10-KPeriod: FY2018

Vertiv Holdings Co Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2018

Filed March 13, 2019For Securities:VRT

Summary

This 2018 Form 10-K for Vertiv Holdings Co (VRT), filed in March 2019, primarily details the company's corporate governance, executive team, and related party transactions, as it was a newly formed SPAC at the time. The report confirms that disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2018. Notably, the company had no internal control report for financial reporting due to its transition period as a newly public entity. A significant point for investors is the Sponsor Commitment from GS Sponsor LLC, providing up to $2.0 million in liquidity for ordinary course expenses through June 2018, with no additional equity interest gained by the sponsor. The filing also highlights the experienced leadership team, including CEO David M. Cote, who has a strong background from Honeywell. It details the roles and affiliations of the Board of Directors and the committee structures (Audit, Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance), emphasizing the independence of key directors. A crucial aspect for investors to consider is the potential for conflicts of interest arising from the multiple affiliations of officers and directors, particularly those associated with Goldman Sachs, as they have fiduciary duties to other entities that could be presented with business opportunities before Vertiv.

Financial Highlights

40 data points
Beta

Revenue

$4.29B

33.1% Gross Margin

Net Income

$5.03M

0.1% Net Margin

EPS (Diluted)

$-2.65

Total Assets

$697.34M

Cash & Equivalents

$836K

Free Cash Flow

-$286.50M

Financial Statements
Beta
Revenue$4.29B
Cost of Revenue$2.87B
Gross Profit$1.42B
R&D Expenses$198.30M
SG&A Expenses$1.22B
Interest Expense$288.80M
Net Income$5.03M
EPS (Basic)$-2.65
EPS (Diluted)$-2.65
Shares Outstanding (Basic)118.26M
Shares Outstanding (Diluted)118.26M

Key Highlights

  • 1Disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated as effective as of December 31, 2018.
  • 2No management report on internal control over financial reporting was included due to the company's status as a newly public entity.
  • 3GS Sponsor LLC committed to provide up to $2.0 million in liquidity for ordinary course expenses through June 12, 2020.
  • 4The leadership team, including CEO David M. Cote, comprises experienced individuals with backgrounds in major corporations like Honeywell.
  • 5The Board of Directors has three standing committees (Audit, Compensation, Nominating & Corporate Governance), with independent directors serving on each.
  • 6Potential conflicts of interest exist due to officers' and directors' affiliations with other entities, notably Goldman Sachs, which may take precedence for business opportunities.
  • 7Founder Shares are held primarily by GS DC Sponsor I LLC, David M. Cote, and GS Sponsor LLC, representing a significant portion of Class B common stock and influencing director elections.

Frequently Asked Questions

This particular 10-K filing from March 2019 focuses heavily on corporate structure, governance, and related party disclosures for Vertiv Holdings Co., which was operating as a SPAC (Special Purpose Acquisition Company) at the time. It does not provide detailed financial statements or operational performance metrics for the year ended December 31, 2018. Investors seeking financial performance data would need to consult the audited financial statements section or subsequent filings.

A significant risk highlighted is the potential for conflicts of interest. Many officers and directors have affiliations with other entities, particularly Goldman Sachs. This means they have fiduciary duties to these other entities, and business opportunities may be presented to them before Vertiv. While the company states it believes these conflicts won't materially affect its ability to complete an Initial Business Combination, and its charter renounces interest in certain corporate opportunities, it remains a factor for investors to monitor.

GS Sponsor LLC has committed to providing up to $2.0 million in liquidity for Vertiv's ordinary course expenses until June 12, 2020. Importantly, this liquidity will be provided as a contribution to the Sponsor's Founder Shares and does not grant GS Sponsor LLC any additional equity interest in the company. This arrangement ensures basic operational funding is available.

The report states that there was no change in internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal year that materially affected it. However, a report of management's assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting, and the auditor's attestation, are not included. This is explicitly stated to be due to a transition period established by SEC rules for newly public companies.