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Published on April 20, 2009

April 20, 2009
John Cash
Division of Corporation Finance
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549-7010
Mail Stop 3561
Division of Corporation Finance
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20549-7010
Mail Stop 3561
Re: | Quanta Services, Inc. Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 Definitive Proxy Statement, April 18, 2008 Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 File No. 1-13831 |
Dear Mr. Cash:
We are providing the following response to the comment letter dated February 6, 2009 from the
staff (the Staff) of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) regarding the Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, the Definitive Proxy Statement dated April 18, 2008 and
the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 filed by Quanta Services, Inc. (Quanta or
the Company). The following response is keyed to the Staffs comment, and unless otherwise
stated, all page numbers in our response refer to the respective page numbers in the relevant
filing. This response has been prepared with the expectation that the Company will have the
opportunity to discuss with the Staff information submitted in this response, if, following a
review of the information, the Staff has further questions or comments.
Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 9. Segment Information, page 25
Note 9. Segment Information, page 25
1. | We have read your response to our comment in our previous letter dated December 23, 2008 and appreciate the additional information you have provided. We note that you have aggregated 26 operating segments into your Infrastructure Services reporting segment. Paragraph 17 of SFAS 131 states that two or more operating segments may be aggregated into a single operating segment if the aggregation is consistent with the objectives and basic principles of SFAS 131. As outlined in paragraph 3 of SFAS 131, segment disclosures are intended to help users of |
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financial statements better understand a companys performance. Based on the information you have presented in your response letters as well as the information contained in your periodic reports, it appears that your 26 operating segments do not all have similar characteristics. For example, we note differences in your operating segments based on the type of work performed and the industry in which the segments operate. Therefore it appears that by aggregating all 26 operating segments into your Infrastructure Services reporting segment, you may not meet the basic principles and objectives of SFAS 131 since a more disaggregated approach would provide users with more specific information to assess your performance. Please reconsider your approach or tell us why you believe your aggregation policy complies with SFAS 131. |
Response:
We acknowledge the Staffs comment regarding Quantas segment information and appreciate the
opportunity to provide the Staff with additional discussion of our segment aggregation and
reporting considerations. In the course of preparing this and previous communications with the
Staff, and with the assistance of Quantas operational leadership, its audit committee and its
independent auditors, we have comprehensively evaluated Quantas policies regarding segment and
enterprise-wide disclosures under SFAS 131. Based on these evaluations, which are discussed in
more detail below, we respectfully submit that Quantas aggregation policies and segment reporting
disclosures meet the objectives and basic principles of SFAS 131. Quantas segment reporting
policies were developed to provide financial statement users with information that is consistent
with how its business is organized and on the same basis as that used by its chief operating
decision maker (CODM) with regard to operating matters. We do not believe that a presentation of
Quantas reportable segments on a basis other than that which is used by its CODM would meet the
objectives and basic principles of SFAS 131.
We note the Staffs comment that Quanta has aggregated 26 operating segments in its Infrastructure
Services segment and that all 26 operating segments may not have similar characteristics. To
clarify, in our response to comment 8 in our response letter dated December 11, 2008 to the Staffs
comment letter dated November 26, 2008 (the December 2008 Response Letter), we discussed our
evaluation of Quantas 26 operating segments and concluded under our aggregation analysis that
Quanta has two reportable segments: the Infrastructure Services segment, consisting of 25 operating
segments, and the Dark Fiber segment, consisting of one operating segment. Accordingly, we agree
that not all 26 operating segments share similar characteristics, which is why we have not
aggregated Quantas Dark Fiber operating segment with those in Quantas Infrastructure Services
segment. However, as discussed below, we do believe that all 25 operating segments comprising the
Infrastructure Services segment (which we refer to in the balance of this response as the
operating segments unless the context otherwise provides) share similar characteristics and meet
the criteria for aggregation in accordance with the objectives and basic principles of SFAS 131.
Quantas reportable segments have been derived from a detailed assessment of the information
provided to its CODM and the characteristics of its operating segments, as defined in paragraph 10
of SFAS 131 and which are acknowledged in the Staffs comment above. This assessment considered
all of the applicable criteria set forth in SFAS 131. The facts supporting our
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conclusions in this response regarding the nature of Quantas infrastructure service activities,
the aggregation of its operating segments and the relevance and comparability of Quantas
reportable segments and enterprise-wide disclosures generally remain unchanged from our previous
response letter to the Staffs September 2003 inquiry about the Companys compliance with
paragraphs 10 and 17 of SFAS 131. These facts include:
- Our operating activities comprise two reportable segments: Infrastructure Services and Dark
Fiber. Segment selection is based on the organizational structure we use to evaluate performance
and make decisions on resource allocation, as well as availability and materiality of separate
financial results consistent with that structure, as described in our December 2008 Response
letter.
- Quantas CODM is John Colson, the Companys Chief Executive Officer. Quantas CODM does not make
operating decisions other than at the individual operating segment level or on a consolidated
basis.
- All of Quantas operating segments in its Infrastructure Services segment operate in one
industry, which is the specialty contracting service industry, providing comprehensive specialty
contracting services, including design, installation, repair and maintenance to owners or operators
of network transmission and distribution infrastructure.
- All of Quantas operating segments in its Infrastructure Services segment operate in a similar
economic environment by providing the services described above on a project by project basis,
primarily utilizing bid contracts and interchangeable labor and asset resources to meet the demands
of customers that operate in different industries.
- Information that would support an alternative method for allocating resources, managing risk and
assessing performance and future net cash flows is not obtained by the Company on any basis other
than at the individual operating segment level.
We note that multiple segment reporting concepts are identified in the Staffs comment above, and
our response is intended to provide additive discussion of each of these items within the framework
of Quantas overall segment reporting considerations. On pages 13 and 14 of our December 2008
Response Letter, we provided the Staff with a discussion of the similarity of services provided by
Quantas operating segments to customers in different industries, the labor resources and equipment
used by its operating segments to provide infrastructure services, the regulatory environment in
which its segments operate and the contractual terms of project specific work at each of its
operating segments. Given that the Staff did not comment on these items in its February 6, 2009
letter, we have assumed that this previous discussion has adequately supported the view that
similar characteristics are shared by Quantas Infrastructure Services operating segments with
regard to the criteria in paragraphs 17(b), (d) and (e) of SFAS 131, specifically:
Interchangeability of equipment. Quantas primary equipment is rolling
stock including trucks, trailers, support vehicles and specialty construction
equipment, such as backhoes, excavators, trenchers, generators, boring machines and
cranes. This equipment is utilized throughout Quanta in delivering its services across
customer industries served and is not specific to any one provided service.
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Interchangeability of labor. Much of Quantas workforce is interchangeable
among the different specialty contracting services its operating segments provide.
For example, individuals who might normally work on telecommunications projects can
be utilized to work on portions of electric and gas utility work as well as cable.
Individuals who normally work on electric utility projects can perform cable
television make-ready work on electric utility poles and string fiber optic cable on
electric transmission and electric distribution structures. In addition,
individuals that work on commercial and industrial projects can be utilized to
construct solar arrays in the electric industry.
Similarities in regulatory environments among operating units. All of
Quantas operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws and
regulations including licensing requirements applicable to electricians and
engineers, building and electrical codes, permitting and inspection requirements
applicable to construction projects, regulations relating to worker safety and
environmental protection and special bidding and procurement requirements on
governmental projects. However, none of Quantas operating units are subject to
unique industry specific regulatory requirements.
Additionally, we have considered the Staffs most recent inquiry regarding Quantas aggregation
policy and the examples of differences cited by the Staff in Quantas operating segments based on
the type of work performed and the industry in which its segments operate, and without a more
specific description from the Staff as to how these characteristics indicate a lack of similarity
among Quantas operating segments, we have prepared our response with primary consideration being
given to the requirements of paragraphs 3, 17(a) and 17(c) of SFAS 131. In reference to paragraph 3
of SFAS 131, we have presented a discussion of the industry in which Quantas Infrastructure
Services segment operates, which we believe is key to establishing fundamental similarities in the
business activities and economic environment of these operating segments, and the foundation for
all other aggregation considerations under paragraph 17.
The Industry in which Quantas Infrastructure Services Segment Operates
As noted above, all of Quantas operating segments included within the Infrastructure Services
segment operate in one industry, which is the specialty contracting service industry, providing
comprehensive specialty contracting services to owners and/or operators of different network
infrastructures. Managements description and disclosure of the industry in which this segment
operates has, since inception, remained consistent as providing specialized contracting services,
offering end-to-end network solutions to the electric power, gas, telecommunications and cable
television industries, including designing, installing, repairing and maintaining network
infrastructure. This description is aligned with the other specialty contracting service providers
in Quantas disclosed peer group. Specifically, we have reviewed the disclosures of Pike Electric
Corporation, Dycom Industries Inc. and MasTec, Inc., all of whom make similar reference to the
industry of specialty services, network infrastructure services or contracting services. Industry
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demand for the design, installation, repair and maintenance of network infrastructure assets comes
from customers conducting transmission and distribution activities in multiple industries. These
activities are primarily conducted using electric power transmission and distribution networks,
natural gas transmission and distribution networks, and telecommunication transmission and
distribution networks (inclusive of voice, video, IP and data) via hard-line telephone networks,
coaxial cable networks, fiber optic networks and wireless communication networks. Quantas
business model is based on providing adequate resources to meet these network infrastructure
demands on a project by project basis at competitively bid or negotiated prices. Each of Quantas
operating segments participates similarly in this economic environment by providing a range of
infrastructure design, installation, repair and maintenance services to the specialty contracting
industry customer base and competing with other companies who perform similar industry services.
These factors support our conclusion that all of Quantas Infrastructure Services operating
segments operate within the same industry and share a similar economic environment. Our
aggregation considerations are premised on this conclusion.
Aggregation Criteria (a) and (c) of Paragraph 17 of SFAS 131
As stated above, the fact that all of Quantas operating segments operate in one industry and
conduct similar business activities in a shared economic environment supports managements
conclusion that additional aggregation considerations under SFAS 131 are appropriate.
SFAS 131, paragraph 17, criteria (a) and (c), provides that aggregation is appropriate if (in
addition to the other criteria) there is similarity across the segments in the nature of services
provided and the type or class of customer for those services. As discussed above, each of
Quantas Infrastructure Services operating segments provides a range of design, installation,
repair and maintenance services to owners or operators of infrastructure transmission and
distribution assets. Because each of Quantas operating segments and their competitors serve
customers in multiple industries, the degree to which an operating segment allocates resources to
projects for these different types of services and the portion of its operating results derived
from each type of service is constantly changing. Resource allocation decisions are made in
similar fashion at all operating segments based on an evaluation of current project performance
risks, anticipated project opportunities and the constraints placed on an operating segment from
unscheduled demand, such as storm damage to area power and telecommunication networks.
Accordingly, all of Quantas operating segments share a similar business model to achieve success
in the same economic environment. This model is designed, in part, to provide each operating
segment leader with an entrepreneurial platform to develop service relationships across the
industry customer base. Competition exists between operating segments and other industry
participants at both a local and nationwide level, and is evidenced on occasions where multiple
Quanta operating segments will participate in bid competitions for the same customer project.
Additionally, operating segments have the ability to market their services on a nationwide level by
leveraging local relationships with customers that have nationwide infrastructure investments, and
by combining resource capacities with other operating segments to achieve the competitive scale
necessary for servicing a larger project. Quantas organizational structure is designed to allow
for shifts in the type of services provided by each operating segment based upon these various
factors including the efficiencies gained by segments performing one type of service on a larger
project or multiple segments providing the same range of services on a contract in
different regions. Similarity in the operational capabilities shared among Quantas operating
segments creates a compatible infrastructure service offering on an industry-wide basis that is key
to Quantas business strategy.
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An example of the flexibility shared by all of Quantas operating segments can be illustrated
specifically by one operating segment that predominantly contracted for commercial and industrial
projects to provide inside electrical wiring, data cabling and system repair and maintenance, but
which has recently expanded its market focus to pursue infrastructure service opportunities with
renewable energy customers. This operating segment is expected to be a leading contributor to
Quantas results for this type of renewable energy service work. This flexibility in services from
commercial and industrial to renewable energy required little incremental capital investment by the
operating segment and illustrates how the leadership at each operating segment applies an
entrepreneurial approach to utilizing its existing workforce and assets. On a period-to-period
basis, the nature of the design, installation, repair and maintenance services provided by all of
Quantas operating segments remains similar; however, to allow each operating segment to compete
for industry market share and achieve its performance goals, large shifts in the type and volume of
services performed in different customer industries can and will occur at the individual operating
segment level.
All of Quantas Infrastructure Services segment customers demand services from the specialty
contracting service industry to perform any combination of design, engineering, installation,
repair and maintenance of some or all of their infrastructure assets. It is common for this range
of services to be provided by the same operating segment to customers in different industries as
well as by different operating segments to the same customer. As evidenced in Quantas CODM
package provided to the Staff in our response letter dated January 9, 2009 (the January 2009
Response Letter), multiple operating segments derive a significant portion of their operating
results from different types of work in different customer industries (Type of Work Category C
documents). Also as discussed in the December 2008 Response Letter, at least 19 of the 25
operating segments aggregated within the Infrastructure Services segment report multiple types of
work from customers in different industries. Because each operating segment maintains service
relationships across Quantas industry customer base, infrastructure service customers are
considered to be of the same type or class among the operating segments and for any combination of
the specialty services provided, regardless of the industry in which these customers operate.
As a result of these similar business activities, including industry service offerings, business
models, customer types and risk management objectives, Quantas operating segments compete
individually and on a collaborative basis to achieve their individual performance goals. Quantas
CODM package has been developed to ensure that each operating segment presents its financial
information, key performance statistics and project level data on a uniform and comparable basis
(refer to the information we provided as Category A in our January 2009 Response Letter).
Conclusions regarding the economic similarity of Quantas Infrastructure Services operating
segments are in part evidenced by the fact that Quantas CODM evaluates the performance of each
operating segment on a monthly basis using identical performance indicators and comparable
presentations of project level data. In consideration of these facts along with the other evidence
presented in this and previous letters, we believe that Quantas Infrastructure
Services operating segments share similar characteristics as described in paragraph 17 of SFAS 131
and that aggregation based on those similarities is appropriate.
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More Specific Information to Better Assess Our Performance
We have considered the Staffs comment that a more disaggregated approach would provide users with
more specific information to assess Quantas performance, and we believe that Quantas presentation
of enterprise-wide disclosures in its filings, including revenues by type of work and details of
Quantas foreign operations, do effectively provide users with more specific information to assess
Quantas performance. We note specifically that because Quantas business activities are not
organized on the basis of differences in services or differences in geographic areas but rather on
an operating unit by operating unit basis, and because Quantas Infrastructure Services segment
reports revenues from a range of services across customer industries, the additional information
disclosed in accordance with paragraphs 37-39 of SFAS 131 ensures that Quantas segment reporting
disclosures as a whole meet the objectives and basic principles set forth in paragraph 3 of SFAS
131. Quantas disclosure of enterprise-wide revenues by type of work represents additional
detailed information about the services that Quantas operating segments provide and in no way
indicates dissimilarities in the nature of services provided that would conflict with our
conclusions reached under paragraph 17(a).
Specifically, paragraph 3 of SFAS 131 states:
The objective and basic principles of SFAS 131 are to provide information about the
different types of business activities in which an enterprise engages and the
different economic environments in which it operates, to help users:
a. Better understand the enterprises performance
b. Better assess its prospects for future net cash flows
c. Make more informed judgments about the enterprise as a whole
We read this portion of the standard to apply to all segment and enterprise-wide disclosures
presented by Quanta. Because each of Quantas Infrastructure Services operating segments report
revenues from a range of services, Quantas SFAS 131 policies and related disclosures have been
developed to provide users with a comprehensive understanding of its different business activities,
types of services provided and customer industries served, as well as an understanding of the
organizational structure that management considers necessary to understand Quantas performance and
evaluate material factors affecting its performance and prospects for future net cash flows. In
consideration of the Staffs comment, we note that several factors have been described in this
response to the Staff that cause period to period shifts in the types of services performed and
customer industries served by each operating segment. Additionally, strategic decisions are
routinely made at the enterprise level to help improve resource and equipment utilization and
facilitate the coordination of effort by subcontracting work between operating segments. This type
of collaboration and supportive exchange of resources can have offsetting positive and negative
financial impacts at the individual operating segment level. As indicated by the routine shifts in
the type of services provided at each operating segment on a period to period basis, a lack of
comparability among Quantas operating segments as well as between
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these individual operating segments and Quantas disclosed peer group exists, which indicates that
more detailed information would be less relevant in assessing Quantas overall performance and its
prospects for future net cash flows. Further to this point, a methodology does not exist that
would allow for Quantas operating segments to be aggregated based on some other set of defining
characteristics, such as type of work performed, that would allow for consistent grouping of
operating segments on a period to period basis. As a result, we believe aggregation of
Infrastructure Services operating segments into multiple reportable segments would offer almost no
analytical value and would require constant retroactive restatement of previous year reportable
segments, such that their usefulness would become inconsistent with paragraph 3 of SFAS 131.
In our assessment of Quantas aggregation policies, we have also considered the guidance of
paragraph 60 of SFAS 131, which indicates that at least three significant advantages to better
understanding a companys performance exist when segments are based on the structure of an
enterprises internal organization.
First, an ability to see an enterprise through the eyes of management enhances a
users ability to predict actions or reactions of management that can significantly
affect the enterprises prospects for future cash flows. Second, because
information about those segments is generated for managements use, the incremental
cost of providing information for external reporting should be relatively low.
Third, practice has demonstrated that the term industry is subjective. Segments
based on existing internal structure should be less subjective.
Management has chosen to structure the internal organization based on Quantas individual operating
segments, as described on pages 8 through 10 of our December 2008 Response Letter, and to assess
the enterprises prospects for future cash flows based on their combined ability to compete for
market share in the same service industry. We believe that this characteristic not only supports
our conclusions regarding the similar nature of Quantas operating segments but also demonstrates
why more specific information at the operating segment level would not be additive to the
information currently presented. The presentation of two reportable segments based on the two
distinct industries in which Quanta operates and the presentation of enterprise-wide disclosures
based on the types of revenue-generating work that Quantas operating segments perform provides
users with relevant information, as viewed by management, to understand the enterprises
performance and assess its prospects for future net cash flows, such as those as described in
Quantas Outlook section included in its Managements Discussion and Analysis in each quarterly and
annual filing. For these reasons, we believe that aggregation into one reportable segment provides
investors with the best information to assess Quantas infrastructure services performance and its
prospects for future net cash flows.
Conclusion
The Staff has asserted that Quanta may not meet the basic principles and objectives of SFAS 131 in
aggregating its 25 Infrastructure Services operating segments into one reportable segment. We
respectfully submit that the discussion above supports Quantas basis for aggregation. We
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believe the FASB recognized that a type of organization like Quanta may exist that may not find
itself reporting in multiple segments when the Board contemplated in paragraph 67 that an
enterprise may not be divided into components with similar products and services or geographic
areas for internal purposes and some users of financial statements have expressed a desire for
information organized on those bases. However, instead of an alternative method of segmentation,
which would call for multiple sets of segment information in many circumstances, the Board chose to
require disclosure of additional information about products and services and geographic areas of
operations for the enterprise as a whole if the basic segment disclosures do not provide it.
Additionally, paragraphs 81 and 82 state The Board does not think that a separate measure of
segment profit or loss or assets should have to be developed solely for the purpose of disclosing
segment information and that the Board should allow companies to report a statistic on the same
basis it is reported for internal purposes, if the statistic is reported internally. The usefulness
of information prepared only for external reporting is questionable. Users want to understand
managements perspective on the company and the implications of key statistics. It also said that
key statistics to be reported should be limited to statistics a company has available...
Quanta has applied this guidance regarding enterprise-wide disclosures by disclosing revenues by
type along with assets by geographic area. We believe that these disclosures do provide financial
statement users with other disaggregated information that is available, while preserving the
segment reporting objective of presenting information from managements view or perspective and
avoiding the creation of new information for external reporting purposes only.
We confirm to the Staff that we have comprehensively reconsidered Quantas accounting policies and
disclosures for compliance with the requirements of SFAS 131. This evaluation included a
consideration of the aggregation criteria of paragraph 17 of SFAS 131 and the objective and basic
principles of SFAS 131. We have discussed this evaluation with Quantas audit committee and our
independent auditors, who concur with our conclusions. We believe that we have provided in this
response a reasonable and comprehensive basis for concluding that Quantas disclosure policies
comply with the standards of SFAS 131.
As referenced in the Staffs letter, we acknowledge that the Company is responsible for the
adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure in the filings; Staff comments or changes to disclosure in
response to Staff comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to
the filings; and the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding initiated
by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of the United States.
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We respectfully request an opportunity to discuss this response letter further with the Staff if,
following a review of this information, the Staff does not concur with our views. If you have
further questions or comments, or if you require additional information, please contact the
undersigned by telephone at (713) 985-6406 or by facsimile at (713) 629-7676.
Very truly yours, |
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/s/ James H. Haddox | ||||
James H. Haddox | ||||
Chief Financial Officer | ||||
cc: | James R. Ball Chairman, Audit Committee |
Mindy Hooker, Staff Accountant Tricia Armelin, Senior Staff Accountant Division of Corporation Finance Securities and Exchange Commission |
Kenneth Miller, National Professional Services Partner Ray Garcia, Houston Market Assurance Leader David Carroway, Assurance Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP |
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