Quarterlytics / Industrials / Personal Products & Services / K-Bro Linen / FY2020 Annual Report

K-Bro Linen
Annual Report 2020

KBL · TSX Industrials
Claim this profile
Ticker KBL
Exchange TSX
Sector Industrials
Industry Personal Products & Services
Employees 1001-5000
← All annual reports
FY2020 Annual Report · K-Bro Linen
Loading PDF…
2020

Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1
3
5
8
9
42

President’s Message

Chairman’s Message

Officers & Directors

Financial Highlights

Management’s Discussion & Analysis

Consolidated Financial Statements

11

2020 Annual Report2

The COVID-19 pandemic that reached Canada and the UK in early 2020 has been catastrophic 
for all of our communities and for the world. Few people have been left untouched by this 
tragedy. As I am writing this letter, there are signs of hope that we can begin to leave the 
worst of this pandemic behind as vaccines are being distributed. While it may take months 
for vaccines to take effect and for life to more closely resemble our routines, we are seeing 
numerous hopeful signs for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

K-Bro  faced  challenges  in  2020  that  continue  into  2021, 
but we worked swiftly and effectively to steer our company 
through the worst of the pandemic. As a result, we entered 
2021 in a strong financial condition and are well-positioned 
for  continuing  growth  and  profitability.  While  all  of  our 
operations in Canada and the UK have been impacted, our 
financial results were promising:

 ·  Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA without the adoption of 

IFRS 16 were $196.6 mm and $35.0 mm. 

 ·  The  financial  impact  was  felt  most  harshly  in  March 
through  May,  after  which  our  healthcare  business 
saw  a  strong  recovery.  While  our  hospitality  business 
remains  low  relative  to  pre-pandemic  levels,  it  did 
slightly recover during the summer and we are seeing 
signs of a continuing recovery.

 ·  All  of  our  Canadian  plants  remained  in  operation 
throughout  the  year,  with  some  on  reduced  sched-
ules. While we temporarily reduced capacity at our UK 
plants, all but one are now operating.

 ·  We maintained a conservative balance sheet throughout 
the year and sustained ample access to liquidity. We did 
not  reduce  our  dividend  even  during  the  worst  of  the  
financial impact.

We worked with our employees to develop comprehensive 
and pro-active plans to to deal with all foreseeable impacts 
of  COVID  and  to  ensure  that  our  customers  continued  to 
receive all services. We also quickly implemented aggres-
sive  mitigation  and  hygiene  standards  in  place  at  all 
operations.  Our  employees  contributed  and  adapted  in 
myriad ways. Largely through their efforts, we were able to 
continue in providing the safest possible work environment 
in  which  to  effectively  service  our  communities  through 
highly uncertain times.

Thank you for your continuing support and confidence. We 
will undoubtedly face further challenges resulting from the 
COVID-19  pandemic  in  2021  and  beyond,  but  we  remain 
hopeful  and  optimistic  as  this  year  unfolds.  We  remain 
steadfastly dedicated to providing best-in-class services for 
all of our customers, to continue to uphold high standards 
of corporate responsibility in all of our communities, to offer 
a safe and healthy workplace for all of our employees, and 
to realizing the financial results that we all expect.

All of us at K-Bro wish you a healthy and better 2021.

Linda McCurdy

We Are Dependable. 
3

CHAIRMAN’S
MESSAGE

2020 was a difficult year for 
all of our communities, and 
K-Bro certainly faced its 
share of adversity.

Throughout  the  pandemic  we  have  remained  focused  on  protecting  our 
employees  and  providing  the  safest  possible  work  environment  and 
ensuring  that  we  provide  the  services  that  our  customers  need  in  order 
to service their communities. While 2020 and 2021 are years of continuing 
challenges,  we  remain  dedicated  to  doing  whatever  it  takes  to  protect 
our communities and provide the highest possible level of service for our 
customers throughout Canada and the UK.

Financial  performance  in  2020  was  solid,  especially  given  the  impact  on 
each of our operations and the devastating consequences to the hospitality 
sector. Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA without the adoption of IFRS 16 were 
$196.6 mm and $35.0 mm. We maintained significant liquidity throughout 
the year, and are pleased that we did not reduce our dividend while many 
other companies were forced to do so. This speaks to the strength of our 
business model. We are hopeful about a continuing recovery in 2021, and we 
believe our actions and resulting strength will position us well for organic 
and acquisition growth.

On behalf of our Company and Board, thank you for your loyalty and trust in 
continuing to support K-Bro. We remain committed to delivering the best 
possible  results  for  our  customers,  employees,  communities  and  share-
holders,  and  are  working  hard  to  catalyze  this  very  trying  experience  to 
build a stronger K-Bro, and make the most of the brigher times ahead.

Ross Smith

2020 Annual Report 
44

We Are Dependable.5

OFFICERS & DIRECTORS

K-Bro is the largest healthcare 
& hospitality laundry & linen 
processor in Canada, & with 
the acquisition of Fishers we 
are now one of the largest in 
the UK & Europe. 

We operate 15 facilities and two distribution centers, including 
nine facilities and two distributions centers in Canada, and six 
facilities in the UK (Scotland and the North East of England). 

Our  core  values  remain  central  to  our  reputation,  and  we 
continue  to  relentlessly  focus  on  providing  industry-leading 
quality  and  service.  Our  ability  to  deliver  on  commitments  to 
our valued customers remains second to none.

K-Bro  provides  the  vital  products  and  services  that  help 
people heal, travel, live, and play. We’re helping hospitals and 
extended care centers care for the young, old and vulnerable 
in  environmentally  responsible  ways.  Our  responsibility  also 
extends to ensuring that we have a safe culture at K-Bro. As our 
society becomes more diverse, we integrate our commitment 
to responsibility into our new businesses, employees and the 
communities in which we live and work.

ROSS SMITH,  MICHAEL PERCY,  KRISTIE PLAQUIN,  SEAN CURTIS,  STEVEN MATYAS

2020 Annual Report6

RYO UTAHARA,  TREVOR RYE,  SCOTT INGLIS,  MICHAEL JONES,  
LUCY RENAUT,  DIMITRI HAMM,  MATTHEW HILLS,  JACKIE BELANGER,  
  SEAN JACKSON,  KEVIN STEPHENSON,  JEFF GANNON,  ANDREW MACKEEN 

“K-Bro’s focus on 
investing for the long 
term has created a highly 
efficient, environmentally 
conscious & cost-effective 
network across Canada.”

LINDA MCCURDY,  
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

We Are Dependable.7
7

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The  following  unaudited  financial  data  has  been  derived  from  K-Bro’s  consolidated  financial  statements,  which  have 
been  audited  by  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP.  The  information  set  forth  below  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the 
Management’s Discussion & Analysis, Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes sections of this Annual Report.

Revenue  
Down

22.1%

EBITDA(1)  
Down

19.6%

Adjusted 
EBITDA before 
IFRS 16(1)  
Down

9.5%

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

50

100

150

200

250

(In millions of Canadian dollars) Years ended December 31

20
(In millions of Canadian dollars) Years ended December 31

36

40

44

32

24

28

48

20
(In millions of Canadian dollars) Years ended December 31

36

40

44

28

32

24

48

1  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as 
permitted under the specific transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA 
and net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 as separate line items. Refer to the Accounting Changes section of the MD&A for more information.

2  The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused world governments to institute travel restrictions, impacting travel both in and out of Canada and the UK. This has had and is expected to 

continue to have a significant adverse impact on the Corporation’s hospitality business, the duration of which we are unable to predict with any degree of accuracy.

 Since mid-March 2020, we have seen significantly reduced hotel occupancy rates compared to historical levels. Demand for both business and leisure airline travel has declined signifi-
cantly on a global basis, and airlines are responding by cancelling international and domestic flights. Accordingly, hospitality volumes in all of our Canadian and UK markets have slowed 
to historically low levels.

2020 Annual Report 
8
8

Years ended December 31, 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

2016 

2015 

2014

Income Statement Data
Revenue  
EBITDA  
EBITDA (%)  
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16[1] 
Adjusted EBITDA (%) without adoption of IFRS 16[1]  
Net earnings  
Adjusted Net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16[1]  
Net earnings per share (Diluted)  
Adjusted Net earnings per Share without 
adoption of IFRS 16 (Diluted)[1]

Balance Sheet Data
Working capital  
Long-term debt  

Other Financial Data
Distributable cash per share  
Payout ratio (%)  
Price to earnings multiple (12 months trailing) 
Price to EBITDA multiple (12 months trailing) 
Return on shareholders’ equity (ROE)(%)  
Total shareholder return, YTD (%)  
Total shareholder return, 5 yrs (%)  
Market capitalization  
Share price:  
  High  
  Low  
  Close  

196,591 
38,244 
19.5 
35,032 
17.8 
3,782 
8,249 
0.36 
0.78 

252,410  
47,573  
18.8  
38,693  
15.3  
10,906  
11,339  
1.03  
1.07  

239,534  
29,581  
12.3  
29,581  
12.3  
6,169  
6,169  
0.59  
0.59  

170,559  
23,985  
14.1  
23,985  
14.1  
5,718  
5,718  
0.63  
0.63  

159,089  
28,236  
17.7  
28,236  
17.7  
11,527  
11,527  
1.44  
1.44  

144,537  
27,140  
18.8  
27,140  
18.8  
12,068  
12,068  
1.52  
1.52  

136,440
26,241
19.2
26,241
19.2
12,198
12,198
1.72
1.72 

27,922 
40,657 

31,021  
62,494  

34,825  
70,203  

32,008  
42,780  

13,766  
25,800  

8,670  
2,349  

21,717
0

2.94 
40.9 
93.0 
10.8 
2.3 
4.5 
6.7 
416,078 

46.44 
23.73 
38.97 

2.80  
42.9  
40.8  
9.3  
5.6  
25.7  
8.0  
445,914  

2.36 
51.1 
56.7 
11.9 
3.1 
19.1 
14.5 
431,794 

2.20  
55.5  
65.6  
15.7  
2.8  
0.9  
19.3  
434,211  

2.76  
43.5  
29.3  
11.9  
9.9  
14.9  
66.4  
338,190  

2.69  
44.8  
33.5  
14.9  
10.7  
13.1  
155.0  
406,872  

2.85
42.0
26.9
12.5
11.1
19.4
182.9
367,023

43.16  
32.74  
42.05  

41.71 
32.00 
33.44 

45.00  
37.39  
41.32  

50.98  
36.69  
42.15  

56.99  
43.00  
50.95  

47.90
36.90
46.11

1   Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as 
permitted under the specific transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA 
and net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 as separate line items. Refer to the Accounting Changes section of this MD&A for more information.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except percentages and per share data)

We Are Dependable. 
MANAGEMENT’S
DISCUSSION & 
ANALYSIS

 Dividends 

Introduction

12 
13   Strategy
14   Fourth Quarter Overview
15   Selected Annual Financial Information
16   Summary of Results & Key Events
20   Outlook
21   Results of Operations
28   Liquidity & Capital Resources
30  
31   Distributable Cash Flow
32   Outstanding Common Shares
32   Related Party Transaction
32  
35   Terminology
38   Changes in Accounting Policies
38   Recent Accounting Pronouncements
39  
 Financial Instruments 
39   Critical Risks & Uncertainties
40   Controls & Procedures

 Critical Accounting Estimates 

11

Management’s 
Discussion & Analysis  
of Financial Condition  
& Results of Operations

The  following  Management’s  Discussion  and  Analysis 
(“MD&A”) is supplemental to, and should be read in conjunc-
tion with, the audited consolidated financial statements of 
K-Bro  Linen  Inc.  (“the  Corporation”)  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2020 and 2019 (the “2020 Audited Financial 
Statements”), as well as the unaudited interim condensed 
consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  periods  ended 
March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020. The 
Corporation  and  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  including 
K-Bro  Linen  Systems  Inc.  and  Fishers  Topco  Ltd.,  are 
collectively referred to as “K-Bro” in this MD&A.

Management is responsible for the information contained in 
this MD&A and its consistency with information presented 
to  the  Audit  Committee  and  Board  of  Directors.  All  infor-
mation in this document has been reviewed and approved 
by the Audit Committee and Board of Directors. This review 
was performed by management with information available 
as of March 18, 2021.

In the interest of providing current holders (“Shareholders”) 
of common shares of K-Bro Linen Inc. (“Common Shares”) 
and potential investors with information regarding current 
results  and  future  prospects,  our  public  communications 
often include written or verbal forward-looking statements. 
Forward-looking  statements  are  disclosures  regarding 
possible  events,  conditions,  or  results  of  operations  that 
are  based  on  assumptions  about  future  economic  condi-
tions  and  courses  of  action,  and  include  future-oriented 
financial information.

This  MD&A  contains  forward-looking  information  that 
represents  internal  expectations,  estimates  or  beliefs 
concerning, among other things, future activities or future 
operating results and various components thereof. The use 
of any of the words “anticipate”, “continue”, “expect”, “may”, 
“will”,  “project”,  “should”,  “believe”,  and  similar  expres-
sions suggesting future outcomes or events are intended to 
identify forward-looking information. Statements regarding 
such  forward-looking  information  reflect  management’s 
current  beliefs  and  are  based  on  information  currently 
available to management.

in  government  outsourcing; 

These statements are not guarantees of future performance 
and  are  based  on  management’s  estimates  and  assump-
tions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could 
cause K-Bro’s actual performance and financial results in 
future periods to differ materially from the forward-looking 
information contained in this MD&A. These risks and uncer-
tainties  include,  among  other  things:  (i)  risks  associated 
with  acquisitions,  including  the  possibility  of  undisclosed 
material liabilities; (ii) K-Bro’s competitive environment; (iii) 
utility  costs,  minimum  wage  legislation  and  labour  costs; 
(iv)  K-Bro’s  dependence  on  long-term  contracts  with  the 
associated  renewal  risk;  (v)  increased  capital  expenditure 
requirements; (vi) reliance on key personnel; (vii) changing 
trends 
(viii)  changes  or 
proposed changes to minimum wage laws in Ontario, British 
Columbia,  Alberta,  Quebec,  Saskatchewan  and  the  United 
Kingdom (the “UK”); (ix) the availability of future financing; 
(x) textile demand; (xi) the adverse impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic  on  the  Corporation,  which  has  been  significant 
to date and which we believe will continue to be significant 
for  the  short  to  medium  term;  and  (xii)  foreign  currency 
risk. Material factors or assumptions that were applied in 
drawing a conclusion or making an estimate set out in the 
forward-looking information include: (i) volumes and pricing 
assumptions; (ii) expected impact of labour cost initiatives; 
(iii)  frequency  of  one-time  costs  impacting  quarterly  and 
annual financial results; (iv) foreign exchange rates; (v) the 
level  of  capital  expenditures  and  (vi)  the  expected  impact 
of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  on  the  Corporation.  Although 
the  forward-looking  information  contained  in  this  MD&A 
is  based  upon  what  management  believes  are  reasonable 
assumptions, there can be no assurance that actual results 
will  be  consistent  with  these  forward-looking  statements. 
Certain statements regarding forward-looking information 
included in this MD&A may be considered “financial outlook” 
for purposes of applicable securities laws, and such finan-
cial outlook may not be appropriate for purposes other than 
this  MD&A.  Forward  looking  information  included  in  this 
MD&A  includes  the  expected  annual  healthcare  revenues 
to be generated from the Corporation’s contracts with new 
customers,  calculation  of  costs,  including  one-time  costs 

2020 Annual Report12

INDUSTRY & MARKET

In  Canada,  K-Bro  provides  laundry  and  linen  services  to 
healthcare,  hospitality  and  other  commercial  customers. 
Typical  services  offered  by  K-Bro  include  the  processing, 
management and distribution of general and operating room 
linens,  including  sheets,  blankets,  towels,  surgical  gowns 
and  drapes  and  other  linen.  Other  types  of  processors  in 
K-Bro’s industry include independent privately-owned facil-
ities (i.e., typically small, single facility companies), public 
sector  central  laundries  and  public  and  private  sector  on 
premise laundries (known as “OPLs”). Participants in other 
sectors of the Canadian laundry and linen services industry, 
such as uniform rental companies (which own and launder 
uniforms  worn  by  their  customers’  employees)  typically 
do  not  offer  services  that  significantly  overlap  with  those 
offered by K-Bro.

In  the  UK,  Fishers  provides  laundry  and  linen  services  to 
healthcare,  hospitality  and  other  commercial  customers. 
Typical services offered by Fishers include the processing, 
management  and  distribution  of  general  linen,  workwear 
and  clean  room  garment  services.  Other  types  of  proces-
sors in Fishers’ industry in the UK include publicly traded 
companies,  independent  privately-owned  facilities  (i.e., 
typically,  small  single  facility  companies),  public  sector 
central laundries and public and private sector OPLs. 

Our  partnerships  with  healthcare  institutions  and  hospi-
tality  clients  across  Canada  and  the  UK  demonstrate 
K-Bro’s  commitment  to  building  relationships  that  foster 
continuous  improvement,  providing  flexibility  to  adjust  to 
changing circumstances as required and which incorporate 
incentives, penalties and the sharing of risks and rewards 
as circumstances warrant. 

In  this  competitive  industry,  K-Bro  is  distinctive  in  its 
ability to deliver products and services that provide value 
to  our  customers.  Management  believes  that  the  health-
care  and  hospitality  sectors  of  the  laundry  and  linen 
services industry represent a stable base of annual recur-
ring business with opportunities for growth as additional 
healthcare beds and funds are made available to meet the 
needs of an aging demographic.

impacting the quarterly financial results, anticipated future 
capital  spending  and  statements  with  respect  to  future 
expectations  on  margins  and  volume  growth,  as  well  as 
statements related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic 
on the Corporation. 

All forward-looking information in this MD&A is qualified by 
these cautionary statements. Forward-looking information 
in this MD&A is presented only as of the date made. Except 
as  required  by  law,  K-Bro  does  not  undertake  any  obliga-
tion to publicly revise these forward-looking statements to 
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

This  MD&A  also  makes  reference  to  certain  measures  in 
this document that do not have any standardized meaning 
as  prescribed  by  IFRS  and,  therefore,  are  considered 
non-GAAP measures. These measures may not be compa-
rable  to  similar  measures  presented  by  other  issuers. 
Please see “Terminology” for further discussion.

Introduction
CORE BUSINESS

The  Corporation  is  the  largest  owner  and  operator  of 
laundry  and  linen  processing  facilities  in  Canada  and  a 
market  leader  for  laundry  and  textile  rental  services  in 
Scotland  and  the  North  East  of  England.  K-Bro  and  its 
wholly owned subsidiaries operate across Canada and the 
UK, providing a range of linen services to healthcare insti-
tutions, hotels and other commercial accounts that include 
the  processing,  management  and  distribution  of  general 
linen and operating room linen. 

The  Corporation’s  operations  in  Canada  include  nine 
processing  facilities  and  two  distribution  centres  under 
three  distinctive  brands:  K-Bro  Linen  Systems 
Inc., 
Buanderie  HMR  and  Les  Buanderies  Dextraze.  The 
Corporation  operates  in  ten  Canadian  cities:  Québec  City, 
Montréal,  Toronto,  Regina,  Saskatoon,  Prince  Albert, 
Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria.

The  Corporation’s  operations  in  the  UK  include  Fishers 
Topco  Ltd.  (“Fishers”),  which  was  acquired  by  K-Bro  on 
November  27,  2017.  Fishers  was  established  in  1900  and 
is a leading operator of laundry and linen processing facil-
ities in Scotland, providing linen rental, workwear hire and 
cleanroom  garment  services  to  the  hospitality,  health-
care,  manufacturing  and  pharmaceutical  sectors.  The 
Corporation operates six UK sites located in Cupar, Perth, 
Newcastle, Livingston and Coatbridge. The Corporation has 
also temporarily shut down its facility in Perth as a result of 
the COVID-19 pandemic.

We Are Dependable.13

INDUSTRY CHARACTERISTICS & TRENDS

Management  believes  that  the  industry  in  which  K-Bro 
operates has historically exhibited the following character-
istics and trends:

 Generally  Stable  Industry  with  Moderate  Cyclicality  –  As 
evidenced  by  the  stability  in  the  number  of  approved 
hospital beds in the healthcare system and hotel rooms in 
the hospitality industry. The potential for step-changes in 
volumes and revenues that align with contractual arrange-
ments exists within this industry. Service relationships are 
generally formalized through contracts in the healthcare 
sector that are typically long term (from five to ten years), 
while  contracts  in  the  hospitality  sector  usually  range 
from two to five years. We note that the ongoing COVID-19 
pandemic  has  introduced  atypical  instability  in  both  the 
healthcare  and  the  hospitality  sectors  which  is  incon-
sistent  with  the  historical  characteristics  of  and  trends 
in  K-Bro’s  industry.  The  continued  spread  of  COVID-19 
throughout Canada and the UK, at least in the short-term 
to medium-term, is expected to have a significant negative 
impact on the Corporation’s business.

 Outsourcing  and  Privatization  –  In  Canada,  healthcare 
institutions  and  regional  authorities  are  facing  funding 
pressures  and  must  continually  evaluate  the  alloca-
tion  of  scarce  resources.  Consequently,  there  are  often 
advantages to healthcare institutions in outsourcing the 
processing of healthcare linen to private sector laundry 
companies  such  as  K-Bro  because  of  the  economies  of 
scale and significant management expertise that can be 
provided  on  a  more  comprehensive  and  cost-effective 
basis than customers can achieve in operating their own 
laundry facilities.

 Fragmentation  –  Most  cities  have  at  least  one  and 
sometimes several private sector competitors operating 
in  the  healthcare  and  hospitality  sectors  of  the  laundry 
and  linen  services  industry.  Management  believes  that 
the  presence  of  these  operators  provides  consolidation 
opportunities  for  larger  industry  participants  with  the 
financial means to complete acquisitions. 

CUSTOMERS & PRODUCT MIX

K-Bro’s  Canadian  customers  include  some  of  the  largest 
healthcare institutions and hospitality providers in Canada. 
In  the  UK,  Fishers’  customers  include  some  of  the  largest 
hotel  chains  operating  in  Scotland.  Healthcare  customers 
include  acute  care  hospitals  and  long-term  care  facilities, 
primarily in Canada. Most of K-Bro’s hospitality customers 
(typically  greater  than  250  rooms)  have  historically  gener-
ated between 0.5 million and 3 million pounds of linen per 
year. Most healthcare customers have historically generated 

between 0.5 million pounds of linen per year for a hospital 
and up to approximately 40 million pounds of linen per year 
for a Canadian healthcare region. We note that the ongoing 
COVID-19  pandemic  has  introduced  atypical  instability  in 
both  the  healthcare  and  the  hospitality  sectors  which  is 
inconsistent with such historical linen generation trends. 

As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Canada and the 
UK, at least in the short-term to medium-term, we expect 
significant  reductions  in  linen  volume  generation  by  our 
customers in the hospitality segment, primarily as a result 
of decreased willingness and ability of the general popula-
tion  to  travel  to  and  within  Canada  and  the  UK  during  the 
course of the outbreak. In addition, as hospitals prepared for 
potential surges in COVID-19-related occupancy during Q1 
and early Q2 of 2020, we saw a decline in healthcare volumes 
as  a  result  of  cancelled  elective  surgeries  and  decreased 
occupancy rates. As 2020 progressed we have seen health-
care  levels  increase  above  historical  levels  due  to  change 
in  usage  practices.  We  cannot  predict  with  certainty  how 
the progression of COVID-19 will impact overall volumes in 
2021.  For  a  summary  of  the  impact  on  revenues  for  2020 
refer to the COVID-19 section which summarizes impact on 
a monthly and quarterly basis.

Strategy

K-Bro maintains the following three-part strategic focus: 

 Secure  and  Maintain  Long-Term  Contracts  with  Large 
Healthcare  and  Hospitality  Customers  –  K-Bro’s  core 
service  is  providing  high  quality  laundry  and  linen 
services  at  competitive  prices  to  large  healthcare  and 
hospitality customers under longterm contracts. K-Bro’s 
contracts  in  the  healthcare  sector  typically  range  from 
five  to  ten  years  in  length.  Contracts  in  the  hospitality 
sector typically range from two to five years.

 Extend Core Services to New Markets – Management has 
demonstrated its ability to successfully expand K-Bro’s 
business  into  new  markets  from  its  established  bases. 
Since  2005,  K-Bro  has  entered  four  new  geographic 
markets across Canada, and in late 2017 entered into the 
UK market. These new markets have contributed signifi-
cantly to K-Bro’s growth. Management believes that new 
outsourcing  opportunities  will  continue  to  arise  in  the 
near to medium-term and that K-Bro is well-positioned 
for  continued  growth,  particularly  as  healthcare  and 
hospitality  institutions  continue  to  increase  their  focus 
on core services and confront pressures for capital and 
cost savings.

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
14

For the Canadian division, the Corporation for the months 
of April, May, and July through December was eligible for 
the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) that was 
announced by the Federal Government in response to the 
COVID-19 pandemic on March 27, 2020. The CEWS program, 
which subsidizes a percentage of employee wages (subject 
to certain caps) is designed for eligible Canadian employers 
whose  businesses  have  been  impacted  by  the  COVID-19 
pandemic and is intended to help employers rehire previ-
ously laid off workers, retain existing employees, and assist 
Canadian  businesses  through  the  COVID-19  pandemic. 
The  CEWS  program  allowed  the  Corporation  to  preserve 
a  significant  number  of  jobs.  Without  the  benefit  of  this 
wage  subsidy,  the  Canadian  operations  would  have  taken 
available alternative actions. During the fourth quarter of 
2020, the Corporation has recognized $0.6 million of wage 
subsidy  which  has  been  netted  against  the  respective 
source of the expense.

For  the  UK  division,  the  Corporation  was  eligible  for  the 
Coronavirus  Job  Retention  Scheme  (“CJRS”)  which  was 
introduced by the UK government on March 20, 2020 to pay 
approximately  80%  of  salaries  for  employees  (subject  to 
certain  caps)  who  are  furloughed.  For  the  fourth  quarter, 
the  Corporation  has  recognized  £0.7  million  ($1.3  million) 
which  has  been  netted  against  the  respective  source  of 
the expense. During 2020, the terms of the CJRS required 
companies share in the cost of the program, and as a result 
the impact to the fourth quarter EBITDA was a cost of £69k 
($119k) which represents the UK division’s contribution for 
hours  and  certain  benefits.  For  greater  clarity,  until  July 
2020  the  UK  division  received  an  equivalent  amount  from 
the government that is then paid to furloughed employees 
netting to no impact on EBITDA, however starting in August 
2020 the UK division was required to make contributions for 
hours and certain benefits.

 Management  may  in  the  future  expand  its  core  services 
to new markets either through acquisitions or by estab-
lishing new facilities. Its choice of areas for expansion will 
depend  on  the  availability  of  suitable  acquisition  candi-
dates, the volume of healthcare and hospitality linen to be 
processed and the policies of applicable governments.

 Introduce Related Services – In addition to focusing on its 
core services, the Corporation also attempts to capitalize 
on  attractive  business  opportunities  by 
introducing 
closely-related  services  that  enable  it  to  provide  more 
complete solutions to K-Bro’s healthcare and hospitality 
customers. These related service offerings include K-Bro 
Operating  Room  services  and  on-site  services.  K-Bro 
performs the sterilization of operating room linen packs 
for six major hospitals in Toronto.

Fourth Quarter 
Overview

Net earnings for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $2.1 million 
or  $0.20  per  share  (basic).  Cash  generated  by  operating 
activities for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $25.0 million and 
distributable cash flow was $6.9 million. As a result of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, consolidated hospitality revenue for the 
three months ended December 31, 2020 decreased by 69.4% 
over the comparable 2020 period. This is partially offset by 
an increase of 18.3% in consolidated healthcare revenue for 
an overall decrease in consolidated revenue of 19.9%. 

EBITDA (see “Terminology”) increased in the fourth quarter 
to  $11.7  million  from  $11.1  million  in  2019,  which  is  a 
increase of 5.6%. On a consolidated basis, the Corporation’s 
EBITDA  margin  increased  from  17.7%  in  2019  to  23.3%  in 
2020. For the Canadian division, EBITDA margin increased 
to  26.8%  from  19.0%  for  the  comparative  quarter  of  2020. 
For  the  UK  division,  EBITDA  margin  decreased  to  -3.9% 
from 14.0% for the comparative quarter of 2020. 

On  a  consolidated  basis,  adjusted  EBITDA  and  margin 
without  the  adoption  of  IFRS  16  for  the  fourth  quarter  of 
2020 was $9.6 million and 19.0%, compared to $9.1 million 
and  14.5%  respectively  in  the  same  comparative  period 
of  2019.  The  changes  in  adjusted  EBITDA  and  adjusted 
EBITDA margin relate primarily to effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic,  which  include  government  assistance  received 
during the quarter. 

We Are Dependable. 
 
15

Selected Annual Financial Information

Years Ended December 31,

($ Thousands of CDN 
dollars, except percentages 
and per share amounts) 

UK 
Canadian 
Division  Division 
2020 

2020 

  Canadian 

UK 
Division  Division 
2019 

2019 

2020 

  Canadian 

UK
Division  Division
2018 

2018 

2019(4) 

166,682 
38,365 
38,018 

29,909 
(121) 
(2,986) 

196,591 
38,244 
35,032 

186,624 
35,843  
30,052  

65,786 
11,730  
8,641  

252,410 
47,573  
38,693  

179,889 
21,370  
21,370  

59,645 
8,211 
8,211 

10,892 
15,274 

(7,110) 
(7,025) 

3,782 
8,249 

7,787 
7,997 

3,119 
3,342  

10,906 
11,339 

2,701 
2,701  

3,468 
3,468 

2018

239,534
29,581
29,581 

6,169
6,169 

Revenue  
EBITDA(1)  
Adjusted EBITDA without  
adoption of IFRS 16(2)  
Net earnings (loss)  
Adjusted net earnings (loss)  
without adoption of IFRS 16(3) 

Net earnings (loss) per share:
Basic  
Diluted  

1.032 
1.025 

(0.673) 
(0.669) 

0.358 
0.356 

0.741 
0.737 

0.297 
0.295 

1.038 
1.032 

0.258 
0.257 

0.331 
0.330 

0.589
0.588

Adjusted net earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share:
Basic  
Diluted  

1.447 
1.437 

(0.665) 
(0.661) 

0.781 
0.776 

0.761 
0.756  

0.318 
0.316  

1.079 
1.072  

0.258 
0.257  

0.331 
0.330  

0.589
0.588

Total assets  
Long-term debt (excludes lease liabilities)  

323,811 
40,657 

352,059  
62,494  

322,229
70,203

Weighted average number  
of shares outstanding:
Basic  
Diluted  

10,557,147 
10,629,237 

  10,508,080  
  10,571,347 

  10,466,458
  10,500,014

1  EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See “Terminology”.

2    Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 (as defined below) is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently 

occurring or not considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3    Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not con-

sidered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items..

4    Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted 
under the specific transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings 
without adoption of IFRS 16 as separate line items.

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16

Summary of 2020 
Results, Key Events 
& Outlook
FINANCIAL GROWTH

Net  earnings  were  $3.8  million  or  $0.36  per  Common 
Share  (basic).  Cash  flow  from  operating  activities  was 
$42.4 million and distributable cash flow was $31.3 million. 
Revenue  decreased  in  fiscal  2020  to  $196.6  million  or  by 
22.1% compared to 2019. 

EBITDA  (see  “Terminology”)  decreased  in  2020  to  $38.2 
million or by 19.6% compared to $47.6 million in 2019. On 
a consolidated basis, EBITDA margin increased from 18.8% 
in  2019  to  19.5%  in  2020.  For  the  Canadian  division,  the 
EBITDA  margin  increased  to  23.0%  in  2020  from  19.2%  in 
2019. For the UK division, the EBITDA margin decreased to 
-0.4% in 2020 from 17.8% in 2019. 

For the Canadian division, the Corporation for the months 
of  April,  May,  and  July  through  December  was  eligible  for 
the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) that was 
announced  by  the  Federal  Government  in  response  to  the 
COVID-19 pandemic on March 27, 2020. The CEWS program, 
which subsidizes a percentage of employee wages (subject 
to certain caps) is designed for eligible Canadian employers 
whose  businesses  have  been  impacted  by  the  COVID-19 
pandemic  and  is  intended  to  help  employers  rehire  previ-
ously laid off workers, retain existing employees, and assist 
Canadian  businesses  through  the  COVID-19  pandemic. 
The CEWS program allowed the Corporation to preserve a 
significant number of jobs. Without the benefit of this wage 
subsidy,  the  Canadian  operations  would  have  taken  avail-
able alternative actions. During 2020, the Corporation has 
recognized $8.3 million of the wage subsidy which has been 
netted against the respective source of the expense.

For  the  UK  division,  the  Corporation  was  eligible  for  the 
Coronavirus  Job  Retention  Scheme  (“CJRS”)  which  was 
introduced  by  the  UK  government  on  March  20,  2020  to 
pay  approximately  80%  of  salaries  for  employees  (subject 
to  certain  caps)  who  are  furloughed.  Year  to  date,  the 
Corporation  has  recognized  £3.4  million  ($5.9  million) 
which  has  been  netted  against  the  respective  source  of 

the expense. During 2020, the terms of the CJRS required 
companies share in the cost of the program, and as a result 
the  impact  to  EBITDA  was  a  cost  of  £95k  ($164k)  which 
represents  the  UK  division’s  contribution  for  hours  and 
certain benefits. For greater clarity, until July 2020, the UK 
division  received  an  equivalent  amount  from  the  govern-
ment that is then paid to furloughed employees netting to 
no impact on EBITDA, however starting in August 2020 the 
UK  division  was  required  to  make  contributions  for  hours 
and certain benefits. 

Near-Term & Long-Term Growth &  
Margin Impact

In 2019, management completed its strategy in its Toronto 
and Vancouver markets that it believes will position K-Bro 
for  long-term  growth  in  its  healthcare  and  hospitality 
businesses.  The  strategy  included  capital  investments 
to  build  large,  efficient,  state-of-the-art  facilities  with 
meaningful additional capacity in Toronto and Vancouver. In 
addition, K-Bro has made investments to upgrade one of its 
existing Vancouver plants to create a more efficient facility 
with meaningful additional capacity.

The construction and/or upgrade of three of our large facil-
ities enables us to bid on a significant amount of additional 
business, but created margin pressure through 2017, 2018 
and  Q1  2019  as  K-Bro  incurred  significant  onetime  and 
transition  costs  associated  with  these  large  investments. 
Management believes that the onetime and transition costs 
incurred  will  position  K-Bro  to  achieve  more  long-term 
growth  and  a  lower  cost  structure  in  the  future  and  that 
K-Bro  will  ultimately  return  to  normalized  margins  upon 
resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, as more specifically 
discussed below.

As  disclosed  above,  the  continued  spread  of  COVID-19 
throughout Canada and the UK, at least in the short-term 
to medium-term, is expected to have a significant negative 
impact on the amount of hospitality volume processed by the 
Corporation. To date the Corporation has seen an increased 
demand  on  the  healthcare  portion  of  the  business  as  a 
result of practice changes within the hospitals. Dependent 
on  the  duration  of  the  pandemic,  management  believes 
that the Corporation’s capital investments in Vancouver and 
Toronto  could  position  the  Corporation  to  profitably  grow 
the business, for example as hotel occupancy rates rebound 
upon resolution of the public health crisis.

We Are Dependable.17

KEY EVENTS IN OUR MARKETS ARE 
SUMMARIZED BELOW

Alberta Contract Award

On March 1, 2021, the Corporation was awarded a one-year 
extension  to  provide  laundry  and  linen  services  to  Alberta 
Health Services Calgary. The contract extends the existing 
relationship  between  the  Corporation  and  Alberta  Health 
Services Calgary.

In October 2020, AHS issued a request for proposal for linen 
services (the “AHS RFP”). The AHS RFP encompassed the 
linen services provided by the Corporation to AHS under the 
AHS Calgary Contract, as well as the linen services provided 
by the Corporation to AHS in Edmonton, for which volumes 
are under contract as part of two existing agreements until 
2022 and 2023 respectively. The AHS RFP also included new 
volume for rural Alberta. The AHS RFP is significant oppor-
tunity for the Corporation, but no assurances can be provided 
that  the  Corporation  will  be  successful  in  pursuing  such 
opportunity. See “Risk Factors – Increased Competition” in 
the Corporation’s Annual Information Form. 

British Columbia Contract Award

On  September  1,  2020  the  Corporation  was  awarded  a 
five-year  extension  to  provide  healthcare  laundry  and 
linen services to part of the Lower Mainland. The contract 
extends  the  existing  relationship  between  the  Corporation 
and  Business  Initiatives  &  Support  Services  (BISS)  for 
Vancouver  Coastal  Health,  Fraser  Health,  Providence 
Health Care and Provincial Health Services Authority.

Revolving Credit Facility

During  the  second  quarter  of  2020,  the  Corporation 
completed  an  amendment  to  its  existing  revolving  credit 
facility  which  made  changes  to  certain  terms  and  condi-
tions within the agreement in consideration of the ongoing 
COVID-19  pandemic  and  the  impact  to  the  Corporation’s 
operations. Key changes included:

 ·   An  increased  Funded  Debt  to  EBITDA  covenant  for 
the  period  of  September  30,  2020  to  June  30,  2021 
which gradually allows for a maximum Funded Debt to 
EBITDA ratio of 4.5x for Q4 2020 and Q1 2021 including 
certain one-time add backs to EBITDA.

 ·  A reduction to the Fixed Charge Covenant for the period 
of September 30, 2020 to June 30, 2021 which reduces 
to a maximum of 1.1x.

 · 

 A restriction on any further dividend increases during 
the  covenant  relief  period  of  July  1,  2020  to  June  
30, 2021.

UK Acquisition

On July 19, 2019, the Corporation signed a share purchase 
agreement  to  acquire  all  the  assets  of  a  Scotland-
incorporated  private  laundry  and  linen  services  company 
operating  in  Aberdeen.  This  acquisition  was  completed 
in  September  2019  for  a  total  consideration  of  £775k  plus 
a  working  capital  adjustment.  For  accounting  purposes, 
the  transaction  has  been  treated  as  an  asset  acquisition, 
whereby the net working capital was recorded at closing, and 
the customer contracts acquired have been recorded as an 
intangible  asset  for  £883k  representing  the  total  purchase 
price of £775k and associated transaction costs of £88k.

Capital Investment Plan

For fiscal 2021, the Corporation’s planned capital spending 
is  expected  to  be  approximately  $5.0  million  on  a  consol-
idated  basis.  This  guidance  includes  both  strategic  and 
maintenance capital requirements to support existing base 
business in both Canada and the UK and does not take into 
account amounts accrued in 2020 that will be paid in 2021. 
We will continue to assess capital needs within our facilities 
and prioritize projects that have shorter term paybacks as 
well  as  those  that  are  required  to  maintain  efficient  and 
reliable operations. 

Loss of Whitbread Group Contract

Subsequent  to  the  2019  fiscal  year,  the  Corporation 
was  unsuccessful  in  renewing  its  UK  contract  with  the 
Whitbread  Group.  The  associated  volume  was  phased  out 
of the relevant plant over the first two quarters of 2020. For 
the year ended December 31, 2019, this contract accounted 
for approximately 14% of Fishers’ overall revenue. 

COVID-19 Pandemic 

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused world govern-
ments  to  institute  travel  restrictions,  impacting  travel 
both in and out of Canada and the UK. This has had and is 
expected  to  continue  to  have  a  significant  adverse  impact 
on  the  Corporation’s  hospitality  business,  the  duration  of 
which we are unable to predict with any degree of accuracy. 

Since mid-March 2020, we have seen significantly reduced 
hotel  occupancy  rates  compared  to  historical  levels. 
Demand  for  both  business  and  leisure  airline  travel  has 
declined  significantly  on  a  global  basis,  and  airlines  are 
responding by cancelling international and domestic flights. 
Accordingly, hospitality volumes in all of our Canadian and 
UK markets have slowed to historically low levels. While we 
saw improvement in the Corporation’s hospitality business 
in Q3 resulting from increased domestic tourism, volumes in 
Q4 started to quickly taper, primarily a result of the second 
wave of COVID-19 and reinstatement of previous restrictions. 

2020 Annual ReportIn addition to this, in late Q1 and into Q2 we saw decreases in our healthcare business as a result of hospitals and health 
authorities taking measures to prepare for anticipated surges in COVID-19-related occupancy (i.e., cancellation of elective 
surgeries). As Q2 progressed, we saw a return to more normal healthcare levels however we cannot predict with certainty 
how the progression of COVID-19 will impact overall volumes. The following table depicts the impact on the Corporation’s 
revenue for 2020.

18

Month 

January  
February  
March  
Q1 2020 compared to Q1 2019 (Jan to Mar) 

April  
May  
June  
Q2 2020 compared to Q2 2019 (Apr to Jun) 

July  
August  
September  
Q3 2020 compared to Q3 2019 (Jul to Sep) 

October  
November  
December  
Q4 2020 compared to Q4 2019 (Oct to Dec) 

YTD 

Healthcare  
Revenue Change (2020 
compared to 2019) 

Hospitality 
Revenue Change (2020 
compared to 2019) 

Consolidated
Revenue Change (2020
compared to 2019)

3% 
5% 
0% 
3% 

-8% 
2% 
9% 
1% 

13% 
12% 
12% 
12% 

12% 
19% 
24% 
18% 

9% 

7%  
7%  
-27% 
-6%  

-94%  
-92%  
-90% 
-92%  

-76%  
-59%  
-53% 
-63%  

-61%  
-69%  
-78% 
-69%  

-60%  

5%
6%
-12%
-1%

-45%
-39%
-40%
-41%

-29%
-23%
-20%
-24%

-20%
-18%
-22%
-20%

-22%

Although the Corporation has developed and implemented 
measures to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic 
which  include,  temporary  restructuring  through  consoli-
dating  operations,  reducing  headcount,  reducing  certain 
capital  expenditures  and  accessing  available  government 
assistance  programs,  earnings  will  continue  to  be  partic-
ularly  affected  if  we  continue  to  experience  reductions  in 
travel  and  reduced  hospitality  and  healthcare  occupancy 
rates. The extent of such negative effects on our business 
and our financial and operational performance will depend 
on future developments, including the duration, spread and 
severity  of  outbreaks,  the  availability  and  effectiveness  of 
the  vaccine,  the  duration  and  geographic  scope  of  related 
travel  advisories  and  restrictions  and  the  extent  of  the 
impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  on  overall  demand  for 
personal and business travel, all of which are highly uncer-
tain and cannot be predicted with any degree of accuracy. 
As hotels are continuing to experience significantly reduced 
occupancy rates, our 2021 consolidated results of operations 
will continue to be significantly impacted. Additionally, our 
suppliers or other third parties we rely upon may experience 

delays or shortages, which could have an adverse effect on 
our business prospects and results of operations.

As  an  ongoing  risk,  the  duration  and  full  financial  effect 
of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  is  unknown  at  this  time,  and 
continues  to  be  offset  through  the  Corporation’s  business 
continuity plan and other mitigating measures. Any estimate 
of the length and severity of these developments is there-
fore  subject  to  significant  uncertainty,  and,  accordingly, 
estimates  of  the  extent  to  which  the  COVID-19  pandemic 
may  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  Corporation’s 
operations, financial results and condition in future periods 
are also subject to significant uncertainty. 

Therefore,  uncertainty  about  judgments,  estimates  and 
assumptions made by management during the preparation 
of the Corporation’s interim condensed consolidated finan-
cial statements related to potential impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic on revenue, expenses, assets, liabilities, and note 
disclosures  could  result  in  a  material  adjustment  to  the 
carrying value of the assets or liabilities affected.

We Are Dependable. 
 
19

Impairment of Assets

(b)   Impairment Testing at December 31, 2020

(a)   Impairment Testing at March 31, 2020

impairment 

 Management  assessed 
indicators 
that 
existed at March 31, 2020, specifically for the five CGUs 
that rely primarily on hospitality revenues as a result of 
the  significant  impact  that  COVID-19  had  on  the  hospi-
tality industry. 

 For  the  five  CGUs  who  rely  primarily  on  hospitality 
revenues  an  impairment  test  was  completed  using  a 
probability-weighted  discounted  cash  flow  approach 
whereby  the  recoverable  amount  was  based  on  the 
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value 
in  use  (being  the  present  value  of  the  expected  future 
cash flows of the relevant asset or CGU). 

 The  key  assumptions  in  calculating  the  recoverable 
amount of the five CGU’s were as follows:

  Long-term growth rate % 
  Pre-tax discount rate % 

March 31, 2020 

2.0% to 3.0%
10.5% to 12.5%

 For the March 31, 2020 impairment test, management’s 
probability  weighted  approach  was  evaluated  based  on 
an equally weighted probability of a one year downturn in 
sales to the worst case of a two year downturn in sales. 
The  scenarios  estimated  a  decline  of  70%  for  2020  and 
50% for 2021, with sales returning to normalized levels 
thereafter with sales growth estimates used between 2% 
to 3%.

 As a result of this testing at March 31, 2020, an impair-
ment  loss  of  $5,516  was  recognized  for  three  CGUs  in 
the  Canadian  division,  of  which  $3,177  was  allocated  to 
goodwill  and  $2,339  was  allocated  to  PP&E.  The  table 
below summarizes the impairment details:

  GCU 

Allocated to  Allocated 
to PP&E 

Goodwill 

Total 
Impairment 
Recorded 

Recoverable 
Amount 

  Montréal 
  Québec 
  Victoria 

823 
654 
1,700 
3,177 

- 
2,339 
- 
2,339 

823 
2,993 
1,700 
5,516 

2,485
-1,917
5,433
6,001

 The  Corporation  performed  its  annual  assessment  for 
goodwill  impairment  for  the  Canadian  division  and  for 
the UK division as at December 31, 2020 in accordance 
with its policy described in Note 2(k). 

 At  December  31,  2020,  the  recoverable  amount  for  the 
CGUs was determined using either a probability-weighted 
discounted  cash  flow  approach  (hospitality  CGUs)  or 
an  earnings  multiple  approach  (healthcare  CGUs).  The 
Corporation  references  Board  approved  budgets  and 
cash  flow  forecasts,  trailing  twelve-month  EBITDA, 
implied multiples and appropriate discount rates in the 
valuation calculations. 

 For the healthcare CGUs whereby the earnings multiple 
approach  is  used  the  implied  multiple  is  calculated  by 
utilizing  the  average  multiples  of  comparable  public 
companies.  For  the  healthcare  CGU’s,  the  Corporation 
used implied average forward multiples that ranged from 
12.7  to  12.9  to  calculate  the  recoverable  amounts.  For 
these  CGUs,  based  on  testing  performed  at  December 
31, 2020 no impairment was determined to exist. 

 For the hospitality CGUs the probability weight discounted 
cash flow approach was used at both March 31, 2020 and 
December  31,  2020  to  capture  the  increased  risk  and 
uncertainty arising from COVID-19. 

 For  the  December  31,  2020  impairment  test,  manage-
ment’s  probability  weighted  approach  was  evaluated 
based on an equally weighted probability of a continued 
two year downturn in sales to the worst case of a three 
year  downturn  in  sales.  The  scenarios  estimated  a 
decline of 45% for 2021, 30% for 2022, and 5% for 2023 
with sales returning to normalized levels thereafter with 
sales  growth  estimates  used  2%.  This  contrasts  to  the 
March  31,  2020  impairment  test  which  contemplated  a 
decline in 2020 and 2021 revenues only. As at December 
31, 2020, for the goodwill associated with the remaining 
hospitality  CGUs  (the  UK  Division,  Vancouver  2  and 
Victoria)  the  recoverable  amounts  was  estimated  to  be 
£41,070, $21,300 and $6,484 respectively which exceeded 
the  carrying  amounts  of  the  CGUs.  No  further  impair-
ment was therefore required for any of these CGUs.

 The  key  assumptions  in  calculating  the  recoverable 
amount of the remaining CGU’s were as follows:

December 31, 2020 

  Long-term growth rate % 
  Pre-tax discount rate % 

2.0%
11.6% to 12.5%

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We Are Dependable.

20

Outlook

While the COVID-19 pandemic will have a continued signif-
icant negative impact on our hospitality revenue, manage-
ment believes the prospects for the Corporation’s healthcare 
business  remains  strong  in  the  medium-to-long-term.  By 
providing integral laundry and linen processing services to 
the hospitality and healthcare sectors, the Corporation has 
been designated an “essential” service in the jurisdictions 
in  which  it  operates,  which  has  allowed  the  Corporation’s 
facilities to remain open and continue “normal” operations. 
This has mitigated some of the more dramatic financial and 
operational impacts experienced by many other businesses 
in other industries. In addition, management believes that 
the  financial  flexibility  provided  by  our  strong  balance 
sheet  will  enable  us  to  operate  without  disruption  to  our 
business model while maintaining our ability to service the 
healthcare and hospitality sectors in our Canadian and UK 
markets.  For  further  information  about  the  impact  of  the 
COVID-19 pandemic on our business, see the “Summary of 
Interim Results, and Key Events”.

In addition to the key assumptions noted above, manage-
ment  has  also  evaluated  other  reasonable  changes  in 
estimates  and  assumptions  and  did  not  identify  any  other 
instances  that  could  cause  the  carrying  amount  of  these 
CGUs  to  exceed  the  recoverable  amount.  The  table  below 
summarizes the sensitivity of the key assumptions.

Sensitivity Analysis

Recoverable 

Long-Term 

Pre-Tax
 Growth Rate  Discount Rate 
Increase of 1% 

Amount  Decrease of 1% 

  UK Division 
  Vancouver 2 
  Victoria 

£41,070 
$21,300 
$6,484 

-£3,869 
-$2,295 
-$695 

-£4,652
-$2,785
-$845

 The  Corporation  will  continue  to  carefully  monitor  the 
situation  as  it  pertains  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and 
further consider if there are new, or additional indicators, 
that exist during fiscal 2021.

 With  the  ongoing  evolution  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic, 
the length and severity of these developments is subject 
to significant uncertainty. Accordingly, new developments 
may  materially  and  adversely  affect  assumptions  used 
in the consideration of the impairment of assets, impact 
whether a CGU has been impaired, and may change prior 
recorded impairment amounts.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21

Results of Operations
KEY PERFORMANCE DRIVERS

K-Bro’s key performance drivers focus on growth, profitability, stability and cost containment in order to maintain dividends 
and maximize Shareholder value in the long term. The following outlines our results on a period-to-period comparative 
basis in each of these areas:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except 
percentages and per share amounts) 
Category 

Indicator 

Growth  

Profitability  

Stability  

EBITDA(1)  
Adjusted EBITDA without  
adoption of IFRS 16(2)  
Revenue  
Distributable cash flow (4) 

EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA margin  
Adjusted EBITDA without  
adoption of IFRS 16(2)  
Adjusted EBITDA margin  
without adoption of IFRS 16  
Net earnings (loss)  
Adjusted net earnings (loss) 
without adoption of IFRS 16(3) 

Debt to total capital  
Unutilized line of credit  
Cash on hand  
Payout ratio  
Dividends declared per share  

Three Months Ended December 31,

Canadian 
Division 
2020 

UK 
Division 
2020 

36.8%  
43.1%  

-109.5%  
-145.9%  

-3.1%  

-65.8%  

11,951 
26.8%  
10,421  

(224)  
-3.9%  
(841)  

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK
Division
2019 

80.6%  
50.5%  

32.8% 
2.9% 

2.1%  

17.5% 

8,737  
19.0%  
7,283  

2,365  
14.0%  
1,833  

2020 

5.6%  
5.1%  

-19.9%  
-2.2%  

11,727  
23.3%  
9,580  

2019(5)

67.7%
37.7% 

5.8%
21.2%

11,102
17.7%
9,116 

23.4%  

-14.5%  

19.0%  

15.8%  

10.9%  

14.5% 

4,500  
4,507  

(2,365)  
(2,078)  

2,135  
2,429  

1,760  
1,835  

435  
573  

2,195
2,408 

17.9% 
58,693 
2,416 
46.5% 
0.300 

33.5%  
6.2%  
76.7%  

24.7%
36,356
5,301
45.2%
0.300

39.3%
6.3%
82.3%

40.5%  
5.4%  
81.0%  

35.8%  
8.9%  
86.0%  

Cost containment   Wages and benefits  

Utilities  
Expenses included in EBITDA  

32.5%  
5.2%  
73.2%  

41.7%  
13.7%  
103.9%  

1    EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See Terminology.

2  Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, distributable cash flow includes the addition of principal elements of lease payments. This accounts for the change in accounting policies and the adoption of IFRS 

16, where now the principal elements of lease payments flow through financing outflows opposed to operating cash flows.

5  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We Are Dependable.

22

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except 
percentages and per share amounts) 
Category 

Indicator 

Canadian 
Division 
2020 

UK 
Division 
2020 

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK
Division
2019 

2020 

Years Ended December 31,

Growth  

Profitability  

Stability  

EBITDA(1)  
Adjusted EBITDA without  
adoption of IFRS 16(2)  
Revenue  
Distributable cash flow (4) 

EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA margin  
Adjusted EBITDA without  
adoption of IFRS 16(2)  
Adjusted EBITDA margin  
without adoption of IFRS 16  
Net earnings (loss)  
Adjusted net earnings (loss) 
without adoption of IFRS 16(3) 

Debt to total capital  
Unutilized line of credit  
Cash on hand  
Payout ratio  
Dividends declared per share  

7.0%  
26.5%  

-101.0%  
-134.6%  

-19.6%  
-9.5%  

67.7%  
40.6%  

42.9% 
5.2% 

-10.7%  

-54.5%  

38,365 
23.0%  
38,018  

(121)  
-0.4%  
(2,986)  

-22.1%  
5.6%  

38,244  
19.5%  
35,032  

3.7%  

10.3% 

35,843  
19.2%  
30,052  

11,730  
17.8%  
8,641  

2019(5)

60.8%
30.8% 

5.4%
19.6%

47,573
18.8%
38,693 

22.8%  

-10.0%  

17.8%  

16.1%  

13.1%  

15.3% 

10,892  
15,274  

(7,110)  
(7,025)  

3,782  
8,249  

7,787  
7,997  

3,119  
3,342  

10,906
11,339 

17.9% 
58,693 
2,416 
40.9% 
1.200 

34.4%  
5.9%  
80.5%  

24.7%
36,356
5,301
42.9%
1.200

39.4%
6.5%
81.2%

40.9%  
5.7%  
80.8%  

35.4%  
8.9%  
82.2%  

Cost containment   Wages and benefits  

Utilities  
Expenses included in EBITDA  

32.9%  
5.3%  
77.0%  

42.6%  
9.6%  
100.4%  

1    EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See Terminology.

2  Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, distributable cash flow includes the addition of principal elements of lease payments. This accounts for the change in accounting policies and the adoption of IFRS 

16, where now the principal elements of lease payments flow through financing outflows opposed to operating cash flows.

5  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL  
INFORMATION - CONSOLIDATED

Historically,  the  Corporation’s  financial  and  operating 
results, particularly in respect of Fishers, are stronger in the 
second and third quarters as a result of seasonality and the 
associated higher hospitality volumes. Other fluctuations in 
net income from quarter-to-quarter can also be attributed 

to hiring and labour cost trends, timing of linen purchases, 
utility  costs,  timing  of  repairs  and  maintenance  expendi-
tures, business development, capital spending patterns and 
changes in corporate tax rates and income tax expenses. 

The following table provides certain selected consolidated 
financial and operating data prepared by management for 
the preceding eight quarters:

Quarterly Financial Information - Consolidated  
($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except
percentages and per share amounts) 

2020(5) 

  2019(4)

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Healthcare revenue  
Hospitality revenue  
Total revenue 

Expenses included in EBITDA  
EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA as a % of revenue (EBITDA margin)  
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16(2) 
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of 
IFRS 16 as % of revenue 

Depreciation and amortization  
Finance expense  
Earnings (loss) before income taxes  
Income tax expense (recovery)  

Net earnings (loss)  
Net earnings (loss) as a % of revenue  
Basic earnings (loss) per share  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  

Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16(3)  
Basic adjusted earnings without 
adoption of IFRS 16 per share
Diluted adjusted earnings without 
adoption of IFRS 16 per share

41,981  
8,376  
50,357  

38,630  
11,727  
23.3%  
9,580  
19.0%  

7,110  
836  
3,781  
1,646  

2,135  
4.2%  
0.202  
0.200 

2,429  
0.230  

39,071   35,103  
12,368  
2,417  
51,439   37,520  

35,048 
22,227 
57,275 

38,720   27,465  
12,719   10,055  
24.7%   26.8%  
10,785  
7,558  
21.0%   20.1%  

53,532 
3,743 
6.5% 
7,109 
12.4% 

6,840  
1,141  
4,738  
1,296  

3,442  
6.7%  
0.326  
0.323  

6,853  
791  
2,411  
798  

1,613  
4.3%  
0.153  
0.152  

7,081 
1,193 
(4,531) 
(1,123) 

(3,408) 
-6.0% 
(0.323) 
(0.322) 

3,543  
0.335  

1,292  
0.122  

985 
0.093 

35,482  
27,410  
62,892  

51,790  
11,102  
17.7%  
9,116  
14.5%  

7,011  
1,213  
2,878  
683  

2,195  
3.5%  
0.209  
0.207  

2,408  
0.229  

34,710  
33,132  
67,842  

34,729   34,103
29,164   23,680
63,893   57,783

53,225  
14,617  
21.5%  
12,286  
18.1%  

51,154   48,668
12,739  
9,115
19.9%   15.8%
10,488  
6,803
16.4%   11.8% 

7,059  
1,510  
6,048  
1,379  

4,669  
6.9%  
0.444  
0.441  

4,736  
0.451  

6,979  
1,566  
4,194  
647  

3,547  
5.6%  
0.338  
0.336  

6,916
1,513
686
191

495
0.9%
0.047
0.047

3,637  
0.346  

558
0.053 

0.228  

0.332  

0.122  

0.093 

0.227  

0.447  

0.344  

0.053 

Total assets  
Total long-term financial liabilities  

323,811  
95,555  

338,591   330,372   336,127 
113,278   108,207   106,621 

352,059   353,021   361,018   360,563
116,455   119,102   129,862   123,049

Funds provided by (used in) operations  
Long-term debt (excludes lease liabilities) 
Dividends declared per share  

25,023  
40,657  
0.300  

(504)  
6,289  
59,325   56,416  
0.300  
0.300  

11,588 
54,693 
0.300 

11,555  
62,494  
0.300  

19,816  
66,070  
0.300  

2,875  
9,670
75,952   67,444
0.300
0.300  

1  EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See Terminology.

2  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted 
under the specific transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without 
adoption of IFRS 16 as separate line items. Refer to the Accounting Changes section of this MD&A for more information.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items.

5 Q1 2020 includes an adjustment of $5.5 million for an impairment related charge to the Canadian Division, and is excluded in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings (loss).

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
24

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - CANADIAN DIVISION

The following table provides certain selected consolidated financial and operating data prepared by management for the 
preceding eight quarters:

Quarterly Financial Information 
- Canadian Division 
($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except 
percentages and per share amounts) 

Healthcare revenue  
Hospitality revenue  
Total revenue  

Expenses included in EBITDA  
EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA as a % of revenue (EBITDA margin)  
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16(2) 
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption  
of IFRS 16 as % of revenue 

Net earnings (loss)  
Net earnings (loss) as a % of revenue  
Basic earnings (loss) per share  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  

Adjusted net earnings without  
adoption of IFRS 16(3)
Basic adjusted earnings without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share
Diluted adjusted earnings without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share

2020 

2019

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

40,305  
4,268  
44,573  

32,622  
11,951  
26.8%  
10,421  
23.4%  

4,500  
10.1%  
0.426  
0.422  

37,417  
5,628  
43,045  

33,598  
1,755  
35,353  

33,395  
10,316  
43,711  

30,999  
12,046  
28.0%  
10,609  
24.6%  

23,779  
11,574  
32.7%  
10,140  
28.7%  

40,917  
2,794  
6.4%  
6,848  
15.7%  

4,404  
10.2%  
0.417  
0.413  

4,460  
12.6%  
0.423  
0.420  

(2,472)  
-5.7%  
(0.235)  
(0.233)  

33,839  
12,162  
46,001  

37,264  
8,737  
19.0%  
7,283  
15.8%  

1,760  
3.8%  
0.167  
0.166  

33,224  
16,267  
49,491  

33,122  
13,477  
46,599  

32,435
12,098
44,533

39,068  
10,423  
21.1%  
8,925  
18.0%  

37,300  
9,299  
20.0%  
7,884  
16.9%  

37,149
7,384
16.6%
5,960
13.4% 

2,893  
5.8%  
0.275  
0.273  

2,403  
5.2%  
0.229  
0.228  

731
1.6%
0.070
0.069

4,507  

4,422  

4,482  

1,863  

1,835  

2,919  

2,456  

787 

0.426  

0.419  

0.425  

0.177  

0.174  

0.278  

0.234  

0.075 

0.423  

0.415 

0.422  

0.176  

0.173  

0.276 

0.233  

0.075 

1 EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See “Terminology”.

2  Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring 

or not considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items.

5 Q1 2020 includes an adjustment of $5.5 million for an impairment related charge to the Canadian Division, and is excluded in adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings (loss).

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
25

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION - UK DIVISION

The following table provides certain selected consolidated financial and operating data prepared by management for the 
preceding eight quarters:

Quarterly Financial Information - UK Division 
(in reporting currency Canadian $) 
($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except 
percentages and per share amounts) 

2020 

  2019(4)

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Healthcare revenue  
Hospitality revenue  
Total revenue  

Expenses included in EBITDA  
EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA as a % of revenue (EBITDA margin)  
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16(2) 
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption  
of IFRS 16 as % of revenue 

1,676  
4,108  
5,784  

6,008  
(224)  
-3.9%  
(841)  
-14.5%  

1,654  
6,740  
8,394  

1,505  
662  
2,167  

1,653  
11,911  
13,564  

3,686  
7,721  
(1,519)  
673  
-70.1%  
8.0%  
(2,582)  
176  
2.1%   -119.2%  

12,615  
949  
7.0%  
261  
1.9%  

Net earnings (loss)  
Net earnings (loss) as a % of revenue  
Basic earnings (loss) per share  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  

(2,365)  
-40.9%  
(0.224)  
(0.222)  

(962)  

(2,847)  
-11.5%   -131.4%  
(0.270)  
(0.091)  
(0.268)  
(0.090)  

(936)  
-6.9%  
(0.089)  
(0.088)  

1,643  
15,248  
16,891  

14,526  
2,365  
14.0%  
1,833  
10.9%  

435  
2.6%  
0.041  
0.041  

1,486  
16,865  
18,351  

1,607  
15,687  
17,294  

1,668
11,582
13,250

14,157  
4,194  
22.9%  
3,361  
18.3%  

13,854  
3,440  
19.9%  
2,604  
15.1%  

11,519
1,731
13.1%
843
6.4% 

1,776  
9.7%  
0.169  
0.168  

1,144  
6.6%  
0.109  
0.108  

(236)
-1.8%
(0.022)
(0.022)

Adjusted net earnings (loss)  
without adoption of IFRS 16(3)
Basic adjusted earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share
Diluted adjusted earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share

(2,078)  

(879)  

(3,190)  

(878)  

573  

1,817  

1,181  

(229) 

(0.197)  

(0.083)  

(0.302)  

(0.083)  

0.054  

0.173  

0.112  

(0.022) 

(0.195)  

(0.082) 

(0.300)  

(0.083)  

0.054  

0.172 

0.112  

(0.022) 

1 EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See “Terminology”.

2  Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring 

or not considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items.

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
26

Quarterly Financial Information - UK Division 
(in local currency Sterling £) 
(Thousands, except percentages 
and per share amounts) 

2020 

  2019(4)

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Healthcare revenue  
Hospitality revenue  
Total revenue  

Expenses included in EBITDA  
EBITDA(1)  
EBITDA as a % of revenue (EBITDA margin)  
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16(2) 
Adjusted EBITDA without adoption  
of IFRS 16 as % of revenue 

974  
2,388  
3,362  

3,492  
(130)  
-3.9%  
(488)  
-14.5%  

961  
3,916  
4,877  

875  
385  
1,260  

2,140  
4,487  
(880)  
390  
-69.8%  
8.0%  
102  
(1,499)  
2.1%   -119.2%  

962  
6,931  
7,893  

7,343  
550  
7.0%  
150  
1.9%  

Net earnings (loss)  
Net earnings (loss) as a % of revenue  
Basic earnings (loss) per share  
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  

(1,376)  
-40.9%  
(0.130)  
(0.129)  

(559)  

(1,653)  
-11.5%   -131.2%  
(0.157)  
(0.053)  
(0.156)  
(0.052)  

(546)  
-6.9%  
(0.052)  
(0.052)  

966  
8,967  
9,933  

8,543  
1,390  
14.0%  
1,077  
10.9%  

254  
2.6%  
0.024  
0.024  

913  
10,359  
11,272  

935  
9,126  
10,061  

963
6,689
7,652

8,696  
2,576  
22.9%  
2,065  
18.3%  

8,058  
2,003  
19.9%  
1,517  
15.1%  

6,654
998
13.1%
485
6.4% 

1,091  
9.7%  
0.104  
0.103  

668  
6.6%  
0.064  
0.063  

(138)
-1.8%
(0.013)
(0.013)

Adjusted net earnings (loss)  
without adoption of IFRS 16(3)
Basic adjusted earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share
Diluted adjusted earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS 16 per share

(1,210)  

(510)  

(1,853)  

(512)  

336  

1,115  

690  

(134) 

(0.114)  

(0.048)  

(0.176)  

(0.049)  

0.032  

0.106  

0.066  

(0.013) 

(0.114)  

(0.048) 

(0.174)  

(0.048)  

0.032  

0.105 

0.065  

(0.013) 

1 EBITDA is defined as revenue less operating expenses (which equates to net earnings before income tax, finance expense (recovery) and depreciation and amortization). See “Terminology”.

2  Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as EBITDA (defined above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring 

or not considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

3  Adjusted net earnings without adoption of IFRS 16 is defined as net earnings with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 

considered part of our core operations. See “Terminology” for a complete description of the adjusted items.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 
transitional provisions of IFRS 16. To enable the comparability of previous periods, the Corporation has provided the 2020 and 2019 figures for both EBITDA and net earnings without adoption 
of IFRS 16 as separate line items.

REVENUE, EARNINGS & EBITDA

For the year ended December 31, 2020, K-Bro’s consolidated 
revenue  decreased  by  22.1%  to  $196.6  million  from  $252.4 
million in the comparative period. This decrease was primarily 
due to the significant reduction in hospitality revenue related 
to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, approximately 76.9% of 
K-Bro’s  consolidated  revenue  was  generated  from  health-
care institutions, which is higher compared to 55.1% in 2019. 
This was primarily related to the COVID-19 pandemic’s effect 
on the hospitality segment, as described above.

Consolidated EBITDA decreased in the year to $38.2 million 
from $47.6 million in 2019, which is an decrease of 19.6%. 
The consolidated EBITDA margin increased to 19.5% in 2020 
compared to 18.8% in 2019. Included in 2020 consolidated 
EBITDA is a charge related to the impairment of assets of 

$5.5 million. This results in a 2.8% decrease to the consoli-
dated EBITDA margin for 2020. This is offset by government 
assistance received in 2020 for the Canadian division in the 
amount of $8.3 million which has been netted against the 
respective  source  of  the  expense.  Consolidated  adjusted 
EBITDA decreased in the year to $35.0 million from $38.9 
million in 2019, which is an decrease of 9.5%. The consol-
idated  adjusted  EBITDA  margin  increased  to  17.8%  2020 
compared to 15.3% in 2019. The reduction in the adjusted 
EBITDA  and  increase  in  adjusted  EBITDA  margin  can  be 
attributed to the reduced hospitality volume as a result of 
the  COVID-19  pandemic,  offset  by  government  assistance 
received in 2020 for the Canadian division in the amount of 
$8.3 million which has been netted against the respective 
source of the expense. 

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
27

The UK division also received government assistance during 
2020 in the amount of £3.4 million ($5.9 million) which has 
been  netted  against  the  respective  source  of  the  expense. 
For the first two quarters there was no impact to EBITDA in 
relation  to  the  government  assistance,  however,  beginning 
in the third quarter of 2020 onwards, government assistance 
received by the UK division through the CJRS required that 
companies share in the cost of the program and as a result 
the impact to EBITDA during 2020 was a cost of £95k ($164k), 
which  represents  the  UK  division’s  contribution  for  hours 
and  certain  benefits  in  the  third  and  fourth  quarters.  For 
greater  clarity,  until  July  2020,  the  UK  division  received  an 
equivalent amount from the government that was then paid 
to  furloughed  employees  netting  to  no  impact  on  EBITDA 
however starting in August 2020, the UK division was required 
to make contributions for hours and certain benefits. 

Net earnings decreased by $7.1 million or 65.3% from $10.9 
million in 2019 to $3.8 million in 2020, and net earnings as 
a percentage of revenue decreased by 2.4% to 1.9% in 2020 
from 4.3% in 2019. The change in net earnings is primarily 
related  to  the  flow  through  items  in  EBITDA  discussed 
above,  lower  finance  costs  related  to  the  revolving  credit 
facility, and lower income tax expense.

OPERATING EXPENSES

Wages  and  benefits  decreased  by  $32.0  million  to  $67.6 
million compared to $99.6 million in the comparative period 
of 2019, and as a percentage of revenue decreased by 5.0% to 
34.4%. The decrease as a percentage of revenue is primarily 
related  to  $7.0  million  government  assistance  received  in 
the Canadian division, improvements in labour efficiencies, 
offset by escalating minimum wage rates and restructuring 
costs of $1.4 million related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Linen decreased by $2.7 million to $24.8 million compared 
to $27.5 million in the comparative period of 2019, and as 
a  percentage  of  revenue  increased  by  1.7%  to  12.6%.  The 
increase as a percentage of revenue is primarily related to 
the higher proportion of healthcare revenue. The reduction 
in total cost relates to decreased linen amortization on the 
hospitality portion of the Corporation’s business which is a 
result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Utilities decreased by $4.8 million to $11.6 million compared 
to $16.4 million in the comparative period of 2019, and as 
a  percentage  of  revenue  decreased  by  0.6%  to  5.9%. The 
decrease as a percentage of revenue is primarily related to 
lower utility costs in British Columbia as a result of a tempo-
rary natural gas supply shortage during the first quarter of 
2019, lower commodity costs, and operational measures to 
offset the impact of COVID-19.

Delivery decreased by $8.1 million to $20.7 million compared 
to $28.8 million in the comparative period of 2019, and as 
a percentage of revenue decreased by 0.9% to 10.5%. The 
decrease  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  is  primarily  related 
to government assistance received, in addition to manage-
ment’s  efforts  to  offset  the  impact  of  COVID-19  in  the 
delivery operations of each plant through temporary reduc-
tions in the delivery labour force, logistics and delivery route 
optimizations,  offset  by  fixed  costs  which  remain  constant 
regardless  of  the  reduction  in  volume  resulting  from  the 
COVID-19 pandemic and price increases from renewals of 
outsourced freight contracts. 

Occupancy costs decreased by $0.9 million to $3.6 million 
compared to $4.5 million in the comparative period of 2019, 
and as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 1.8%. 
This  includes  fixed  costs  that  remain  constant  regardless 
of  the  reduction  in  volume  resulting  from  the  COVID-19 
pandemic,  offset  by  rent  concessions  received  in  certain 
plants in the UK in the amount of $0.5 million recorded in 
the second quarter of 2020.

Materials  and  supplies  decreased  by  $1.3  million  to  $7.0 
million compared to $8.3 million in the comparative period 
of  2019,  and  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  increased  by 
0.3%  to  3.6%.  The  increase  as  a  percentage  of  revenue  is 
primarily  related  to  additional  personal  protective  equip-
ment  required  as  a  result  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and 
one-time cost recoveries in 2019. 

Repairs and maintenance decreased by $1.8 million to $7.0 
million compared to $8.8 million in the comparative period 
of 2019, and as a percentage of revenue remained relatively 
constant  at  3.6%.  The  decrease  in  costs  is  a  result  of  the 
reduction in volume resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic 
and timing of maintenance activities.

Corporate costs decreased by $0.6 million to $10.5 million 
compared  to  $11.1  million  in  the  comparative  period  of 
2019, and as a percentage of revenue increased by 1.0% to 
5.4%. The increase as a percentage of revenue is primarily 
related to fixed costs that remain constant regardless of the 
reduction in volume resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, 
restructure costs, bad debt expense, and offset by govern-
ment assistance received.

Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amorti-
zation of intangible assets represents the expense related 
to the appropriate matching of the Corporation’s long-term 
assets to the estimated useful life and period of economic 
benefit of those assets.

Income tax includes current and future income taxes based on 
taxable income and the temporary timing differences between 
the tax and accounting bases of assets and liabilities. Income 
tax reflects the provision on the earnings of the Corporation.

2020 Annual ReportWe Are Dependable.

28

Liquidity & Capital Resources 

In 2020, cash generated by operating activities was $42.4 million with a debt to total capitalization of 17.9%. The change 
in cash from operations is primarily due to the change in working capital items driven mainly from and the impact of the 
COVID-19 pandemic, particularly additional linen expenditures made to support increased healthcare volumes due to the 
COVID-19  pandemic  offset  by  collections  of  accounts  receivable.  The  Corporation’s  capital  structure  includes  working 
capital, a committed revolving credit facility and share capital. We continuously monitor actual and forecast cash flows 
and monitor the availability on our committed credit facility. Management believes the un-utilized balance of $58.7 million 
with respect to its revolving credit facility is sufficient for the Corporation’s operations in the foreseeable future. However, 
management intends to continually assess its opportunities to maintain a conservative amount of leverage and balance 
sheet flexibility in the short and longterm basis in order to ensure that sufficient capital is available for future growth needs.

During 2020, cash used in financing activities was $40.8 million compared to $27.1 million in 2019. Financing activities consisted 
of net repayment of the revolving credit facility, dividends paid to Shareholders and principal elements of lease payments.

During  2020,  cash  used  in  investing  activities  was  $4.4  million  compared  to  $14.3  million  in  2019.  Investing  activities 
related primarily to the purchase of plant equipment.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

Payments due under contractual obligations for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Total 

2021 

2022 to 2023 

2024 to 2025 

Subsequent

Payments Due by Period

Long-term debt  
Lease liabilities  
Utility commitments  
Linen purchase obligations  
Property, plant and equipment commitments 

40,657  
61,539  
5,170  
4,527  
42  

-  
8,335  
5,170  
4,527  
42  

40,657  
14,423  
-  
-  
-  

-  
11,648  
-  
-  
-  

-
27,133
-
-
-

The lease liabilities are secured by automotive equipment and plants and are more fully described in the Corporation’s 
audited annual consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020. The source of funds for these 
commitments will be from operating cash flow and, if necessary, the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility.

We Are Dependable. 
 
29
29

FINANCIAL POSITION

Years Ended December 31,

($ Thousands, except percentages) 

 2020 

2019

Cash and cash equivalents 
Long-term debt 
(excludes lease liabilities)
Shareholders’ equity  
Total capital 
Debt to total capital  
(see Terminology for definition) 

(2,416) 
40,657  

(5,301)
62,494 

189,504  
227,745  
17.9%  

196,051
253,244
24.7% 

The  Corporation  is  subject  to  the  following  covenants  as 
defined in the credit facility agreement:

  Financial 
  Covenant 

Limit for December   December  December 
31, 2019 

31, 2020 

31, 2020 

  Funded debt to credit 

facility EBITDA(1)

4.50 

1.03 

  Fixed charge coverage ratio 

1.10 

12.90 

1.57 

7.39

1  The financial covenants include financial measures defined within the credit facility agreement 
that are not defined under IFRS. For purposes of calculating EBITDA for bank compliance re-
porting EBITDA is defined as Adjusted EBITDA with certain addbacks

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation 
had a debt to total capital of 17.9%, unused revolving credit 
facility of $58.7 million and has not incurred any events of 
default under the terms of its credit facility. 

As at December 31, 2020, the Corporation had net working 
capital  of  $27.9  million  compared  to  its  working  capital 
position of $31.0 million at December 31, 2019. The decrease 
in working capital is primarily attributable to a decrease in 
working  capital  requirements  from  the  UK  division  due  to 
the impact of COVID-19 and the reduction business activity, 
timing differences related to cash receipts from customers, 
and a decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

Management believes that K-Bro has the capital resources 
and  liquidity  necessary  to  meet  its  commitments,  support 
its operations and finance its growth strategies. In addition 
to K-Bro’s ability to generate cash from operations and its 
revolving credit facility, K-Bro believes it is also able to raise 
capital through equity issuances in the market or increase 
its  borrowing  capacity,  if  necessary,  to  provide  for  capital 
spending and to sustain its property, plant and equipment.

2020 Annual Report 
30

Dividends

Fiscal Period 

Payment Date 

# of Shares 
Outstanding 

Amount 
Per Share 

2020 
Total Amount 
(1)(3)(5)(7) 

2019
Total Amount
(2)(4)(6)(8)

Amount 
Per Share 

February 14  
March 13  
April 15  

May 15  
June 15  
July 15  

August 14  
September 15  
October 15  

November 13  
December 15  
January 15  

10,604,029  
10,604,029  
10,604,029  

10,604,029  
10,676,889  
10,676,889  

10,676,889  
10,676,889  
10,676,889 

10,676,889  
10,676,889  
10,676,889  

January  
February  
March  
Q1  

April  
May  
June  
Q2  

July  
August  
September  
Q3  

October  
November  
December  
Q4  

YTD  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

1,060  
1,060  
1,060  
3,181  

1,060  
1,068  
1,068  
3,196  

1,068  
1,068  
1,068  
3,203  

1,068  
1,068  
1,068  
3,203  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

0.10000  
0.10000  
0.10000  
0.30000  

1,056
1,056
1,056
3,168

1,056
1,060
1,060
3,177

1,060
1,060
1,060
3,181

1,060
1,060
1,060
3,181

1.20000  

12,783  

1.20000  

12,707

1  The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,060,438 per month for January - March 2020; when rounded in thousands, $3,181 of dividends were declared in Q1 2020.

2 The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,055,994 per month for January - March 2019; when rounded in thousands, $3,168 of dividends were declared in Q1 2019.

3  The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,060,438 for April 2020, $1,067,689 for May 2020, and $1,067,689 for June 2020. When rounded in thousands, 

$3,181 of dividends were declared in Q2 2020.

4  The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,055,994 for April 2019, $1,060,403 for May 2019, and $1,060,438 for June 2019. When rounded in thousands, 

$3,177 of dividends were declared in Q2 2019.

5   The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,067,689 per month for July - September 2020; when rounded in thousands, $3,203 of dividends were declared in Q3 2020.

6 The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,060,438 per month for July - September 2019; when rounded in thousands, $3,181 of dividends were declared in Q3 2019.

7   The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,067,689 per month for October - December 2020; when rounded in thousands, $3,203 of dividends were declared in Q4 2020.

8  The total amount of dividends declared was $0.10000 per share for a total of $1,060,438 per month for October - December 2019; when rounded in thousands, $3,181 of dividends were declared in Q4 2019.

For  the  year  ended  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation 
declared a $1.200 per Common Share dividend compared to 
$2.942 per Common Share of Distributable Cash Flow (see 
“Terminology”). The actual payout ratio was 40.9%.

by  the  Board  of  Directors.  All  such  dividends  are  discre-
tionary. Dividends are declared payable each month in equal 
amounts to Shareholders on the last business day of each 
month and are paid by the 15th of the following month.

The Corporation’s policy is to pay dividends to Shareholders 
from its available distributable cash flow while considering 
requirements  for  capital  expenditures,  working  capital, 
growth  capital  and  other  reserves  considered  advisable 

The  Corporation  designates  all  dividends  paid  or  deemed 
to be paid as Eligible Dividends for purposes of subsection 
89(14) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), and similar provincial 
and territorial legislation, unless indicated otherwise.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31

Distributable Cash Flow  

(see Terminology) (all amounts in this section in $000s except per share amounts and percentages)

The Corporation’s source of cash for dividends is distributable cash flow provided by operating activities. Distributable 
cash flow, reconciled to cash provided by operating activities as calculated under IFRS, is presented as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except
percentages and per share amounts) 

2020 

  2019(4)

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1 

Q4 

Q3 

Q2 

Q1

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities  

25,023  

(504)  

6,289  

11,588  

11,555  

19,816  

2,875  

9,670

Deduct (add):
Net changes in non-cash working capital items(1)  
Share-based compensation expense  
Maintenance capital expenditures(2)  
Principle elements of lease payments(5)  

16,111  
410  
(11)  
1,627  

(13,724)  
693  
35  
1,442  

(2,926)  
189  
280  
1,487  

3,011  
507  
328  
1,666  

1,534  
404  
1,072  
1,501  

7,463  
427  
1,352  
1,806  

(8,615)  
439  
1,143  
1,736  

1,484 
540
374
1,648

Distributable cash flow(5)  

6,886  

11,050  

7,259  

6,076  

7,044  

8,768  

8,172  

5,624

Dividends declared  
Dividends declared per share  
Payout ratio(3)  

3,203  
0.300  
46.5%  

3,203  
0.300  
29.0%  

3,196  
0.300  
44.0%  

3,181  
0.300  
52.4%  

3,181  
0.300  
45.2%  

3,181  
0.300  
36.3%  

3,177  
0.300  
38.9%  

3,168
0.300
56.3%

Weighted average shares outstanding  
during the period, basic 
Weighted average shares outstanding  
during the period, diluted

Trailing-twelve months (“TTM”)
Distributable cash flow  
Dividends  
Payout ratio(3)  

10,575  

10,563  

10,551  

10,539  

10,521  

10,511  

10,504   10,497

10,658  

10,667  

10,627  

10,591  

10,588  

10,584  

10,558   10,546 

31,271  
12,783  
40.9%  

31,429  
12,761  
40.6%  

29,147  
12,739  
43.7%  

30,060  
12,720  
42.3%  

29,608  
12,707  
42.9%  

28,375  
12,694  
44.7%  

26,879   25,190
12,681   12,667
50.3%
47.2%  

1  Net changes in non-cash working capital is excluded from the calculation as management believes it would introduce significant cash flow variability and affect underlying cash flow from operating 
activities. Significant variability can be caused by such things as the timing of receipts (which individually are large because of the nature of K-Bro’s customer base and timing may vary due to the 
timing of customer approval, vacations of customer personnel, etc.) and the timing of disbursements (such as the payment of large volume rebates done once annually). As well, large increases in 
working capital are generally required when contracts with new customers are signed as linen is purchased and accounts receivable increase. Management feels that this amount should be excluded 
from the distributable cash flow calculation.

2 Maintenance capital expenditures include costs required to maintain or replace assets which do not have a discrete return on investment.

3  The ratio of dividends paid compared to distributable cash flow is periodically reviewed by the Board of Directors to take into account the current and prospective performance of the business 

and other items considered to be prudent. Payout ratio is calculated on the dividends declared divided by the distributable cash flow.

4  Effective January 1, 2019, the Corporation has adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective method but has not restated comparatives for the prior periods, as permitted under the specific 

transitional provisions of IFRS 16.

5  Effective January 1, 2019, distributable cash flow includes the addition of principal elements of lease payments. This accounts for the change in accounting policies and the adoption of IFRS 

16, where now the principal elements of lease payments flow through financing outflows opposed to operating cash flows.

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding Shares 

As  at  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation  had  10,676,889 
Common  Shares  outstanding.  Basic  and  diluted  weighted 
average  number  of  Common  Shares  outstanding  for  2020 
were 10,557,147 and 10,629,237, respectively (10,508,080 and 
10,571,347, respectively, for the comparative 2019 periods).

In  accordance  with  the  Corporation’s  Long  Term  Incentive 
(“LTI”)  plan  and  in  conjunction  with  the  performance  of 
the  Corporation  in  the  2019  fiscal  year,  on  April  24,  2020 
the Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance 
Committee  approved  LTI  compensation  of  $1.8  million 
(2019 – $1.7 million) to be paid as Common Shares issued 
from  treasury.  As  at  December  31,  2020,  the  value  of  the 
Common Shares held by the LTI custodian was $3.1 million 
(December 31, 2019 – $2.7 million) which was comprised of 
79,423 in unvested Common Shares (December 31, 2019 – 
64,924) with a nil aggregate cost (December 31, 2019 – $nil).

As  at  March  18,  2021  there  were  10,676,889  Common 
Shares  issued  and  outstanding  including  79,423  Common 
Shares issued but held as unvested treasury shares.

Related Party 
Transactions

The  Corporation  incurred  expenses  in  the  normal  course 
of  business  for  advisory  consulting  services  provided  by 
Mr.  Matthew  Hills,  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Directors. 
The  amounts  charged  are  recorded  at  their  exchange 
amounts and are on arm’s length terms. For the year ended 
December 31, 2020, the Corporation incurred fees totaling 
$138,000 (2019 – $138,000).

Critical Accounting 
Estimates

The  Corporation’s  summary  of  significant  accounting 
policies  are  contained  in  Note  2  to  the  2020  Audited 
Financial Statements.

The  2020  Audited  Financial  Statements  include  estimates 
and  assumptions  made  by  management  in  respect  of 
operating  results, 
financial  conditions,  contingencies, 
commitments, and related disclosures. Actual results may 
vary from these estimates. The following are, in the opinion 
of management, the Corporation’s most critical accounting 

32

estimates,  being  those  that  involve  the  most  difficult, 
subjective  and  complex 
judgments,  and/or  requiring 
estimates  that  are  inherently  uncertain  and  which  may 
change in subsequent reporting periods.

K-Bro  has  continuously  refined  and  documented 
its 
management  and  internal  reporting  systems  to  ensure 
that  accurate,  timely,  internal  and  external  information  is 
gathered  and  disseminated.  Management  also  regularly 
evaluates  these  estimates  and  assumptions  which  are 
based on past experience and other factors that are deemed 
reasonable under the circumstances.

K-Bro has hired individuals and consultants who have the 
skills  required  to  make  such  estimates  and  ensures  that 
individuals or departments with the most knowledge of the 
activity are responsible for the estimates. Furthermore, past 
estimates are reviewed and compared to actual results, and 
actual  results  are  compared  to  budgets  in  order  to  make 
more informed decisions on future estimates.

K-Bro’s  leadership  team’s  mandate 
includes  ongoing 
development  of  procedures,  standards  and  systems  to 
allow  K-Bro  staff  to  make  the  best  decisions  possible 
and  ensuring  those  decisions  are  in  compliance  with  the 
Corporation’s policies.

Preparation  of  the  Corporation’s  consolidated  financial 
statements  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and 
assumptions that affect:

 ·  volume rebates;

 · 

 · 

linen in service;

intangible assets;

 ·  goodwill;

 · 

income taxes;

 ·  provisions; and,

 ·  allowance for doubtful accounts;

 ·  segment information; 

 ·  property, plant and equipment; 

 ·  right of use assets and lease liabilities; and,

 · 

lease terms.

The  estimates  and  associated  assumptions  are  based  on 
historical  experience  and  various  other  factors  that  are 
believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances,  the 
results  of  which  form  the  basis  of  making  the  judgments 
about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and 
judgments have been applied in a manner consistent with 
prior periods.

We Are Dependable.33

  COVID-19 Risk

 The  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  has  caused  world 
governments  to  institute  travel  restrictions  both  in  and 
out  of  and  within  Canada  and  the  UK,  which  has  had, 
and is expected to continue to have a significant adverse 
impact  on  the  Corporation’s  hospitality  business,  the 
duration  of  which  we  are  unable  to  predict  with  any 
degree of accuracy. 

 The  extent  of  such  negative  effects  on  our  hospitality 
business and our financial and operational performance 
will  depend  on  future  developments,  including  the 
duration, spread and severity of COVID-19 outbreaks, the 
availability and effectiveness of the vaccine, the duration 
and  geographic  scope  of  related  travel  advisories  and 
restrictions and the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on overall demand for personal and business 
travel,  all  of  which  are  highly  uncertain  and  cannot  be 
predicted with any degree of accuracy. As hotels continue 
to  experience  significantly  reduced  occupancy  rates  for 
an  extended  period,  consolidated  results  of  operations 
will  be  significantly  impacted.  The  extent  to  which  the 
outbreaks affects our earnings will depend on the length 
of  time  the  hospitality  industry  continues  to  experience 
reduced  occupancy  rates.  Earnings  will  continue  to  be 
particularly affected if we continue to experience further 
reductions  in  travel  and  reduced  hospitality  occupancy 
rates.  Additionally,  our  suppliers  or  other  third  parties 
we rely upon may experience delays or shortages, which 
could have an adverse effect on our business prospects 
and results of operations.

 As an ongoing risk, the duration and full financial effect 
of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  continues  to  be  uncertain 
at  this  time,  however,  the  Corporation  is  managing  the 
ongoing  risk  through  the  Corporation’s  business  conti-
nuity plan and other mitigating measures. Any estimate 
of the length and severity of these developments is there-
fore  subject  to  significant  uncertainty,  and  accordingly 
estimates of the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic 
may  materially  and  adversely  affect  the  Corporation’s 
operations,  financial  results  and  condition  in  future 
periods are also subject to significant uncertainty. 

 Uncertainty  about  judgments,  estimates  and  assump-
tions made by management during the preparation of the 
Corporation’s  consolidated  financial  statements  related 
to potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on revenue, 
expenses,  assets,  liabilities,  and  note  disclosures  could 
result  in  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  value  of 
the asset or liability affected.

The  following  discusses  the  most  significant  accounting 
judgments  and  estimates  that  the  Corporation  has  made 
in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:

AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT JUDGEMENT 

  Recognition of Rebate Liabilities

 In applying its accounting policy for volume rebates, the 
Corporation  must  determine  whether  the  processing 
volume  thresholds  will  be  achieved.  The  most  difficult 
and  subjective  area  of  judgment  is  whether  a  contract 
will  generate  satisfactory  volume  to  achieve  minimum 
levels. Management considers all appropriate facts and 
circumstances  in  making  this  assessment  including 
historical experience, current volumetric run-rates, and 
expected future events.

 Impairment of Goodwill & Non-financial Assets

 Management reviews goodwill at least annually and other 
non-financial assets when there is any indication that the 
asset might be impaired. The assessment of impairment 
is  based  on  management’s  judgment  of  whether  there 
are  sufficient  internal  and  external  factors  that  would 
indicate that an asset is impaired.

  The Corporation applies judgment in: 

 ·

 assessing  the  likelihood  of  renewal  of  significant 
contracts included in the intangible assets described 
in Note 8,

 · determining  the  appropriate  discount  rate  and 

growth rate

 ·

 determining the appropriate comparable companies 
used in earnings multiple approach.

 During  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  based  off  impairment 
indicators  that  existed  as  a  result  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic, management had assessed the impairment of 
assets based off facts and circumstances which suggest 
that the carrying amount in certain CGUs may exceed its 
recoverable amount, refer to Note 26 for further detail.

 Segment Identification

 When determining its reportable segments, the Corporation 
considers qualitative factors, such as operations that offer 
distinct  products  and  services  and  are  considered  to  be 
significant by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, identi-
fied  as  the  Chief  Executive  Officer.  Aggregation  occurs 
when  the  operating  segments  have  similar  economic 
characteristics and have similar (a) products and services; 
(b) geographic proximity; (c) type or class of customer for 
their products and services; (d) methods used to distribute 
their products or provide their services; and (e) nature of 
the regulatory environment, if applicable. 

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
34
34

Lease Term

 In  determining  the  lease  term,  management  considers 
all  facts  and  circumstances  that  create  an  economic 
incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise 
a termination option. Extension options (or periods after 
termination options) are only included in the lease term 
if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not 
terminated).  For  many  of  the  leases  the  cash  outflows 
associated  with  the  lease  extension  term  would  be 
material.  The  assessment  is  reviewed  if  a  significant 
event  or  a  significant  change  in  circumstances  occurs 
which  affects  this  assessment  and  that  is  within  the 
control of the lessee.

AREAS OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

 Incremental Borrowing Rate

 In applying its accounting policy for leases management 
considers all appropriate facts and circumstances in the 
determination  the  lessee’s  incremental  borrowing  rate 
being used and these rates are reviewed and update on 
an annual basis.

 Amortization of Property, Plant & 
Equipment, & Intangible Assets 

 In  applying  its  accounting  policy  for  the  amortization  of 
property,  plant  and  equipment,  and  intangible  assets, 
management considers all appropriate facts and circum-
stances in the determination of the appropriate rates and 
methodology to allocate costs over their estimated useful 
lives, including historical experience, current volumetric 
run-rates, and expected future events. 

  Linen in Service

 The  estimated  service  lives  of  linen  in  service  are 
reviewed at least annually and are updated if expectations 
change as a result of physical wear and tear, technical or 
commercial obsolescence and legal or other limits of use. 

  Provisions

 The  Corporation’s  provision  includes  restructure  costs 
and  the  restoration  for  premises  of  its  leased  plants. 
The  Corporation  determines  restructure  costs  based 
off  employment  standards  and  legal  consultation.  For 
leased  plants,  a  provision  has  been  recognized  for  the 
present  value  of  the  estimated  expenditure  required  to 
remove any leasehold improvements and installed equip-
ment. Refer to Note 10 for more details about estimation 
for this provision.

  Impairment of Goodwill & Non-financial Assets

 During  instances  where  indication  of  impairment  exists, 
the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order 
to determine the extent of the impairment loss. Where it 
is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an 
individual  asset,  the  Corporation  estimates  the  recover-
able amount of the cash generating unit to which the asset 
belongs. The recoverable value of CGUs require the use of 
estimates related to the future operating results and cash 
generating  ability  of  the  assets.  The  Corporation  applies 
estimates  in  identifying  the  appropriate  discount  rate 
and  growth  rate  used  to  estimate  the  recoverable  value, 
identifying  the  CGUs  to  which  intangible  assets  should 
be  allocated  to,  and  the  CGU  or  group  of  CGUs  at  which 
goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

 Management  regularly  evaluates  these  estimates  and 
judgments. Revisions to accounting estimates are recog-
nized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the 
revision  affects  only  that  period  or  in  the  period  of  the 
revision  and  future  periods  if  the  revision  affects  both 
current and future periods.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
35

Terminology
EBITDA

K-Bro  reports  EBITDA  (Earnings  before  interest,  taxes, 
depreciation  and  amortization)  as  a  key  measure  used  by 
management  to  evaluate  performance.  EBITDA  is  utilized 
to  measure  compliance  with  debt  covenants  and  to  make 
decisions related to dividends to Shareholders. We believe 
EBITDA  assists  investors  to  assess  our  performance  on 
a  consistent  basis  as  it  is  an  indication  of  our  capacity  to 
generate income from operations before taking into account 
management’s financing decisions and costs of consuming 
tangible and intangible capital assets, which vary according 
to their vintage, technological currency and management’s 
estimate of their useful life. Accordingly, EBITDA comprises 

revenues less operating costs before financing costs, capital 
asset and intangible asset amortization, and income taxes.

EBITDA  is  a  sub-total  presented  within  the  statement  of 
earnings in accordance with the amendments made to IAS 
1  which  became  effective  January  1,  2016.  EBITDA  is  not 
considered  an  alternative  to  net  earnings  in  measuring 
K-Bro’s  performance.  EBITDA  should  not  be  used  as  an 
exclusive measure of cash flow since it does not account for 
the impact of working capital changes, capital expenditures, 
debt changes and other sources and uses of cash, which are 
disclosed in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Net earnings  
Add:
Income tax expense  
Finance expense  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Amortization of intangible assets  
EBITDA  

Three Months Ended December 31,

Years Ended December 31,

2020 

2,135  

1,646  
836  
6,157  
953  
11,727  

2019 

2,195  

683  
1,213  
6,053  
958  
11,102  

2020(1) 

3,782  

2,617  
3,961  
24,048  
3,836  
38,244  

2019

10,906

2,900
5,802
24,705
3,260
47,573

1 Q1 2020 includes an adjustment of $5.5 million for an impairment related charge to the Canadian Division.

2020 Annual Report36

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Adjusted EBITDA Without Adoption of IFRS 16

Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 is a measure which has been reported in order to assist in the comparison 
of  historical  EBITDA  to  current  results.  “Adjusted  EBITDA”  without  adoption  of  IFRS  16  is  defined  as  EBITDA  (defined 
above) with the exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not 
considered part of our core operations.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

EBITDA  
Add back IFRS 16 Adjustments:
Delivery 
Occupancy costs  

Three Months Ended December 31,

Canadian 
UK 
Division  Division 
2020 

2020 

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK 
Division 
2019 

2020 

2019

11,951  

(224)  

11,727  

8,737  

2,365 

11,102

(423)  
(1,107)  

(441)  
(176)  

(864)  
(1,283)  

(343)  
(1,111)  

(360) 
(172) 

(703)
(1,283)

EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 

10,421 

(841) 

9,580  

7,283 

1,833 

9,116

Add back non-reoccuring items:
Impairment of assets  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-  

-

Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16  

10,421  

(841)  

9,580  

7,283  

1,833  

9,116

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

EBITDA  
Add back IFRS 16 Adjustments:
Delivery 
Occupancy costs  

Years Ended December 31,

Canadian 
UK 
Division  Division 
2020 

2020 

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK 
Division 
2019 

2020 

2019

38,365  

(121)  

38,244  

35,843  

11,730 

47,573

(1,442)  
(4,421)  

(1,582)  
(1,283)  

(3,024)  
(5,704)  

(1,391)  
(4,400)  

(2,001) 
(1,088) 

(3,392)
(5,488)

EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16 

32,502 

(2,986) 

29,516  

30,052 

8,641 

38,693

Add back non-reoccuring items:
Impairment of assets  

5,516  

-  

5,516  

-  

-  

-

Adjusted EBITDA without adoption of IFRS 16  

38,018  

(2,986)  

35,032  

30,052  

8,641  

38,693

Adjusted Net Earnings Without Adoption of IFRS 16 & Adjusted Net Earnings Without Adoption 
of IFRS 16 per Share

Adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share are measures which have been reported in order to assist in 
the comparison of historical net earnings to current results. “Adjusted net earnings” is defined as net earnings with the 
exclusion of IFRS 16, and certain material items that are unusual in nature, infrequently occurring or not considered part 
of our core operations.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
37

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Net earnings (loss)  
Add back IFRS 16 Adjustments:
Delivery 
Occupancy costs  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Finance expense  
Income tax expense 

Three Months Ended December 31,

UK 
Canadian 
Division  Division 
2020 

2020 

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK 
Division 
2019 

2020 

4,500  

(2,365)  

2,135  

1,760  

435 

(423)  
(1,107)  
1,169 
371 
(3) 

(441)  
(176)  
812 
151 
(59) 

(864)  
(1,283)  
1,981 
522 
(62) 

(343)  
(1,111)  
1,166 
391 
(27) 

(360) 
(172) 
602 
97 
(28) 

2019

2,195

(703)
(1,283)
1,768
488
(55)

Net earnings (loss) without adoption of IFRS 16 

4,507 

(2,078) 

2,429  

1,836 

574 

2,410

Add back non-reoccuring items (net of income taxes):
Impairment of assets 
Adjusted net earnings (loss) without adoption of IFRS 16  

-  
4,507  

-  
(2,078)  

-  
2,429  

-  
1,836  

- 
574  

-
2,410

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic 
Diluted 
Adjusted net earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS per share:
Basic 
Diluted 

10,574,768  10,574,768 
10,657,750  10,657,750 

10,574,768 
10,657,750 

10,520,843  10,520,843 
10,588,170  10,588,170 

10,520,843
10,588,170

0.426 
0.423 

(0.197) 
(0.195) 

0.230 
0.228 

0.174 
0.173 

0.054 
0.054 

0.229
0.227

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Net earnings (loss)  
Add back IFRS 16 Adjustments:
Delivery 
Occupancy costs  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment  
Finance expense  
Income tax expense 

Years Ended December 31,

Canadian 
UK 
Division  Division 
2020 

2020 

Canadian 
Division 
2019 

UK 
Division 
2019 

2020 

2019

10,892  

(7,110)  

3,782  

7,787  

3,119 

10,906

(1,442)  
(4,421)  
4,469 
1,492 
(25) 

(1,582)  
(1,283)  
2,516 
452 
(18) 

(3,024)  
(5,704)  
6,985 
1,944 
(43) 

(1,391)  
(4,400)  
4,457 
1,620 
(76) 

(2,001) 
(1,088) 
2,908 
450 
(46) 

(3,392)
(5,488)
7,365
2,070
(122)

Net earnings (loss) without adoption of IFRS 16 

10,965 

(7,025) 

3,940  

7,997 

3,342 

11,339

Add back non-reoccuring items (net of income taxes):
Impairment of assets 
Adjusted net earnings (loss) without adoption of IFRS 16  

4,309  
15,274  

-  
(7,025)  

4,309  
8,249  

-  
7,997  

- 
3,342  

-
11,339

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic 
Diluted 
Adjusted net earnings (loss) without  
adoption of IFRS per share:
Basic 
Diluted 

10,557,147  10,557,147 
10,629,237  10,629,237 

10,557,147 
10,629,237 

10,508,080  10,508,080 
10,571,347  10,571,347 

10,508,080
10,571,347

1.447 
1.437 

(0.665) 
(0.661) 

0.781 
0.776 

0.761 
0.756 

0.318 
0.316 

1.079
1.072

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38

Changes in 
Accounting Policies

The  Corporation  has  prepared  its  December  31,  2020 
audited  consolidated  financial  statements  in  accordance 
with  IFRS.  See  Note  2  of  the  2020  Audited  Financial 
Statements for more information regarding the significant 
accounting  principles  used  to  prepare  the  2020  Audited 
Financial Statements. 

Recent Accounting 
Pronouncements

The Corporation has not adopted any standard, interpreta-
tion or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effec-
tive and no material impact is expected on the Corporation’s 
consolidated financial statements.

  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

 In August 2020, the IASB issued Interest Rate Benchmark 
Reform  –  Phase  2,  which  amends  IFRS  9  Financial 
Instruments,  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition 
and  Measurement, 
Instruments: 
Disclosures,  IFRS  4  Insurance  Contracts  and  IFRS  16 
Leases.  The  amendments  apply  for  annual  periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Earlier application 
is permitted.

IFRS  7  Financial 

 The  Phase  2  amendments  address  issues  that  might 
affect financial reporting during the reform of an interest 
rate  benchmark,  including  the  effects  of  changes  to 
contractual  cash  flows  or  hedging  relationships  arising 
from the replacement of an interest rate benchmark with 
an alternative benchmark rate.

 The Corporation does not expect a material impact from 
the  application  of  the  Phase  2  amendments  given  that 
the  contractual  cash  flows  of  its  financial  instruments 
and lease liabilities are not dependent upon any interest 
rate benchmarks under the scope of the reform and the 
Corporation does not apply hedge accounting.

DISTRIBUTABLE CASH FLOW

Distributable  cash  flow  is  a  measure  used  by  manage-
ment  to  evaluate  the  Corporation’s  performance.  While 
the  closest  IFRS  measure  is  cash  provided  by  operating 
activities,  distributable  cash  flow  is  considered  relevant 
because it provides an indication of how much cash gener-
ated  by  operations  is  available  after  capital  expenditures. 
It should be noted that although we consider this measure 
to  be  distributable  cash  flow,  financial  and  non-financial 
covenants  in  our  credit  facilities  and  dealer  agreements 
may  restrict  cash  from  being  available  for  dividends, 
reinvestment  in  the  Corporation,  potential  acquisitions,  or 
other purposes. Investors should be cautioned that distrib-
utable  cash  flow  may  not  actually  be  available  for  growth 
or  distribution  from  the  Corporation.  Management  refers 
to  “Distributable  cash  flow”  as  to  cash  provided  by  (used 
in)  operating  activities  with  the  addition  of  net  changes  in 
non-cash working capital items, less share-based compen-
sation,  maintenance  capital  expenditures  and  principal 
elements of lease payments.

PAYOUT RATIO

“Payout ratio” is defined by management as the actual cash 
dividend divided by distributable cash. This is a key measure 
used  by  investors  to  value  K-Bro,  assess  its  performance 
and provide an indication of the sustainability of dividends. 
The payout ratio depends on the distributable cash and the 
Corporation’s dividend policy.

DEBT TO TOTAL CAPITAL

“Debt  to  total  capital”  is  defined  by  management  as  the 
total  longterm  debt  (excludes  lease  liabilities)  divided  by 
the  Corporation’s  total  capital.  This  is  a  measure  used  by 
investors to assess the Corporation’s financial structure.

Distributable  cash  flow,  payout  ratio,  debt  to  total  capital 
adjusted  EBITDA,  adjusted  net  earnings,  and  adjusted  net 
earnings  per  share  are  not  calculations  based  on  IFRS 
and are not considered an alternative to IFRS measures in 
measuring  K-Bro’s  performance.  Distributable  cash  Flow, 
payout  ratio,  adjusted  EBITDA,  adjusted  net  earnings,  and 
adjusted net earnings per share do not have standardized 
meanings in IFRS and are therefore not likely to be compa-
rable with similar measures used by other issuers.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As at December 31, 2020, the Corporation has not entered 
into any off balance sheet arrangements.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
39

Financial 
Instruments

The  Corporation’s  financial 
instruments  at  December 
31,  2020  and  2019  consist  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents, 
accounts  receivable,  accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabil-
ities,  lease  liabilities,  dividends  payable  to  shareholders, 
and  long  term  debt.  The  Corporation  does  not  enter  into 
financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. 

The Corporation classifies its financial assets as those to be 
measured subsequently at fair value (either through other 
comprehensive income or loss, or though profit or loss), and 
those to be measured at amortized cost. The Corporation’s 
financial assets are measured at amortized cost using the 
effective  interest  method  under  IFRS  9.  At  initial  recogni-
tion, K-Bro measures a financial asset at fair value plus, in 
the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit 
or  loss,  transaction  costs  that  are  directly  attributable  to 
the  acquisition  of  the  financial  asset.  Transaction  costs  of 
financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss 
are expensed in profit or loss.

Accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  and  dividends 
payable are recognized initially at their fair value and subse-
quently  measured  at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective 
interest  method.  Lease  liabilities  are  recognized  initially 
at  their  net  present  value  and  subsequently  measured 
at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method. 
The  Corporation’s  financial  liabilities  consist  of  accounts 
payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  lease  liabilities,  dividends 
payable to shareholders, and long-term debt. 

Long-term debt and borrowings are initially recognized at 
fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and are subse-
quently  measured  at  amortized  cost.  Long-term  debt  and 
borrowings are removed from the balance sheet when the 
obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled 
or expired. 

The difference between the carrying amount of a financial 
liability that has been extinguished or transferred to another 
party  and  the  consideration  paid,  including  any  non-cash 
assets  transferred  or  liabilities  assumed,  is  recognized  in 
profit or loss as other income or finance costs. Borrowings 
are classified as current liabilities unless the group has an 
unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at 
least 12 months after the reporting period.

Financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset  and  the  net 
amount  reported  in  the  balance  sheet  when  there  is  a 
legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts 
and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize 
the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date 
a  derivative  contract  is  entered  into  and  are  subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting 
period and included as part of the profit and loss. Derivative 
financial  instruments  are  utilized  by  the  Corporation  to 
manage  cash  flow  risk  against  the  volatility  in  interest 
rates  on  its  longterm  debt  and  foreign  exchange  rates  on 
its  equipment  purchase  commitments.  The  Corporation 
typically does not utilize derivative financial instruments for 
trading or speculative purposes. 

The  Corporation  has  a  floating  interest  rate  debt  that 
gives  rise  to  risks  that  its  earnings  and  cash  flows  may 
be  adversely  impacted  by  fluctuations  in  interest  rates.  In 
order to manage these risks, the Corporation may enter into 
interest rate swaps, forward contracts on foreign currency, 
utilities and textiles or option contracts. 

The  Corporation  has  entered  into  several  electrical  and 
natural gas contracts at December 31, 2020. The Corporation 
has examined the terms of the natural gas and electricity 
contracts  and  has  determined  that  these  contracts  will 
be physically settled and as such are not considered to be 
financial instruments.

Critical Risks 
& Uncertainties

As at December 31, 2020, there are no material changes in 
the Corporation’s risks or risk management activities since 
December 31, 2019. The Corporation’s results of operations, 
business  prospects,  financial  condition,  cash  dividends  to 
Shareholders and the trading price of the Common Shares 
are subject to a number of risks. These risk factors include: 
the adverse impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic 
on the Corporation, which is significant, particularly to our 
hospitality  segment;  dependence  on  long-term  contracts 
and  the  associated  renewal  risk  thereof;  the  effects  of 
market  volatility  and  uncertainty;  potential  future  tax 
changes;  the  Corporation’s  competitive  environment  and 
increased competition; our ability to acquire and success-
fully  integrate  and  operate  additional  businesses;  utility 
costs;  the  labour  markets;  the  fact  that  our  credit  facility 
imposes numerous covenants and encumbers assets; and, 
environmental matters.

For a discussion of these risks and other risks associated 
with  an  investment  in  the  Common  Shares,  see  “Risk 
Factors – Risks Related to K-Bro and the Laundry and Linen 
Industry  detailed  in  the  Corporation’s  Annual  Information 
Form” that is available at www.sedar.com. 

2020 Annual Report40

A  control  system,  no  matter  how  well  conceived  and 
operated,  can  provide  only  reasonable,  and  not  absolute, 
assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. 
As a result of the inherent limitations in all control systems, 
no  evaluation  of  controls  can  provide  absolute  assurance 
that  all  control  issues,  including  instance  of  fraud,  if  any, 
have  been  detected.  These  inherent  limitations  include, 
amongst  other  items:  (i)  that  managements’  assumptions 
and judgments could ultimately prove to be incorrect under 
varying conditions and circumstances; or, (ii) the impact of 
isolated errors.

Additionally, controls may be circumvented by the unautho-
rized acts of individuals, by collusion of two or more people, 
or  by  management  override.  The  design  of  any  system  of 
controls  is  also  based,  in  part,  upon  certain  assumptions 
about  the  likelihood  of  future  events,  and  there  can  be  no 
assurance  that  any  design  will  succeed  in  achieving  its 
stated goals under all potential (future) conditions.

Additional  information  regarding  K-Bro  including  required  securities  filings 
are  available  on  our  website  at  www.k-brolinen.com  and  on  the  Canadian 
Securities Administrators’ website at www.sedar.com; the System for Electronic 
Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”).

Vous  pouvez  obtenir  des  renseignements  supplémentaires  sur  la  Société, 
y  compris  les  documents  déposés  auprès  des  autorités  de  réglementation, 
sur  notre  site  Web,  au  www.k-brolinen.com  et  sur  le  site  Web  des  autorités 
canadiennes en valeurs mobilières au www.sedar.com, le site Web du Système 
électronique de données, d’analyse et de recherche (« SEDAR »).

Controls & 
Procedures

In order to ensure that information with regard to reports 
filed or submitted under securities legislation present fairly 
in all material respects the financial information of K-Bro, 
management,  including  the  President  and  Chief  Executive 
Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), are 
responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  disclosure 
controls  and  procedures,  as  well  as  internal  control  over 
financial reporting.

DISCLOSURE CONTROLS & PROCEDURES

The  Corporation  has  established  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures  to  ensure  that  information  disclosed  in  this 
MD&A  and  the  related  financial  statements  of  K-Bro  was 
properly  recorded,  processed,  summarized  and  reported 
to  the  Board  of  Directors  and  the  Audit  Committee.  The 
Corporation’s  CEO  and  CFO  have  evaluated  the  effective-
ness  of  these  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  for  the 
year ended December 31, 2020, and the CEO and CFO have 
concluded that these controls were operating effectively.

INTERNAL CONTROLS OVER  
FINANCIAL REPORTING

The  CEO  and  CFO  acknowledge  responsibility  for  the 
design of internal controls over financial reporting (“ICFR”). 
Consequently the CEO and CFO confirm that the additions 
to  these  controls  that  occurred  during  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2020, did not materially affect, or are reason-
ably likely to materially affect, the Corporation’s ICFR. Based 
upon their evaluation of these controls for the year ended 
December 31, 2020, the CEO and CFO have concluded that 
these controls were operating effectively.

We Are Dependable.Independent Auditor’s Report

43 
49   Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
50  

 Consolidated Statements of Earnings  
& Comprehensive Income

51   Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
52   Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow
53   Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
83   Corporate Information

43

2020 Annual Report44

We Are Dependable.45

2020 Annual Report47

2020 Annual Report48

We Are Dependable.49

Consolidated Statements  
of Financial Position

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents  
Accounts receivable  
Income tax receivable  
Prepaid expenses and deposits  
Linen in service (note 6)  

Property, plant and equipment (note 7)  
Intangible assets (note 8)  
Goodwill (note 9)  

LIABILITIES
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and other liabilities  
Provisions (note 10)  
Contract liability (note 3)  
Lease liabilities (note 13)  
Income taxes payable  
Dividends payable to shareholders  

Long-term debt (note 11)  
Lease liabilities (note 13)  
Provisions (note 10)  
Contract liability (note 3)  
Deferred income taxes (note 14)  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share capital  
Contributed surplus  
Deficit  
Accumulated other comprehensive income  

Contingencies and commitments (note 15)

DECEMBER 31, 2020 

DECEMBER 31, 2019

2,416 
28,108 
370 
4,231 
31,549 
66,674  

208,660  
9,980  
38,497  
323,811  

24,620  
884  
1,259  
8,298  
2,623  
1,068  
38,752  

40,657  
37,705  
2,789  
406  
13,998  
134,307  

204,869  
2,281  
(19,079)  
1,433  
189,504  

323,811  

5,301
34,900
-
4,334
26,039
70,574

226,332
13,699
41,454
352,059

28,689
-
-
8,297
1,507
1,060
39,553

62,494
38,531
2,838
-
12,592
156,008

203,110
2,241
(10,078)
778
196,051

352,059

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Approved by the 
Board of Directors

ROSS S. SMITH,  
DIRECTOR

MATTHEW HILLS,  
DIRECTOR

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings 
& Comprehensive Income

Years Ended December 31,

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except share and per share amounts)  

REVENUE (note 25)  

Expenses
Wages and benefits (notes 3 and 15) 
Linen (note 6)  
Utilities  
Delivery (notes 3 and 15)  
Occupancy costs (note 3)  
Materials and supplies  
Repairs and maintenance  
Corporate (note 3)  
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment  
Impairment of assets (note 26) 

EBITDA  

Other expenses
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 7)  
Amortization of intangible assets (note 8)  
Finance expense (note 12)  

Earnings before income taxes  
Current income tax expense 
Deferred income tax expense  
Income tax expense (note 14)  
Net earnings 

Other comprehensive income 
Items that may be subsequently reclassified to earnings:
  Foreign currency translation differences on foreign operations  
Total comprehensive income  

Net earnings per share (note 17):
Basic  
Diluted  

Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
Basic  
Diluted  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2020 

196,591  

67,620  
24,780  
11,644  
20,719  
3,561  
6,986  
7,006  
10,520  
(5)  
5,516  
158,347  
38,244  

24,048  
3,836  
3,961  
31,845  

6,399  
1,234  
1,383  
2,617  
3,782  

655  
4,437  

0.36  
0.36  

10,557,147  
10,629,237  

10,508,080
10,571,347

50

2019

252,410

99,562
27,463
16,427
28,789
4,483
8,256
8,761
11,104
(8)
-
204,837
47,573

24,705
3,260
5,802
33,767

13,806
1,722
1,178
2,900
10,906

(888)
10,018

1.04
1.03

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
51

Consolidated Statements  
of Changes in Equity

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Total Share  Contributed 
Surplus 

Capital 

  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive 
Income 

Deficit 

As at December 31, 2019 
Total comprehensive income  
Dividends declared (note 19)  
Employee share based compensation expense  
Shares vested during the year  
As at December 31, 2020  

203,110  
-  
-  
-  
1,759  
204,869  

2,241  
-  
-  
1,799  
(1,759)  
2,281  

(10,078)  
3,782 
(12,783)  
-  
-  
(19,079)  

778  
655  
-  
-  
-  
1,433  

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Total Share  Contributed 
Surplus 

Capital 

  Accumulated Other
Comprehensive 
Income 

Deficit 

As at December 31, 2018  
Change in accounting policy (note 3)  
Restated total equity at January 1, 2019  
Total comprehensive income  
Dividends declared (note 19)  
Employee share based compensation expense  
Shares vested during the year  
As at December 31, 2019  

201,429  
-  
201,429  
-  
-  
-  
1,681  
203,110  

2,112  
-  
2,112  
-  
-  
1,810  
(1,681)  
2,241  

(6,547)  
(1,730) 
(8,277)  
10,906  
(12,707)  
-  
-  
(10,078)  

1,666  
-  
1,666  
(888)  
-  
-  
-  
778  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Total
Equity

196,051
4,437
(12,783)
1,799
-
189,504

Total
Equity

198,660
(1,730)
196,930
10,018
(12,707)
1,810
-
196,051

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow

Years Ended December 31,

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings  
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (note 7)  
Amortization of intangible assets (note 8)  
Gain on forgiveness of lease liabilities (note 3)  
Accretion expense (note 10)  
Employee share based compensation expense  
Gain on disposal of property, plant and equipment  
Impairment of assets (note 26)  
Deferred income taxes  

Change in non-cash working capital items (note 20)  
Cash provided by operating activities  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net repayment of revolving debt (note 11)  
Principle elements of lease payments (note 3)  
Dividends paid to shareholders  
Cash used in financing activities  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment  
Purchase of intangible assets (note 8)  
Cash used in investing activities  

Change in cash and cash equivalents during the year  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  

Supplementary cash flow information
Interest paid  
Income taxes paid  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2020 

3,782  
24,048  
3,836  
(464)  
29  
1,799 
(5)  
5,516  
1,383  
39,924  

2,472  
42,396  

(21,837)  
(6,222)  
(12,775)  
(40,834)  

(4,420)  
7  
-  
(4,413)  

(2,851)  
(34)  
5,301  
2,416  

3,849  
518  

52

2019

10,906
24,705
3,260
-
199
1,810
(8)
-
1,178
42,050

1,866
43,916

(7,709)
(6,691)
(12,703)
(27,103)

(12,942)
51
(1,439)
(14,330)

2,483
(9)
2,827
5,301

5,459
228

We Are Dependable. 
53

Notes to the Consolidated  
Financial Statements

(Thousands of Canadian dollars except share and per share amounts, Years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019)

K-Bro Linen Inc. (the “Corporation” or “K-Bro”) is incorporated 
in  Canada  under  the  Business  Corporations  Act  (Alberta). 
K-Bro  is  the  largest  owner  and  operator  of  laundry  and 
linen  processing  facilities  in  Canada  and  a  market  leader 
for  laundry  and  textile  services  in  Scotland  and  the  North 
East of England. K-Bro and its wholly owned subsidiaries, 
operate  across  Canada  and  the  United  Kingdom  (“UK”), 
provide a range of linen services to healthcare institutions, 
hotels and other commercial organizations that include the 
processing, management and distribution of general linen 
and operating room linen. 

The  Corporation’s  operations  in  Canada  include  nine 
processing  facilities  and  two  distribution  centres  under 
three  distinctive  brands,  including  K-Bro  Linen  Systems 
Inc., Buanderie HMR and Les Buanderies Dextraze, in ten 
Canadian  cities:  Québec  City,  Montréal,  Toronto,  Regina, 
Saskatoon,  Prince  Albert,  Edmonton,  Calgary,  Vancouver 
and Victoria.

The  Corporation’s  operations  in  the  UK  include  Fishers 
Topco  Ltd.  (“Fishers”)  which  was  acquired  by  K-Bro  on 
November  27,  2017.  Fishers  was  established  in  1900  and 
is  an  operator  of  laundry  and  linen  processing  facilities 
in  Scotland,  providing  linen  rental,  workwear  hire  and 
cleanroom  garment  services  to  the  hospitality,  health-
care, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors. Fishers’ 
client  base  includes  major  hotel  chains  and  prestigious 
venues across Scotland and the North East of England. The 
company operates in five cities, in Scotland and the North 
East  of  England  with  facilities  in  Cupar,  Perth,  Newcastle, 
Livingston and Coatbridge.

The Corporation’s common shares are traded on the Toronto 
Stock Exchange under the symbol “KBL”. The address of the 
Corporation’s registered head office is 14903 – 137 Avenue, 
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

These unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial 
Statements were approved and authorized for issuance by 
the Board of Directors (“the Board”) on March 18, 2021.

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  of  the  Corporation 
have  been  prepared 
in  accordance  with  International 
Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  published  in  the  CPA 
Canada Handbook (IFRS). The preparation of financial state-
ments  in  conformity  with  IFRS  requires  the  use  of  certain 
critical  accounting  estimates.  It  also  requires  manage-
ment  to  exercise  its  judgment  in  the  process  of  applying 
the  Corporation’s  accounting  policies.  The  areas  involving 
a  higher  degree  of  judgment  or  complexity,  or  areas 
where  assumptions  and  estimates  are  significant  to  the 
Consolidated Financial Statements are disclosed in Note 5.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation 
of  these  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  are  set  out 
below. These policies have been consistently applied to all 
the periods presented, unless otherwise stated.

a) Basis of Measurement

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared 
under the historical cost convention.

b) Principles of Consolidation

financial  statements 

the 
The  consolidated 
Corporation, 
its  wholly  owned  subsidiaries,  and  the 
long-term incentive plan account (Note 2(o)). All inter-com-
pany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon 
consolidation.

include 

c) Cash & Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on hand, deposits 
with banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with 
original maturities of three months or less.

Cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  classified  as  loans  and 
receivables  and  are  carried  at  amortized  cost,  which  is 
equivalent to fair value.

2020 Annual Report54

d) Linen in Service

Linen in service is stated at cost less accumulated depre-
ciation.  The  cost  is  based  on  the  expenditures  that  are 
directly attributable to the acquisition of linen, amortization 
commences when linen is put into service; with operating 
room  linen  amortized  across  its  estimated  service  life  of 
24  months  and  general  linen  amortized  based  on  usage 
which results in an estimated average service life of 24 to 
36 months.

e) Revenue Recognition

A laundry services contract is a contract specifically negoti-
ated for the provision of laundry and linen services. Revenue 
is based on contractually set pricing on a consistent unit-of-
weight  or  price-per-piece  basis  for  each  service  over  the 
term  of  the  contract.  The  Corporation  reports  revenue 
under  two  revenue  categories:  healthcare  and  hospitality 
services. When determining the proper revenue recognition 
method  for  contracts,  the  Corporation  evaluates  whether 
two or more contracts should be combined and accounted 
for  as  one  single  contract  and  whether  the  combined  or 
single contract should be accounted for as more than one 
performance  obligation.  The  Corporation  accounts  for  a 
contract  when,  it  has  commercial  substance,  the  parties 
have  approved  the  contract  in  accordance  with  customary 
business practices and are committed to their obligations, 
the rights of the parties and payment terms are identified, 
and collectability of consideration is probable. 

  1. Identifying the Contract

 The Corporation’s policy for revenue recognition requires 
an  appropriately  authorized  contract,  with  sign-off  by 
representatives  from  all  respective  parties  before  any 
services  are  provided  to  a  customer.  Contained  within 
the  terms  of  these  contracts  is  detailed  information 
identifying  each  party’s  rights  regarding  the  laundry 
and linen services to be provided, as well as associated 
payment  terms  (i.e.,  service  pricing,  early  payment 
discounts,  invoicing  requirements,  etc.).  In  addition,  the 
Corporation’s  contracts  have  commercial  substance 
as  the  services  to  be  provided  will  directly  impact  the 
Corporation’s future cash flows via incoming revenue and 
related outgoing expenditures. 

 As  part  of  the  Corporation’s  analysis  in  reviewing  and 
accepting a contract, the Corporation assesses the likeli-
hood  of  collection  from  all  prospective  customers  and 
only transacts with those customers from which payment 
is  probable.  As  the  Corporation’s  significant  customer 
contracts  are  generally  with  government-funded  health 
agencies and large volume hotels, it is probable that the 
Corporation  will  collect  the  consideration  to  which  is 
entitled for the performance of these contracts. 

 For services provided following the expiration of a contract 
and  subsequent  renewal  negotiations,  the  terms  of  the 
original contract carry forward until the new agreement 
has  been  appropriately  authorized.  This  is  confirmed 
through verbal approval and is consistent with customary 
business practices. 

  2. Identifying Performance Obligations in a Contract

 Linen  services  are  provided  to  the  Corporation’s 
customers consecutively over a period of time (i.e., daily 
deliveries over the contract term) and the same method 
is used to measure the Corporation’s progress in satis-
fying  the  performance  of  the  contract  (i.e.,  revenue 
is  based  on  contractually  set  pricing  on  a  consistent 
unit-of-weight or price-per-piece basis for each service 
over  the  term  of  the  contract).  Additionally,  these 
services  generally  include  integrated  processing  and 
delivery, consist of a single deliverable (clean processed 
volume), and in the case of rental linen, are not offered 
individually (rental linen is used as an input in the provi-
sion of standard laundry and linen services). Therefore, 
the  services  provided  under  one  service  agreement 
constitute a single performance obligation.

 3. Determining the Transaction Price

 The majority of the Corporation’s contracts utilize a fixed 
pricing model. These contracts stipulate a fixed rate to be 
charged to customers on a price-per-unit basis, including 
either  weight-based  or  item-based  billing.  For  these 
types of arrangements, revenue is recognized over time 
as  each  unit  of  linen  is  processed  and  delivered  using 
the fixed consideration rate per the contract. In addition 
to  the  above  pricing  methodology,  some  contracts  have 
additional  components  which  meet  the  definition  of 
variable consideration per IFRS 15, which are accounted 
for using the most likely amount method. The estimates 
of  variable  consideration  and  determination  of  whether 
to  include  estimated  amounts  in  the  transaction  price 
are based largely on an assessment of the Corporation’s 
anticipated  performance  and  all  information,  historical, 
current, and forecasted, that is reasonably available.

   4. Allocating the Transaction Price

 Each  of  the  customer’s  individual  customer  contracts 
represents a single performance obligation. As a result, 
the transaction price for each contract (based on contrac-
tually  stipulated  fixed  and  variable  pricing  for  a  single 
deliverable) is allocated to each processed item based on 
the agreed upon rate.

 Volume  rebates,  where  applicable,  are  recorded  based 
on  annualized  expected  volumes  of  individual  customer 
contracts  when  it  is  reasonable  that  the  criteria  are 

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
55

likely to be met. Based on past experience, management 
believes  that  volumes  utilized  for  any  estimates  are 
reasonable and would not expect a material deviation to 
the balance of accrued liabilities or revenue. 

  5. Performance Obligations Satisfied Over Time

 The  Corporation  typically  transfers  control  of  goods  or 
services and satisfies performance obligations over time, 
once clean linen has been provided to the customer and the 
customer has accepted delivery of the processed items. 

 Payment  of  laundry  services  are  due  respective  of  the 
terms  as  indicated  in  the  customer’s  laundry  service 
contract, whereby customers are generally invoiced on a 
monthly basis and consideration is payable when invoiced.

 The  Corporation  presents  its  contract  balances,  on  a 
contract-by-contract  basis,  in  a  net  contract  asset  or 
liability  position,  separately  from  its  trade  receivables. 
Contract assets and trade receivables are both rights to 
receive consideration in exchange for goods or services 
that the Company has transferred to a customer, however 
the classification depends on whether such right is only 
conditional  on  the  passage  of  time  (trade  receivables) 
or  if  it  is  also  conditional  on  something  else  (contract 
assets), such as the satisfaction of further performance 
obligations under the contract. A contract liability is the 
cumulative amount received and contractually receivable 
by the Corporation that exceeds the right to consideration 
resulting  from  the  Corporation’s  performance  under  a 
given contract.

f) Property, Plant & Equipment

Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less 
accumulated  depreciation  and  accumulated  impairment 
losses.  Cost  includes  expenditures  that  are  directly  attrib-
utable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are 
included  in  the  asset’s  carrying  amount  or  recognized  as 
a  separate  asset,  as  appropriate,  only  when  it  is  probable 
that  future  economic  benefits  associated  with  the  item 
will flow to the Corporation and the cost of the item can be 
reliably measured. The carrying amount of a replaced part is 
de-recognized. Repairs and maintenance are charged to the 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Earnings  and  Comprehensive 
Income during the financial period in which they are incurred. 

General  and  specific  borrowing  costs  that  are  directly 
attributable  to  the  acquisition,  construction  or  production 
of  a  qualifying  asset  are  capitalized  during  the  period  of 
time that is required to complete and prepare the asset for 
its  intended  use  or  sale.  Qualifying  assets  are  assets  that 
necessarily take a substantial period of time to get ready for 
their intended use or sale. The Corporation has not capital-
ized any borrowing costs during the year as there were no 
qualifying assets.

Property,  plant  and  equipment  include  right  of  use  assets 
as disclosed under the Corporation’s leasing policy in note 
2(r). Right of use assets arise from a lease that is initially 
measured  on  a  present  value  basis,  and  are  classified 
within  the  relevant  property,  plant  and  equipment  catego-
ries based on the type of asset.

The major categories of property, plant and equipment are 
depreciated  on  a  straight-line  basis  to  allocate  their  cost 
over their estimated useful lives as follows:

Asset 

Buildings 

Laundry equipment  

Office equipment  

Delivery equipment  

Rate

15 – 25 years 

7 – 20 years 

2 – 5 years 

5 – 10 years 

Computer equipment  

2 years 

Leasehold improvements   

Lease term

Gains and losses on disposals of property, plant and equip-
ment are determined by comparing the proceeds with the 
carrying amount of the asset.

g) Intangible Assets

Intangible  assets  acquired  in  a  business  combination  are 
recorded at fair value at the acquisition date. Subsequently 
they are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and 
accumulated impairment losses. 

The  major  categories  of  intangible  assets  are  depreciated 
on  a  straight-line  basis  to  allocate  their  cost  over  their 
estimated useful lives as follows:

Asset 

Rate

Customer contracts 

1 – 20 years 

Computer software  

Brand 

5 years 

Indefinite

These  estimates  are  reviewed  at  least  annually  and  are 
updated  if  expectations  change  as  a  result  of  changing 
client relationships or technological obsolescence.

h) Impairment of Non-Financial Assets

Property,  plant  and  equipment  and  intangible  assets  are 
tested  for  impairment  when  events  or  changes  in  circum-
stances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recov-
erable. Long-lived assets that are not amortized are subject 
to an annual impairment test. For the purpose of measuring 
recoverable  amounts,  assets  are  grouped  at  the  lowest 
level  for  which  there  are  separately  identifiable  cash  flows 
(cash-generating  unit  or  “CGU”).  The  recoverable  amount 
is  the  higher  of  an  asset’s  fair  value  less  costs  to  sell  and 

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
56

value in use (being the present value of the expected future 
cash flows of the relevant asset or CGU). An impairment loss 
is  recognized  for  the  amount  by  which  the  asset’s  carrying 
amount exceeds its recoverable amount firstly to the recorded 
goodwill, then to the other assets in the CGU on a pro rata 
basis, as determined by the carrying amount of each asset 
in  the  CGU.  The  Corporation  evaluates  impairment  losses, 
other than goodwill impairment, for potential reversals when 
events or circumstances warrant such consideration.

i) Income Taxes

The tax expense for the year comprises current and deferred 
tax.  Tax  is  recognized  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Earnings and Comprehensive Income, except to the extent 
that it relates to items recognized in other comprehensive 
income  or  directly  in  equity.  In  this  case,  the  tax  is  also 
recognized  in  other  comprehensive  income  or  directly  in 
equity, respectively.

The  current  income  tax  provision  is  calculated  on  the 
basis  of  the  tax  laws  enacted  or  substantively  enacted  at 
the  balance  sheet  date  of  the  taxation  authority  where 
the  Corporation  operates  and  generates  taxable  income. 
Management  periodically  evaluates  positions  taken  in  tax 
returns  with  respect  to  situations  in  which  applicable  tax 
regulation is subject to interpretation. It establishes provi-
sions where appropriate on the basis of amounts expected 
to be paid to the tax authorities.

Deferred income tax is recognized, using the liability method, 
on  temporary  differences  arising  between  the  tax  bases  of 
assets  and  liabilities  and  their  carrying  amounts  in  the 
Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  Deferred  income  tax  is 
determined using tax rates and laws that have been enacted 
or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date and are 
expected to apply when the related deferred income tax asset 
is realized, or the deferred income tax liability is settled.

Deferred income tax assets are recognized only to the extent 
that it is probable that future taxable profit will be available 
against which the temporary differences can be utilized.

j) Business Combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acqui-
sition  method.  The  acquired  identifiable  net  assets  are 
measured at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The 
consideration  transferred  includes  the  fair  value  of  any 
asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration 
arrangement. Any excess of the purchase price over the fair 
value of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. 
Any deficiency of the purchase price below the fair value of 
the net assets acquired is recorded as a gain in net earnings. 
Associated transaction costs are expensed when incurred.

k) Goodwill

Goodwill  is  the  residual  amount  that  results  when  the 
purchase price of an acquired business exceeds the sum of 
the  amounts  allocated  to  the  identifiable  assets  acquired, 
less  liabilities  assumed,  based  on  their  estimated  fair 
values  at  the  acquisition  date.  Goodwill  is  allocated  as  of 
the  date  of  the  business  combination.  Goodwill  is  tested 
for  impairment  annually  in  the  fourth  quarter,  or  more 
frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a 
potential impairment.

Goodwill  acquired  through  a  business  combination  is 
allocated to each CGU, or group of CGUs, that are expected 
to  benefit  from  the  related  business  combination.  A  CGU 
represents  the  lowest  level  within  the  entity  at  which  the 
goodwill is monitored for internal management purposes.

l) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing 
net  earnings  for  the  period  attributable  to  Shareholders 
of  the  Corporation  by  the  weighted  average  number  of 
Common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted EPS is calculated by adjusting the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding for dilutive instru-
ments.  The  number  of  common  shares  included  within 
the  weighted  average  is  computed  using  the  treasury  stock 
method. The Corporation’s potentially dilutive Common shares 
are comprised of long-term incentive plan equity compensa-
tion granted to officers and key employees (Note 2(o)).

m) Foreign Currency Translation

The  consolidated  financial  statements  are  presented 
in  Canadian  dollars.  The  Corporation’s  operations 
in 
Canada  have  a  functional  currency  of  Canadian  dollars. 
The  Corporation’s  operations  in  the  UK  have  a  functional 
currency of pounds sterling.

Translation of Foreign Entities 

 The  functional  currency  for  each  of  the  Corporation’s 
subsidiaries  is  the  currency  of  the  primary  economic 
environment  in  which  it  operates.  Operations  with  foreign 
functional currencies are translated into the Corporation’s 
presentation currency in the following manner: 

 ·  Monetary  and  non-monetary  assets  and  liabilities  are 
translated  at  the  spot  exchange  rate  in  effect  at  the 
reporting date;

 ·  Revenue  and  expense  items  (including  depreciation 
and  amortization)  are  translated  at  average  rates  of 
exchange prevailing during the period, which approxi-
mate the exchange rates on the transaction dates; 

We Are Dependable.57

 · 

Impairment  of  assets  are  translated  at  the  prevailing 
rate of exchange on the date of the impairment recog-
nition, and; 

o) Employee Benefits

Post-Employment Benefit Obligations

 ·  Exchange  gains  and  losses  that  result  from  trans-
lation  are  recognized  as  a  foreign  currency  transla-
tion  difference  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income (loss).

Translation of Transactions & Balances 

Transactions in currencies other than the entity’s functional 
currency are recognized at the rates of exchange prevailing 
at the date of the transaction as follows:

 ·  Monetary  assets  and  liabilities  are  translated  at  the 

exchange rate in effect at the reporting date;

 ·  Non-monetary items are translated at historical exchange 

rates; and

 ·  Revenue and expense items are translated at the average 
rates of exchange, except depreciation and amortization, 
which are translated at the rates of exchange applicable 
to the related assets, with any gains or losses recognized 
within “finance expense” in the consolidated statements 
of earnings & comprehensive income.

n) Provisions

Provisions  are  recognised  when  the  Corporation  has  a 
present  obligation  (legal  or  constructive)  as  a  result  of 
a  past  event,  it  is  probable  that  an  outflow  of  resources 
embodying  economic  benefits  will  be  required  to  settle 
the  obligation  and  a  reliable  estimate  can  be  made  of  the 
amount of the obligation. Provisions are not recognised for 
future operating losses.

Where there are a number of similar obligations, the likeli-
hood that an outflow will be required in settlement is deter-
mined by considering the class of obligations as a whole. A 
provision is recognised even if the likelihood of an outflow 
with respect to any one item included in the same class of 
obligations may be small.

Provisions are measured at the present value of manage-
ment’s best estimate of the expenditure required to settle 
the  present  obligation  at  the  end  of  the  reporting  period. 
The  discount  rate  used  to  determine  the  present  value  is 
a pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of 
the time value of money and the risks specific to the liability. 
The increase in the provision due to the passage of time is 
recognised as interest expense.

The  Corporation  contributes  on  behalf  of  its  employees 
to  their  individual  Registered  Retirement  Savings  Plans 
subject  to  an  annual  maximum  of  10%  of  gross  personal 
earnings.  The  Corporation  accounts  for  contributions 
as  an  expense  in  the  period  that  they  are  incurred.  The 
Corporation  does  not  provide  any  other  post-employment 
or post-retirement benefits.

Existing Equity-based Compensation Plan of the Corporation

On  June  16,  2011,  the  Shareholders  of  the  Corporation 
approved  a  new  Long-term  Incentive  Plan  (“LTI”),  which 
was  amended  and  restated  as  of  December  31,  2018. 
Under  the  LTI,  awards  are  granted  annually  in  respect  of 
the prior fiscal year to the eligible participants based on a 
percentage of annual salary. The amount of the award (net 
of  withholding  obligations)  is  satisfied  by  issuing  treasury 
shares or cash to be held in trust by the trustee pursuant 
to the terms of the LTI. All awards issued under the provi-
sions of the LTI are recorded as compensation expense over 
the relevant service period, being the year to which the LTI 
relates and the vesting period of the shares.

The  Amendment  made  on  December  31,  2018  gave  the 
Board  of  Directors  the  right  to  elect  to  satisfy  the  award 
in cash. The Corporation has determined that this change 
did not create an obligation to satisfy the award in cash and 
therefore the LTI continues to be treated as an equity settled 
share based payment.

Subject to the discretion of the Compensation, Nominating 
and  Corporate  Governance  Committee  of  the  Board  of 
Directors,  one-quarter  of  a  Participant’s  grant  will  vest 
on  the  Determination  Date  (defined  as  the  first  May  15th 
following  the  date  that  the  Directors  of  the  Corporation 
approve the audited consolidated financial statements of the 
Corporation for the prior year). The remaining three-quar-
ters  of  the  Participant’s  grant  will  vest  on  November  30th 
following the second anniversary of the Determination Date.

If  a  change  of  control  occurs,  all  LTI  Shares  held  by  the 
Administrator in respect of unvested grants will vest immedi-
ately.  LTI  participants  are  entitled  to  receive  dividends  on 
all  common  shares  granted  under  the  LTI  whether  vested 
or  unvested.  In  most  circumstances,  unvested  common 
shares held by the LTI Administrator for a participant will be 
forfeited if the participant resigns or is terminated for cause 
prior  to  the  applicable  vesting  date,  and  those  common 
shares will be disposed of by the Administrator to K-Bro for 
no consideration and such Common shares shall thereupon 
be  cancelled.  If  a  participant  is  terminated  without  cause, 

2020 Annual Report58

retires  or  resigns  on  a  basis  which  constitutes  construc-
tive  dismissal,  the  participant  will  be  entitled  to  receive 
his or her unvested common shares on the regular vesting 
schedule under the LTI. 

p) Financial Instruments

The  Corporation  classifies  its  financial  assets  in  the 
following measurement categories:

 ·  those to be measured subsequently at fair value (either 
through other comprehensive income or loss, or though 
profit or loss); and

 ·  those to be measured at amortized cost. 

The  classification  depends  on  the  Corporation’s  business 
model  for  managing  the  financial  assets  and  contractual 
terms of the cash flows.

At initial recognition, the Corporation measures a financial 
asset at fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at 
fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are 
directly attributable to the acquisition of the financial asset.

The Corporation’s financial assets consist of cash and cash 
equivalents and accounts receivable, which are measured 
at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method 
under IFRS 9.

The  Corporation’s  financial  liabilities  consist  of  accounts 
payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  lease  liabilities,  dividends 
payable and long-term debt. Accounts payable and accrued 
liabilities  and  dividends  payable  are  recognized  initially  at 
their  fair  value  and  subsequently  measured  at  amortized 
cost  using  the  effective  interest  method.  Lease  liabilities 
are recognized initially at their net present value and subse-
quently  measured  at  amortized  cost  using  the  effective 
interest method.

Long-term debt and borrowings are initially recognized at 
fair value, net of transaction costs incurred and are subse-
quently  measured  at  amortized  cost.  Long-term  debt  and 
borrowings are removed from the balance sheet when the 
obligation specified in the contract is discharged, cancelled 
or expired. 

Financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  offset,  and  the  net 
amount  reported  in  the  balance  sheet  when  there  is  a 
legally enforceable right to offset the recognized amounts 
and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize 
the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Derivatives are initially recognized at fair value on the date 
a  derivative  contract  is  entered  into  and  are  subsequently 
remeasured to their fair value at the end of each reporting 
period and included as part of the profit and loss.

q) Impairment of Financial Assets

Information about the impairment of financial assets, their 
credit  quality  and  the  Corporation’s  exposure  to  credit 
risk  can  be  found  in  Note  21(d).  The  Corporation  utilizes 
the  application  of  the  simplified  approach  to  provide  for 
expected credit losses prescribed by IFRS 9, which permits 
the use of the lifetime expected loss provision for all trade 
receivables.  To  measure  the  expected  credit  losses,  the 
Corporation’s  trade  receivables  have  been  grouped  based 
on  operating  segment,  shared  credit  risk  characteristics 
and  days  past  due.  Accounting  judgment  and  estimate  is 
required in the assessment of the lifetime expected default 
rate  of  each  trade  receivables  grouping.  The  lifetime 
expected  default  rates  are  reviewed  at  least  annually  and 
are updated if expectations change.

At each reporting date, the Corporation assesses whether 
there is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. 
If  such  evidence  exists,  the  Corporation  recognizes  an 
impairment  loss  equal  to  the  difference  between  the 
amortized  cost  of  the  loan  or  receivable  and  the  present 
value of the estimated future cash flows, discounted using 
the instrument’s original effective interest rate. The carrying 
amount of the asset is reduced by this amount either directly 
or indirectly through the use of an allowance account.

Impairment losses on financial assets carried at amortized 
cost are reversed in subsequent periods if the amount of the 
loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively 
to an event occurring after the impairment was recognized.

r)  The Corporation’s Leasing Activities &  

How These Are Accounted For

The difference between the carrying amount of a financial 
liability that has been extinguished or transferred to another 
party  and  the  consideration  paid,  including  any  non-cash 
assets  transferred  or  liabilities  assumed,  is  recognized  in 
profit or loss as other income or finance costs. Borrowings 
are classified as current liabilities unless the group has an 
unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at 
least 12 months after the reporting period.

The  Corporation  leases  various  buildings,  vehicles  and 
equipment.  Rental  contracts  are  typically  made  for  fixed 
periods  of  one  to  fifteen  years  but  may  have  extension 
options as described in Note 2(r)(ii) below. Lease terms are 
negotiated on an individual basis and contain a wide range 
of different terms and conditions. The lease agreements do 
not impose any financial covenants, but leased assets may 
not be used as security for borrowing purposes.

We Are Dependable.59

Leases are recognized as a right-of-use asset and a corre-
sponding  liability  at  the  date  at  which  the  leased  asset  is 
available for use by the Corporation. Each lease payment is 
allocated between the liability and finance cost. The finance 
cost  is  charged  to  profit  or  loss  over  the  lease  period  so 
as  to  produce  a  constant  periodic  rate  of  interest  on  the 
remaining balance of the liability for each period. The right-
of-use asset is depreciated over the shorter of the asset’s 
useful life and the lease term on a straight-line basis.

Assets  and  liabilities  arising  from  a  lease  are  initially 
measured on a present value basis. Lease liabilities include 
the net present value of the following lease payments:

 ·  fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), 

less any lease incentives receivable

 ·  variable lease payment that are based on an index or 

a rate

 ·  amounts  expected  to  be  payable  by  the  lessee  under 

residual value guarantees, and

 ·  the exercise price of a purchase option if the lessee is 

reasonably certain to exercise that option.

Payments  associated  with  short-term  leases  and  leases  of 
low-value  assets  are  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  as 
an  expense  in  profit  or  loss.  Short-term  leases  are  leases 
with a lease term of 12 months or less. Low-value assets are 
comprised of IT-equipment and small items of office furniture.

(i) Variable Lease Payments

 Based  on  the  valuation  of  the  Corporation’s  leases,  no 
leases  have  been  identified  that  are  directly  tied  to  an 
index or rate, and whereby an estimate would be required 
in determining the uncertainty arising from variable lease 
payments.

(ii) Extension & Termination Options

 Extension  and  termination  options  are  included  in  a 
number  of  property  and  equipment  leases  across  the 
Corporation.  These  terms  are  used  to  maximize  opera-
tional  flexibility  in  terms  of  managing  contracts.  The 
majority  of  extension  and  termination  options  held 
are  exercisable  only  by  the  Corporation  and  not  by  the 
respective lessor.

s) Government Grants

The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate 
implicit  in  the  lease.  If  that  rate  cannot  be  determined, 
the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate is used, being the 
rate that the lessee would have to pay to borrow the funds 
necessary  to  obtain  an  asset  of  similar  value  in  a  similar 
economic environment with similar terms and conditions.

Government grants, including non-monetary grants at fair 
value, are only recognised when there is reasonable assur-
ance that: 

(a)  all conditions attaching to the Government grant will 

be complied with;

To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Corporation: 

(b)  the value of the grant can be determined with reason-

 ·  where  possible,  uses  recent  third-party  financing 
received  by  the  individual  lessee  as  a  starting  point, 
adjusted  to  reflect  changes  in  financing  conditions 
since third party financing was received,

 ·  uses  a  build-up  approach  that  starts  with  a  risk-free 

interest rate adjusted for credit risk, and 

 ·  makes  adjustments  specific  to  the  lease,  e.g.,  term, 

country, currency and security.

Right-of-use  assets  are  measured  at  cost  comprising  the 
following:

 ·  the amount of the initial measurement of lease liability,

 ·  any lease payments made at or before the commence-

ment date less any lease incentives received,

 ·  any initial direct costs, and 

 ·  restoration costs.

able certainty; and

(c) the grant will be received. 

Government grants are recognised in the profit or loss over 
the  periods  in  which  the  Corporation  recognises  related 
expenses. Where government grants relate to costs which 
have  been  capitalised  as  assets  these  are  recognised  as 
a reduction to the related asset in the consolidated state-
ments of financial position and transferred to profit or loss 
over the useful lives of the related assets. 

Government grants that are receivable as compensation for 
expenses or losses already incurred or for the purpose of 
giving immediate financial support to the Corporation with 
no future related costs are recognised in profit or loss in the 
period in which they relate to.

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
60

(b) Government Grants

For  the  twelve  month  period  ended  December  31,  2020, 
the  Corporation  adopted  the  use  of  IAS  20  -  Accounting 
for  Government  Grants  and  Disclosure  of  Government 
Assistance, which outlines how to account for government 
grants  and  other  assistance.  The  standard  outlines  that 
government  grants  are  recognized  in  profit  or  loss  on  a 
systematic basis over the periods in which the entity recog-
nizes expenses for the related costs for which the grants are 
intended to compensate, which in the case of grants related 
to assets requires setting up the grant as deferred income 
or deducting it from the carrying amount of the asset.

The  Corporation  received  government  assistance  for  both 
their Canadian and UK division, under the following govern-
ment programs:

  Canadian Division

I.  The  Canada  Emergency  Wage  Subsidy  (“CEWS”) 
program was introduced by the Government of Canada 
on March 27, 2020, reimbursing eligible employers who 
have experienced the required reduction in revenue for 
a portion of salaries paid out to employees during the 
pandemic. During the year ended December 31, 2020, 
the  Corporation  submitted  claims  of  $8,348  under 
the  CEWS  program,  with  the  majority  of  the  amounts 
received  with  only  $299  outstanding  in  receivables  on 
the  Corporation’s  Consolidated  Statement  of  financial 
position  at  December  31,  2020.  The  Corporation  will 
continue  to  evaluate  its  eligibility  under  the  CEWS 
program through the balance of 2021.

II. The  Corporation  received  $2,788  of  linen  in  service 
from  the  Ontario  Ministry  of  Health  in  exchange  for  a 
contractual  commitment  to  provide  a  deferred  linen 
service  credit  of  $1,665  to  various  Ontario  hospitals 
allocated over the useful life of the linen. The difference 
between the fair value of linen in service received and 
the linen service credit is considered to be government 
assistance related to an asset that has been recorded 
as a reduction in the value of the linens and will recog-
nized  as  a  reduction  of  the  linen  amortization  charge 
over  the  life  of  the  linens  in  service.  The  deferred 
linen service credit of $1,665 is reflected as a contract 
liability on the Corporation’s Consolidated Statements 
of financial position at December 31, 2020.

3.  CHANGES AND UPDATES IN 
ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a)  IFRS 16 Leases – COVID-19 Related  

Rent Concessions

New or amended standards became applicable during 2020, 
and  the  Corporation  changed  its  accounting  policies  with 
adjustments on a prospective basis as a result of adopting 
the amendment to IFRS 16 Leases on June 1, 2020.

IFRS  16,  Leases  was  amended  and  is  effective  for  annual 
reporting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  June  1,  2020.  The 
changes  to  IFRS  16,  Leases,  pertain  to  COVID-19  Related 
Rent Concessions, which:

  1.  provide  lessees  with  an  exemption  from  assessing 
whether a COVID-19-related rent concession is a lease 
modification; 

  2.  require  lessees  that  apply  the  exemption  to  account 
for COVID-19-related rent concessions as if they were 
not lease modifications; require lessees that apply the 
exemption to disclose that fact; and 

  3.  require lessees to apply the exemption retrospectively 
in  accordance  with  IAS  8,  but  not  require  them  to 
restate prior period figures.

 The main change from the proposal in the exposure draft 
is that the IASB had proposed that the practical expedient 
should only be available for lease payments originally due 
in 2020. However, after having considered the feedback to 
the exposure draft, the IASB decided to extend this period 
to  June  2021  to  also  capture  rent  concessions  granted 
now and lasting for 12 months.

The  Corporation  has  elected  to  apply  the  exemption  and 
has treated COVID-19 rent related concessions received as 
if  they  were  not  lease  modifications.  As  such,  changes  in 
lease payments that do not arise from a lease modification 
are  accounted  for  as  variable  lease  payments,  in  which 
the Corporation recognizes the variable lease payments in 
profit or loss in the respective period in which the event or 
condition that triggers those payments occurs. 

During the year ended December 31, 2020, a rent conces-
sion for the unconditional forgiveness of debt of $464 was 
recognized as a negative variable lease payment included in 
the Corporation’s consolidated statements of earnings and 
comprehensive income as an offset to occupancy costs and 
treated as a forgiveness of lease liabilities, with a non-cash 
impact to the principal elements of lease payments included 
in financing activities within the Corporation’s consolidated 
statements of cash flow. 

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
61

  UK Division

III.  The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) was 
introduced by the UK government on March 20, 2020 
and  provides  eligible  employers  the  ability  to  access 
support  to  continue  paying  part  of  their  employees’ 
salary for those employees that would otherwise have 
been laid off during the crisis. During the year ended 
December 31, 2020, the Corporation submitted claims 
of  £3,433  ($5,907)  under  the  CJRS  program  with  the 
majority of the amounts received with only £58 ($101) 
outstanding 
in  receivables  on  the  Corporation’s 
Consolidated  Statement  of  financial  position  at 
December  31,  2020.  The  Corporation  will  continue 
to  evaluate  its  eligibility  under  the  CJRS  program 
through the balance of 2021.

In accordance with IAS 20 Accounting for Government Grants 
and  Disclosure  of  Government  Assistance,  the  government 
grants  have  been  recognized  on  the  Corporation’s  consol-
idated  statements.  During  the  year  ended  December  31, 
2020, $14,255 of government grants were offset to operating 
expenses  which  includes,  wages  and  benefits  of  $10,684, 
delivery of $2,281, and corporate costs of $1,290. During the 
year ended December 31, 2020, no amounts for the deferred 
linen service credit have been recognized in revenue such that 
the closing balance of the contract liability remains at $1,665.

 The Corporation does not expect a material impact from 
the  application  of  the  Phase  2  amendments  given  that 
the  contractual  cash  flows  of  its  financial  instruments 
and lease liabilities are not dependent upon any interest 
rate benchmarks under the scope of the reform and the 
Corporation does not apply hedge accounting.

5.  CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES  

& JUDGMENTS

The preparation of the Corporation’s consolidated financial 
statements, in conformity with IFRS, requires management 
of  the  Corporation  to  make  estimates  and  assumptions 
that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and 
disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date 
of  the  financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of 
revenues and expenses during the reported period. Actual 
results could differ from those estimates.

The  estimates  and  associated  assumptions  are  based  on 
historical  experience  and  various  other  factors  that  are 
believed  to  be  reasonable  under  the  circumstances,  the 
results  of  which  form  the  basis  of  making  the  judgments 
about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not 
readily apparent from other sources. These estimates and 
judgments have been applied in a manner consistent with 
prior periods.

4.  NEW STANDARDS & INTERPRETATIONS 

  COVID-19 Risk

NOT YET ADOPTED

The Corporation has not adopted any standard, interpreta-
tion or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effec-
tive and no material impact is expected on the Corporation’s 
consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Phase 2

 In August 2020, the IASB issued Interest Rate Benchmark 
Reform  –  Phase  2,  which  amends  IFRS  9  Financial 
Instruments,  IAS  39  Financial  Instruments:  Recognition 
and  Measurement, 
Instruments: 
Disclosures,  IFRS  4  Insurance  Contracts  and  IFRS  16 
Leases.  The  amendments  apply  for  annual  periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2021. Earlier application 
is permitted.

IFRS  7  Financial 

 The  Phase  2  amendments  address  issues  that  might 
affect financial reporting during the reform of an interest 
rate  benchmark,  including  the  effects  of  changes  to 
contractual  cash  flows  or  hedging  relationships  arising 
from the replacement of an interest rate benchmark with 
an alternative benchmark rate.

 The  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  has  caused  world 
governments  to  institute  travel  restrictions  both  in  and 
out  of  and  within  Canada  and  the  UK,  which  has  had, 
and is expected to continue to have a significant adverse 
impact  on  the  Corporation’s  hospitality  business,  the 
duration  of  which  we  are  unable  to  predict  with  any 
degree of accuracy. 

 The  extent  of  such  negative  effects  on  our  hospitality 
business and our financial and operational performance 
will  depend  on  future  developments,  including  the 
duration, spread and severity of COVID-19 outbreaks, the 
availability and effectiveness of the vaccine, the duration 
and  geographic  scope  of  related  travel  advisories  and 
restrictions and the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic on overall demand for personal and business 
travel,  all  of  which  are  highly  uncertain  and  cannot  be 
predicted with any degree of accuracy. As hotels continue 
to  experience  significantly  reduced  occupancy  rates  for 
an  extended  period,  consolidated  results  of  operations 
will  be  significantly  impacted.  The  extent  to  which  the 
outbreaks affects our earnings will depend on the length 
of  time  the  hospitality  industry  continues  to  experience 

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62

  The Corporation applies judgment in: 

 ·

 ·

 assessing  the  likelihood  of  renewal  of  significant 
contracts included in the intangible assets described 
in Note 8,

 identifying  the  CGUs  to  which  intangible  assets 
should be allocated to, and the CGU or group of CGUs 
at which goodwill is monitored for internal manage-
ment purposes, and

 ·

 determining the appropriate comparable companies 
used in earnings multiple approach.

 During  the  first  quarter  of  2020,  based  on  impairment 
indicators  that  existed  as  a  result  of  the  COVID-19 
pandemic, management had assessed the impairment of 
assets based off facts and circumstances which suggest 
that the carrying amount in certain CGUs may exceed its 
recoverable amount, refer to Note 26 for further detail.

  Segment Identification

 When determining its reportable segments, the Corporation 
considers  qualitative  factors,  such  as  operations  that 
offer  distinct  products  and  services  and  are  considered 
to be significant by the Chief Operating Decision Maker, 
identified  as  the  Chief  Executive  Officer.  Aggregation 
occurs  when  the  operating  segments  have  similar 
economic  characteristics  and  have  similar  (a)  products 
and  services;  (b)  geographic  proximity;  (c)  type  or  class 
of customer for their products and services; (d) methods 
used to distribute their products or provide their services; 
and (e) nature of the regulatory environment, if applicable. 

  Lease Term

 In  determining  the  lease  term,  management  considers 
all  facts  and  circumstances  that  create  an  economic 
incentive to exercise an extension option, or not exercise 
a termination option. Extension options (or periods after 
termination options) are only included in the lease term 
if the lease is reasonably certain to be extended (or not 
terminated).  For  many  of  the  leases  the  cash  outflows 
associated  with  the  lease  extension  term  would  be 
material.  The  assessment  is  reviewed  if  a  significant 
event  or  a  significant  change  in  circumstances  occurs 
which  affects  this  assessment  and  that  is  within  the 
control of the lessee.

reduced  occupancy  rates.  Earnings  will  continue  to  be 
particularly affected if we continue to experience reduc-
tions  in  travel  and  reduced  hospitality  occupancy  rates. 
Additionally, our suppliers or other third parties we rely 
upon  may  experience  delays  or  shortages,  which  could 
have  an  adverse  effect  on  our  business  prospects  and 
results of operations.

 As an ongoing risk, the duration and full financial effect 
of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  continues  to  be  uncertain  at 
this time, the Corporation is managing the ongoing risk 
through  the  Corporation’s  business  continuity  plan  and 
other  mitigating  measures.  Any  estimate  of  the  length 
and severity of these developments is therefore subject 
to  significant  uncertainty,  and  accordingly  estimates  of 
the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may materi-
ally  and  adversely  affect  the  Corporation’s  operations, 
financial results and condition in future periods are also 
subject to significant uncertainty. 

 Uncertainty  about  judgments,  estimates  and  assump-
tions made by management during the preparation of the 
Corporation’s  consolidated  financial  statements  related 
to potential impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on revenue, 
expenses,  assets,  liabilities,  and  note  disclosures  could 
result  in  a  material  adjustment  to  the  carrying  value  of 
the asset or liability affected.

The  following  discusses  the  most  significant  accounting 
judgments  and  estimates  that  the  Corporation  has  made 
in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements:

Areas of Significant Judgement 

  Recognition of Rebate Liabilities

 In applying its accounting policy for volume rebates, the 
Corporation  must  determine  whether  the  processing 
volume  thresholds  will  be  achieved.  The  most  difficult 
and  subjective  area  of  judgment  is  whether  a  contract 
will  generate  satisfactory  volume  to  achieve  minimum 
levels. Management considers all appropriate facts and 
circumstances  in  making  this  assessment  including 
historical experience, current volumetric run-rates, and 
expected future events.

Impairment of Goodwill & Non-Financial Assets

 Management reviews goodwill at least annually and other 
non-financial assets when there is any indication that the 
asset might be impaired. The assessment of impairment 
is  based  on  management’s  judgment  of  whether  there 
are  sufficient  internal  and  external  factors  that  would 
indicate that an asset is impaired.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
63
63

2020 Annual Report

Areas of Estimation Uncertainty

Impairment of Goodwill & Non-Financial Assets

Incremental Borrowing Rate

 In applying its accounting policy for leases management 
considers all appropriate facts and circumstances in the 
determination  the  lessee’s  incremental  borrowing  rate 
being used and these rates are reviewed and update on 
an annual basis.

 Amortization of Property, Plant & Equipment,  
& Intangible Assets 

 In  applying  its  accounting  policy  for  the  amortization  of 
property,  plant  and  equipment,  and  intangible  assets, 
management considers all appropriate facts and circum-
stances in the determination of the appropriate rates and 
methodology to allocate costs over their estimated useful 
lives, including historical experience, current volumetric 
run-rates, and expected future events. 

  Linen in Service

 The  estimated  service  lives  of  linen  in  service  are 
reviewed at least annually and are updated if expectations 
change as a result of physical wear and tear, technical or 
commercial obsolescence and legal or other limits of use. 

 Management reviews goodwill at least annually and other 
non-financial  assets  when  there  is  any  indication  that 
the  asset  might  be  impaired.  As  part  of  this  review  the 
Corporation  use  estimates  to  calculate  the  appropriate 
discount rate and growth rate which are used to estimate 
the recoverable value.

 During instances where indication of impairment exists, 
the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order 
to  determine  the  extent  of  the  impairment  loss.  Where 
it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of 
an individual asset, the Corporation estimates the recov-
erable amount of the cash generating unit to which the 
asset belongs. The recoverable value of CGUs require the 
use of estimates related to the future operating results 
and cash generating ability of the assets.

Management  regularly  evaluates  these  estimates  and 
judgments.  Revisions  to  accounting  estimates  are  recog-
nized  in  the  period  in  which  the  estimate  is  revised  if  the 
revision  affects  only  that  period  or  in  the  period  of  the 
revision  and  future  periods  if  the  revision  affects  both 
current and future periods.

  Provisions

6. LINEN IN SERVICE

 The  Corporation’s  provision  includes  restructure  costs 
and  the  restoration  for  premises  of  its  leased  plants. 
The  Corporation  determines  restructure  costs  based 
off  employment  standards  and  legal  consultation.  For 
leased  plants,  a  provision  has  been  recognized  for  the 
present  value  of  the  estimated  expenditure  required  to 
remove any leasehold improvements and installed equip-
ment. Refer to Note 10 for more details about estimation 
for this provision.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

 2020 

2019

Balance, beginning of year  
Additions  
Amortization charge  
Effect of movement  
in exchange rates  
Balance, end of year  

26,039 
30,177  
(24,780)  
113  

26,371
27,307
(27,463)
(176) 

31,549  

26,039

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
7. PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, 
except share and per share amounts) 

Laundry 
Land  Buildings  Equipment(1)  Equipment  Equipment 

Office  Delivery  Computer 

Leasehold  Spare
Equipment  Improvements  Parts 

64

Total

Year Ended, December 31, 2019

Opening net book amount  
Adjustment for change  
in accounting policy
Restated opening net book amount  
Additions(2)(3)  
Disposals  
Depreciation charge  
Effect of movement in exchange rates  
Closing net book amount  

4,067  
-  

19,109  
38,141  

124,252  
-  

387  
-  

324  
8,129  

4,067  
-  
-  
-  
(24)  
4,043  

57,250  
580  
-  
(5,251)  
(55)  

124,252  
7,283  
(5)  
(11,635)  
(191)  
52,524   119,704  

387  
69  
-  
(146)  
(1)  
309  

8,453  
1,551  
(38)  
(3,366)  
(22)  
6,578  

958  
-  

958  
328  
-  
(578)  
-  
708  

43,918   1,233   194,248
46,270 

-  

-  

423  
-  
(3,729)  
(2)  

43,918   1,233   240,518
10,857
623  
(43)
-  
(24,705)
-  
(295)
-  
40,610   1,856   226,332

Cost  
Accumulated depreciation  
Net book amount  

4,043  
-  
4,043  

186,714  
61,656  
(9,132)  
(67,010)  
52,524   119,704  

1,043  
(734)  
309  

10,513  
(3,935)  
6,578  

3,083  
(2,375)  
708  

60,099   1,856   329,007
(19,489)  
-   (102,675)
40,610   1,856   226,332

At December 31, 2019

Year Ended, December 31, 2020

Opening net book amount  
Additions(2)(3)  
Disposals  
Transfers  
Depreciation charge  
Impairment of assets(note 26)(4)  
Effect of movement in exchange rates  
Closing net book amount  

4,043  
-  
-  
-  
-  
-  
19  
4,062  

52,524  
1  
-  
-  
(5,229)  
(207)  
125  

119,704  
2,329  
(2)  
153  
(11,289)  
(2,113)  
191  
47,214   108,973  

309  
64  
-  
-  
(144)  
-  
2  
231  

6,578  
5,725  
-  
-  
(2,933)  
(5)  
69  
9,434  

708  
145  
-  
-  
(459)  
(14)  
-  
380  

43  
-  
-  
(3,994)  
-  
4  

40,610   1,856   226,332
8,307
(2)
- 
(24,048)
(2,339)
410
36,663   1,703   208,660

-  
-  
(153)  
-  
-  
-  

Cost  
Accumulated impairment losses  
Accumulated depreciation  
Net book amount  

4,062  
-  
-  
4,062  

189,464  
61,810  
(2,113)  
(207)  
(14,389)  
(78,378)  
47,214   108,973  

1,110  
-  
(880)  
230  

16,347  
(5)  
(6,907)  
9,435  

3,228  
(14)  
(2,834)  
380  

60,145   1,703   337,869
(2,339)
-  
-  
(23,482)  
-   (126,870)
36,663   1,703   208,660

Year Ended, December 31, 2020

1    Included in laundry equipment are assets under development in the amount of $24 (2019 - $103). These assets are not available for service and accordingly are not presently being depreciated.

2  Total property, plant and equipment additions are inclusive of amounts incurred in the period that are yet be paid, with amounts remaining in accounts payable and other liabilities of $312 (2019 - $2,037).

3   Additions include amounts from the Canadian Division of $2,544 (2019 - $5,461) and from the UK Division of $5,763 (2019 - $5,396).

4   During 2020 based off impairment indicators that existed in the year, the Corporation determined that the carrying value exceeded the recoverable amount for one of their cash generating 

units, and an impairment loss was recorded for property, plant and equipment, for further detail refer to note 26.

We Are Dependable. 
 
65

8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, 
except share and per share amounts) 

Healthcare 
Relationships 

Hospitality 
Relationships 

Computer 
Software 

Brand 

Total

Opening net book amount  
Additions  
Amortization charge  
Effect of movement in exchange rates  
Closing net book amount  

Cost  
Accumulated amortization  
Net book amount  

Opening net book amount  
Amortization charge  
Effect of movement in exchange rates  
Closing net book amount  

Cost  
Accumulated amortization  
Net book amount  

983  
-  
(453)  
-  
530  

19,200  
(18,670)  
530  

530  
(453)  
-  
77  

19,200  
(19,123)  
77  

Year Ended, December 31, 2019

10,339  
1,439  
(2,807)  
(96)  
8,875  

-  
-  
-  
-  
-  

At December 31, 2019

22,845  
(13,970)  
8,875  

927  
(927)  
-  

Year Ended, December 31, 2020

8,875  
(3,383)  
66  
5,558  

-  
-  
-  
-  

At December 31, 2020

22,911  
(17,353)  
5,558  

927  
(927)  
-  

4,360  
-  
-  
(66)  
4,294  

4,294  
-  
4,294  

4,294  
-  
51  
4,345  

4,345  
-  
4,345  

15,682
1,439
(3,260)
(162)
13,699

47,266
(33,567)
13,699

13,699
(3,836)
117
9,980

47,383
(37,403)
9,980

2020 Annual Report 
9.  GOODWILL

Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of consideration transferred over the fair value of the 
identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized. Refer to Note 26 for the Corporation’s 
impairment testing disclosure.

Goodwill has been allocated to the following CGUs:

66

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

December 31, 2020 

 December 31, 2019

Calgary 
Edmonton  
Vancouver 2  
Vancouver 1  
Victoria  
Montréal  
Québec  
Canadian division  

UK division  
Changes due to movement in exchange rates  
UK division  

Goodwill  

8,082  
4,346  
3,413  
2,630  
1,508  
-  
-  
19,979  

18,100  
418  
18,518  

38,497  

8,082
4,346
3,413
2,630
3,208
823
654
23,156

18,100
198
18,298

41,454

We Are Dependable.67

10.  PROVISIONS

The  Corporation’s  provision  includes  a  current  provision 
of  $884  to  recognize  restructuring  costs,  and  a  long-term 
provision of $2,789 that is comprised of lease provisions and 
obligations to restore leased premises of its leased plants. 

Management  estimates  the  current  provision  based  on 
consultation from legal and current employment standards. 
Estimates of the long-term provision, is based off informa-
tion  from  previous  asset  retirement  obligations,  as  well 
as  plant  specific  factors.  Factors  that  could  impact  the 
estimated obligation are labour costs, the extent of removal 
work  required,  the  number  of  lease  extensions  exercised 
and the inflation rate. 

A long-term provision has been recognized for the present 
value  of  the  estimated  expenditure  required  to  settle  the 
lease provision and to remove leasehold improvements and 
installed  equipment.  The  Corporation  estimates  the  un- 
discounted, inflation adjusted cash flows required to settle 

these obligations at December 31, 2020 to be $2,928 (2019 
-$3,063). Management has estimated the present value of 
this  obligation  at  December  31,  2020  to  be  $2,789  (2019  - 
$2,838) using an inflation rate of 1.40% (2019 – 1.90%) and 
pre-tax weighted average risk-free interest rate of 0.20% to 
1.10% (2019 - 1.68% to 1.76%) dependent upon length of the 
lease term, which reflects current market assessments of 
the time value of money. These obligations are expected to 
be incurred over an estimated period from 2022 to 2033.

As  at  December  31,  2020,  if  actual  costs  were  to  differ  by 
10%  from  management’s  estimate  the  obligation  would 
be  an  estimated  $367  (2019  -  $284)  higher  or  lower.  It  is 
possible  the  estimated  costs  could  change  and  changes 
to  these  estimates  could  have  a  significant  effect  on  the 
Corporation’s consolidated financial statements. 

The  Corporation  recorded  the  following  provision  activity 
during the year:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Asset Retirement 
Obligations 

Restructuring 
Costs 

Other 

Total

Balance, beginning of year  
New provisions  
Charges against provisions  
Adjustments/settlement  
Changes due to movement in exchange rate  
Balance, end of year  

Current portion  
Non-current portion  

Balance, beginning of year  
Charges against provisions  
Adjustments/settlement  
Changes due to movement in exchange rate  
Balance, end of year  

Current portion  
Non-current portion  

Year Ended, December 31, 2020

-  
1,852  
-  
(968)  
-  
884  

884  
-  

Year Ended, December 31, 2019

-  
-  
-  
-  
-  

-  
-  

98  
-  
-  
(98)  
-  
-  

-  
-  

116  
-  
(18)  
-  
98  

-  
98  

2,838
1,852
29
(1,053)
7
3,673

884
2,789

2,663
199
(18)
(6)
2,838

-
2,838

2,740  
-  
29  
13  
7  
2,789  

-  
2,789  

2,547  
199  
-  
(6)  
2,740  

-  
2,740  

2020 Annual Report 
 
68

11.  LONG-TERM DEBT

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Prime Rate Loan (1)

At January 1, 2019  
Net repayment of debt  
Closing balance at December 31, 2019  

At January 1, 2020  
Net repayment of debt  
Closing balance at December 31, 2020  

70,203
(7,709)
62,494

62,494
(21,837)
40,657

1    The  revolving  credit  facility  is  collateralized  by  a  general  security  agreement,  bears  interest 
at  prime  or  the  applicable  banker’s  acceptance  rate,  plus  an  interest  margin  dependent  on 
certain financial ratios, with a monthly repayment of interest only, maturing on July 31, 2022 
(December 31, 2019 – July 31, 2022). The additional interest margin can range between 0.0% 
to 1.75% dependent upon the calculated Funded Debt / Credit Facility EBITDA financial ratio, 
with a range between 0 to 4.5x. The required calculated Funded Debt / Credit Facility EBITDA 
financial ratio is subject to change based off certain terms and conditions. As at December 31, 
2020 the combined interest rate was 2.70% (December 31, 2019 – 4.45%).

During 2020 the Corporation completed an amendment to 
its  existing  revolving  credit  facility  which  made  changes 
to  certain  terms  and  conditions  within  the  agreement  in 
consideration  of  the  ongoing  COVID-19  pandemic  and  the 
impact to the Corporation’s operations. 

Under the credit facility, the Corporation is required, among 
other conditions, to respect certain covenants on a consoli-
dated basis. The main covenants are in regard to its Funded 
Debt to Credit Facility EBITDA ratio and Total Fixed Charge 
Coverage ratio. Management reviews compliance with these 
covenants  on  a  quarterly  basis  in  conjunction  with  filing 
requirements  under  its  credit  facility.  All  covenants  have 
been met as at December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.

The  Corporation  has  a  revolving  credit  facility  of  up  to 
$100,000  plus  a  $25,000  accordion  of  which  $41,307  is 
utilized  (including  letters  of  credit  totaling  $650)  as  at 
December 31, 2020. Interest payments only are due during 
the term of the facility. 

Drawings under the revolving credit facility are available by 
way  of  Bankers’  Acceptances,  Canadian  prime  rate  loans, 
Libor of UK pounds based loans, letters of credit or standby 
letters  of  guarantee.  Drawings  under  the  revolving  credit 
facility  bear  interest  at  a  floating  rate,  plus  an  applicable 
margin based on certain financial performance ratios.

A general security agreement over all assets, a mortgage 
against all leasehold interests and real property, insurance 
policies  and  an  assignment  of  material  agreements  have 
been pledged as collateral. 

The  carrying  value  of  borrowings  approximate  their  fair 
value  as  the  debt  is  based  on  a  floating  rate,  the  interest 
rate risk has not changed, and the impact of discounting is 
not significant.

The Corporation has incurred no events of default under the 
terms of its credit facility agreement.

12. FINANCE EXPENSE

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Interest on long-term debt  
Lease interest expense  
Accretion expense  
Other charges, net  

 2020 

1,690 
1,944  
29  
298  
3,961  

2019

3,302
2,070
199
231
5,802

We Are Dependable. 
  
  
69

13. LEASES

a) Amounts Recognized in the Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reflects the following amounts relating to leases:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 
($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Right-of-use assets 
Right-of-use assets 
Buildings 
Buildings 
Equipment  
Equipment  

Lease liabilities 
Lease liabilities 
Buildings 
Buildings 
Equipment  
Equipment  
Total lease liabilities 
Total lease liabilities 
Less, current portion of lease liabilities  
Less, current portion of lease liabilities  
Long term lease liabilities  
Long term lease liabilities  

Additions to the right-of-use assets during the financial year
Additions to the right-of-use assets during the financial year
Buildings  
Buildings  
Equipment  
Equipment  

b) Amounts Recognized in the Statement of Earnings

The statement of earnings reflects the following amounts relating to leases:

 December 31, 2020 
 December 31, 2020 

December 31, 2019
December 31, 2019

30,549 
30,549 
9,226  
9,226  
39,775  
39,775  

36,501 
36,501 
9,502  
9,502  
46,003  
46,003  
(8,298)  
(8,298)  
37,705  
37,705  

-  
-  
5,749  
5,749  
5,749  
5,749  

34,593
34,593
6,310
6,310
40,903
40,903

40,357
40,357
6,471
6,471
46,828
46,828
(8,297)
(8,297)
38,531
38,531

546
546
1,467
1,467
2,013
2,013

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

 December 31, 2020 

December 31, 2019

Depreciation charge of right-of-use assets 
Buildings 
Equipment  

Interest expense (included in finance expense)  
Expense relating to short-term leases  
(included in delivery and corporate expenses)
Expense relating to leases of low-value assets that are not shown  
above as short-term leases (included in administrative expenses)
The total cash outflow for leases  

4,130 
2,854  
6,984  

1,944 
- 

33 

8,199 

4,097
3,268
7,365

2,070
57 

38 

8,856

2020 Annual Report  
  
  
  
  
c) Reconciliation of expected lease liabilities

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

 December 31, 2020 

December 31, 2019

70

Lease liabilities 
Balance at January 1,  
Adjustment for change in accounting policy 
Right-of-use asset additions 
Interest expense 
Cash payment of lease payments  
Effect of movement in exchange rates  
Total lease liabilities  
Less current portion, included in accrued liabilities  
Long term lease liabilities  

14. INCOME TAXES

46,828 
- 
5,749 
1,944 
(8,630) 
112 
46,003 
(8,298) 
37,705 

A reconciliation of the expected income tax expense to the actual income tax expense is as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Current tax:
Current tax expense on profits for the year 
Total current tax expense  

Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary differences  
Impact of substantively enacted rates and other  
Total deferred tax expense  

 2020 

1,234  
1,234  

1,133  
250  
1,383  

3,030
48,668
2,013
1,620
(8,487)
(16)
46,828
(8,297)
38,531

2019

1,722
1,722

1,501
(323)
1,178 

The tax on the Corporation’s earnings differs from the theoretical amount that would arise using the weighted average tax 
rate applicable to earnings of the consolidated entities as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Earnings before income taxes  
Non-taxable items  
Income subject to tax  

Income tax at statutory rate of 25.86% (2019 - 26.74%)  
Difference between Canadian and foreign tax rates  
Impact of substantively enacted rates and other  
Income tax expense  

 2020 

6,399  
(1,112)  
5,287  

1,367  
782  
468  
2,617  

2019

13,806
(209)
13,597

3,636
(195)
(541)
2,900

We Are Dependable.71

The analysis of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Deferred tax assets:
Deferred tax asset to be recovered after more than 12 months  
Deferred tax asset to be recovered within 12 months  

Deferred tax liabilities:
Deferred tax liability to be recovered after more than 12 months  
Deferred tax liability to be recovered within 12 months  

Deferred tax liabilities, net  

 2020 

2019

(12,850)  
-  
(12,850)  

21,212  
5,636  
26,848  
13,998  

(12,085)
-
(12,085)

20,545
4,132
24,677
12,592

The movement of deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting 
of balances within the same tax jurisdictions, is as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Lease Liabilities 

Provisions 

Offering Costs & Other 

Total

Deferred tax assets:
At January 1, 2019  
Charged (credited) to the statement of earnings  
Change in accounting policy  
Related to movements in exchange rates  
At December 31, 2019  

Charged (credited) to the statement of earnings  
Related to movements in exchange rates  
At December 31, 2020  

-  
777  
(11,774)  
2  
(10,995)  

201  
(31)  
(10,825)  

(530)  
(33)  
-  
-  
(563)  

15  
-  
(548)  

(1,800) 
1,269 
- 
4 
(527) 

(937) 
(13) 
(1,477) 

(2,330)
2,013
(11,774)
6
(12,085)

(721)
(44)
(12,850)

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Linen in 
Service 

Property, Plant 
& Equipment 

Intangible Assets 
& Goodwill 

LTIP & 
Other 

Deferred tax liabilities:
At January 1, 2019  
Charged (credited) to the statement of earnings 
Change in accounting policy 
Related to movements in exchange rates  
At December 31, 2019  

Charged (credited) to the statement of earnings  
Related to movements in exchange rates  
At December 31, 2020  

4,176  
(44)  
-  
-  
4,132  

1,503  
-  
5,636  

7,479  
(806)  
11,106  
(11)  
17,768  

1,683  
46  
19,496  

2,804  
(416)  
-  
(42)  
2,346  

(985)  
21  
1,382 

- 
431 
- 
- 
431 

(97) 
- 
334 

Total

14,459
(835)
11,106
(53)
24,677

2,104
67
26,848

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
15.  CONTINGENCIES & COMMITMENTS

Utility commitments ($ Thousands of CDN dollars)

72

5,170
-
-
-
-
-
5,170

2021  
2022  
2023  
2024  
2025  
Subsequent  

  Linen Purchase Commitments

 At  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation  was  committed  to 
linen  expenditure  obligations  in  the  amount  of  $4,527 
(December  31,  2019  –  $9,821)  to  be  incurred  within  the 
next year.

  Property, Plant & Equipment Commitments

 At  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation  was  committed 
to  capital  expenditure  obligations  in  the  amount  of  $42  
(December  31,  2019  –  $641)  to  be  incurred  within  the  
next year.

  Trust Funds on Deposit

 The Corporation maintains funds in trust for a customer to 
facilitate  both  parties  in  achieving  their  shared  objectives.  
These funds are not available for the Corporation’s general 
operating  activities  and,  as  such,  have  not  been  recorded 
in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Financial 
Position.  As  at  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation  held 
trust funds on deposit in the amount of $630 (2019 – $605).

a) Contingencies

The  Corporation  has  standby  letters  of  credit  issued  as 
part of normal business operations in the amount of $650 
(December 31, 2019 – $1,150) which will remain outstanding 
for an indefinite period of time. 

Grievances  for  unspecified  damages  were  lodged  against 
the Corporation in relation to labor matters. The Corporation 
has  disclaimed  liability  and  is  defending  the  actions.  It  is 
not practical to estimate the potential effect of these griev-
ances, but legal advice indicates that it is not probable that 
a significant liability will arise.

With  the  impact  of  COVID-19,  the  operations  of  certain 
plants  have  significantly  been  impacted,  and  as  a  result 
various employees have been furloughed throughout 2020. 
During 2020 the Corporation has recognized a provision of 
$1,852 related to restructuring costs through the statement 
of earnings, with $884 remaining as a current liability on the 
Corporation’s consolidated statement of financial position, 
refer to Note 10.

b) Commitments

  Utility Commitments

 The Corporation was committed to estimated natural gas 
and  electricity  commitments  for  the  next  five  calendar 
years and thereafter as follows:

16. SHARE CAPITAL

a) Authorized

The Corporation is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares and such number of shares of one class 
designated as preferred shares which number shall not exceed 1/3 of the common shares issued and outstanding from 
time to time.

b) Issued

Balance, beginning of year 
Common shares issued under LTI  
Balance, end of year  

 2020 

10,604,382 
72,507 
10,676,889  

2019

10,559,936
44,446
10,604,382

Unvested common shares held in trust for LTI 

 79,423  

64,924

We Are Dependable. 
  
 
 
 
 
 
73

17. EARNINGS PER SHARE

a) Basic

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net earnings attributable to equity holders of the Corporation by the 
weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except share and per share amounts) 

Net earnings 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands)  
Net earnings per share, basic  

 2020 

3,782 
10,557 
0.36  

2019

10,906
10,508
1.04

The basic net earnings per share calculation excludes the unvested Common shares held by the LTIP Account.

b) Diluted

Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average number of ordinary shares to assume conver-
sion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars, except share and per share amounts) 

Basic weighted average shares for the year  
Dilutive effect of LTI shares 
Diluted weighted average shares for the year 

Net earnings 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (thousands) 
Net earnings per share, diluted  

18. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

 2020 

2019

10,557,147 
72,090 
 10,629,237  

10,508,080
63,267 
10,571,347

3,782 
10,629  
0.36  

10,906
10,571
1.03

An account was formed to hold equity grants issued under the terms of the LTI on behalf of the participants (the “LTIP 
Account”) and under certain circumstances the Corporation may be the beneficiary of forfeited Common shares held by 
the LTIP Account. The Corporation has control over the LTIP Account as it is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns 
and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the LTIP Account. Therefore the Corporation has consol-
idated the LTIP Account. Compensation expense is recorded by the Corporation in the period earned. Dividends paid by 
the Corporation with respect to unvested Common shares held by the LTIP Account are paid to LTI participants. Unvested 
Common shares held by the LTIP Account are shown as a reduction of shareholders’ equity.

Balance, beginning of year  
Issued during year  
Vested during year  
Balance, end of year  

 2020 
Unvested 

64,924  
49,301  
(34,802)  
79,423  

2020 
Vested 

493,972  
23,206  
34,802  
551,980  

2019 
Unvested 

63,346  
30,122  
(28,544)  
64,924  

2019 
Vested

451,104
14,324
28,544
493,972

The cost of the 79,423 ( 2019 – 64,924 ) unvested Common shares held by the LTIP Account at December 31, 2020 was nil ( 2019 - nil).

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
74

19. DIVIDENDS TO SHAREHOLDERS

During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Corporation declared total dividends to shareholders of $12,783 or $1.200 
per share (2019 - $12,707 or $1.200 per share).

The Corporation’s policy is to pay dividends to Shareholders of its available cash to the maximum extent possible consistent 
with good business practice considering requirements for capital expenditures, working capital, growth capital and other 
reserves  considered  advisable  by  the  Directors  of  the  Corporation.  All  such  dividends  are  discretionary.  Dividends  are 
declared payable each month to the Shareholders on the last business day of each month and are paid by the 15th day of 
the following month.

20.  NET CHANGE IN NON-CASH WORKING CAPITAL ITEMS

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Accounts receivable  
Linen in service  
Prepaid expenses and deposits  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities(1)  
Income taxes payable / receivable  

 2020 

6,847  
(3,731)  
134  
(1,527)  
749  
2,472  

2019

(1,514)
174
(136)
(1,765)
5,107
1,866

1    Accounts payable and other liabilities, include the net change of accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and current provision, but exclude the net change in non-cash amounts related to the acquisition 

of property, plant and equipment that have been committed to and paid for during 2020 ($1,725) and 2019 ($4,090).

2  Net change in the current provision (note 10) represent restructure costs accrued for during 2020 - $884 , and in 2019 - nil.

21. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

a) Fair Value

c) Price Risk

  Currency Risk

The  Corporation’s  financial 
instruments  at  December 
31,  2020  and  2019  consist  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents, 
accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabili-
ties, lease liabilities, dividends payable to shareholders, and 
long term debt. The carrying value of accounts receivable, 
accounts  payable  and  accrued  liabilities,  lease  liabilities, 
and  dividends  payable  to  shareholders  approximate  fair 
value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these 
financial  instruments.  The  fair  value  of  the  Corporation’s 
interest-bearing debt approximates the respective carrying 
amount due to the floating rate nature of the debt. 

b) Financial Risk Management

The  Corporation’s  activities  are  exposed  to  a  variety  of 
financial risks: price risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The 
Corporation’s  overall  risk  management  program  focuses 
on  the  unpredictability  of  financial  and  economic  markets 
and  seeks  to  minimize  potential  adverse  effects  on  the 
Corporation’s  financial  performance.  Risk  management  is 
carried  out  by  financial  management  in  conjunction  with 
overall corporate governance.

 Foreign  currency  risk  arises  from  the  fluctuations  in 
foreign  exchange  rates  and  the  degree  of  volatility  of 
these rates relative to the Canadian dollar. 

 The  Corporation’s  operations  in  Canada  are  not  signifi-
cantly  exposed  to  foreign  currency  risk  as  all  revenues 
are received in Canadian dollars and minimal expenses 
are incurred in foreign currencies. 

 The  Corporation’s  operations  in  the  UK  transacts  in 
Sterling  pounds  £,  with  minimal  revenue  and  expenses 
that  are  incurred  in  other  foreign  currencies.  The 
Corporation is sensitive to foreign exchange risk arising 
from the translation of the financial statements of subsid-
iaries with a functional currency other than the Canadian 
dollar impacting other comprehensive income (loss). 

 For large capital expenditure commitments denominated 
in  a  foreign  currency,  the  Corporation  will  enter  into 
foreign exchange forward contracts if considered prudent 
to mitigate this risk. 

 Based on financial instrument balances as at December 
31,  2020,  a  strengthening  or  weakening  of  $0.01  of  the 
Canadian dollar to the U.S. dollar with all other variables 

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
75

held  constant  could  have  a  favorable  or  unfavorable 
impact of approximately $1, respectively, on net earnings. 

 Based on financial instrument balances as at December 
31,  2020,  a  strengthening  or  weakening  of  $0.01  of  the 
Canadian dollar to the Sterling pounds £, with all other 
variables  held  constant  could  have  an  unfavorable  or 
favorable  impact  of  approximately  $2,  respectively,  on 
other comprehensive loss.

Interest Rate Risk

 The Corporation is subject to interest rate risk as its credit 
facility  bears  interest  at  rates  that  depend  on  certain 
financial ratios of the Corporation and vary in accordance 
with market interest rates. Based on the credit facility at 
year end, the sensitivity to a 100 basis point movement in 
interest rates would result in an impact of $407 (2019 - 
$625) to net earnings.

  Other Price Risk

 The Corporation’s exposure to other price risk is limited 
since there are no significant financial instruments which 
fluctuate as a result of changes in market prices.

d) Credit Risk

The  Corporation  has  financial  assets  that  are  subject  to 
the expected credit loss model. The Corporation’s financial 
assets  that  are  exposed  to  credit  risk  consist  of  cash  and 
cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Corporation, 
in the normal course of business, is exposed to credit risk 
from its customers. 

Management believes that the risks associated with concen-
trations  of  credit  risk  with  respect  to  accounts  receivable 

are limited due to the generally short payment terms, and 
the  nature  of  the  customers,  which  are  primarily  publicly 
funded health care entities. The credit risk associated with 
cash and cash equivalents is minimized by ensuring these 
financial  assets  are  held  with  Canadian  chartered  banks 
and Standard Chartered Bank United Kingdom.

  Cash & Cash Equivalents

 While  cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  also  subject  to 
the  impairment  requirements  of  IFRS  9,  the  identified 
impairment loss was immaterial.

  Accounts Receivable

 The Corporation applies the IFRS 9 simplified approach to 
measuring expected credit losses which uses a lifetime 
expected  loss  allowance  for  all  trade  receivables  and 
contract assets. 

 To measure the expected credit losses, trade receivables 
have been grouped based on shared credit risk character-
istics and the days past due. The expected loss rates are 
based  on  the  payment  profiles  of  sales  over  a  period  of 
60 months before December 31, 2020 or January 1, 2020 
respectively and the corresponding historical credit losses 
experienced  within  this  period.  The  historical  loss  rates 
are adjusted to reflect current and forward-looking infor-
mation on macroeconomic factors affecting the ability of 
the customers to settle the receivables. The Corporation 
has identified the GDP and the unemployment rate of the 
countries  in  which  it  provides  services  to  be  the  most 
relevant  factors,  and  accordingly  adjusts  the  historical 
loss rates based on expected changes in these factors. 

 On that basis, the loss allowance as at December 31, 2020 
and 2019 was determined as follows for trade receivables:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

December 31, 2019 

Current  
1 to 60 days  
61 to 90 days  
Greater than 90 days  

December 31, 2020 

Current  
1 to 60 days  
61 to 90 days  
Greater than 90 days  

 Gross 

Allowance 

26,634  
6,464 
1,164  
732  
34,994  

-  
-  
-  
94  
94  

 Gross 

Allowance 

22,436  
4,495 
1,144  
300  
28,375  

-  
-  
-  
267  
267  

Net

26,634
6,464
1,164
638
34,900

Net

22,436
4,495
1,144
33
28,108

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
We Are Dependable.

76

While the Corporation evaluates a customer’s credit worthiness before credit is extended, provisions for potential credit 
losses are also maintained. The change in allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Opening loss allowance at January 1,  
Adjustments made during the year  
Write-offs  
Effect of movements in exchange rates  
Balance, end of year  

e) Liquidity Risk

 2020 

94  
640  
(468)  
1  
267  

2019

105
105
(114)
(2)
94

The Corporation’s accounts payable, dividend payable and other liabilities are due within one year.

Payments due under contractual obligations on an undiscounted basis for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Long-term debt  
Lease liabilities  
Utility commitments  
Linen purchase obligations  
Property, plant and equipment commitments 

Total 

40,657  
61,539  
5,170  
4,527  
42  

2021 

-  
8,335  
5,170  
4,527  
42  

Payments Due by Period
2022 to 2023 

2024 to 2025 

Subsequent

40,657  
14,423  
-  
-  
-  

-  
11,648  
-  
-  
-  

-
27,133
-
-
-

The Corporation has a credit facility with a maturity date of 
July 31, 2022 (Note 11). The degree to which the Corporation 
is  leveraged  may  reduce  its  ability  to  obtain  additional 
financing  for  working  capital  and  to  finance  investments 
to maintain and grow the current levels of cash flows from 
operations.  The  Corporation  may  be  unable  to  extend  the 
maturity date of the credit facility.

The Corporation’s capital structure includes working capital, 
a committed revolving credit facility and share capital. The 
Corporation continuously monitors actual and forecast cash 
flows and monitors the availability on our committed credit 
facility to ensure sufficient liquidity is available.

To  reduce  liquidity  risk,  management  has  historically 
renewed  the  terms  of  the  credit  facility  in  advance  of  its 
maturity dates and the Corporation has maintained financial 
ratios that management believes are conservative compared 
to  financial  covenants  applicable  to  the  credit  facility.  A 
significant portion of the available facility remains undrawn.

Management measures liquidity risk through comparisons 
of current financial ratios with financial covenants contained 
in the credit facility.

We Are Dependable. 
77

22. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The  Corporation’s  primary  objectives  when  managing  its 
capital structure are as follows:

of acquisition opportunities. The merits of the dividend are 
periodically evaluated by the Board.

 ·  maintain financial flexibility and availability of capital in 
order to meet financial obligations, provide dividends, 
execute growth plans, and to continue growth through 
business acquisitions;

 ·  manage  the  Corporation’s  activities  in  a  responsible 
way  in  order  to  provide  an  adequate  return  for  its 
shareholders,  while  taking  a  conservative  approach 
towards financial leverage and management of finan-
cial risk; and

 ·  comply  with  financial  covenants  required  under  the 

credit facility.

The Corporation monitors its capital structure and financing 
requirements  using  non-GAAP  financial  metrics  required 
under  its  Credit  Facility  debt  covenants,  consisting  of 
Funded Debt to Credit Facility EBITDA ratio and Total Fixed 
Charge  Coverage  ratio.  The  Funded  Debt,  Credit  Facility 
EBITDA, and Total Fixed Charge Coverage are defined under 
the  terms  of  the  Credit  Facility  (see  Note  11)  and  do  not 
have  any  standardized  meaning  prescribed  under  IFRS.  It 
is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures 
presented  by  other  companies.  Debt  covenant  restrictions 
will  vary  due  to  the  timing  of  Material  Transactions  as 
defined under the terms of the Credit Facility.

The Corporation pays a dividend which reduces its ability to 
internally finance growth and expansion. However the avail-
ability of the Corporation’s revolving line of credit provides 
sufficient access to capital to allow K-Bro to take advantage 

The Corporation’s capital structure is comprised of borrow-
ings under its credit facility, shareholders’ equity, less cash 
and cash equivalents.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Long-term debt, including current portion  
Issued and outstanding letters of credit  
Shareholders’ equity  

Less: Cash and cash equivalents  

Years Ended December 31,

 2020 

40,657  
650  
189,504  
230,811  

(2,416)  
228,395  

2019

62,494
1,150
196,051
259,695

(5,301)
254,394

The Corporation’s financing strategy is to maintain a flexible 
structure  consistent  with  the  objectives  stated  above,  to 
respond adequately to changes in economic conditions and 
to allow growth organically and through business acquisi-
tions. In order to maintain and adjust its capital structure, 
the  Corporation  may  issue  new  shares  in  the  market, 
contract bank loans and negotiate new credit facilities.

As  part  of  its  operational  strategy,  to  mitigate  the  impact 
of  COVID-19  the  Corporation  reduced  its  planned  capital 
spending  through  the  deferral  of  any  capital  projects  that 
were not critical to the Corporation’s operations.

2020 Annual Report 
  
78

23. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

25. SEGMENTED INFORMATION

The Corporation transacts with key individuals from manage-
ment and with the Board who have authority and responsibility 
to  plan,  direct  and  control  the  activities  of  the  Corporation. 
The nature of these dealings were in the form of payments 
for services rendered in their capacity as Directors (retainers 
and meeting fees, including share-based payments) and as 
employees of the Corporation (salaries, benefits, short-term 
bonuses and share-based payments).

Key  management  personnel  are  defined  as  the  executive 
officers of the Corporation including the President and Chief 
Executive  Officer,  Senior  Vice-President,  Chief  Financial 
Officer and one employee acting in the capacity of Managing 
Director, UK.

During  2020  and  2019,  remuneration  to  directors  and  key 
management personnel was as follows:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

Salaries and retainer fees  
Short-term bonus incentives  
Post-employment benefits  
Share-based payments  

 2020 

1,868 
993  
64  
1,469  
4,394  

2019

1,882
967
64
1,446
4,359 

The  Corporation  incurred  expenses  in  the  normal  course 
of  business  for  advisory  consulting  services  provided  by 
a  Director.  The  amounts  charged  are  recorded  at  their 
exchange amounts and are subject to normal trade terms. 
For  the  Years  ended  December  31,  2020,  the  Corporation 
incurred such fees totaling $138 (2019– $138).

24. EXPENSES BY NATURE

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

 2020 

2019

Wages and benefits  
Linen  
Utilities  
Delivery  
Materials and supplies  
Occupancy costs  
Repairs and maintenance  
Other expenses  

81,868 
24,780  
11,644  
12,480  
8,126  
3,704  
7,006  
8,739  
158,347  

118,851
27,463
16,427
15,567
10,172
4,675
8,761
2,921
204,837

During the year ended December 31, 2020, wages and benefits 
reflected in the table above includes an offset of government 
grants recognized in the year of $14,255 ($0 – 2019).

The  Chief  Executive  Officer  (“CEO”)  is  the  Corporation’s 
chief operating decision-maker. The Chief Executive Officer 
examines  the  Corporation’s  performance  and  allocation  of 
resources both from geographic perspective and service type, 
and has identified two reportable segments of its business:

  1.  Canadian division - provides laundry and linen services 
to the healthcare and hospitality sectors through nine 
operating  divisions  located  in  Vancouver,  Victoria, 
Calgary,  Edmonton,  Regina,  Toronto,  Montréal,  and 
Québec  City.  Management  has  assessed  that  the 
services  offered  and  the  economic  characteristics 
associated with these divisions are similar, and there-
fore  they  have  been  aggregated  into  one  reportable 
segment which operates exclusively in Canada. 

  2.  UK  division  -  provides  laundry  and  linen  services 
primarily  to  the  hospitality  sector,  with  other  sectors 
including  healthcare,  manufacturing  and  pharma-
ceutical, through six sites which are located in Cupar, 
Perth, Newcastle, Livingston and Coatbridge.

The aggregation assessment requires significant judgment 
by management. Economic indicators used by management 
to assess the economic characteristics are the gross margin 
and the growth rate of each division.

The CEO primarily uses a measure of EBITDA to assess the 
performance  of  the  operating  segments.  In  addition,  the 
CEO also receives information about the segments’ revenue 
and assets on a monthly basis.

Segment revenue

The Corporation disaggregates revenue from contracts with 
customers  by  geographic  location  and  customer-type  for 
each of our segments, as we believe it best depicts how the 
nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and 
cash flows are affected by economic factors.

Sales between segments are carried out at arm’s length and 
are eliminated on consolidation. The revenue from external 
parties is measured in the same manner as in the consoli-
dated statements of earnings & comprehensive income.

In  Edmonton,  the  Corporation  is  the  significant  supplier  of 
laundry  and  linen  services  to  the  entity  which  manages  all 
major  healthcare  facilities  in  the  region  and  this  contract 
expires on March 31, 2023. In Calgary, the major customer is 
contractually committed to February 28, 2021, in Vancouver 
the major customer is contractually committed to March 1, 
2027, and in Saskatchewan the major customer is contractu-
ally committed to June 1, 2025. For the years ended December 
31, 2020, from these four major customers the Corporation 
has recorded revenue of $108,559 (2019 – $102,460), repre-
senting 55.2% (2019 – 40.6%) of total revenue.

We Are Dependable.  
 
 
79
79

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

 2020 

2019

Healthcare  
Hospitality  
Canadian division  

Healthcare  
Hospitality  
UK division  

144,715  
21,967  
166,682  

6,488  
23,421  
29,909  

73.6%  
11.2%  
84.8%  

3.3%  
11.9%  
15.2%  

132,620  
54,004  
186,624  

6,404  
59,382  
65,786  

52.6%
21.4%
74.0%

2.5%
23.5%
26.0%

Total segment revenue  

196,591  

100.0%  

252,410  

100.0%

Segment Net Earnings & EBITDA

Segment net earnings and EBITDA are calculated consistent with the presentation in the financial statements. The net earnings 
and EBITDA is allocated based on the operations of the segment, and where the earnings and costs are generated from.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars) 

  Canadian Division 

UK Division 

Total

2020 
Net earnings (loss)  
EBITDA  

2019
Net earnings  
EBITDA  

10,892  
38,365  

(7,110)  
(121)  

  Canadian Division 

UK Division 

7,787  
35,843  

3,119  
11,730  

3,782
38,244

Total

10,906
47,573

The Canadian division net earnings includes non-cash employee share based compensation expense of $1,799 (2019 – $1,810).

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
80
80

Segment Assets

Segment assets are measured in the same way as in the financial statements. These assets are allocated based on the 
operations of the segment and the physical location of the asset. 

The Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents are not considered to be segment assets but are managed by the treasury function.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars)

At December 31, 2020 

Total assets  
Other:
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total segment assets  

Canadian Division 

UK Division 

243,414  

(679) 
242,735  

80,397  

(1,737) 
78,660  

At December 31, 2019 

Canadian Division 

UK Division 

Total assets 
Other:
Cash and cash equivalents 
Total segment assets  

Segment Liabilities

260,560  

- 
260,560  

91,499  

(5,301) 
86,198  

Total

323,811

(2,416)
321,395

Total

352,059

(5,301)
346,758

Segment liabilities are measured in the same way as in the financial statements. These liabilities are allocated based on 
the operations of the segment. The Corporation’s borrowings are not considered to be segment liabilities, but are managed 
by the treasury function.

($ Thousands of CDN dollars)

At December 31, 2020 

Total liabilities  
Other:
Long-term debt (note 11) 
Total segment liabilities  

At December 31, 2019 

Total liabilities 
Other:
Long-term debt (note 11) 
Total segment liabilities  

 Canadian Division 

UK Division 

112,229  

(40,657) 
71,572  

22,078  

- 
22,078  

 Canadian Division 

UK Division 

132,156  

(62,494) 
69,662  

23,852  

- 
23,852  

Total

134,307

(40,657)
93,650

Total

156,008

(62,494)
93,514

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
81

26. IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

(a)   Impairment Testing at March 31, 2020

impairment 

 Management  assessed 
indicators 
that 
existed at March 31, 2020, specifically for the five CGUs 
that rely primarily on hospitality revenues as a result of 
the  significant  impact  that  COVID-19  had  on  the  hospi-
tality industry. 

 For  the  five  CGUs  who  rely  primarily  on  hospitality 
revenues  an  impairment  test  was  completed  using  a 
probability-weighted  discounted  cash  flow  approach 
whereby  the  recoverable  amount  was  based  on  the 
higher of an asset’s fair value less costs to sell and value 
in  use  (being  the  present  value  of  the  expected  future 
cash flows of the relevant asset or CGU). 

 The  key  assumptions  in  calculating  the  recoverable 
amount of the five CGU’s were as follows:

  Long-term growth rate % 
  Pre-tax discount rate % 

March 31, 2020 

2.0% to 3.0%
10.5% to 12.5%

 For the March 31, 2020 impairment test, management’s 
probability  weighted  approach  was  evaluated  based  on 
an equally weighted probability of a one year downturn in 
sales to the worst case of a two year downturn in sales. 
The  scenarios  estimated  a  decline  of  70%  for  2020  and 
50% for 2021, with sales returning to normalized levels 
thereafter with sales growth estimates used between 2% 
to 3%. 

 As a result of this testing at March 31, 2020, an impair-
ment  loss  of  $5,516  was  recognized  for  three  CGUs  in 
the  Canadian  division,  of  which  $3,177  was  allocated  to 
goodwill  and  $2,339  was  allocated  to  PP&E.  The  table 
below summarizes the impairment details:

($ Thousands of CDN dollars)

  GCU 

Allocated to  Allocated 
to PP&E 

Goodwill 

Total 
Impairment 
Recorded 

Recoverable 
Amount 

  Montréal 
  Québec 
  Victoria 

823 
654 
1,700 
3,177 

- 
2,339 
- 
2,339 

823 
2,993 
1,700 
5,516 

2,485
(1,917)
5,433
6,001

(b)   Impairment Testing at December 31, 2020

 The  Corporation  performed  its  annual  assessment  for 
goodwill  impairment  for  the  Canadian  division  and  for 
the UK division as at December 31, 2020 in accordance 
with its policy described in Note 2(k). 

 At  December  31,  2020,  the  recoverable  amount  for  the 
CGUs was determined using either a probability-weighted 
discounted  cash  flow  approach  (hospitality  CGUs)  or 
an  earnings  multiple  approach  (healthcare  CGUs).  The 
Corporation  references  Board  approved  budgets  and 
cash  flow  forecasts,  trailing  twelve-month  EBITDA, 
implied multiples and appropriate discount rates in the 
valuation calculations. 

 For the healthcare CGUs whereby the earnings multiple 
approach  is  used  the  implied  multiple  is  calculated  by 
utilizing  the  average  multiples  of  comparable  public 
companies.  For  the  healthcare  CGU’s,  the  Corporation 
used implied average forward multiples that ranged from 
12.7  to  12.9  to  calculate  the  recoverable  amounts.  For 
these  CGUs,  based  on  testing  performed  at  December 
31, 2020 no impairment was determined to exist. 

 For the hospitality CGUs the probability weight discounted 
cash flow approach was used at both March 31, 2020 and 
December  31,  2020  to  capture  the  increased  risk  and 
uncertainty arising from COVID-19. 

 For  the  December  31,  2020  impairment  test,  manage-
ment’s  probability  weighted  approach  was  evaluated 
based on an equally weighted probability of a continued 
two year downturn in sales to the worst case of a three 
year  downturn  in  sales.  The  scenarios  estimated  a 
decline of 45% for 2021, 30% for 2022, and 5% for 2023 
with sales returning to normalized levels thereafter with 
sales  growth  estimates  used  2%.  This  contrasts  to  the 
March  31,  2020  impairment  test  which  contemplated  a 
decline in 2020 and 2021 revenues only. As at December 
31, 2020, for the goodwill associated with the remaining 
hospitality  CGUs  (the  UK  Division,  Vancouver  2  and 
Victoria)  the  recoverable  amounts  was  estimated  to  be 
£41,070, $21,300 and $6,484 respectively which exceeded 
the  carrying  amounts  of  the  CGUs.  No  further  impair-
ment was therefore required for any of these CGUs.

 The  key  assumptions  in  calculating  the  recoverable 
amount of the remaining CGU’s were as follows:

December 31, 2020 

  Long-term growth rate % 
  Pre-tax discount rate % 

2.0%
11.6% to 12.5%

2020 Annual Report 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
82

27. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

a) Dividends

The  Corporation’s  Board  of  Directors  declared  an  eligible 
dividend  of  $0.10  per  Common  share  of  the  Corporation 
payable  on  each  of  February  12,  March  15,  and  April  15, 
2021 to Shareholders of record on January 31, February 28, 
and March 31, 2021, respectively.

b) Alberta Healthcare Contract Extension

On  March  1,  2021,  the  Corporation  was  awarded  a  1  year 
extension  to  provide  laundry  and  linen  services  to  Alberta 
Health Services Calgary. The contract extends the existing 
relationship  between  the  Corporation  and  Alberta  Health 
Services Calgary.

 In addition to the key assumptions noted above, manage-
ment  has  also  evaluated  other  reasonable  changes  in 
estimates and assumptions and did not identify any other 
instances that could cause the carrying amount of these 
CGUs to exceed the recoverable amount. The table below 
summarizes the sensitivity of the key assumptions.

Sensitivity Analysis

Recoverable 

Long-Term 

Pre-Tax
 Growth Rate  Discount Rate 
Increase of 1% 

Amount  Decrease of 1% 

  UK Division 
  Vancouver 2 
  Victoria 

£40,070 
$21,300 
$6,484 

(£3,869) 
($2,295) 
($695) 

(£4,652)
($2,785)
($845)

 The  Corporation  will  continue  to  carefully  monitor  the 
situation  as  it  pertains  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and 
further consider if there are new, or additional indicators, 
that exist during fiscal 2021.

 With  the  ongoing  evolution  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic, 
the length and severity of these developments is subject 
to significant uncertainty. Accordingly, new developments 
may  materially  and  adversely  affect  assumptions  used 
in the consideration of the impairment of assets, impact 
whether a CGU has been impaired, and may change prior 
recorded impairment amounts.

We Are Dependable. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83
83

2020 Annual Report

Board of Directors

ROSS SMITH, FCPA 
FCA (Chair) 
Corporate Director

MATTHEW HILLS, MBA 
Managing Director 
LLM Capital Partners

STEVEN MATYAS, BSC 
Corporate Director

LINDA MCCURDY, MBA 
President & CEO 
K-Bro Linen Systems Inc.

MICHAEL PERCY, PHD 
Professor  
School of Business 
University of Alberta

Executive Officers

LINDA MCCURDY, MBA 
President & CEO

SEAN CURTIS  
Senior VP & COO

KRISTIE PLAQUIN, CPA, CA 
Chief Financial Officer

TRANSFER AGENT  
& REGISTRAR 
AST Trust Company 
Calgary, Alberta

AUDITORS 
Pricewaterhouse- 
Coopers LLP 
Edmonton, Alberta

LEGAL COUNSEL 
Stikeman Elliott 
Toronto, Ontario 

PRINCIPAL BANK 
TD Bank 
Edmonton, Alberta

STOCK EXCHANGE 
LISTING 
TSX: KBL

Inquiries@K-BroLinen.com 
K-BroLinen.com

2020 Annual Report 
We Are Dependable.

84

Canada Locations

CORPORATE OFFICE 
14903 - 137 Ave 
Edmonton, AB  T5V 1R9 

P  780 453 5218 
F  780 455 6676

VANCOUVER 1 
#401 - 8340  
Fraser Reach Court,  
Burnaby, BC  V3N 0G2 

P  604 420 2203 
F  604 420 2313 

Kevin Stephenson 
General Manager

CALGARY 
6969 – 55 St SE 
Calgary, AB  T2C 4Y9 

P  403 724 9001 
F  403 720 2959 

Jeff Gannon 
General Manager

REGINA 
730 Dethridge Bay 
Regina, SK  S4N 6H9 

P  306 757 5276 
F  306 757 5280 

Jackie Belanger 
General Manager

MONTRÉAL 
599, Rue Simonds  
Sud Granby, QC  J2J 1C1 

P  450 378 3187 
F  450 378 8245

VICTORIA 
861 Van Isle Way 
Victoria, BC  V9B 5R8 

P  250 474 5699 
F  250 474 5680 

Andrew MacKeen 
General Manager

VANCOUVER 2 
8035 Enterprise Street 
Burnaby, BC  V5A 1V5 

EDMONTON 
15223 – 121 A Ave 
Edmonton, AB  T5V 1N1 

TORONTO 
6045 Freemont Blvd 
Mississauga, ON  L5R 4J3 

QUÉBEC 
367 Boulevard DesChutes,  
Québec City, QC  G1E 3G1 

P  604 681 3291 
F  604 685 1458 

Ryo Utahara 
General Manager

P  780 451 3131 
F  780 452 2838 

Trevor Rye 
General Manager

P  416 233 5555 
F  416 233 4434 

Sean Jackson 
General Manager

P  418 661 6163 
F  418 661 4000 

Dimitri Hamm 
Directeur Général

UK Locations

HEAD OFFICE 
Edenfields,  
Cupar Trading Estate  
Cupar, Fife,  KY154SX 

PERTH 
Inveralmond Industrial 
Estate, Ruthvenfield 
Avenue, Perth,  PH13UF 

P  01334654033

P  01738210106

RIGGS PLACE 
3 Riggs Place,  
Cupar, Fife,  KY155JA 

P  01334654033 

Kelly Fox  
Business Manager

COATBRIDGE 
18 Palacraig Street, 
Coatbridge,  ML54RY 

P  01236449010 

Andy Mackay  
Operations Manager

CUPAR 
Prestonhall Industrial 
Estate, Cupar, Fife,  
KY154RD 

P  01334655220 

Joe Mcdonagh 
Operations Manager

LIVINGSTON 
2 Gregory Road, Kirkton 
Campus, Livingston, 
EH547DR 

P  01506426816 

Kelly Fox  
Business Manager

NEWCASTLE 
Unit L4, Intersect 19,  
High Flatworth, Tyne 
Tunnel Industrial Estate, 
North Shields, NE297UT 

P  01916053106 

John Wellford  
Operations Manager

We Are Dependable.K-BroLinen.com