2021 Annual Report Dear Fellow Shareholders, Exponent’s performance in 2021 demonstrated the power of our value proposition, the strength of our differentiated market position, and the resilience of our business model. The Company continued to expand and diversify its engagement portfolio, while growing revenues and earnings. For fiscal year 2021, net revenues grew 15%, while our EBITDA margin expanded over 340 basis points as compared to fiscal year 2020. Our team continues to deliver innovative solutions as we broaden our client base and deepen our trusted client relationships. We could not have realized this success without the dedication and exceptional performance of our engineers and scientists, and the employees that support them. Our competitive advantage remains a cornerstone of our success: highly specialized, data-driven, and interdisciplinary engineering and scientific prowess deployed against our clients’ most challenging obstacles. In a world of ever- increasing technological complexity and escalating expectations around safety, health, and sustainability, Exponent rises to the top as the scientific advisor of choice. We leverage our decades-long experience in reactive failure analysis to inform our proactive services, addressing human health, environmental, engineering, and regulatory issues and providing our clients the insights they need to make sound, data-driven decisions. Our reactive and proactive work streams are quickly becoming equal contributors to revenue at the company. The value that we provide to clients is only made possible by our ability to attract, engage, and develop the best and the brightest team members. It is this brain trust – comprised of over 900 consultants educated at major academic institutions around the world, with cross-industry experience, and the majority of whom hold a doctorate in their field – that is the lifeblood of the firm. The diversity of discipline that our teams bring to bear on client challenges has been a hallmark of Exponent for decades. We continue our journey to embed diversity, equity and inclusion more fully into our company culture, to deliver even greater value to the marketplace and a more meaningful and engaging work environment for us all. From its inception, Exponent has been committed to the advancement of science through the service of our employees to our clients and the broader scientific community. Our impact manifests itself through empowerment of our clients’ visions, for example by developing data analytics to reduce utility wildfire risk, creating safety frameworks for automated vehicles, deploying wearable technologies to improve human health, assessing the vulnerability of infrastructure to climate change, and supporting accessible and inclusive product design. These are just a few of the ways that we contribute to a safe, healthy, sustainable, and technologically complex world. Exponent has been positioning itself for the future for over 50 years, investing in our talent, knowledge base and skills to deliver increasing value to our clients and shareholders. I am grateful for the trust that our clients and our shareholders place in us, and for the incredible team that inspires me each and every day. We are committed to staying ahead of the curve and delivering long-term growth and value for all of our stakeholders. With Warm Regards, Catherine Corrigan, Ph. D. Chief Executive Officer and President UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ☒ ☐ Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. OR Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from ________ to _________. Commission File Number 0-18655 EXPONENT, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 149 Commonwealth Drive, Menlo Park, California (Address of principal executive offices) 77-0218904 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 94025 (Zip Code) (650) 326-9400 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of Each Class Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share Trading Symbol EXPO Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Nasdaq Global Select Market Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act 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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ☒ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☐ Smaller reporting company ☐ Emerging growth company ☐ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant based on the closing sales price of the common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on July 2, 2021, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, was $3,445,619,669. Shares of the registrant’s common stock held by each executive officer and director and by each entity or person that, to the registrant’s knowledge, owned 10% or more of registrant’s outstanding common stock as of July 2, 2021 have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates of the registrant. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes. The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of February 18, 2022 was 52,116,161. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 2, 2022 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Auditor Name: KPMG, LLP Auditor Location: San Francisco, California Audit Firm ID: 185 EXPONENT, INC. FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 TABLE OF CONTENTS PART I Item 1. Business .............................................................................................................................................. Item 1A. Risk Factors......................................................................................................................................... Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments ............................................................................................................... Properties ............................................................................................................................................ Item 2. Legal Proceedings ............................................................................................................................... Item 3. Mine Safety Disclosures ..................................................................................................................... Item 4. PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities ................................................................................................................................. (Reserved) ........................................................................................................................................... Item 6. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations............. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk............................................................. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................................................................................... Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure............. Item 9. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures ..................................................................................................................... Item 9B. Other Information ............................................................................................................................... Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspection ................................................. PART III Item 10. Item 11. Item 12. Item 13. Item 14. PART IV Item 15. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.................................................................. Executive Compensation..................................................................................................................... Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters ................................................................................................................................................ Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ................................... Principal Accounting Fees and Services............................................................................................. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ...................................................................................... Exhibit Index .......................................................................................................................................................... Signatures ............................................................................................................................................................... Page 4 17 22 22 22 23 24 24 25 33 34 34 34 34 34 35 35 35 35 35 36 64 67 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains, and incorporates by reference, certain forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the rules promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) that are based on the beliefs of the Companys management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Companys management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this document and in the documents incorporated herein by reference, the words intend, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company or its management with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Companys actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material differences include the COVID-19 pandemic (including factors relating to measures implemented by governmental authorities or by us to promote the safety of our employees, vendors and clients; other direct and indirect impacts on our business and the businesses of our clients, vendors and other partners; impacts which may, among other things, adversely affect our clients ability to utilize our services at the levels they have previously; disruptions of access to our facilities or those of our clients or third parties; and increased and potentially significant economic uncertainty and volatility, including credit and collectibility risks and potential disruptions of capital and credit markets), the possibility that the demand for our services may decline as a result of changes in general and industry specific economic conditions, the timing of engagements for our services, the effects of competitive services and pricing, the absence of backlog related to our business, our ability to attract and retain key employees, the effect of tort reform and government regulation on our business and liabilities resulting from claims made against us. Additional risks and uncertainties are discussed under the heading Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the Company will be achieved. Due to such uncertainties and risks, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements. 3 PART I Item 1. Business GENERAL Exponent, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, (“Exponent”, the “Company”, “we”, “us” and “our”) is a science and engineering consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. Our interdisciplinary team of scientists, physicians, engineers, and business consultants draws from more than 90 technical disciplines to solve the most pressing and complicated challenges facing stakeholders today. The firm leverages over 50 years of experience in analyzing accidents and failures to advise clients as they innovate their technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability. The history of Exponent, Inc. goes back to 1967, with the founding of the partnership Failure Analysis Associates, which was incorporated the following year in California and reincorporated in Delaware as Failure Analysis Associates, Inc. in 1988. The Failure Group, Inc. was organized in 1989 as a holding company for Failure Analysis Associates, Inc. and changed its name to Exponent, Inc. in 1998. CLIENTS General Exponent serves clients in chemical, construction, consumer products, energy, food, beverage and nutrition, government, life sciences, insurance, manufacturing, technology, industrial equipment, transportation and other sectors of the economy. Many of our engagements are initiated directly by large corporations or by lawyers or insurance companies whose clients anticipate, or are engaged in, litigation related to their products, equipment, processes or services. The scope of our services in failure prevention and technology evaluation has grown as the technological complexity of products has increased over the years. During 2021, we provided services representing approximately 28%, 15%, 13% and 11% of revenues to clients in the consumer products industry, energy and utilities industries, transportation industry and chemical industry, respectively. Pricing and Terms of Engagements We provide our services on either a fixed-price basis or on a time and material basis, charging in the latter case hourly rates for each staff member involved in a project, based on his or her skills and experience. Our standard rates for professionals range from $180 to $850 per hour. Our engagement agreements typically provide for monthly billing, require payment of our invoices within 30 days of receipt and permit clients to terminate engagements at any time. Clients normally agree to indemnify us and our personnel against liabilities arising out of the use or application of the results of our work or recommendations. SERVICES Exponent provides high quality engineering and scientific consulting services to clients around the world. Our service offerings are provided on a project-by-project basis. Many projects require support from multiple practices. We currently operate the following 17 practices in two reportable operating segments, (i) Engineering and Other Scientific and (ii) Environmental and Health: ENGINEERING AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC • • • • Biomechanics Biomedical Engineering & Sciences Buildings & Structures Civil Engineering 4 • Construction Consulting • Data Sciences • Electrical Engineering & Computer Science • Human Factors • Materials & Corrosion Engineering • Mechanical Engineering • • Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry Thermal Sciences • Vehicle Engineering ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH • • • Chemical Regulation & Food Safety Ecological & Biological Sciences Environmental & Earth Sciences • Health Sciences ENGINEERING AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC Biomechanics Our Biomechanics Practice uses engineering and biomedical science to solve complex problems at the intersection of biology and engineering. Our expertise is used to understand and evaluate the interaction between the human body as a biological system and the physical environment to explore the cause, nature, and severity of injuries. During the past year, our biomechanics staff performed analyses of human injuries which occurred while individuals were utilizing a variety of products including recreational vehicles, sporting goods, trucks, trains, aircraft, industrial equipment, and automobiles. They also looked at the implications of using protective devices (such as restraint systems, airbags, and helmets) on reducing the potential for injury, and assessed injuries in the workplace, in the home, and during recreational activities. Our consultants also evaluated product designs for performance, hazards, and injury risks to assist clients with design modifications, address consumer feedback, and respond to regulators. Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Our Biomedical Engineering and Sciences Practice applies engineering principles to medical technologies, including the evaluation of designs and performance of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biologics. Our engineers and scientists assist clients with characterization of biomaterials, medical devices, and their interactions with pharmaceuticals, cells, and tissues. To assist in regulatory clearance and approval, we perform preclinical testing, help formulate related regulatory strategy, and conduct design verification and validation. We also assist with design and manufacturing failure analyses, root cause assessment, recall management, and medical device explant analysis. In addition, our staff performs analysis of clinical outcomes for medical devices and related procedures using administrative claims databases. Our expertise is also utilized in product liability, intellectual property litigation, technology acquisition and due diligence matters. 5 Buildings & Structures The basic function of a building is to provide structurally sound, durable, economically constructed and environmentally controlled space to house and protect occupants and contents. If this basic function is not achieved, it is because one or more aspect(s) of the building design or construction has failed. Our architects, structural engineers, and material scientists have been investigating such failures for decades, and we use this experience to solve problems with building systems and components, including finding the best repair options and mitigating the risk of future failures. During the past year, we have evaluated numerous problems with residential, commercial and industrial structures for owners, designers, and builders at project sites around the world. Our evaluations often include property inspections, laboratory or on-site testing, engineering analysis, and the development of repair recommendations. In addition, we have worked with owners to assess and mitigate the risk of failure associated with hazards such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and aging infrastructure. We have assessed these risks to high-rise buildings, industrial facilities, pipelines and nuclear power plant structures and provided testimony both in the U.S. and international courts of law. Civil Engineering Our Civil Engineering Practice provides broad expertise that includes geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, engineering geology, and geology to address a host of geo-failures, including landslides, foundation and retaining wall failures, pipeline failures, dam and levee failures. The practice’s expertise also includes evaluation of complex construction claims involving geotechnical design issues, wildland fire effects, and international construction disputes. Over the past year, our consultants have been engaged in a number of investigations related to wildland fires, landslide evaluations, construction vibration claims, construction claim and defect evaluations, and seismic design evaluations. This practice provided services for property owners, contractors, design professionals, state agencies, international government agencies, attorneys and insurance carriers. Construction Consulting Our Construction Consulting Practice provides expertise in the areas of project advisory, risk analysis, strategic planning, dispute resolution, delay analysis and financial damages. During the past year, we expanded the practice by leveraging key client relationships in several construction sectors including utilities, infrastructure and oil and gas. Over the past year, the practice has been retained on numerous complex international arbitrations in Canada, Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. Our multi-disciplinary staff, which includes engineers, project managers, schedulers, quantity surveyors, and financial specialists, provides these services to both the public and private sectors for clients who represent a diverse mix of corporations, law firms and agencies. Our projects include many sectors of the construction and engineering industry which include power plants, electric and gas utilities, petrochemical facilities, transportation systems, tunnels, airports, and sporting arenas. Data Sciences The Data Sciences practice comprises our core capabilities in statistics, data analytics, and dedicated data collection. Drawing on experience in a breadth of engineering, science, health, and environmental applications, we assist clients cycle. all with their most challenges complex product process stages data life the or of at Our team of interdisciplinary scientists and engineers designs sampling plans, surveys, and experiments to create, manage, and analyze data sets of all sizes and varieties. User-focused visualizations support data-driven decision- making and help clients measure risks and benefits to determine appropriate courses of action. Utilizing rigorous statistical methods, our team can help assess and improve quality and reliability and mitigate risk. Our experience helps clients build products that perform for a wide variety of users while preventing data bias, collecting personal data with consideration for privacy, and managing the risks associated with global data collection. 6 During the past year, our team worked on diverse projects for government, industry, and legal clients. We performed assessments of manufacturing quality systems, evaluated the durability and reliability of smart cards for identity management and credentialing, examined the in-service safety record of home appliances and medical devices and developed sampling plans associated with product recall campaigns. Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Our Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Practice offers a broad range of expertise to address complex issues for industrial, government and law firm clients. Our power engineers advise clients on challenges relating to reliability of electrical systems, failures in power generation, transmission and distribution as well as on distributed generation, renewables and energy storage. Our team of electronic engineers works on failure analysis, product robustness and reliability for consumer and industrial electronics. Our information engineers and scientists work with high-tech industries and computer-controlled applications to evaluate product safety and software reliability. The information engineering and science expertise we offer encompasses a breadth of areas including information and numerical sciences, algorithms and data structures, computer graphics, computer architecture, networking and communications, as well as security and cryptography. We operate laboratories for testing heavy equipment and electronics and we have a broad capability in analyzing computer software. Over the past year, we performed a wide array of investigations ranging from assessing damage to electrical power infrastructure from the effect of weather-related events to working with clients to develop sophisticated machine learning algorithms applied to large quantities of unstructured data. We continue to work with consumer electronics manufacturers and the transportation industry on the reliability and robustness of computer-controlled equipment for user safety. Human Factors Our Human Factors Practice evaluates human performance and safety in product and system use. Our consultants study how the limitations and capabilities of people, including memory, perception, attention, reaction time, judgment, physical size and dexterity, affect the way they use a product, interact with an organization or environment, process information or participate in an activity. We review warnings and labeling issues related to consumer products, pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles, medical devices and industrial products supporting the development of safety information to accompany products and assessing claims that the safety information provided was inadequate. We apply our expertise in human behavior, warnings, and decision making in class actions suits, and in evaluating claims seeking to establish a class. In addition, we assist manufacturers with compliance with regulatory guidelines related to products and work with them regarding analysis of adverse event reports and consumer complaints in publicly available databases overseen by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We examine the role that attention plays in human perception, memory, and behavior, and how attention, inattention, and distraction may affect safety in a wide range of settings and activities (e.g., operating vehicles and machinery, walking, and using consumer products). We address the reliability of human memory and retrospective reporting in the gathering of fact-based evidence. We utilize scientific investigations and research (e.g., human perception, reaction time, and looking behavior) to assess driver behavior in both accident investigations and during the design of automotive systems. Our Human Factors scientists have been actively engaged in research and project work with Advanced Driver Assistive System (ADAS) and automated vehicle technology, in order to understand and advise our clients on how these technologies may change the nature and dynamic of driving, and the role and performance of the driver. We provide user experience research, including focus groups, usability testing, and complex user studies with custom- tailored designs, across a wide range of industries, including consumer electronics, medical devices, and vehicle technologies. Our state-of-the-art Phoenix User Research Center, with 5,000 square feet of research space, has six lab suites, including a dedicated focus group room, an ophthalmological lab, a motion capture lab, and wearable eye tracking technology, plus connectivity to our vehicle test track. The scope of human factors engagements range from consulting on our clients’ research to providing turnkey research solutions. 7 We perform incident investigations and root cause analyses of near-misses and accidents involving human error in occupational and industrial settings. Our Human Factors scientists have advanced technical systems training and experience required to understand how humans contribute to the initiation of, and emergency response to, explosions, fires, chemical releases, and major equipment failures in the manufacturing, utility, oil and gas, and construction industries, among others. We also capitalize on this knowledge to conduct human error risk and culture assessments to help clients proactively control human performance gaps, improve occupational and process safety performance, and create administrative controls and procedures. In addition to helping clients address the frequency and severity of incidents related to human error, fatigue, and performance, these and other similar project activities can be leveraged to improve efficiency, reliability, and maintainability of normal operations. Materials & Corrosion Engineering Our in-depth knowledge of materials science, corrosion, and metallurgical engineering combined with the breadth of our collective experience across many industries and disciplines gives our Materials and Corrosion Engineering Practice a unique ability to efficiently provide our clients with solutions to their complex materials-based problems. We use our knowledge and experience to understand how and why materials, products, and processes may not perform their intended function. Further, we use this knowledge to help our clients prevent future failures of new products as well as aging infrastructure. Over the past year, our Materials and Corrosion Engineering Practice helped clients solve critical materials-related issues in the consumer electronics, medical devices, battery systems, chemical processing, transportation, energy, utilities, and aerospace fields, among others. Mechanical Engineering We provide clients with a thorough comprehension of current and alternate designs of mechanical systems to identify vulnerabilities before failures occur, develop appropriate risk mitigation methods, and provide post-failure investigations. Our consultants review the performance and reliability of industrial processes, manufactured products, and engineered systems, and we determine the root cause of failures. We assist in legal and insurance matters, failure investigations, product recall investigations, internal compliance programs, product development, workplace safety evaluations, and intellectual property matters. Our staff members develop and utilize detailed and validated computational models and laboratory experimental methods to evaluate products, systems, and equipment. We perform field inspections, rely on industry standards, and utilize operational data to inform our analyses. We have performed these activities in a broad range of industries including transportation, energy, industrial equipment, building systems, medical devices, and consumer products. During the past year, our mechanical engineers worked on a wide variety of projects including international construction disputes, product recalls, and mechanical safety in product development. Polymer Science & Materials Chemistry Our Polymer Science and Materials Chemistry Practice consults with industrial, government, legal, insurance and individual clients regarding polymers and textiles used in diverse applications as well as the chemistry, materials and processing aspects of batteries, drug delivery systems, and other products that depend on highly controlled manufacturing environments. We assist clients in understanding the short- and long-term performance of plastic, rubber, adhesive, coating, composite, reactive chemical systems, and electrochemical energy storage systems when challenged by physical, chemical, thermal and other operational stressors. Our work also includes customized chemical, electrochemical and rheological testing and leverages expanding internal infrastructure for instrumented analysis and advanced imaging capabilities. Our consultants participate in product development programs, perform failure analyses and provide support to clients involved in regulatory and legal proceedings and the protection of intellectual property. Clients value our technical expertise related to chemistry, formulation, manufacturing and materials performance, our understanding of the history and evolution of these materials, and our ability to assist them in identifying and incorporating emerging materials and manufacturing technologies into their businesses. During the past year, significant program activities addressed 8 aspects of battery systems, consumer electronics, wearable devices, implantable medical devices, drug delivery systems, medical diagnostics, building materials, water handling systems, synthetic turf, the plastics supply chain, fire retardancy and flammability, technology scouting, materials science aspects of health risk, service life prediction, sustainability, and intellectual property related to consumer, recreational, medical, pharmaceutical, food packaging and other products, including trade secrets. Thermal Sciences Our Thermal Sciences Practice provides multi-disciplinary expertise to assist clients in chemical, fire protection, and mechanical engineering. We have investigated and analyzed thousands of fires and explosions ranging from high loss disasters at manufacturing facilities, energy facilities and oil and gas installations to small insurance claims. Information gained from these analyses has helped us assist clients with preventive measures related to the design of their facilities and products. We assist clients in minimizing the risk of fires and explosions, we provide regulatory consulting for permitting new industrial facilities, and we assist manufacturers in addressing the risk of fires associated with consumer products. Our engineers use fire modeling and other computational fluid dynamics modeling tools to supplement our analytical, experimental, and field-based activities. Preventive services include process safety hazard analysis for the chemical and oil and gas industries, fire protection engineering and dust explosion consulting. In recent years, the Thermal Sciences Practice has developed tools to evaluate fire and explosion risks of lithium-ion batteries. We have consulted with a variety of clients to evaluate and mitigate fire and explosion hazards of batteries in applications including consumer products, vehicles and energy storage. We continue to be very active in wildland fire investigation and risk assessment. During the past year, our work in oil and gas exploration and production, liquefied natural gas and downstream oil and gas sectors has continued. Our services in these areas include assessing new oil well control technologies, assessing potential fire and explosion risks and consequences, investigating loss of containment incidents and assessing the integrity of fixed assets. Vehicle Engineering We have performed thousands of investigations for the automotive, trucking, recreational vehicle, marine, aerospace, and rail industries. Internal research programs and client projects have resulted in technological contributions that have assisted manufacturers in the understanding of product performance and provided insight to government agencies in establishing policy and regulations. Information gained from these analyses has also assisted clients in assessing preventive measures related to the design of their products, as well as evaluating failures. Our Test and Engineering Center located in Phoenix, Arizona, is used for our most complex testing and analysis. We have gained a worldwide reputation for our ability to mobilize resources expeditiously and efficiently, integrate a broad array of technical disciplines, and provide valuable insight that is objective and withstands rigorous scrutiny. Many of our projects involve addressing the cause of accidents and our clients rely on us to determine what happened in an accident and why it happened. In many cases, clients also want us to assess what could have been done to reduce the severity of the accident or to mitigate occupant injuries to those involved. Current advances in emerging transportation technologies and concepts allow our multi-disciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and analysts across numerous practices to focus on the development and implementation of connected vehicles, automated vehicles, connected/smart cities, and data analyses. Whether the objective is design analysis, component testing, failure analysis, or accident reconstruction, our knowledge of vehicle systems and engineering principles coupled with our experience from conducting full-scale tests aim to add insight and proficiency to every project. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES Chemical Regulation & Food Safety Our Chemical Regulation and Food Safety Practice includes both technical and regulatory specialists who are experienced in dealing with foods, food ingredients, cosmetics, dietary supplements, pesticide and biocides (including conventional chemicals, biochemicals, microbials, antimicrobials/biocides, and products of biotechnology), and 9 industrial chemicals. We provide practical, scientific and regulatory support to meet global business objectives at every stage of the product cycle, from research and development to retail and beyond. During the past year, our Chemical Regulation and Food Safety staff have conducted a wide array of work. The European and U.S. sides of the practice were jointly involved with ongoing support of multiple new pesticide active ingredients and end-use products. The European side of our business was involved with many projects related to plant protection and biocidal product regulatory submissions, from new active substances and those under review to product-specific dossiers for European member states. Due to the pandemic numerous regulatory dossiers and risk assessments were prepared for emergency registration of biocidal products (surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers) throughout Europe. In addition, we provided many specialist assessments relating to human and environmental exposure and product efficacy as well as national and international Maximum Residue Limit/import tolerance submissions covering countries such as South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In Europe and the U.S., we continued to provide clients with regulatory compliance support for food contact materials, food additives, novel foods, nutrition- related analyses, as well as undertaking safety assessments for food and cosmetics products. We also provided proactive and reactive product safety and litigation support. For industrial chemicals, we continued to provide full regulatory support for our clients who prepared and submitted registrations and risk assessments. Our European and U.S. offices were active supporting our clients with their E.U. Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act regulatory requirements. Our U.S. offices continued to provide services related to new pesticide active ingredients and end-use product development and registrations in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, registration review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, new requirements related to the U.K. leaving the E.U., state registration support, import tolerances in the U.S. and Canada, inert ingredient approvals, due diligence related to product and/or business sales, and data compensation. Ecological & Biological Sciences Our ecological and biological scientists provide strategic support on issues related to natural resources damages associated with chemicals and forest fires, international environmental disputes, ecosystem service assessments for businesses, adverse weather events/climate change, ecological risk assessment, ecotoxicology, novel remediation methods, restoration of wetlands and other natural resources, large development projects, resource utilization (such as mineral mining, oil and gas, wood pulp, etc.), agriculture land-use impacts, genomic assessments, and the use of chemicals and other products in commerce. The practice specializes in assessing the integrated effects of chemical, biological, and physical stressors on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Many of these assessments utilize a causal analysis approach to systematically and transparently determine causation in complex and interrelated situations. The practice is comprised of nationally recognized experts that cover disciplines related to the ecological implications and risks associated with these projects. Environmental & Earth Sciences Our environmental scientists and engineers provide cost-effective, scientifically defensible and realistic assessments and solutions to complex environmental issues. We offer technical, regulatory, and litigation support to industries that include oil and gas, mining and minerals, chemicals, forest products, railroads, aerospace, development, and trade associations, and to municipal and governmental clients. Our consultants specialize in the areas of environmental fate and transport, environmental chemistry and forensics, remediation consulting, environmental engineering and waste management, and natural resources damages assessment. Our expertise also includes hydrology and hydrogeology, modeling and monitoring, water quality, water rights and water resources, extreme weather event and climate change risk management, and evaluation of environmental and social risks. Our work frequently involves complex and high visibility environmental problems and issues, often the focus of environmental or toxic tort claims, where evaluation of contamination and historical reconstruction of events, releases, and doses are central to problem resolution. We provide case-specific strategic and advisory consulting on risk mitigation, planning, and environmental regulatory and policy issues, as well as high-level technical strategic consulting to support critical business decisions and for complex matters where understanding the long-term implications of early technical actions is critical to managing overall liability. 10 Health Sciences Our health scientists, including epidemiologists, toxicologists, industrial hygienists, exposure scientists, air quality scientists, biostatisticians, risk assessment scientists, and physicians, apply scientific and medical principles to examine and address complex human-health-related risk, benefit, and value issues in a variety of settings. Our consultants are recognized nationally and internationally for their outstanding expertise and credentials, and their decades of experience in government, academia, and industry sectors. Our work has included numerous community and environmental health assessments, disease cluster investigations, survey research, cohort and case-control studies, exposure assessment and simulation studies, biologically based modeling, meta-analyses, and state-of-the-art literature reviews. We have addressed critical issues for clients on industrial chemicals, pesticides, mineral fibers, drugs, medical devices, consumer products, nanotechnology, and other agents and products as they relate to human health risk. Our multidisciplinary team has extensive experience investigating a broad variety of health concerns such as claims of adverse health effects from exposures to a wide range of physical agents (e.g., ionizing radiation, low- and radio- frequency electromagnetic fields); chemical agents (e.g., volatile organic compounds, metals, dusts, air pollutants, mineral fibers, fumes, nanoparticles, and pharmaceuticals); and biological agents (fungi/molds, bacteria, and other micro-organisms). We can assess the potential health effects of occupational and environmental exposures; investigate accidental releases of chemicals and evaluate fate and transport of chemical substances; characterize consumer and workplace exposures through simulation and exposure reconstruction; develop measures of prevention and exposure control; and assist clients with occupational safety and health evaluations and emergency preparedness and response. In the past year, we have added several pharmacoepidemiologists and health economic experts in market access and value-based health care, expanding our team to providing expertise in the development and application of real-world evidence (RWE) for regulated medical products (drugs and biologics, vaccines, devices, and combination products); digital therapeutics; and care delivery models across the product life cycle from pre-approval planning to market access to post-approval safety evaluation and regulatory consulting on emergent safety issues. Our Health Sciences team, working closely with Data Sciences, Human Factors, Polymers Science & Materials Chemistry, and other Practices, now has considerable expertise in healthcare data science; strategy, design, and application of health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) such as burden-of-illness assessment; selection, quality assessment, and analysis of electronic health records (EHR) and healthcare claims data; regulatory science, pharmacovigilance, and post-marketing requirement (PMR) support; health technology assessment (HTA) and dossier submissions; disease surveillance; meta-analysis; and the explication of methodological issues such as randomization, bias, data linkages, drug interactions, and identification of high-risk populations. In collaboration with our toxicologists and industrial hygienists, we can leverage our global regulatory knowledge to help design and perform chemical characterization studies; evaluate health risks of reagents, excipients, degradants, and impurities in drug products; perform toxicological assessments to derive permissible daily exposure levels; and develop product-specific exposure and/or occupational limits for extractables in combination products and in pharmaceutical ingredients. COMPETITION The marketplace for our services is fragmented and we face different sources of competition in providing various services. In addition, the services that we provide to some of our clients can be performed in-house by those clients. Clients that have the capability to perform such services themselves will retain Exponent or other independent consultants because of independence concerns. In each of our practices, we believe that the principal competitive factors are: technical capability and breadth of services, ability to deliver services on a timely basis, professional reputation and knowledge of litigation and regulatory processes. Although we believe that we generally compete favorably in each of these areas, some of our competitors may be able to provide services acceptable to our clients at lower prices. We believe that the barriers to entry are low and that for many of our technical disciplines, competition is increasing. In response to competitive forces in the marketplace, we continue to look for new markets for our various technical disciplines. 11 HUMAN CAPITAL Exponent's vision is to engage the brightest scientists and engineers to empower clients with solutions for a safe, healthy, sustainable and technologically complex world. Attracting, exciting, developing, and rewarding exceptional people with diverse backgrounds and expertise are central to our corporate mission. As a pre-eminent global engineering and scientific consulting firm, we continuously create opportunity for hundreds of talented staff. Exponent's culture actively supports the development of our professionals and their potential by creating a stimulating, growth-oriented and inclusive environment. Our programs, tools, and processes support the development of science and engineering consultants who balance exceptional technical prowess and objectivity with sound business acumen, corporate and support staff who empower expansion into multiple markets, and leaders who inspire outstanding performance. As of December 31, 2021, we employed 1,215 full-time, part time and hourly employees, including 955 engineering and scientific staff, 75 technical support staff and 185 administrative and support staff. Our staff includes 856 employees with advanced degrees, of which 645 employees have achieved the level of Ph.D., Sc.D., or M.D. As of December 31, 2021 approximately 87% of our employees are located in the United States and 13% are located in other global regions. Technical full-time equivalent employees is a key metric that we use to analyze our revenues. During 2021 technical full-time equivalent employees decreased 1% to 900 as compared to 912 during the prior year. The decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees was due in part to the divestiture of our German subsidiary in April of 2020. During the fourth quarter of 2021, technical full-time equivalent employees increased 1% to 921 as compared to 909 during the fourth quarter of 2020. We attribute our ability to grow technical full-time equivalent employees to a number of factors, the opportunity to learn new skills and advance careers, along with competitive and equitable total rewards. To ensure a compelling total rewards philosophy and practice, we have practices in place to deliver fair and equitable compensation for employees based on their contribution and performance. We also offer a comprehensive set of benefits for employees and their families. including exciting and challenging assignments, strong leadership and management, Exponent’s core values include being the best and getting it right; doing challenging, exciting, and important work in an ethical and objective manner; recognizing and rewarding good work; working in teams and sharing a sense of mission; insisting on honesty, integrity, trust and respect for the individual; and providing life-long professional learning and renewal. Our staff share their unique specialized scientific expertise on over 250 individual scientific and engineering committees and advisory boards. Many of our staff serve in leadership roles or are actively working to develop technical standards. Exponent’s professionals routinely contribute to the advancement of science through peer- reviewed scientific literature, publishing a multitude of articles, book chapters, and books every year. Exponent staff have published over 900 articles in scientific and engineering journals. More than 50 Exponent consultants currently hold positions at academic institutions, where they serve as professors, research professors, adjunct and associate faculty, lecturers, instructors, and advisors. At Exponent, the health and safety of our employees is extremely important to us. To help mitigate occupational hazards we maintain a safety management program that includes policies, procedures, training, and other contributions to address the wide variety of project engagements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our primary focus has been on the safety and well-being of our employees and their families. Our global pandemic efforts include leveraging the advice and recommendations of infectious disease experts to establish proper safety standards. As the pandemic continues, the health and well-being of our workforce remains a top priority while we ensure productive remote work. To enable a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion are embedded we have articulated four pillars of action. These include recruiting, people development, communication, and outreach. Recruiting We are working to identify and meet candidates from increasingly diverse backgrounds and to minimize bias in our screening process. Through our university recruiting program we engage graduate students at over 100 universities. Our outreach to students who are members of affinity groups on campus supports diversification of our candidate pool. We are committed to broadening relationships with historically black colleges and universities with graduate 12 programs in our technical disciplines. Our recruiting teams also identify diverse candidates from employee referrals, website applicants, and conferences. Our leaders are continuously engaged with experienced consultants in other firms to stay alert to trends in the industry and to recruit. We employ a behavioral and technical competency-based interviewing process to reduce bias in our candidate screening. People Development We encourage training for all employees and provide training opportunities at all levels on a variety of technical and soft skills topics. We work to ensure that our people receive equitable opportunities and training and that our development pathways are free from bias. We conduct regular seminars on diversity, equity and inclusion topics and engage employees in discussions on these topics. We have multiple employee networks made up of groups of employees that form based on shared identities / life experiences to provide support and allyship to each other and enhance the employee experience. We have a diversity, equity and inclusion advisory committee chaired by our CEO that consists of employees across all levels, geographies and departments. Their role is to • • • • Offer advice and recommendations regarding diversity, equity and inclusion goals and actions • Serve as a mechanism for gathering information and feedback on diversity, equity and inclusion topics Provide perspective on progress toward goals Identify strategies to promote a diversity, equity and inclusion voice in all firm communications Share perspective from different genders, affinity groups, departments/practices • Support the connectivity between company leadership, employees and employee resource groups • Act as ambassadors of our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to employees, clients, levels, roles, ages, offices, and candidates, investors, and other stakeholders We encourage our staff to participate in technical conferences, professional societies, and standards committees. We support our technical staff as they share their scientific and engineering insights related to safety, health, and the environment through Exponent website and social media content, our webinar series, and external speaking opportunities. Our mentoring program provides training and leadership opportunities to consultants early in their careers. Our sponsorship program pairs rising mid-level consultants with senior leaders who serve as advocates and provide career opportunities. This pairing is a two-year commitment. Our leadership is exposed to best management practices that are vital to their development and the development of their staff. Communication We encourage employee investment in the firm’s success by engaging with them through annual leadership meetings and quarterly all-employee meetings. We also encourage our line management to invest in employees' physical, cognitive, and emotional energy through their work. Employee engagement surveys and diversity, equity, and inclusion surveys are conducted annually to solicit, collect, and disseminate feedback in our effort to continually improve our work environment. Exponent maintains an online suggestion box for employees to express ideas for improving our work environment. Exponent also provides new parent affinity groups and a shared online workspace for balancing work and parenting life. Outreach In November of 2021, Exponent made a gift of $250,000 to the Georgia Tech Foundation, Inc. designated for the newly established Exponent Dean’s Scholarship Endowment in the College of Engineering. The Exponent Dean’s Scholarship will provide support to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need pursing degrees in the College of Engineering, with preference given to underrepresented minorities, female, nonbinary, LGBTQ+, or disabled students. We support the initiatives of our employees as they seek local service opportunities, and we are developing strategies for deeper engagement in service through our participation in professional societies. Our 13 Volunteer Connection intranet site enables employees to share stories and pictures of outreach to their local communities and to encourage others to participate. AVAILABLE INFORMATION The address of our Internet website is www.exponent.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, access to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other periodic and current Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) reports, along with amendments to all of those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish the reports with the SEC. Copies of material filed or furnished by us with the SEC may also be obtained by writing to us at our corporate headquarters, Exponent, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 149 Commonwealth Drive, Menlo Park, CA 94025, or by calling (650) 326-9400. The content of our Internet website is not incorporated into and is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The executive officers of Exponent and their ages as of February 25, 2022 are as follows: Name Catherine Ford Corrigan, Ph.D. John J. Doyle, Dr.P.H. Brad A. James, Ph.D. Harri K. Kytomaa, Ph.D. Steven J. Murray, Ph.D. John D. Pye, Ph.D. Richard Reiss, Sc.D. Maureen T.F. Reitman, Sc.D. Richard L. Schlenker, Jr. Sally B. Shepard Age 53 51 56 63 47 51 55 53 56 61 Position President and Chief Executive Officer Group Vice President Group Vice President Group Vice President Group Vice President Group Vice President Group Vice President Group Vice President Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Chief Human Resources Officer Executive officers of Exponent are appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors until the appointment of their successors. There is no family relationship between any of the directors and officers of the Company. Catherine Ford Corrigan, Ph.D., joined the Company in 1996. She was promoted to Principal in the Biomechanics practice in 2002 and was appointed Group Vice President in May 2012. Dr. Corrigan was named President in July 2016. She was named Chief Executive Officer and elected to the Board of Directors in May 2018. Dr. Corrigan earned her Ph.D. (1996) in Medical Engineering and Medical Physics and M.S. (1992) in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her B.S. in Bioengineering from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Corrigan was a researcher in the Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory at Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School. On February 9, 2021, Dr. Corrigan was elected to the National Academy of Engineering. John Doyle, Dr.P.H., joined the Company on May 17, 2021 as Group Vice President. From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Doyle served as Vice President, Global Healthcare Innovation Lead, at Pfizer where he led the Healthcare Innovation Center, tasked with transforming the company’s go-to-market model and building capabilities to enable Pfizer to thrive in a value-based healthcare marketplace providing equitable and affordable access to its medicine and vaccinees. From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Doyle served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Realworld Enterprise Solutions, at IQVIA where he led a global team providing technology-enabled real world evidence (RWE) platforms and distributed data networks to help transform clinical, commercial, and medical operations for the biopharmaceutical industry. From 2014 to 2016, Dr. Doyle served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Value and Outcomes Center of Excellence, at Quintiles. From 2007 to 2014 he served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Global Market Access, at Quintiles. Dr. Doyle has authored over 200 abstracts and original research articles in a variety of therapeutic areas, with special concentration in oncology. He received Doctor and Master of Public Health degrees in Epidemiology from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, where he maintains an adjunct faculty position. Brad A. James, Ph.D., joined the Company in 1994. He was promoted to Principal Engineer in 2005 and was appointed Corporate Vice President in 2014. Dr. James was appointed Group Vice President on January 4, 2020. Dr. James received his Ph.D. (1994) in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and 14 his B.S. (1988) in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Washington. He is a licensed professional engineer in the states of California and Texas. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. James was employed as a Research Engineer, Materials Performance Division, at the Babcock and Wilcox R&D Center. Harri K. Kytomaa, Ph.D., joined the Company in 1994. He was promoted to Principal Engineer in 1999 and was appointed Corporate Vice President in 2006. Dr. Kytomaa was appointed Group Vice President in October 2016. Dr. Kytomaa received his Ph.D. (1986) in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. (1981) in Mechanical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology, and B.Sc. (1979) in Engineering Science from Durham University, England. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in nine states and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator in accordance with the National Association of Fire Investigators National Certification Board. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Kytomaa was Assistant Professor and Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he was head of the Fluid Mechanics Laboratory. Steven J. Murray, Ph.D., joined the Company in 2001. He was promoted to Principal Engineer in 2008. Dr. Murray was promoted to Corporate Vice President in May 2014 and Group Vice President in January 2015. Dr. Murray received his Ph.D. (2000) in Materials Science and Engineering (Electronic Materials Panel) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, B.S. (1996) in Materials Science and Mineral Engineering and B.S. (1996) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley. He is a Registered Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of Oregon and Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer in the State of California. John D. Pye, Ph.D., joined the Company in 1999. He was promoted to Principal Engineer in 2006 and was appointed Corporate Vice President in 2009. Dr. Pye was appointed Group Vice President in January 2014. Dr. Pye received his Ph.D. (1999) in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford University, M.S. (1993) in Aerospace Engineering from Stanford University, and B.A.Sc. (1992) in Engineering Science from the University of Toronto, Canada. He is a Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer in the State of California. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Pye held a research position in the Aerospace Fluid Mechanics Lab at Stanford University where he was responsible for the renovation and redesign of the Stanford Low-Speed wind tunnel as well as managing the Stanford experimental facilities for the Stanford/NASA Ames Joint Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics. Richard Reiss, Sc.D., joined the Company in 2006 as a Principal Scientist. He was promoted to Group Vice President in January 2015. Dr. Reiss earned his Sc.D. (1994) in Environmental Health from the Harvard University School of Public Health, M.S. (1991) in Environmental Engineering from Northwestern University and B.S. (1989) in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Prior to joining Exponent he was a Vice President with Sciences International. Dr. Reiss is a Fellow of the Society of Risk Analysis. Maureen T.F. Reitman, Sc.D., joined the Company in 2002. She was promoted to Principal Engineer in 2006 and was appointed Corporate Vice President in 2014. Dr. Reitman was appointed Group Vice President on January 4, 2020. Dr. Reitman received her Sc.D. (1993) in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and her B.S. (1990) in Materials Science and Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is a registered Professional Mechanical Engineer in the state of Maryland. Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Reitman worked for the 3M Company in both research and management roles. Her activities at 3M included technology identification, materials selection and qualification, product development, customer support, program management, acquisition integration, intellectual property analysis, and patent litigation support. Richard L. Schlenker, Jr., joined the Company in 1990. Mr. Schlenker is the Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company. He was appointed Executive Vice President in April 2010, Chief Financial Officer in July 1999 and Secretary of the Company in November 1997. Mr. Schlenker was the Director of Human Resources from 1998 until his appointment as Chief Financial Officer. He was the Manager of Corporate Development from 1996 until 1998. From 1993 to 1996, Mr. Schlenker was a Business Manager, where he managed the business activities for multiple consulting practices within the Company. Prior to 1993, he held several different positions in finance and accounting within the Company. Mr. Schlenker holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of Southern California. Sally B. Shepard, rejoined the Company in 2014 as Vice President - Human Resources and was promoted to Chief Human Resources Officer in 2017. From 2012 to 2014 she served as Vice President Human Resources at 41st Parameter, which was acquired by Experian. From 2002 to 2009 she served as Vice President Human Resources at CoWare, Inc., which was acquired by Synopsys. From 2000 to 2001 Ms. Shepard served as Vice President Human Resources at Lutris Technologies. She also provided Human Resources consulting services for a variety of companies 15 between roles. From 1981 to 1999 Ms. Shepard held a variety of roles at Exponent including Managing Engineer, Business Manager, Director of Human Resources and Information Technology, and Vice President of Corporate Human Resources. Ms. Shepard holds a B.S. (1982) in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University. 16 Item 1A. Risk Factors Exponent operates in a rapidly changing environment that involves a number of uncertainties, some of which are beyond our control and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. These uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those mentioned elsewhere in this report and those set forth below. Although the risks are organized by headings, and each risk is discussed separately, many are interrelated. Risks Related to Our Clients and Demand for Our Services The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected our operations and those of our clients. The duration and extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will impact our future financial condition and results of operations remains uncertain. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of COVID-19 a pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the U.S. and the world and has resulted in authorities implementing numerous measures to contain the virus, including travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, mark requirements, shelter-in-place orders, vaccination mandates, and business limitations and shutdowns. While we are unable to accurately predict the full impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our financial condition and results of operations due to numerous uncertainties, including the duration and severity of the pandemic and containment measures, compliance with these measures has impacted, and will likely continue to impact, our operations. The vast majority of our employees have been working remotely since the implementation of government measures to contain the virus. These remote working arrangements may result in inefficiencies, delays and additional costs and risks. In addition, most of our clients are also working remotely, which may delay the initiation of new projects and the execution of on-going work. Some of our litigation support projects paused due to courthouse closures and associated legal delays. Travel restrictions have delayed work that requires inspection of a site or a product that cannot be shipped. The pandemic has also negatively impacted our ability to conduct user studies. Vaccination mandates may negatively impact our recruiting and employee retention. The COVID-19 pandemic also raises the possibility of an extended global economic downturn and has caused volatility in financial markets, which could affect demand for our services and impact our financial condition and results of operations even after the pandemic is contained and the containment measures are lifted. We believe that our existing balances of cash, cash equivalents, and cash generated from operations are sufficient to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, outstanding commitments, stock repurchases, dividends and other liquidity requirements over at least the next 12 months. However, we continue to monitor the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic on our cash flows and on the credit and financial markets. The duration and extent of the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic depends on future developments that cannot be accurately predicted at this time, such as the severity and transmission rate of the virus, the extent and effectiveness of containment actions, the emergence of new variants, the efficacy of vaccines, and the impact of these and other factors on our employees and clients. Additionally, the other risks described in this section may be exasperated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There can be no assurance, however, that the ultimate impact on our financial condition and results of operations will not be material. We will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to our business. The unpredictable and reactive nature of our business can create uneven performance in any given quarter or year. Revenues are primarily derived from services provided in response to client requests or events that occur without notice, and engagements, generally billed as services are performed, are terminable or subject to postponement or delay at any time by clients. As a result, backlog at any particular time is small in relation to our quarterly or annual revenues and is not a reliable indicator of revenues for any future periods. Revenues and operating margins for any particular quarter are generally affected by staffing mix, resource requirements and timing and size of engagements. 17 Our financial results could suffer if our clients needs change more rapidly than we are able to secure the appropriate mix of trained, skilled and experienced personnel. As our clients’ needs change, new technologies develop, and legal and regulatory processes change, we may be unable to timely hire or train personnel with the appropriate new set of skills and experience which could negatively impact our growth and profitability. The loss of a large client could adversely affect our business. We currently derive a significant portion of our revenues from clients in the chemical, construction, consumer products, energy, life sciences and transportation industries. The loss of any large client could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our clients may be unable to pay for our services. If a client's financial difficulties become severe, the client may be unwilling or unable to pay our invoices in the ordinary course of business, which could adversely affect collections of both our accounts receivable and unbilled services. The COVID-19 pandemic raises the possibility of an extended global economic downturn, which may impact the ability of our customers to pay for our services. On occasion, some of our clients have entered bankruptcy, which has prevented us from collecting amounts owed to us. The bankruptcy of a client with substantial accounts receivable could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Our business is dependent on our professional reputation. The professional reputation of Exponent and its consultants is critical to our ability to successfully compete for new client engagements and attract or retain professionals. Proven or unproven allegations against us may damage our professional reputation. Any factors that damage our professional reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our business can be adversely impacted by deregulation or reduced regulatory enforcement. Public concern over health, safety and preservation of the environment has resulted in the enactment of a broad range of environmental and/or other laws and regulations by local, state and federal lawmakers and agencies. These laws and the implementation of new regulations affect nearly every industry, as well as the agencies of federal, state and local governments charged with their enforcement. To the extent changes in such laws, regulations and enforcement or other factors significantly reduce the exposures of manufacturers, owners, service providers and others to liability, the demand for our services may be significantly reduced. Tort reform can reduce demand for our services. Several of our practices have a significant concentration in litigation support consulting services. To the extent tort reform reduces the exposure of manufacturers, owners, service providers and others to liability, the demand for our litigation support consulting services may be significantly reduced. Potential conflicts of interest may preclude us from accepting some engagements. We provide litigation support consulting and other services primarily in connection with significant disputes, or other matters that are usually adversarial or that involve sensitive client information. The nature of our consulting services has and will continue to preclude us from accepting engagements with other potential clients because of conflicts. Accordingly, the nature of our business limits the number of both potential clients and potential engagements. Inherent risks related to government contracts may adversely affect our business. We work for various United States and foreign governmental entities and agencies. Government entities reserve the right to audit our contracts and conduct inquiries and investigations of our business practices with respect to government contracts. Findings from an audit may result in fees being refunded to the government or prospective adjustment to previously agreed upon rates that will affect future margins. If a government client discovers improper or illegal activities in the course of audits or investigations, we may become subject to various civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, which may include termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines and suspensions or debarment from doing business with other agencies of the government. The 18 inherent limitations of internal controls may not prevent or detect all improper or illegal activities, regardless of the adequacy of such controls. Government contracts, and the proceedings surrounding them, are often subject to more extensive scrutiny and publicity than other commercial contracts. Negative publicity related to our government contracts, regardless of whether it is accurate, may further damage our business by affecting our ability to compete for new contracts. Governments may terminate, cancel, modify or curtail our contracts at any time prior to their completion. Under our government contracts, the client generally has the right not to exercise options to extend or expand our contracts and may otherwise terminate, cancel, modify or curtail our contracts at its convenience. Any decision by the client not to exercise contract options or to terminate, cancel, modify or curtail our programs or contracts would adversely affect our revenues, revenue growth and profitability. Risks Related to Our Operations Failure to attract and retain key employees may adversely affect our business. Exponent’s business involves the delivery of professional services and is labor-intensive. Our success depends in large part upon our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified technical and managerial personnel. Qualified personnel are in great demand and are likely to remain a limited resource for the foreseeable future. We cannot provide any assurance that we can continue to attract sufficient numbers of highly qualified technical and managerial personnel and retain existing employees. We have experienced and expect to continue to experience employee turnover. The loss of key managerial employees, business generators or any significant number of employees could have a material adverse impact on our business, including our ability to secure and complete engagements. Our engagements may result in professional or other liability. Our services typically involve difficult engineering and scientific assignments and carry risks of professional and other liability. Many of our engagements involve matters that could have a severe impact on a client's business, cause a client to lose significant amounts of money, or prevent a client from pursuing desirable business opportunities. Accordingly, if a client is dissatisfied with our performance, the client could threaten or bring litigation in order to recover damages or to contest its obligation to pay our fees. Litigation alleging that we performed negligently, disclosed client confidential information, lost or damaged evidence, infringed on patents, were forced to withdraw from a legal matter due to a conflict or otherwise breached our obligations to a client could expose us to significant liabilities to our clients or other third parties or tarnish our reputation. We are subject to unpredictable risks of litigation. Although we seek to avoid litigation whenever possible, from time to time we are party to various lawsuits and claims. Disputes may arise, for example, from employment issues, regulatory actions, business acquisitions and real estate and other commercial transactions. There can be no assurances that any lawsuits or claims will be immaterial in the future. Any material lawsuits or claims could adversely affect our business and reputation. We are subject to security breaches that may disrupt our operations and/or lead to the inability to protect confidential information. We have experienced, and expect to continue to be subjected to, security breaches and threats, none of which have been material to us to date. Despite the implementation of security and business continuity measures, our information technology infrastructure and networks are vulnerable to electronic breaches of security. Such breaches could lead to disruptions of our operations and potential unauthorized disclosure of confidential and/or personal information, which could result in legal claims or proceedings. Our systems and data are protected by a comprehensive Information Security program detailed in our Information Security Management System. Dedicated security, privacy, information governance, and compliance professionals maintain the program with oversight provided by the Board of Directors in conjunction with senior leadership. Our Information Security team conducts risk assessments, performs regular risk reviews, and tracks risks using a documented risk-register process. While we have taken reasonable steps to prevent and mitigate the damage of a security breach by continuously improving our design and coordination of security controls across our business, those steps may not be effective and there can be no assurance that any such steps can be effective against all possible risks. 19 Failure to protect client and employee data may have an adverse effect on our business. We manage, utilize, and store sensitive or confidential client or employee data, including personal data and protected health information. As a result, we are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect this information, such as the U.S. federal and state laws governing the protection of health or other personally identifiable information, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and international laws such as the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. In addition, many states, U.S. federal governmental authorities and non-U.S. jurisdictions have adopted, proposed, or are considering adopting or proposing, additional data security and/or data privacy statutes or regulations such as the California Consumer Privacy Act. These laws and regulations are increasing in complexity and number. If any person, including any of our employees, negligently disregards or intentionally breaches our established controls with respect to client or employee data, or otherwise mismanages or misappropriates that data, we could be subject to significant monetary damages, regulatory enforcement actions, fines, and/or criminal prosecution. In addition, unauthorized disclosure of sensitive or confidential client or employee data, whether through systems failure, employee negligence, fraud, or misappropriation, could damage our reputation and cause us to lose clients and their related revenue in the future. Our remote working arrangements due to the COVID-19 pandemic may increase the risks associated with protecting client and employee data. Our international operations create special risks that could adversely affect our business. In addition to our offices in the United States, we have a presence in the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Ireland, and Canada, and conduct business in several other countries. We expect to continue to expand globally and our international revenues may account for an increasing portion of our revenues in the future. Our international operations carry special financial, business and legal risks, including cultural and language differences; employment laws and related factors that could result in lower utilization, higher staffing costs, and cyclical fluctuations of utilization and revenues; currency fluctuations that adversely affect our financial position and operating results; burdensome regulatory requirements and other barriers to conducting business; tariffs/trade disputes and other trade barriers including the United Kingdom’s decision to leave the European Union; geopolitical risks that could result in an adverse impact to our clients and Exponent, such as cyberattacks; managing the risks associated with engagements with foreign officials and governmental agencies, including the risks arising from the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act of 2010; managing the risks associated with global privacy and data security laws and regulations including the General Data Protection Regulation in Europe; greater difficulties in managing and staffing foreign operations; successful entry and execution in new markets; restrictions on the repatriation of earnings; potentially adverse tax consequences; other impending legislation that could add additional risks to the business; and the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on business activity, which vary significantly by region. General Risks Competition could reduce our pricing and adversely affect our business. The markets for our services are highly competitive. In addition, there are relatively low barriers to entry into our markets and we have faced, and expect to continue to face, additional competition from new entrants into our markets. Competitive pressure could reduce the market acceptance of our services and result in price reductions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. We hold substantial investments that could present liquidity risks. Our cash equivalent portfolio as of December 31, 2021 consisted primarily of obligations of the U.S. Treasury. We follow an established investment policy to monitor, manage and limit our exposure to interest rate and credit risk. The policy sets forth credit quality standards and limits our exposure to any one issuer, as well as our maximum exposure to various asset classes. Investments in some financial instruments may pose risks arising from liquidity and credit concerns. As of December 31, 2021, we had no impairment charge associated with our investment portfolio relating to such adverse financial market conditions. Although we believe our current investment portfolio has a low risk of impairment, we cannot predict future market conditions or market liquidity and can provide no assurance that our investment portfolio will remain unimpaired. 20 Impairment of goodwill may require us to record a significant charge to earnings. On our balance sheet as of December 31, 2021, we have $8,607,000 of goodwill subject to periodic evaluation for impairment. Failure to achieve sufficient levels of cash flow at reporting units, the loss of key employees, changes to the scope of operations of our business or a significant and sustained decline in our stock price could result in goodwill impairment charges. During times of financial market volatility, significant judgment is required to determine the underlying cause of the decline and whether stock price declines are short-term in nature or indicative of an event or change in circumstances. Impairment of long-lived assets or restructuring activities may require us to record a significant charge to earnings. Our long-lived assets, including our office, laboratory and warehouse space in Menlo Park, California, our Test and Engineering Center in Phoenix, Arizona, and our office and laboratory facilities in Natick, Massachusetts, are subject to periodic testing for impairment. Failure to achieve sufficient levels of cash flow at the asset group level could result in impairment of our long-lived assets. In addition, we have operating lease right-of-use assets for office and laboratory space which are also subject to impairment. Changes in the business environment could lead to changes in the scope of operations of our business. These changes, including the closure of one or more offices, could result in restructuring and/or asset impairment charges. The COVID-19 pandemic raises the possibility of an extended global economic downturn, which increases the risk of long-lived asset impairment charges. Changes in, or interpretations of, accounting principles could have a significant impact on our financial position and results of operations. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). These principles are subject to interpretation by the SEC and various bodies formed to interpret and create appropriate accounting principles. A change in these principles can have a significant effect on our reported results and may even retroactively affect previously reported transactions. Additionally, the adoption of new or revised accounting principles may require that we make significant changes to our systems, processes and controls. Our business can be adversely affected by downturns in the overall economy. The markets that we serve are cyclical and subject to general economic conditions. The direction and relative strength of the global economy continues to be uncertain. If economic growth in the United States, where we primarily operate, slows, our clients may consolidate or go out of business and thus demand for our services could be reduced significantly. Our quarterly results may vary. Variations in our revenues and operating results occur from time to time, as a result of a number of factors, such as the significance of client engagements commenced and completed during a quarter, the timing of engagements, the number of working days in a quarter, employee hiring and utilization rates, and integration of companies acquired. Because a high percentage of our expenses, particularly personnel and facilities related expenses, are relatively fixed in advance of any particular quarter, a variation in the timing of the initiation or the completion of our client assignments can cause significant variations in operating results from quarter to quarter. The market price of our common stock may be volatile. Many factors could cause the market price of our common stock to rise and fall. These include the risk factors listed above and below; changes in estimates of our performance or recommendations by securities analysts; future sales of shares of common stock in the public market; market conditions in the industry and economy as a whole; acquisitions or strategic alliances involving us or our competitors; restatement of financial results; and changes in accounting principles or methods. In addition, the stock market often experiences significant price fluctuations. These fluctuations are often unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. When the market price of a company's stock drops significantly, shareholders often institute securities class action litigation against that company. Any litigation against 21 us could cause us to incur substantial costs, divert the time and attention of our management and other resources, or otherwise harm our business. There can be no assurance that we will continue to declare cash dividends or repurchase our shares at all or in any particular amounts. Our Board of Directors has declared quarterly dividends since March 2013. Our intent to continue to pay quarterly dividends and to repurchase our shares is subject to capital availability and, in the case of dividends, periodic determinations by our Board of Directors that cash dividends are in the best interest of our stockholders and are in compliance with all laws and agreements applicable to the declaration and payment of cash dividends by us. Future dividends and share repurchases may also be affected by, among other factors: our views on potential future capital requirements for investments, including acquisitions; legal risks; stock repurchase programs; changes in federal and state income tax laws or corporate laws; contractual restrictions; and changes to our business model. Our dividend payments and share repurchases may change from time to time, and we cannot provide assurance that we will continue to declare dividends or repurchase shares at all or in any particular amounts. A reduction or suspension in our dividend payments or share repurchase activity could have a negative effect on our stock price. Catastrophic events may disrupt our business. We rely on our network infrastructure and certain third-party hosted services to support our operations. A disruption or failure of these systems in the event of a major earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami or other weather event, power loss, telecommunications failure, software or hardware malfunctions, pandemics, cyber-attack, war, terrorist attack or other catastrophic event that our disaster recovery plans do not adequately address, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Climate change may disrupt our business. The areas where we conduct business are vulnerable to the effects of climate change. For example, in California, wildfire danger increases the probability of planned power outages which may impact our employees’ abilities to commute to work and to stay connected. Climate-related events, including the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and their impact on critical infrastructure, have the potential to disrupt our business. Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments None. Item 2. Properties Our Silicon Valley office facilities consist of a 153,738 square foot building, with office and laboratory space located on a 6.3-acre tract of land we own in Menlo Park, California and an adjacent 27,000 square feet of warehouse storage space on a 1.1-acre tract of land that we also own. Our Test and Engineering Center (TEC) occupies 147 acres in Phoenix, Arizona. We lease this land from the state of Arizona under a 30-year lease agreement that expires in January 2028 and have options to renew for two 15-year periods. We constructed a 21,613 square foot indoor test facility as well as a 44,053 square foot engineering and test preparation building at the TEC. Our office facilities in Natick, Massachusetts, consist of a 60,480 square foot building, with office and laboratory space located on a 2.9 acre tract of land that we own and an adjacent building that consists of 9,100 square feet of office space located on a 0.81 acre tract of land that we also own. In addition, we lease office and laboratory space in 20 other locations in 13 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Leases for these offices and laboratory facilities have terms generally ranging between one and 10 years. Item 3. Legal Proceedings Exponent is not engaged in any material legal proceedings. 22 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable. 23 PART II Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Exponent’s common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, under the symbol “EXPO.” As of February 18, 2022, there were 176 holders of record of our common stock. Because many of the shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we believe that there are considerably more beneficial holders of our common stock than record holders. The following table provides information on the Company’s share repurchases (of Company common stock) for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands, except price per share): Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan or Program 68,455 68,455 68,455 $ $ $ October 2 to October 29 .................. October 30 to November 26 ............ November 27 to December 31 ........ Total ................................................ $ $ $ $ Repurchases of the Company’s common stock were affected pursuant to a repurchase program authorized by the Company’s Board of Directors. On January 31, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors announced $75,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. On May 29, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors announced an additional $45,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. On February 22, 2022 the Company’s Board of Directors announced an additional $150,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. These repurchase programs have no expiration dates. COMPANY STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH This graph compares the Company’s cumulative total stockholder return calculated on a dividend-reinvested basis from 2017 through 2021 with those of the Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index and the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. The Company does not have a comparable peer group and thus has selected the S&P Small Cap 600 Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on the last day of 2016. Note that the historic price performance is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURNS 500 400 300 200 100 s r a l l o D 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 Years Ending Exponent, Inc. S&P 500 Index S&P SmallCap 600 Index Item 6. (Reserved) 24 Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations This section of this Annual Report on form 10-K generally discusses 2021 and 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020. Discussions of 2019 and year-to-year comparisons between 2020 and 2019 that are not included in this Annual Report form 10-K can be found in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021. OVERVIEW Exponent is an engineering and scientific consulting firm providing solutions to complex problems. Exponent's interdisciplinary organization of scientists, physicians, engineers, and business consultants draws from more than 90 technical disciplines to solve the most pressing and complicated challenges facing stakeholders today. The firm leverages over 50 years of experience in analyzing accidents and failures to advise clients as they innovate their technologically complex products and processes, ensure the safety and health of their users, and address the challenges of sustainability. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES In preparing our consolidated financial statements, we make assumptions, judgments and estimates that can have a significant impact on our revenue, operating income and net income, as well as on the value of certain assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. We base our assumptions, judgments and estimates on historical experience and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis we evaluate our assumptions, judgments and estimates and make changes accordingly. We believe that the assumptions, judgments and estimates involved in accounting for revenue recognition and estimating the allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts have a potential impact on our consolidated financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. We discuss below the assumptions, judgments and estimates associated with these policies. Historically, our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to our critical accounting policies have not differed materially from actual results. For further information on our critical accounting policies, see Note 1 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Revenue recognition. We derive our revenues primarily from professional fees earned on consulting engagements, fees earned for the use of our equipment and facilities, as well as reimbursements for outside direct expenses associated with the services that are billed to our clients. Substantially all of our engagements are service contracts performed under time and material or fixed-price billing arrangements. For time and material and fixed-price service projects, revenue is generally recognized as the services are performed. For substantially all of our fixed-price service engagements, we recognize revenue based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to our estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates we expect to incur over the term of the contract. Our estimate of total labor hours we expect to incur over the term of the contract is based on the nature of the project and our past experience on similar projects. We believe this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services we provide to our customers under fixed-price contracts. Management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with the revenues recognized in any accounting period. These judgments and estimates include an assessment of the estimate as to the total effort required to complete fixed-price projects. Estimating the allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts. We make estimates of our ability to collect accounts receivable and our unbilled but recognized work-in-process. In circumstances where we are aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to us or for disputes with customers that affect our ability to fully collect our accounts receivable and unbilled work-in-process, we record a specific allowance to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount we reasonably believe will be collected. For all other customers we recognize allowances for contract losses and doubtful accounts taking into consideration factors such as historical write-offs, customer concentration, customer creditworthiness, current and forecasts of future economic conditions, and aging of amounts due. 25 The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of revenues of certain items in our consolidated statements of income and the percentage increase (decrease) in the dollar amount of such items year to year: Percentage of Revenues for Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Period to Period Change 2021 v 2020 Revenues .............................................................................................. 100.0% 100.0% 16.6% Operating expenses: Compensation and related expenses ............................................... Other operating expenses................................................................ Reimbursable expenses................................................................... General and administrative expenses.............................................. Operating income ................................................................................. Other income, net ................................................................................. Income before income taxes................................................................. Provision for income taxes................................................................... 59.6 7.0 6.7 3.3 76.6 23.4 3.6 27.0 5.3 62.5 8.1 5.4 3.2 79.2 20.8 3.4 24.2 3.6 11.2 1.1 46.2 18.6 12.9 30.8 23.5 29.8 71.3 Net income ........................................................................................... 21.7% 20.6% 22.6% EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Revenues for 2021 increased 17% and revenues before reimbursements increased 15% as compared to the prior year. The increase in revenues before reimbursements was due to an increase in billable hours and an increase in billing rates. Our multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists continues to deliver unique and innovative solutions as we broaden our client base and deepen our relationships. Among our proactive services, demand for human factors and machine learning studies was strong throughout 2021 and is expected to continue as clients seek data to improve user experience and advance product performance. At the same time, within our reactive services, litigation related work continues to recover as courts further adapt operating procedures to the COVID-19 environment. Over the last year we further evolved our capabilities, ensuring we can support our clients as they seek to deliver safer, healthier, and more sustainable products and services. Growth during 2021 was broad-based, with continued strong demand for our services across the utilities, consumer electronics, consumer products, life sciences and automotive sectors. Growth was also driven by our proactive safety- related work evaluating the impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment. Society is raising the bar for safety, health, sustainability and reliability, and clients are increasingly seeking our interdisciplinary proactive solutions. As our suite of offerings and key markets expands, so does the demand for our multidisciplinary services. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we acted swiftly in the face of uncertainty to align our business to protect profitability, but as demand for our services increased, we accelerated our recruiting efforts. While the job market for engineering and scientific talent remains highly competitive, we persist in our ability to attract world-class talent. Net income was $101,202,000 during 2021 as compared to $82,552,000 during 2020. Diluted earnings per share increased to $1.90 for 2021 as compared to $1.55 for 2020. Net income and diluted earnings per share for 2021 and 2020 benefited from the excess tax benefit associated with stock-based awards. The excess tax benefit associated with stock-based awards decreased to $10,009,000 during 2021 as compared to $12,258,000 during 2020. The decrease in the excess tax benefit was due to a smaller increase in value of our common stock between the grant date and the release date for the restricted stock units released during 2021 as compared to 2020. 26 We remain focused on selectively adding top talent and developing the skills necessary to expand upon our market position, providing clients with in-depth scientific research and analysis to determine what happened and how to prevent failures or exposures in the future. We also remain focused on capitalizing on emerging growth areas, managing other operating expenses, generating cash from operations, maintaining a strong balance sheet and undertaking activities such as share repurchases and dividends to enhance shareholder value. OVERVIEW OF THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 Our revenues consist of professional fees earned on consulting engagements, fees for use of our equipment and facilities, and reimbursements for outside direct expenses associated with the services performed that are billed to our clients. We operate on a 52-53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the Friday closest to December 31st. Fiscal period 2021 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on December 31, 2021. Fiscal period 2020 inluded 52 weeks of activity and ended on January 1, 2021. Fiscal period 2019 included 53 weeks of activity and ended on January 3, 2020. Fiscal period 2022 is 52 weeks and will end on December 30, 2022. During 2021, billable hours increased 10% to 1,405,000 as compared to 1,273,000 during 2020. Our utilization increased to 75% for 2021 as compared to 67% for 2020. Technical full-time equivalent employees decreased 1% to 900 for 2021 as compared to 912 for 2020. We continue to selectively hire key talent to expand our capabilities. FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND JANUARY 1, 2021 Revenues (In thousands except percentages) Engineering and Other Scientific ..................................................... $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Environmental and Health................................................................ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 380,909 2020 319,346 $ 81.7% 85,360 18.3% 79.9% 80,554 20.1% Total revenues............................................................................. $ 466,269 $ 399,900 Percent Change 19.3% 6.0% 16.6% The increase in revenues for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment was due to an increase in billable hours and an increase in billing rates. During 2021, billable hours for this segment increased by 13% to 1,101,000 as compared to 976,000 during 2020. Utilization for this segment increased to 77% for 2021 as compared to 67% for 2020 due to increased workflow and a decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees. Growth during 2021 was broad-based, with continued strong demand for our services across the utilities, consumer electronics, consumer products, life sciences, and automotive sectors. In addition to the steady increase in litigation support and human participant studies, our multidisciplinary battery team continued to see demand for its solutions in electric vehicles and energy storage. Our work in international arbitrations and integrity management advisory services continued at strong levels. Technical full-time equivalent employees in this segment decreased 2% to 688 during 2021 as compared to 704 for 2020. The decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees was due in part to the divestiture of our German subsidiary in April of 2020. The increase in revenues from our Environmental and Health segment was due to an increase in billable hours and an increase in billing rates. During 2021, billable hours for this segment increased by 2% to 304,000 as compared to 297,000 during 2020. Growth in this segment, which saw less impact from business restrictions in 2020, was primarily driven by our proactive safety-related work evaluating the impacts on chemicals on human health and the environment. Utilization for this segment was 69% for both 2021 and 2020. Technical full-time equivalents increased 2% to 212 during 2021 as compared to 208 for 2020 due to our recruiting and retention efforts. Revenues are primarily derived from services provided in response to client requests or events that occur without notice and engagements are generally terminable or subject to postponement or delay at any time by our clients. As a result, backlog at any particular time is small in relation to our quarterly or annual revenues and is not a reliable indicator of revenues for any future periods. 27 Compensation and Related Expenses (In thousands except percentages) Compensation and related expenses................................................. $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 278,047 2020 250,041 $ 59.6% 62.5% Percent Change 11.2% The increase in compensation and related expenses during 2021 was due to an increase in bonus expense, a change in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan, an increase in wages, and an increase in fringe benefits. During 2021, bonus expense increased by $15,186,000 due to a corresponding increase in the bonus pool, which is 33% of income before income taxes, interest income, bonus expense, and stock-based compensation. During 2021, deferred compensation expense increased $6,702,000 with a corresponding increase to other income, net, as compared to the prior year due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $14,730,000 during 2021 as compared to an increase in the value of the plan assets of $8,028,000 during 2020. Wages increased $3,280,000 during 2021 due to the impact of our annual salary increase. Fringe benefits increased $2,708,000 during 2021 due to an employee retention credit that we claimed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) for $2,230,000 during 2020. There was no CARES Act credit claimed during 2021. We expect our compensation expense, excluding the change in value of deferred compensation plan assets, to increase as we selectively add new talent and adjust compensation to market conditions. Other Operating Expenses (In thousands except percentages) Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Other operating expenses ................................................................. $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. 32,594 $ 32,234 7.0% 8.1% Percent Change 1.1% Other operating expenses include facilities-related costs, technical materials, computer-related expenses and depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in information technology related expenses partially offset by a decrease in depreciation expense and a decrease in occupancy expense. We expect other operating expenses to grow as we selectively add new talent, make additional investments in our corporate infrastructure, and transition our workforce back to our offices as COVID-19 pandemic-related business restrictions are lifted. Reimbursable Expenses (In thousands except percentages) Reimbursable expenses .................................................................... $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Percent Change 31,419 $ 21,488 46.2% 6.7% 5.4% The amount of reimbursable expenses will vary from year to year depending on the nature of our projects. The increase in reimbursable expenses during 2021 was primarily due an increase in project-related travel and other project-related expenses as COVID-19 pandemic-related business and travel restrictions eased. General and Administrative Expenses (In thousands except percentages) General and administrative expenses ............................................... $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Percent Change 15,282 $ 12,888 18.6% 3.3% 3.2% 28 The increase in general and administrative expenses during 2021 was primarily due to an increase in outside consulting services of $425,000, an increase in liability insurance premiums of $366,000, an increase in legal fees of $349,000, an increase in charitable contributions of $201,000, an increase in employee relocation of $190,000, an increase in employee relations of $173,000, an increase marketing and business development expenses of $165,000, and several other individually insignificant increases. The increase in outside consulting during 2021 was due to the completion of several projects associated with investments in our corporate infrastructure. There was a lower level of activity during 2020 in outside consulting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in liability insurance premiums was due to pricing increases associated with our annual insurance renewal. The increase in legal fees was primarily due to compliance costs associated with our international operations. The increase in charitable contributions was due to a gift of $250,000 to the Georgia Tech Foundation for the newly established Exponent Dean’s Scholarship Endowment in the College of Engineering. The increases in employee relocation, employee relations, and marketing and business development expenses were due to an increase in human capital and business development activities. We expect general and administrative expenses to increase as we selectively add new talent, expand our business development efforts, and pursue staff development initiatives. Operating Income (In thousands except percentages) Engineering and Other Scientific...................................................... $ Environmental and Health ................................................................ Total segment operating income....................................................... Corporate operating expense ............................................................ Total operating income................................................................ $ Fiscal Years 2021 140,400 27,952 168,352 (59,425) 108,927 $ $ 2020 100,616 26,728 127,344 (44,095) 83,249 Percent Change 39.5% 4.6% 32.2% 34.8% 30.8% The increase in operating income for our Engineering and Other Scientific segment during 2021 as compared to 2020 was due to an increase in revenues driven by an increase in the utilization. Utilization for this segment increased to 77% for 2021 as compared to 67% during 2020 due to increased workflow and a 2% decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees. Growth during 2021 was broad-based, with continued strong demand for our services across the utilities, consumer electronics, consumer products, life sciences, and automotive sectors. In addition to the steady increase in litigation support and human participant studies, our multidisciplinary battery team continued to see demand for its solutions in electric vehicles and energy storage. Our work in international arbitrations and integrity management advisory services continued at strong levels. The increase in operating income for our Environmental and Health segment during 2021 as compared to 2020 was due to an increase in revenues. The increase in revenues was due to an increase in billable hours and an increase in billing rates. Growth in this segment, which saw less impact from business restrictions in 2020, was primarily driven by our proactive safety-related work evaluating the impacts on chemicals on human health and the environment. Certain operating expenses are excluded from the Company’s measure of segment operating income. These expenses include the costs associated with our human resources, finance, information technology, and business development groups; the deferred compensation expense/benefit due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan; stock-based compensation associated with restricted stock unit and stock option awards; and the change in our allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts. The increase in corporate operating expenses during 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to an increase in deferred compensation expense. During 2021, deferred compensation expense increased $6,702,000 with a corresponding increase to other income, net, as compared to the prior year due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $14,730,000 during 2021 as compared to an increase in the value of the plan assets of $8,028,000 during 2020. During 2020 we claimed an employee retention credit for $2,230,000 under the CARES Act. This credit was excluded from fringe benefits in our measure of segment operating income. There was no CARES Act credit claimed during 2021. Corporate operating expenses also increased due to increases in costs associated with our human resources, finance, information technology, and business development groups as we continue to make investments in these areas to support our growth. 29 Other Income (In thousands except percentages) Other income .................................................................................... $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Percent Change 16,910 $ 13,687 23.5% 3.6% 3.4% Other income consists primarily of interest income earned on available cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, changes in the value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan and rental income from leasing excess space in our Silicon Valley facility. The increase in other income was primarily due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan partially offset by a decrease in interest income, a change in the realized gain/loss on foreign exchange, and a decrease in rental income. During 2021, other income, net, increased $6,702,000 with a corresponding increase to deferred compensation expense as compared to the prior year due to the change in value of assets associated with our deferred compensation plan. This increase consisted of an increase in the value of the plan assets of $14,730,000 during 2021 as compared to an increase in the value of the plan assets of $8,028,000 during 2020. During 2021 interest income decreased by $1,639,000 due to lower interest rates for our cash equivalents and short-term investments. During 2021, other income, net, decreased by $1,109,000 as compared to 2020 due to a change in the realized gain/loss on foreign exchange. This decrease consisted of a realized loss on foreign exchange of $517,000 during 2021 as compared to a realized gain on foreign exchange of $592,000 during 2020. During 2021, rental income decreased $692,000 as compared to 2020 due to an increase in our vacancy rate. Income Taxes (In thousands except percentages) Income taxes..................................................................................... $ Percentage of total revenues............................................................. Effective tax rate .............................................................................. Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Percent Change 24,635 $ 14,384 71.3% 5.3% 19.6% 3.6% 14.8% The increase in our effective tax rate was due to a decrease in the excess tax benefit associated with stock-based awards. The excess tax benefit associated with stock-based awards decreased to $10,009,000 during 2021 as compared to $12,258,000 during 2020. The decrease in the excess tax benefit was due to a smaller increase in the value of our common stock between the grant date and the release date for the restricted stock units released during 2021 as compared to 2020. Excluding the impact of the excess tax benefit, the effective tax rate would have been 27.5% for both 2021 and 2020. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES (In thousands) Net cash provided by (used in): Operating activities............................................................................................. $ Investing activities.............................................................................................. $ Financing activities............................................................................................. $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 $ 124,568 38,178 $ (62,753) $ 103,312 5,024 (88,355) We financed our business in 2021 through available cash and cash flows from operating activities. We invest our excess cash in cash equivalents and short-term investments. As of December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents were $297,687,000 as compared to $242,526,000 at January 1, 2021. We believe our existing balances of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments will be sufficient to satisfy our working capital needs, capital expenditures, outstanding commitments, stock repurchases, dividends and other liquidity requirements over at least the next 12 months. Generally, our net cash provided by operating activities is used to fund our day-to-day operating activities. First quarter operating cash requirements are generally higher due to payment of our annual bonuses accrued during the prior year. 30 Our largest source of operating cash flows is cash collections from our clients. Our primary uses of cash from operating activities are for employee-related expenditures, leased facilities, taxes, and general operating expenses. Net cash provided by operating activities was $124.6 million for 2021 as compared to $103.3 million in 2020. During 2021 and 2020, net cash provided by investing activities was primarily related to the purchase and maturity of short-term investments and capital expenditures. The decrease in net cash used in financing activities during 2021 as compared to 2020 was due to a decrease in repurchases of our common stock and a decrease in the proceeds from the exercise of stock-based payment awards partially offset by an increase in our quarterly dividend payment. We lease office, laboratory, and storage space in 13 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom under non-cancellable operating lease arrangements that expire at various dates through 2028. As of December 31, 2021, the value of our obligations under operating leases was $16,763,000. See Note 12 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our lease obligations. The value of our non-cancellable unconditional purchase obligations was not material at December 31, 2021. We expect to continue our investing activities, including capital expenditures. Furthermore, cash reserves may be used to repurchase common stock under our stock repurchase programs, pay dividends, procure facilities and equipment or strategically acquire professional service firms that are complementary to our business. We maintain nonqualified deferred compensation plans for the benefit of a select group of highly compensated employees. Vested amounts due under the plans of $100,999,000 were recorded as a long-term liability on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021. Vested amounts due under the plans of $9,380,000 were recorded as a current liability on our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021. Company assets that are earmarked to pay benefits under the plans are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to the claims of our creditors. As of December 31, 2021, invested amounts under the plans of $99,962,000 were recorded as a long-term asset on our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2021, invested amounts under the plans of $9,380,000 were recorded as a current asset on our consolidated balance sheet. As permitted under Delaware law, we have agreements whereby we indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was serving, at our request in such capacity. The indemnification period covers all pertinent events and occurrences during the officer’s or director’s lifetime. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have director and officer insurance coverage that reduces our exposure and enables us to recover a portion of any future amounts paid. We believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements in excess of applicable insurance coverage is minimal. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Regulation G, conditions for use of Non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“Non-GAAP”) financial measures, and other SEC regulations define and prescribe the conditions for use of certain Non-GAAP financial information. Generally, a Non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. We closely monitor two financial measures, EBITDA and EBITDAS, which meet the definition of Non-GAAP financial measures. We define EBITDA as net income before income taxes, interest income, depreciation and amortization. We define EBITDAS as EBITDA before stock-based compensation. We regard EBITDA and EBITDAS as useful measures of operating performance and cash flow to complement operating income, net income and other GAAP financial performance measures. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and EBITDAS provide meaningful comparisons of past, present and future operating results. These measures are used to evaluate our financial results, develop budgets and determine employee compensation. These measures, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute or superior to, operating income, cash flows, or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of the Non-GAAP measures to the nearest comparable GAAP measure is set forth below. 31 The following table shows EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements for 2021 and 2020: (In thousands, except percentages) Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Revenues before reimbursements ...................................................................... $ EBITDA............................................................................................................. $ EBITDA as a % of revenues before reimbursements ........................................ 434,850 132,258 $ $ 30.4% 378,412 102,102 27.0% The increase in EBITDA as a percentage of revenues before reimbursements during 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to the 15% increase in revenues before reimbursements and slower growth in compensation and related expenses and other operating expenses. The increase in revenues before reimbursements was due to an increase in billable hours and an increase in billing rates. Our multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists continues to deliver unique and innovative solutions as we broaden our client base and deepen our relationships. Among our proactive services, demand for human factors and machine learning studies was strong throughout 2021 and is expected to continue as clients seek data to improve user experience and advance product performance. At the same time, within our reactive services, litigation related work continues to recover as courts further adapt operating procedures to the COVID-19 environment. Over the last year we further evolved our capabilities, ensuring we can support our clients as they seek to deliver safer, healthier, and more sustainable products and services. The slower growth in compensation and related expenses during 2021 was due to a decrease in technical full-time equivalent employees. Due to our recruiting efforts, hiring has picked up over the last several months despite the competitive market for engineering and scientific talent. As such we expect compensation and related expenses to increase. The slower growth in other operating expenses was primarily due to the continued business restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. We expect other operating expenses to increase as COVID-19 pandemic-related business restrictions are eased. The following table is a reconciliation of EBITDA and EBITDAS to the most comparable GAAP measure, net income, for 2021 and 2020: (In thousands) Net income.......................................................................................................... $ Add back (subtract): Income taxes.................................................................................................. Interest income .............................................................................................. Depreciation and amortization ...................................................................... EBITDA................................................................................................... Stock-based compensation ............................................................................ EBITDAS ................................................................................................ $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 101,202 $ 82,552 24,635 (66) 6,487 132,258 19,263 151,521 $ 14,384 (1,705) 6,871 102,102 17,278 119,380 32 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk Exponent is exposed to interest rate risk associated with our balances of cash and cash equivalents. We manage our interest rate risk by maintaining an investment portfolio primarily consisting of debt instruments with high credit quality and relatively short average effective maturities in accordance with the Company’s investment policy. The maximum effective maturity of any issue in our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments is three years and the maximum average effective maturity of the portfolio cannot exceed 12 months. If interest rates were to instantaneously increase or decrease by 100 basis points, the change in the fair value of our portfolio of cash equivalents would not have a material impact on our financial statements. We do not use derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Notwithstanding our efforts to manage interest rate risk, there can be no assurances that we will be adequately protected against the risks associated with interest rate fluctuations. We have foreign currency risk related to our revenues and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the British Pound, the Chinese Yuan, and the Hong Kong Dollar. Accordingly, changes in exchange rates may negatively affect the revenues and net income of our foreign subsidiaries as expressed in U.S. dollars. At December 31, 2021, we had net assets of approximately $12.6 million with a functional currency of the British Pound, net assets of approximately $6.4 million with a functional currency of the Chinese Yuan, and net assets of approximately $7.8 million with a functional currency of the Hong Kong Dollar associated with our operations in the United Kingdom, China, and Hong Kong respectively. We also have foreign currency risk related to foreign currency transactions and monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency. We have experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of gains/(losses) on these foreign currency transactions and the re- measurement of monetary assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2021, we had net assets denominated in the non- functional currency of approximately $5.8 million. We do not use foreign exchange contracts to hedge any foreign currency exposures. To date, the impacts of foreign currency exchange rate changes on our consolidated revenues and consolidated net income have not been material. However, our continued international expansion increases our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations and as a result such fluctuations could have a significant impact on our future results of operations. 33 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data See Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for required financial statements and supplementary data. Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure None. Item 9A. Controls and Procedures KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the internal control over financial reporting of Exponent, Inc., as stated in their report which is included in Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (a) Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13(a)-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (b) Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance, but not absolute assurance, regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting. These limitations include the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of the system and reasonable resource constraints. Because of its inherent limitations, our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at the reasonable assurance level as of December 31, 2021. (c) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Item 9B. Other Information None. Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections Not applicable. 34 PART III Certain information required by Part III is omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We intend to file a definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and certain information included therein is incorporated herein by reference. Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Proxy Statement"). See Part 1, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding the executive officers of the Company. Item 11. Executive Compensation The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. See also the table on the Company’s share repurchases in Part II, Item 5 above. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services The information required by this item is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement. 35 PART IV Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 1. Financial Statements The following consolidated financial statements of Exponent, Inc. and subsidiaries and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are included herewith: Page Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .................................................................. 37 Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 and January 3, 2020 ...................................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 and January 3, 2020...................................................................................................... Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 ....................................... Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 and January 3, 2020 ................................................................................................................... Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 and January 3, 2020 ................................................................................................................................ Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .......................................................................................... 39 40 41 42 43 44 2. Financial Statement Schedules The following financial statement schedule of Exponent, Inc. for the years ended December 31, 2021, January 1, 2021 and January 3, 2020 is filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of Exponent, Inc. and subsidiaries: Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.................................................................................. 63 Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included elsewhere in the report. Page 3. Exhibits (a) Exhibit Index ................................................................................................................................ 64 Page 36 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Exponent, Inc.: Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Exponent, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule II (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Basis for Opinions The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance 37 with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Critical Audit Matter The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Collectibility of accounts receivable As discussed in Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts was $4.4 million as of December 31, 2021. The Company’s accounts receivable, net was $139.9 million as of December 31, 2021 which represents 20% of total assets and 30% of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2021. As discussed in Note 1, the Company maintains allowances to estimate their ability to collect financial obligations from customers. The Company records a specific allowance in circumstances where the Company is aware of a dispute with a specific customer or a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations. We identified the assessment of the collectibility of accounts receivable as a critical audit matter. Specifically, the specific allowance is an estimate which involves assessing the likelihood of collection of a customer’s accounts receivable by considering various factors such as nature of the dispute, communications from the customer, historical collections, and number of days accounts receivables have been outstanding. Subjective auditor judgment was involved in evaluating the relevance and reliability of the evidence obtained in evaluating these factors. The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the critical audit matter. This included controls related to the Company’s assessment of the specific allowance. We investigated significant fluctuations in the specific allowance as compared to gross accounts receivable and the prior year specific allowance. For a selection of customer invoices and projects, we inquired of Company personnel to evaluate the rationale for establishing a specific allowance for certain customers and assessed the Company’s estimate of the specific customer allowance by evaluating the underlying contractual documents, historical collection trends, communications with customers, number of days accounts receivable have been outstanding, and other additional factors. We also evaluated subsequent collections occurring after the balance sheet date for the selected customer invoices and projects and considered the impact of potential subsequent events on the estimate of the specific customer allowance. /s/ KPMG LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1987. San Francisco, California February 25, 2022 38 Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Income (In thousands, except per share data) Revenues: 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 Revenues before reimbursements................................................ $ Reimbursements .......................................................................... Revenues................................................................................ $ 434,850 31,419 466,269 $ 378,412 21,488 399,900 391,390 25,809 417,199 Operating expenses: Compensation and related expenses............................................ Other operating expenses ............................................................ Reimbursable expenses ............................................................... General and administrative expenses .......................................... Total operating expenses ....................................................... Operating income................................................................... Other income: Interest income ............................................................................ Miscellaneous income, net .......................................................... Income before income taxes .................................................. Provision for income taxes ............................................................... Net income............................................................................. $ Net income per share: Basic ............................................................................................ $ Diluted......................................................................................... $ Shares used in per share computations: Basic ............................................................................................ Diluted......................................................................................... 278,047 32,594 31,419 15,282 357,342 108,927 66 16,844 125,837 24,635 101,202 1.92 1.90 52,610 53,331 $ $ $ 250,041 32,234 21,488 12,888 316,651 83,249 1,705 11,982 96,936 14,384 82,552 1.58 1.55 52,388 53,323 $ $ $ 252,197 33,562 25,809 20,520 332,088 85,111 3,912 15,167 104,190 21,730 82,460 1.56 1.53 52,691 53,884 Cash dividends declared per common share..................................... $ 0.80 $ 0.76 $ 0.64 See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 39 Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (In thousands) Net income ............................................................................................. $ Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: 2021 101,202 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 $ 82,552 $ 82,460 Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0, $0, and $0, respectively ....................................................................... Reclassification adjustment for currency translation adjustments on planned disposal of a subsidiary, net of tax of $0, included in miscellaneous income, net on the consolidated statement of income ................................. Unrealized gain/(loss) arising during the period on 14 65 145 601 investments, net of tax of $2, $79 and $(114), respectively .......... Comprehensive income .......................................................................... $ (65) 101,151 $ (237) 82,380 $ 347 83,553 See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 40 Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except par value) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents............................................................................. $ Short-term investments ................................................................................. Accounts receivable, net of allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts of $4,423 and $3,995, respectively ............................................. Prepaid expenses and other current assets .................................................... Total current assets............................................................................. Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...................................... Operating lease right-of-use assets ..................................................................... Goodwill ............................................................................................................. Deferred income taxes ........................................................................................ Deferred compensation plan assets..................................................................... Other assets......................................................................................................... Total assets ......................................................................................... $ Liabilities and Stockholders Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ...................................................... $ Accrued payroll and employee benefits........................................................ Deferred revenues ......................................................................................... Operating lease liabilities.............................................................................. Total current liabilities ....................................................................... Other liabilities ................................................................................................... Deferred compensation plan liabilities ............................................................... Operating lease liabilities ................................................................................... Total liabilities ................................................................................... $ Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) Stockholders equity: Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; no shares Outstanding ................................................................................................ Common stock, $0.001 par value; 120,000 shares authorized; 65,707 shares issued............................................................................................... Additional paid-in capital.............................................................................. Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) Investment securities, available for sale .................................................. Foreign currency translation adjustments................................................ Retained earnings .......................................................................................... Treasury stock, at cost: 13,591 and 13,903 shares held, respectively........... Total stockholders equity.................................................................. Total liabilities and stockholders equity ........................................... $ 66 281,419 (1,983) (1,983) 478,370 (340,807) 417,065 683,739 See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 41 December 31, 2021 January 1, 2021 297,687 $ 197,525 45,001 111,565 12,741 366,832 59,823 19,322 8,607 40,539 83,731 1,242 580,096 16,327 83,194 11,800 5,987 117,308 2,986 83,961 14,343 218,598 66 265,328 65 (1,997) (1,932) 421,809 (323,773) 361,498 580,096 139,861 15,214 452,762 59,971 14,370 8,607 46,546 99,962 1,521 683,739 24,504 103,552 19,762 5,164 152,982 2,886 100,999 9,807 266,674 $ $ $ $ Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (In thousands) Balance at December 28, 2018...... Employee stock purchase plan ...... Exercise of stock options............... Amortization of unrecognized stock-based compensation .......... Purchase of treasury shares ........... Foreign currency translation Adjustments................................ Reclassification adjustment for currency translation adjustments on planned disposal of a subsidiary.................................... Grant of restricted stock units to settle accrued bonus.................... Settlement of restricted stock units Unrealized gain on investments..... Dividends and dividend equivalent Rights.......................................... Net income..................................... Balance at January 3, 2020............ Employee stock purchase plan ...... Exercise of stock options............... Amortization of unrecognized stock-based compensation .......... Purchase of treasury shares ........... Foreign currency translation Adjustments................................ Grant of restricted stock units to settle accrued bonus.................... Settlement of restricted stock units Unrealized loss on investments ..... Dividends and dividend equivalent Rights.......................................... Net income..................................... Balance at January 1, 2021............ Employee stock purchase plan ...... Exercise of stock options............... Amortization of unrecognized stock-based compensation .......... Purchase of treasury shares ........... Foreign currency translation Adjustments................................ Grant of restricted stock units to settle accrued bonus.................... Settlement of restricted stock units Unrealized loss on investments ..... Dividends and dividend equivalent Rights.......................................... Net income..................................... Balance at December 31, 2021...... Common Stock Shares 65,707 Amount 66 $ Additional paid-in capital $ 227,283 1,384 (141) Accumulated other comprehensive Retained income (loss) earnings (2,853) $342,024 $ Treasury Stock Shares 14,208 (27) (166) Total Amount $(252,611) $313,909 1,668 1,561 284 1,702 65,707 $ 65,707 $ 66 66 8,710 7,947 (961) 713 $ 244,935 $ 1,536 1,996 9,165 8,645 (1,460) 511 $ 265,328 $ 1,777 657 9,296 7,637 (3,276) 145 601 347 342 (21,957) 8,710 (21,957) 145 601 (5,146) (406) (5,076) 7,947 (11,183) 347 (34,670) 82,460 (1,760) $384,668 13,951 (24) (284) (33,957) 82,460 $(277,658) $350,251 1,791 4,940 255 2,944 65 (237) (4,538) 636 (376) (40,049) 9,165 (40,049) 65 (9,265) 8,645 (15,263) (237) (40,873) 82,552 (1,932) $421,809 13,903 (40,362) 82,552 $(323,773) $361,498 14 (20) (48) 78 200 477 1,977 1,134 (7,000) 9,296 (7,000) 14 (65) (1,679) 59 (322) (10,711) 7,637 (15,666) (6) 65,707 $ 66 $ 281,419 $ (43,021) 101,202 (1,983) $478,370 13,591 (43,021) 101,202 $(340,807) $417,065 See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 42 Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income .................................................................................. $ Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 101,202 $ 82,552 $ 82,460 leasehold improvements ..................................................... 6,487 6,871 6,806 Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts on short-term investments........................................................ Provision for contract losses and doubtful accounts.............. Stock-based compensation..................................................... Deferred income tax provision .............................................. Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable ......................................................... Prepaid expenses and other current assets........................ Change in operating leases ............................................... Accounts payable and accrued liabilities ......................... Accrued payroll and employee benefits ........................... Deferred revenues ............................................................ Net cash provided by operating activities................... Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures.................................................................... Purchase of short-term investments ............................................ Maturity of short-term investments............................................. Net cash provided by investing activities ................... Cash flows from financing activities: Payroll taxes for restricted stock units ........................................ Repurchase of common stock ..................................................... Exercise of stock-based payment awards.................................... Dividends and dividend equivalent rights................................... Net cash used in financing activities........................... (11) 1,958 19,263 (6,005) (30,254) (4,407) (406) 8,443 20,336 7,962 124,568 (6,826) (34,994) 79,998 38,178 (15,666) (7,000) 3,111 (43,198) (62,753) (163) 1,849 17,278 (3,639) 6,724 (9,075) (91) (2,646) 4,562 (910) 103,312 (4,987) (39,989) 50,000 5,024 (15,263) (40,049) 6,732 (39,775) (88,355) (516) 2,224 17,466 (2,845) (16,548) (3,343) 205 6,715 11,891 3,544 108,059 (23,038) (38,693) 66,000 4,269 (11,183) (21,957) 3,229 (33,503) (63,414) Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash Equivalents .................................................................................... Net increase in cash and cash equivalents ........................................ Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ............................... Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ......................................... $ 169 100,162 197,525 297,687 $ 1,108 21,089 176,436 197,525 $ 463 49,377 127,059 176,436 See accompanying notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 43 Exponent, Inc. and Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation Exponent, Inc. together with its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) is a science and engineering consulting firm that provides solutions to complex problems. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates on a 52-53 week fiscal year with each year ending on the Friday closest to December 31st. Fiscal period 2021 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on December 31, 2021. Fiscal period 2020 included 52 weeks of activity and ended on January 1, 2021. Fiscal period 2019 included 53 weeks of activity and ended on January 3, 2020. Fiscal period 2022 is 52 weeks and will end on December 30, 2022. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 period. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition, allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation, income taxes, goodwill, the useful life of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, and operating lease liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Foreign Currency Translation The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, whose functional currency is the local currency, at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The adjustment resulting from translating the financial statements of such foreign subsidiaries is included in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss), which is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments such as money market mutual funds, commercial paper and debt securities with original remaining maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. Short-term Investments Short-term investments consist of debt securities classified as available-for-sale and are carried at their fair value as of the balance sheet date. Short-term investments generally mature between three months and three years from the purchase date. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent investments readily available for current operations. The amortized cost of securities is adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included in interest income. Realized gains or losses are determined on the specific identification method and are reflected in other income. Net unrealized gains and losses are recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) except for unrealized losses that are deemed to be other-than-temporary, which are reflected in net income. Investments are reviewed on a regular basis to evaluate whether or not any security has experienced an other-than temporary decline in fair value. When assessing investments for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, the Company considers the significance of the decline in value as a percentage of the original cost, how long the market value of the investment has been less than its original cost, any news that has been released specific to the investee, 44 and the Company’s intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not it will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the investment’s cost basis. Allowances for Contract Losses and Doubtful Accounts The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to meet their financial obligations or for disputes that affect the Company’s ability to fully collect amounts due. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations or aware of a dispute with a specific customer, a specific allowance is recorded to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers the Company recognizes allowances for doubtful accounts based upon historical write-offs, customer concentration, customer creditworthiness, current and forecasts of future economic conditions, aging of amounts due and changes in customer payment terms. Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method. Buildings are depreciated over their estimated useful lives ranging from 30 to 40 years. Equipment is depreciated over its estimated useful life, which generally ranges from two to seven years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives, generally seven years, or the term of the related lease. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future undiscounted cash flows to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. The Company has not recognized impairment losses on any long-lived assets in 2021, 2020 or 2019. Goodwill The Company assesses the impairment of goodwill annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment review is completed during the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluates goodwill for each reporting unit for impairment by assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company considers events and circumstances, including but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, changes in management or key personnel, changes in strategy, changes in customers, a change in the composition or carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets and changes in the price of its common stock. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is not performed. The Company completed its annual assessment for all reporting units with goodwill for 2021 and determined, after assessing the totality of the qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit is greater than its respective carrying amount. Accordingly, there was no indication of impairment of goodwill for any of the Company’s reporting units and the quantitative goodwill impairment test was not performed. The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment losses in 2021, 2020 or 2019. Deferred Revenues Deferred revenues represent amounts billed to clients in advance of services provided. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis and the financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws in effect 45 when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. An uncertain tax position is recognized if it is determined that it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties are insignificant at December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are recorded at fair value. The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable approximates their fair values due to their short maturities. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. The Company accounts for forfeitures of stock-based awards when they occur. Net Income Per Share Basic per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Dilutive per share amounts are computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and potentially dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method if their effect would be dilutive. The following schedule reconciles the denominators of the Company’s calculation for basic and diluted net income per share: (In thousands) Shares used in basic per share computation...................................... Effect of dilutive common stock options outstanding ...................... Effect of unvested restricted stock units outstanding........................ Shares used in diluted per share computation................................... 2021 52,610 241 480 53,331 Fiscal Years 2020 52,388 333 602 53,323 2019 52,691 458 735 53,884 There were no equity awards excluded from the diluted per share calculation for 2021 and 2019. Common stock options to purchase 35,604 shares were excluded from the diluted per share calculation for 2020 due to their anti- dilutive effect. Recently Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective There are no new accounting pronouncements that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Note 2: Revenue Recognition Substantially all of the Company’s engagements are performed under time and materials or fixed-price arrangements. For time and materials contracts, the Company utilizes the practical expedient under Accounting Standards Codification 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which states, if an entity has a right to consideration from a customer in an amount that corresponds directly with the value of the entity’s performance completed to date (for example, a service contract in which an entity bills a fixed amount for each hour of service provided), the entity may recognize revenue in the amount to which the entity has a right to invoice. 46 The following table discloses the percent of the Company’s revenue generated from time and materials contracts: Engineering & Other Scientific................................................. Environmental and Health......................................................... Total time and materials revenues ....................................... 2021 61% 17% 78% Fiscal Years 2020 61% 19% 80% 2019 66% 18% 84% For fixed-price contracts the Company recognizes revenue over time because of the continuous transfer of control to the customer. The customer typically controls the work in process as evidenced either by contractual termination clauses or by the Company’s rights to payment for work performed to date to deliver services that do not have an alternative use to the Company. Revenue for fixed-price contracts is recognized based on the relationship of incurred labor hours at standard rates to the Company’s estimate of the total labor hours at standard rates it expects to incur over the term of the contract. The Company believes this methodology achieves a reliable measure of the revenue from the consulting services it provides to its customers under fixed-price contracts given the nature of the consulting services the Company provides. The following table discloses the percent of the Company’s revenue generated from fixed price contracts: Engineering & Other Scientific................................................. Environmental and Health......................................................... Total fixed price revenues.................................................... 2021 21% 1% 22% Fiscal Years 2020 19% 1% 20% 2019 15% 1% 16% Deferred revenues represent amounts billed to clients in advance of services provided. During 2021 8,387,000 of revenues were recognized that were included in the deferred revenue balance at January 1, 2021. During 2020, $8,815,000 of revenues were recognized that were included in the deferred revenue balance at January 3, 2020. During 2019, $5,754,000 of revenue were recognized that were included in the deferred revenue balance at December 28, 2018. Reimbursements, including those related to travel and other out-of-pocket expenses, and other similar third-party costs such as the cost of materials and certain subcontracts, are included in revenues, and an equivalent amount of reimbursable expenses are included in operating expenses. Any mark-up on reimbursable expenses is included in revenues before reimbursements. The Company reports revenues net of subcontractor fees for certain subcontracts where the Company has determined that it is acting as an agent because its performance obligation is to arrange for the provision of goods or services by another party. The total amount of subcontractor fees not included in revenues because the Company was acting as an agent were $15,357,000, $9,408,000 and $14,409,000 during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 47 Note 3: Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following as of December 31, 2021: (In thousands) Classified as current assets: Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cash.............................................................................................. $ 196,106 $ — $ — $ 196,106 Cash equivalents: Money market securities......................................................... Total cash equivalents............................................................. Total cash and cash equivalents ........................................ 101,581 101,581 297,687 Short-term investments: U.S. Treasury securities.......................................................... Total short-term investments............................................. Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.................. $ 297,687 $ — — — $ — 101,581 — 101,581 — 297,687 — — — $ 297,687 Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments consisted of the following as of January 1, 2021: (In thousands) Classified as current assets: Amortized Cost Unrealized Gains Unrealized Losses Estimated Fair Value Cash.............................................................................................. $ 146,083 $ — $ — $ 146,083 Cash equivalents: Money market securities......................................................... Total cash equivalents ....................................................... Total cash and cash equivalents.............................................. 51,442 51,442 197,525 — — — — 51,442 — 51,442 — 197,525 Short-term investments: U.S. Treasury securities.......................................................... Total short-term investments............................................. 44,993 44,993 Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.................. $ 242,518 $ 8 8 8 $ 45,001 45,001 $ 242,526 48 Note 4: Fair Value Measurements The Company measures certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis, including available- for-sale fixed income securities, trading fixed income and equity securities held in its deferred compensation plan and the liability associated with its deferred compensation plan. There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during 2021, 2020 and 2019. Any transfers between fair value measurement levels would be recorded on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. The fair value of these certain financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs at December 31, 2021 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Assets Money market securities (1) ................................................. $ 101,581 $ 101,581 $ $ Fixed income trading securities held in deferred compensation plan (2)......................................... 25,275 25,275 Equity trading securities held in deferred compensation plan (2) .............................................................................. 84,067 84,067 Total .............................................................................. $ 210,923 $ 210,923 $ $ Liabilities Deferred compensation plan (3) ........................................... 110,379 110,379 Total .............................................................................. $ 110,379 $ 110,379 $ $ (1) (2) (3) Included in cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and deferred compensation plan assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred compensation plan liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. 49 The fair value of these certain financial assets and liabilities was determined using the following inputs at January 3, 2020 (in thousands): Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total Assets Money market securities (1)................................................. $ 51,442 $ 51,442 $ — $ Fixed income available for sale securities (2) ...................... 45,001 — 45,001 Fixed income trading securities held in deferred compensation plan (3)......................................... 26,274 26,274 Equity trading securities held in deferred compensation plan (3) .............................................................................. 62,473 62,473 — — Total .............................................................................. $ 185,190 $ 140,189 $ 45,001 $ Liabilities Deferred compensation plan (4)........................................... 88,977 88,977 — Total .............................................................................. $ 88,977 $ 88,977 $ — $ — — — — — — — (1) (2) (3) (4) Included in cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in short-term investments on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and deferred compensation plan assets on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and deferred compensation plan liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Fixed income available-for-sale securities as of January 1, 2021 represent primarily obligations of the United States Treasury. Fixed income and equity trading securities as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 represent mutual funds held in the Company’s deferred compensation plan. See Note 11 for additional information about the Company’s deferred compensation plan. At January 1, 2021 all short-term fixed income securities classified as short-term investments were due to mature within one year. At December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2021, the Company did not have any assets or liabilities valued using significant unobservable inputs. The following financial instruments are not measured at fair value on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2021, but require disclosure of their fair values: accounts receivable, other assets and accounts payable. The estimated fair value of such instruments at December 31, 2021 approximates their carrying value as reported on the consolidated balance sheet. There were no other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities during 2021, 2020 and 2019. 50 Note 5: Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements (In thousands) Property: Land............................................................................................................... $ Buildings ....................................................................................................... Construction in progress ............................................................................... Equipment: Machinery and equipment............................................................................. Office furniture and equipment..................................................................... Leasehold improvements.................................................................................... Less accumulated depreciation and amortization ............................................... Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net...................................... $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 18,339 64,854 526 50,835 10,126 13,687 158,367 98,396 59,971 $ $ 18,339 62,324 650 48,728 10,500 13,201 153,742 93,919 59,823 Depreciation and amortization for 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $6,487,000, $6,871,000 and $6,806,000, respectively. Note 6: Other Significant Balance Sheet Components Account receivable, net (In thousands) Billed accounts receivable .................................................................................. $ Unbilled accounts receivable.............................................................................. Allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts ........................................ Total accounts receivable, net ....................................................................... $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 102,028 42,256 (4,423) 139,861 $ $ 80,298 35,262 (3,995) 111,565 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (In thousands) Accounts payable................................................................................................ $ Accrued liabilities............................................................................................... Total accounts payable and other accrued liabilities..................................... $ Accrued payroll and employee benefits (In thousands) Accrued bonuses payable ................................................................................... $ Accrued 401(k) contributions............................................................................. Accrued vacation ................................................................................................ Deferred compensation plan............................................................................... Other accrued payroll and employee benefits .................................................... Total accrued payroll and employee benefits................................................ $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 3,193 21,311 24,504 $ $ 3,279 13,048 16,327 Fiscal Years 2021 2020 66,723 9,332 13,100 9,380 5,017 103,552 $ $ 51,126 9,127 13,174 5,016 4,751 83,194 Other accrued payroll and employee benefits consist primarily of accrued wages, payroll taxes and disability insurance programs. A portion of accrued bonuses payable will be settled by issuing fully vested restricted stock units. See Note 9 and Note 16 for additional information. 51 Note 7: Income Taxes Income before income taxes includes income from foreign operations of $12,326,000, $10,092,000 and $8,017,000 for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total income tax expense for 2021, 2020 and 2019 consisted of the following: (In thousands) Current Federal......................................................................................... $ Foreign ........................................................................................ State............................................................................................. Deferred Federal......................................................................................... State............................................................................................. Total ....................................................................................... $ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 19,800 2,252 8,588 30,640 (3,930) (2,075) (6,005) 24,635 $ $ 11,553 1,873 4,597 18,023 (2,766) (873) (3,639) 14,384 $ $ 16,498 1,523 6,554 24,575 (1,727) (1,118) (2,845) 21,730 The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory federal tax rate of 21% as shown in the following schedule: (In thousands) Tax at federal statutory rate.............................................................. $ State taxes, net of federal benefit ..................................................... Divestiture of foreign subsidiary...................................................... Non-deductible officer compensation .............................................. Non-deductible expenses ................................................................. Non-deductible stock-based compensation...................................... Excess tax benefit from equity incentive plans................................ Difference between statutory rate and foreign effective tax rate ..... Other................................................................................................. Tax expense ................................................................................ $ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 26,426 5,174 997 19 13 (7,850) (622) 478 24,635 $ $ 20,357 2,942 46 907 118 (14) (9,725) (486) 239 14,384 $ $ 21,880 4,129 956 759 345 2 (6,394) (341) 394 21,730 Effective tax rate .............................................................................. 19.6% 14.8% 20.9% 52 The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021 are presented in the following schedule: (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Fiscal Years 2021 2020 Accrued liabilities and allowances................................................................ $ Deferred compensation plan ......................................................................... Operating leases ............................................................................................ Property, equipment and leasehold improvements ....................................... Total deferred tax assets ..................................................................................... $ Deferred tax liabilities: State taxes...................................................................................................... $ Deductible goodwill ...................................................................................... Operating leases ............................................................................................ Property, equipment and leasehold improvements ....................................... Unrealized gain of deferred compensation plan assets ................................. Other.............................................................................................................. Total deferred tax liabilities................................................................................ Net deferred tax assets........................................................................................ $ 17,914 38,167 4,298 120 60,499 $ $ (2,062) $ (2,120) (4,298) (5,336) (137) (13,953) 46,546 $ 16,841 31,619 5,758 54,218 (1,969) (2,091) (5,758) (81) (3,545) (235) (13,679) 40,539 Management believes it is more likely than not that the results of future operations will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the net deferred tax assets. The Company is entitled to a deduction for federal and state tax purposes with respect to employees’ stock award activity. The net deduction in taxes otherwise payable arising from that deduction has been recorded as an income tax benefit. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, the net deduction in tax payable arising from employees’ stock award activity was $10,009,000, $12,258,000 and $8,067,000, respectively. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction, California and various other state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to United States federal income tax examination for years prior to 2018. The Company is no longer subject to California franchise tax examinations for years prior to 2017. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to state and local or non-United States income tax examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2017. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows: Balance at January 3, 2020.......................................................................................................... Additions based on tax positions related to the current year....................................................... Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations......................................................................... Balance at January 1, 2021.......................................................................................................... Additions based on tax positions related to the current year....................................................... Reductions due to lapse of statute of limitations......................................................................... Balance at December 31, 2021.................................................................................................... $ $ $ 1,923,000 275,000 (325,000) 1,873,000 478,000 (402,000) 1,949,000 Unrecognized tax benefits are included in other liabilities in the accompanying balance sheet. To the extent these unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, they will impact the effective tax rate by $1,571,000 in a future period. There are no uncertain tax positions whose resolution in the next 12 months is expected to materially affect operating results. 53 Note 8: Stockholders’ Equity Preferred Stock The Company has authorized 2,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock with a par value of $0.001 per share. None of the preferred shares were issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021. Dividends The Company declared and paid cash dividends per share of common stock during the periods presented as follows: First Quarter .......................................................................................... $ Second Quarter...................................................................................... $ Third Quarter......................................................................................... $ Fourth Quarter....................................................................................... $ First Quarter .......................................................................................... $ Second Quarter...................................................................................... $ Third Quarter......................................................................................... $ Fourth Quarter....................................................................................... $ Fiscal Years 2021 Dividends Per Share Amount (in thousands) 10,423 10,419 10,421 10,423 41,686 0.200 0.200 0.200 0.200 $ $ Fiscal Years 2020 Dividends Per Share Amount (in thousands) 0.190 0.190 0.190 0.190 $ $ 9,913 9,801 9,808 9,839 39,361 Treasury Stock Net losses related to the re-issuance of treasury stock to settle restricted stock unit and stock option awards of $1,679,000, $4,538,000 and $5,146,000 were recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Repurchase of Common Stock The Company repurchased 78,000 shares of its common stock for $7,000,000 during 2021. The Company repurchased 636,000 shares of its common stock for $40,049,000 during 2020. The Company repurchased 342,000 shares of its common stock for $21,957,000 during 2019. On May 29, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized $45,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. On January 31, 2019 the Board of Directors authorized $75,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. These repurchase programs have no expiration dates. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had remaining authorization under its stock repurchase plan of $68,455,000 to repurchase shares of common stock. Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation On May 29, 2008, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan and ESPP were previously adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors on April 8, 2008, subject to stockholder approval. 54 The 2008 Equity Incentive Plan allows for the award of stock options, stock awards (including stock units, stock grants and stock appreciation rights or other similar equity awards) and cash awards to officers, employees, consultants and non-employee members of the Board of Directors. The total number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan was 11,856,300 shares of common stock, subject to adjustment resulting from a stock split or the payment of a stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of the Company’s stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. As of December 31, 2021, 1,615,692 shares were available for grant under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. The ESPP allows for officers and employees to purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to 15% of a participant’s eligible compensation. Shares of common stock are purchased under the ESPP at 95% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on each purchase date. Subject to adjustment resulting from a stock split or the payment of a stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of the Company’s stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, the total number of shares reserved for issuance under the ESPP was 1,200,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2021, 342,134 shares were available for grant. Weighted average purchase prices for shares sold under the ESPP plan in 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $98.64, $73.22 and $60.32, respectively. Restricted Stock Units The Company grants restricted stock units to employees and outside directors. These restricted stock unit grants are designed to attract and retain employees, and to better align employee interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. For a select group of employees, up to 40% of their annual bonus is settled with fully vested restricted stock unit awards. Under these fully vested restricted stock unit awards, the holder of each award has the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock for each fully vested restricted stock unit four years from the date of grant. Each individual who received a fully vested restricted stock unit award is granted a matching number of unvested restricted stock unit awards. These unvested restricted stock unit awards cliff vest four years from the date of grant, at which time the holder of each award will have the right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock for each restricted stock unit award, provided the holder of each award has met certain employment conditions. In the case of retirement at 59 ½ years or older, all unvested restricted stock unit awards will continue to vest provided the holder of each award does all consulting work through the Company and does not become an employee for a past or present client, beneficial party or competitor of the Company. All restricted stock units granted have dividend equivalent rights (“DER”), which entitle holders of restricted stock units to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. DER are subject to the same vesting and other terms and conditions as the corresponding unvested restricted stock units. DER are accumulated and paid when the underlying shares vest and are forfeited if the underlying shares are forfeited. The value of these restricted stock unit awards is determined based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The value of fully vested restricted stock unit awards issued is recorded as a reduction to accrued bonuses. The portion of bonus expense that the Company expects to settle with fully vested restricted stock unit awards is recorded as stock-based compensation during the period the bonus is earned. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with accrued bonus awards of $9,967,000, $8,112,000 and $8,756,000 respectively. The Company recorded stock-based compensation expense associated with the unvested restricted stock unit awards of $8,560,000, $8,472,000 and $8,127,000 during 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock unit awards vested during 2021, 2020, and 2019 was $32.0 million, $31.3 million and $25.6 million, respectively. The weighted-average grant date fair values of restricted stock unit awards granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $97.80, $68.21 and $57.08, respectively. 55 The number of unvested restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of December 31, 2021 is as follows (1): Balance as of January 1, 2021............................................. Awards granted.............................................................. Awards vested ............................................................... Awards forfeited............................................................ 724,794 $ 176,655 (325,095) (8,315) Number of awards outstanding Weighted- average grant date fair value 45.68 97.80 47.36 64.46 Weighted- average remaining contractual term (years) Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) (2) Balance at December 31, 2021 ........................................... 568,039 $ 60.65 1.4 $ 66,307 (1) Does not include employee stock purchase plans or stock option plans. (2) The intrinsic value is calculated as the market value as of the end of the fiscal period. As reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, the market value as of December 31, 2021 was $116.73. Stock Options The Company currently grants stock options under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan. Options are granted for terms of 10 years and generally vest ratably over a four-year period from the grant date. The Company grants options at exercise prices equal to the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. All stock options have DER, which entitle holders of stock options to the same dividend value per share as holders of common stock. DER are subject to the same vesting terms as the corresponding stock options. DER are accumulated and paid in cash when the underlying stock options vest and are forfeited if the underlying stock options do not vest. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded stock-based compensation expense of $736,000, $694,000 and $583,000, respectively, associated with stock options. Option activity is as follows (1): Number of shares outstanding Weighted- average exercise price Weighted- average remaining contractual term (years) Aggregate intrinsic value (in thousands) Balance at January 1, 2021.................................................. Options granted.............................................................. Options forfeited and expired ........................................ Options exercised........................................................... 418,394 $ 33,333 — (48,000) 37.29 94.20 — 23.63 Balance at December 31, 2021............................................ 403,727 $ 43.61 6.02 $ 29,519 Exercisable at December 31, 2021...................................... 290,894 $ 33.67 5.35 $ 24,163 (1) Does not include restricted stock or employee stock purchase plans. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2021, 2020 and 2019 was $4,335,000, $18,211,000 and $9,651,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2021. This amount changes based on the fair-value of the Company’s stock. 56 The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. The determination of the fair value of stock-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the term of the award, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. The Company used historical exercise and post-vesting forfeiture and expiration data to estimate the expected term of options granted. The historical volatility of the Company’s common stock over a period of time equal to the expected term of the options granted was used to estimate expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate used in the option- pricing model was based on United States Treasury zero coupon issues with remaining terms similar to the expected term on the options. The dividend yield assumption considers the expectation of continued declaration of dividends, offset by option holders’ DER. All stock-based payment awards are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards. The assumptions used to value option grants for 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Stock Option Plan Fiscal Years 2020 2019 2021 Expected term (in years)................................................................... Risk-free interest rate ....................................................................... Volatility........................................................................................... Dividend yield .................................................................................. 5.7 0.64% 28% 0% 5.8 1.48% 23% 0% 5.7 2.52% 23% 0% The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2021, 2020 and 2019 were $25.32, $19.73 and $15.16, respectively. The amount of stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for 2021, 2020 and 2019 is as follows: (In thousands) Compensation and related expenses: Restricted stock units .................................................................. $ Stock option grants...................................................................... Sub-total................................................................................. General and administrative expenses: Restricted stock units .................................................................. Sub-total................................................................................. Total stock-based compensation expense ......................................... $ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 17,755 736 18,491 772 772 19,263 $ $ $ 15,946 694 16,640 638 638 17,278 12,258 $ $ $ 16,320 583 16,903 563 563 17,466 8,067 Income tax benefit ............................................................................ $ 10,009 As of December 31, 2021, there was $11,030,000 of unrecognized compensation cost, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.5 years, related to unvested restricted stock unit awards and $1,310,000 of unrecognized compensation cost, expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years, related to unvested stock options. 57 Note 10: Retirement Plans The Company provides a defined contribution retirement plan for its employees whereby the Company contributes to each eligible employee’s account 7% of the employee’s eligible base salary plus overtime. The employee does not need to make a contribution to the plan to be eligible for the Company’s 7% contribution. To be eligible under the plan, an employee must be at least 21 years of age and be either a full-time or part-time salaried employee. The 7% Company contribution will vest 20% per year for the first five years of employment and then immediately thereafter. These contributions are made to the 401(k) plan up to the statutory maximum. Any portion of the 7% contribution in excess of the statutory maximum is made to the Company’s nonqualified deferred compensation plan. The Company’s expenses related to this plan were $9,923,000, $9,752,000, and $9,073,000 in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Note 11: Deferred Compensation Plans The Company maintains nonqualified deferred compensation plans for the benefit of a select group of highly compensated employees. Under these plans, participants may elect to defer up to 100% of their compensation. Company assets that are earmarked to pay benefits under the plans are held in a rabbi trust and are subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors. As of December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2021, the invested amounts under the plans totaled $109,342,000 and $88,747,000, respectively. These assets are classified as trading securities and are recorded at fair market value with changes recorded as adjustments to miscellaneous income, net. As of December 31, 2021, and January 1, 2021, vested amounts due under the plans totaled $110,379,000 and $88,977,000, respectively. Changes in the liability are recorded as adjustments to compensation and releated expense. During 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized compensation expense of $14,730,000, $8,028,000 and $12,834,000, respectively, as a result of changes in the market value of the trust assets with the same amount being recorded as other income. Note 12: Leases The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the arrangement. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, current operating lease liabilities, and long-term operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not have any finance leases as of December 31, 2021. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, based on the information available at commencement date, in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The amortization of operating lease ROU assets and the change in operating lease liabilities is disclosed as a single line item in the consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company leases office, laboratory, and storage space in 13 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Leases for these office, laboratory, and storage facilities have terms generally ranging between one and 10 years. Some of these leases include options to extend or terminate the lease, none of which are currently included in the lease term as the Company has determined that exercise of these options is not reasonably certain. The Company has a Test and Engineering Center on 147 acres of land in Phoenix, Arizona. The Company leases this land from the state of Arizona under a 30-year lease agreement that expires in January of 2028 and has options to renew for two 15-year periods. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has determined that exercise of the renewal options is not reasonably certain and thus the extension is not included in the lease term. The Company’s equipment leases are included in the ROU asset and liability balances but are not material. 58 The components of lease expense included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income were as follows: (In thousands) Operating lease cost ..................................................................................... $ Variable lease cost........................................................................................ Short-term lease cost .................................................................................... Fiscal Year 2021 Fiscal Year 2020 Fiscal Year 2019 $ 6,930 1,065 619 $ 6,973 1,158 573 7,395 1,479 405 Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases was as follows: (In thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities ....................................................................................................... $ Fiscal Year 2021 Fiscal Year 2020 Fiscal Year 2019 6,962 $ 6,968 $ 7,522 Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases was as follows: Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term ................................................. Weighted Average Discount Rate ................................................................ Maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021: Fiscal Year 2021 4.1 years 4.2% Fiscal Year 2020 4.5 years 4.2% Fiscal Year 2019 5.2 years 4.4% (In thousands) 2022.................................................................................................................................................... 2023.................................................................................................................................................... 2024.................................................................................................................................................... 2025.................................................................................................................................................... 2026.................................................................................................................................................... 2027.................................................................................................................................................... Total lease payments..................................................................................................................... $ Less imputed interest .................................................................................................................... Total lease liability .................................................................................................................. $ Operating Leases 5,805 4,067 2,355 1,539 1,531 1,466 16,763 (1,792) 14,971 Note 13: Commitments and Contingencies The Company is a party to various legal actions from time to time and may be contingently liable in connection with claims and contracts arising in the normal course of business, the outcome of which the Company believes, after consultation with legal counsel, will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. However, due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in legal proceedings, actual results could differ from current expected results. All legal costs associated with litigation are expensed as incurred. 59 Note 14: Miscellaneous Income, Net Miscellaneous income, net, consisted of the following: (In thousands) Rental income ................................................................................... $ Gain on deferred compensation investments .................................... (Loss) Gain on foreign exchange...................................................... Other ................................................................................................. Total ............................................................................................ $ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2,658 14,730 (517) (27) 16,844 $ $ 3,351 8,028 592 11 11,982 $ $ 2019 3,141 12,834 (840) 32 15,167 Note 15: Industry and Client Credit Risk The Company serves clients in various segments of the economy. During 2021, the Company provided services representing approximately 28%, 15%, 13% and 11% of revenues to clients in the consumer products industry, energy and utilities industries, the transportation industry and the chemical industry, respectively. One client comprised 13% of the Company’s revenues during 2021. No other single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenues during 2021.No single client comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenues during 2020 or 2019. Note 16: Supplemental Cash Flow Information The following is supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: (In thousands) Cash paid during the year: 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 Income taxes................................................................................ $ 27,912 $ 20,118 $ 21,364 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Unrealized (loss) gain on investments ........................................ Vested stock unit awards granted to settle accrued bonus .......... Accrual for capital expenditures ................................................. Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease obligation......................................................................... (65) 7,637 413 (237) 8,645 602 347 7,947 482 792 2,436 29,480 Note 17: Segment Reporting The Company has two reportable operating segments based on two primary areas of service. The Engineering and Other Scientific segment is a broad service group providing technical consulting in different practices primarily in engineering. The Environmental and Health segment provides services in the area of environmental, epidemiology and health risk analysis. This segment provides a wide range of consulting services relating to environmental hazards and risks and the impact on both human health and the environment. Segment information is presented for selected data from the statements of income and statements of cash flows for 2021, 2020 and 2019. Segment information for selected data from the balance sheets is presented for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021. The Company’s CEO, the chief operating decision maker, does not review total assets in her evaluation of segment performance and capital allocation. 60 Revenues (In thousands) Engineering and Other Scientific...................................................... $ Environmental and Health ................................................................ Total revenues ............................................................................. $ 2021 380,909 85,360 466,269 Operating Income (In thousands) Engineering and Other Scientific...................................................... $ Environmental and Health ................................................................ 2021 140,400 27,952 Fiscal Years 2020 $ $ 319,346 80,554 399,900 Fiscal Years 2020 $ 100,616 26,728 $ $ $ 2019 339,796 77,403 417,199 2019 110,822 26,589 Total segment operating income....................................................... 168,352 127,344 137,411 Corporate operating expense ............................................................ Total operating income................................................................ $ (59,425) 108,927 $ (44,095) 83,249 $ (52,300) 85,111 Certain operating expenses are excluded from the Company's measure of segment operating income. These expenses include the costs associated with the Company’s human resources, finance, information technology, and business development groups; the deferred compensation expense/benefit due to the change in value of assets associated with the Company’s deferred compensation plan; stock-based compensation associated with restricted stock unit and stock option awards; and the change in the Company’s allowance for contract losses and doubtful accounts. Capital Expenditures (In thousands) Engineering and Other Scientific...................................................... $ Environmental and Health ................................................................ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 $ 2,792 160 $ 2,237 102 Total segment capital expenditures .................................................. 2,952 2,339 Corporate capital expenditures ......................................................... Total capital expenditures ........................................................... $ 3,685 6,637 $ 2,768 5,107 $ 17,511 22,290 Certain capital expenditures associated with the Company's corporate cost centers and the related depreciation are excluded from the Company's segment information. The high level of corporate capital expenditures during 2019 was due to the construction costs associated with the Company’s office and laboratory facilities in Natick, Massachusetts. Depreciation and Amortization (In thousands) Engineering and Other Scientific...................................................... $ Environmental and Health ................................................................ 2021 Fiscal Years 2020 2019 $ 4,031 193 $ 4,239 196 Total segment depreciation and amortization................................... 4,224 4,435 Corporate depreciation and amortization.......................................... Total depreciation and amortization............................................ $ 2,263 6,487 $ 2,436 6,871 $ 61 4,675 104 4,779 4,827 206 5,033 1,773 6,806 Information regarding the Company’s operations in different geographical areas: Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, net (In thousands) United States....................................................................................................... $ Foreign Countries ............................................................................................... Total .............................................................................................................. $ Fiscal Years 2021 2020 59,001 970 59,971 $ $ 58,900 923 59,823 Revenues (1) (In thousands) United States ..................................................................................... $ Foreign Countries ............................................................................. 2021 397,001 69,268 Fiscal Years 2020 $ 353,565 46,335 $ 2019 351,856 65,343 Total ............................................................................................ $ 466,269 $ 399,900 $ 417,199 (1) Geographic revenues are allocated based on the location of the client. Below is a breakdown of goodwill, reported by segment as of December 31, 2021 and January 1, 2021: (In thousands) Goodwill ........................................................................................... $ Environmental and Health Engineering and Other Scientific Total 8,099 $ 508 $ 8,607 There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for 2021, 2020 and 2019. There were no goodwill impairments or gains or losses on disposals for any portion of the Company’s reporting units during 2021, 2020 and 2019. Note 18: Subsequent Events On February 3, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.24 per share to be paid on March 25, 2022 to all common stockholders of record as of March 11, 2022. On February 22, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors announced the authorization of an additional $150,000,000 for the repurchase of the Company’s common stock. 62 Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (In thousands) Year Ended December 31, 2021 Additions Balance at Beginning of Year Provision Charged to Expense Provision Charged to Revenues Deletions (1) Accounts Written- off Net of Recoveries Balance at End of Year Allowance for bad debt ....................................... $ Allowance for contract losses ............................. $ 879 $ 3,116 $ 454 $ — $ — $ 1,505 $ (360) $ (1,171) $ 973 3,450 Year Ended January 1, 2021 Allowance for bad debt ....................................... $ Allowance for contract losses ............................. $ 945 $ 3,350 $ 443 $ — $ — $ 1,406 $ (509) $ (1,640) $ 879 3,116 Year Ended January 3, 2020 Allowance for bad debt ....................................... $ Allowance for contract losses ............................. $ 847 $ 3,219 $ 484 $ — $ — $ 1,740 $ (386) $ (1,609) $ 945 3,350 (1) Balance includes currency translation adjustments. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off were $23,000, $27,000 and $32,000 for 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Schedules other than above have been omitted since they are either not required, not applicable, or the information is otherwise included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. 63 EXHIBIT INDEX The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into (as indicated parenthetically), the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Unless otherwise indicated all filings are under SEC File Number 000-18655: 3.1(i) 3.1(ii) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as filed on June 25, 1990, registration number 33-35562). (P) Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 24, 2006). 3.1(iii) Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 28, 2015). 3.1(iv) Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2018). 3.2(i) 4.1 *4.2 *10.6 *10.10 *10.11 10.15 Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended and restated May 29, 2014 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on May 30, 2014). Specimen copy of Common Stock Certificate of the Company (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Forms S-1 as filed on June 25, 1990, registration number 33- 35562). (P) Description of the Registrant’s Securities (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on From 10-K for fiscal year ended January 1, 2021). Exponent, Inc. 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan dated October 24, 1998 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1999). Exponent, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999). Exponent, Inc. 1999 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999). Commercial Lease No. 03-53542 between the Company and the Arizona State Land Department, effective January 17, 1998 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10- K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2003). *10.17 Exponent Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004). *10.18 Amended and Restated Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan *10.19 10.20 *10.24 *10.25 *10.26 Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into or proposed to be entered into between the Company and its officers and directors (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2006). Services Agreement between the Company and Exponent Engineering P.C. (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2006). Amendment No. 1 to Exponent, Inc. 1998 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan dated January 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2006). Amendment No. 1 to Exponent, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan dated January 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2006). Amendment No. 1 to Exponent, Inc. 1999 Restricted Stock Plan dated January 29, 2007 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2006). 64 *10.28 *10.31 *10.32 *10.33 *10.34 *10.35 *10.36 *10.37 *10.38 *10.39 *10.40 *10.41 *10.43 *10.45 *10.46 *10.47 *10.48 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Form of Restricted Stock Unit Employee Bonus Grant Agreement under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Form of Restricted Stock Unit Employee Matching Grant Agreement under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Form of Restricted Stock Unit Director Grant Agreement under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Bonus Grant Agreement under the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Matching Grant Agreement under the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Amended and Restated Restricted Stock Unit Director Grant Agreement under the 1999 Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2009). Exponent, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Schedule 14A filed on April 19, 2012). Exponent, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2014 (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021). First Amendment to the Exponent, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (as amended and restated January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021). Second Amendment to the Exponent, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan (as amended and restated January 1, 2014) (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2021). Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2011). Amendment to Form of Stock Option Agreement under the 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2012). Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into or proposed to be entered into between the Company and its officers and directors (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Current Report on Form 8- K as filed on May 30, 2014). Executive Compensation Clawback Policy (incorporated by reference from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2016). Exponent, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (filed as Appendix A to the Company’s Schedule 14A on April 18, 2017). Exponent, Inc. Amended and Restated 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (filed as Appendix B to the Company’s Schedule 14A on April 18, 2017). 21.1 List of subsidiaries. 65 23.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 32.2 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a – 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. 101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Schema Document. 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document. 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document. 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document. Exhibit 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). * Indicates management compensatory plan, contract or arrangement 66 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. SIGNATURES Date: February 25, 2022 EXPONENT, INC. (Registrant) By: /s/ Richard L. Schlenker, Jr. Richard L. Schlenker, Jr., Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated: Signature Title Date /s/ Catherine Ford Corrigan Catherine Ford Corrigan, Ph.D. Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Richard L. Schlenker, Jr. Richard L. Schlenker, Jr. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 /s/ Paul R. Johnston Paul R. Johnston, Ph.D. /s/ George Brown George Brown /s/ Carol Lindstrom Carol Lindstrom /s/ Karen A. Richardson Karen A. Richardson /s/ John B. Shoven John B. Shoven, Ph.D. /s/ Debra L. Zumwalt Debra L. Zumwalt Chairman of the Board of Directors February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 February 25, 2022 Director Director Director Director Director 67