explaining the reasons for material changes in the Company’s (i) financial condition since the most recent fiscal year-end, and (ii) results of operations during the current fiscal year-to-date period and current fiscal quarter as compared to the corresponding periods of the preceding fiscal year.  In order to better understand such changes, this MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Company’s fiscal 2009 audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its 2009 Form 10-K, Item 7 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our 2009 Form 10-K  and with our unaudited financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report.

We are a leading marine specialty contractor serving the heavy civil marine infrastructure market. We provide a broad range of marine construction and specialty services on, over and under the water along the Gulf Coast, the Atlantic Seaboard, the West Coast, Canada, and the Caribbean Basin. Our customers include federal, state and municipal governments, the combination of which accounted for approximately 60% of our revenue in the three months ended September 30, 2010, as well as private commercial and industrial enterprises. We are headquartered in Houston, Texas.

Our contracts are obtained primarily through competitive bidding by federal, state and local agencies and through negotiation with private parties. Our bidding activity is affected by such factors as backlog, current utilization of equipment and other resources, ability to obtain necessary surety bonds and competitive considerations. The timing and location of awarded contracts may result in unpredictable fluctuations in the results of our operations.

Most of our revenue is derived from fixed-price contracts. There are a number of factors that can create variability in contract performance and therefore impact the results of our operations. The most significant of these include the following:

All of these factors can impose inefficiencies on contract performance, which can impact the timing of revenue recognition and contract profitability. We plan our operations and bidding activity with these factors in mind and they have not had a material adverse impact on the results of our operations in the past.

Recent Developments.  In the first quarter of 2010, we continued to execute our growth strategy through the acquisition of Texas-based TW LaQuay Dredging, LLC (“TWLD”), a specialty dredging service provider that focuses on near shore dredging projects, and we established a base to serve the Pacific Northwest and West Coast through the purchase of marine equipment, including derrick barges, cranes, hammers and ancillary items.  These acquisitions, along with our continued investment in specialized equipment to enhance our lift capabilities and expand our fleet, were funded with the proceeds generated from our common stock offering in 2009.

Outlook.  We continue to see strong bidding activity in our end markets and geographic areas.  Sources of bid opportunities available to us include:

Competition in the East Coast construction market has remained elevated and has impacted our ability to secure projects through pressure on contract pricing in this region.  In addition, the cost of certain materials has recently declined, which may also reduce the contract value of future projects on which we choose to bid.

Contract Revenues. Revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased approximately 22.8% as compared with the same period last year, and was attributable, to the integration of the TWLD assets and personnel into the Company as well as the mix of contracts in the year.    Contract revenue generated from public agencies, including federal, state and local municipalities, represented 60% of total revenues in the third quarter of 2010, with the private sector generating 40%, as compared with the third quarter of 2009, when the mix of customers included 49% from the public agencies and 51% from the private sector.  Revenues generated from projects in the Caribbean Basin represented 5% of total revenue, as compared with 18 .5% in the third quarter of 2009.

Gross Profit.   Gross profit increased approximately $2.4 million, or 15.2%, in the third quarter of 2010 as compared with the corresponding period last year.  The improvement in gross profit was due primarily to the increase in revenues.  Gross margin, as a percentage of revenue, was 18.4% for the third quarter of 2010, a decrease compared with 19.6% in the prior year period, due to a self-performance rate in the three months ended September 30, 2010, of approximately 79.0% of total cost of revenue, as compared with a self-performance rate of 83.3% in the third quarter of 2009, resulting from the mix of contracts between periods.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) totaled $7.0 million, a decrease of approximately $729,000 as compared with the third quarter of 2009, principally due from amortization of intangible assets in the prior year period of approximately $687,000.  SG&A expense as a percent of revenue in the third quarter of 2010 was 7.0%, as compared with 9.4% in the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease was due primarily to the growth in revenue without a corresponding increase in overheads.

Income Tax Expense  Our effective rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was 37.8%, and differed from the Company’s statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes and the non-deductibility of certain permanent tax items, such as incentive stock compensation expense, offset in part by the benefit of the domestic production activities deduction on our federal tax return, which net effect increased our overall effective tax rate. In the three month period ended September 30, 2009, tax benefits related to option exercises reduced the overall effective rate to 34.9%.

Contract Revenues. Revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased approximately $40.5 million, or 18.2% as compared with the same period last year, and was attributable, in part, to the integration of the TWLD assets and personnel into the Company and the progress schedules of the mix of contracts between periods.  Contract revenue generated from public agencies, including federal, state and local municipalities, represented 60% of total revenues in the first nine months of 2010, with the private sector generating 40%, as compared with the prior year period, when the mix of customers included 55% from the public agencies and 45% from the private sector.

Gross Profit.   Gross profit increased approximately $4.5 million, or 9.1%, in the first nine months of 2010 as compared with the corresponding period last year.  The improvement in gross profit was due primarily to the increase in revenues.  Gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was 20.4%, as compared with 22.1% in the prior year period.  The decrease in margins was due primarily to the use of outside subcontractors resulting from the mix of contracts between periods.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense. SG&A expenses increased approximately $2.1 million between comparable periods.  Costs related to the acquisitions in the first quarter of 2010 totaled approximately $1.7 million.  Outside these acquisition related expenses, SG&A increased due to additional overheads to support our business growth.

Other Income, net of Other Expense.  The Company recognized a gain of approximately $2.2 million on the preliminary valuation of the bargain purchase of assets acquired in February, 2010.

Income Tax Expense  Our effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was 37.1% and 36.6%, respectively, and differed from the Company’s statutory rate of 35% primarily due to state income taxes and the non-deductibility of certain permanent tax items, such as incentive stock compensation expense, offset in part by the benefit of the domestic production activities deduction on our federal tax return, which net effect increased our overall effective tax rate.

Our primary liquidity needs are to finance our working capital, invest in capital expenditures, and pursue strategic acquisitions. Historically, our source of liquidity has been cash provided by our operating activities.

Our working capital position fluctuates from period to period due to normal increases and decreases in operational activity. At September 30, 2010, our working capital was $64.3 million.  This compares with $130.8 million at December 31, 2009, of which $55.3 million was related to the balance of the proceeds received from the sale of common stock in August 2009. The decrease was due to funds used in the acquisition of TWLD and to the purchase of marine construction assets in the Pacific Northwest, which were funded entirely through cash on hand.

We expect to meet our future internal liquidity and working capital needs, and maintain our equipment fleet through capital expenditure purchases and major repairs, from funds generated in our operating activities for at least the next 12 months.  We believe our cash position, combined with the capacity available under our revolving credit facility, is adequate for our general business requirements.

The following table provides information regarding our cash flows and capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (unaudited):

Operating Activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our operations provided approximately $18.9 million in cash.  Changes in operating activities included an increase in costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, which resulted from the timing of billings to customers as well as our contractual ability to bill for work performed.  Changes in non-cash items included an increase in non-cash stock-based compensation related to grants in 2009, offset by the gain on the fair value in excess of the purchase price of assets acquired during the period.

Investing Activities. In January 2010, we purchased the membership interest of TWLD for $60.0 million with an additional $4.0 million held in escrow, all or part of which is payable to the seller as a result of an increase in the purchase price by the amount of any additional taxes arising from the allocation of the purchase price in accordance with U.S. Internal Revenue Code.  In February 2010, we purchased marine equipment totaling approximately $7.0 million.  In addition, we added to our capital assets by approximately $25.1 million to enhance our lift capabilities and expand our fleet.

Financing Activities. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we received proceeds from stock option exercises, including related tax benefits of $587,000. This was offset in part by an increase in amortizable loan costs incurred in conjunction with the new credit facility.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we completed a public offering of common stock, receiving proceeds, net of expenses, of approximately $91.0 million.  With a portion of the proceeds, we repaid the outstanding balance on our credit facility.  In addition, we received proceeds from stock option exercises, including the related excess tax benefits.  .

On June 29, 2010, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as sole lead arranger and bookrunner; and the lenders from time to time as party thereto.

The Credit Agreement provides for borrowings of up to $75,000,000 under revolving and swingline loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with a $20,000,000 sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit.  An additional $25 million is available under the facility subject to the lenders’ discretion (together, the “Credit Facility”).  The Credit Facility matures on September 30, 2013, and is guaranteed by the subsidiaries of the Company.  The Credit Facility may be used to finance working capital, repay indebtedness, fund acquisitions, and for other general corporate purposes.

Revolving loans may be designated as prime rate based loans (“ABR Loans”) or Eurodollar Loans, at the Company’s request, and may be made in integrals of $500,000, in the case of an ABR Loan, or $1,000,000 in the case of a Eurodollar Loan.   Swingline loans may only be designated as ABR Loans, and may be made in amounts equal to integral multiples of $100,000.  The Company may convert, change or modify such designations from time to time.  Interest is computed based on the designation of the Loans, and bear interest at either a prime-based interest rate or a LIBO-based interest rate.  Principal balances drawn under the Credit Facility may be prepaid at any time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.  Amounts repaid under the Credit Facility may be re-bor rowed.

The Credit Facility contains certain restrictive financial covenants that are usual and customary for similar transactions, including;

In addition, the Credit Facility contains events of default that are usual and customary for similar transactions, including non-payment of principal, interest or fees; inaccuracy of representations and warranties; violation of covenants; bankruptcy and insolvency events; and events constituting a change of control.

The Company is subject to a commitment fee, payable quarterly in arrears on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at a current rate of 0.25% of the unused balance.  As of September 30, 2010, no amounts had been drawn under the Credit Facility.

At September 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with all its financial covenants with a sufficient margin as to not impair its ability to incur additional debt or violate the terms of the Credit Facility, and had outstanding letters of credit of $979,221.  Historically, the Company has not relied on debt financing to fund its operations or working capital.

We are generally required to provide various types of surety bonds that provide additional security to our customers for our performance under certain government and private sector contracts.  Our ability to obtain surety bonds depends on our capitalization, working capital, past performance and external factors, including the capacity of the overall surety market.  At September 30, 2010, we believe our capacity under our current bonding arrangement with Liberty Mutual was in excess of $400 million, of which we had approximately $125 million in surety bonds outstanding.  During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, approximately 60% of projects, measured by revenue, required us to post a bond.

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial position, results of operations or capital resources.

Inflation historically has not had a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.  Due to the short-term duration of our contracts, we are generally able to include anticipated price increases in the cost of our bids.

We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading, speculation or other purposes that would expose the Company to market risk.  In the normal course of business, our results of operations are subject to risks related to fluctuations in commodity prices and fluctuations in interest rates.

We are subject to fluctuations in commodity prices for concrete, steel products and fuel.  Although we attempt to secure firm quotes from our suppliers, we generally do not hedge against increases in prices for concrete, steel and fuel.  Commodity price risks may have an impact on our results of operations due to the fixed-price nature of many of our contracts, although the short-term duration of our projects may allow us to include price increases in the costs of our bids.

At September 30, 2010, we had no borrowings under our credit facility.  Our objectives in managing interest rate risk are to lower our overall borrowing costs and limit interest rate changes on our earnings and cash flows.  To achieve this, we closely monitor changes in interest rates and we utilize cash from operations to reduce our debt position.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.