UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2018
Commission File No. 000-22490

corplogoa17.jpg

FORWARD AIR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Tennessee
 
62-1120025
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1915 Snapps Ferry Road, Building N
Greeneville, Tennessee
 
37745
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (423) 636-7000
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
 
Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes x  No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
 
Yes o No x
 
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as of October 22, 2018 was 29,202,290.


Table of Contents
 
 
 
Forward Air Corporation
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
Number
Part I.
Financial Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II.
Other Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 5.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 

2


Part I.
Financial Information
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
September 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
28,911

 
$
3,893

Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,176 in 2018 and $3,006 in 2017
148,464

 
147,948

Other current assets
23,692

 
15,807

Total current assets
201,067

 
167,648

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
409,465

 
399,235

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
199,166

 
193,123

Total property and equipment, net
210,299

 
206,112

Goodwill and other acquired intangibles:
 

 
 

Goodwill
193,625

 
191,671

Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $78,250 in 2018 and $71,527 in 2017
106,227

 
111,247

Total goodwill and other acquired intangibles, net
299,852

 
302,918

Other assets
31,923

 
15,944

Total assets
$
743,141

 
$
692,622

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
35,110

 
$
30,723

Accrued expenses
40,073

 
35,069

Current portion of debt and capital lease obligations
336

 
359

Total current liabilities
75,519

 
66,151

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, less current portion
40,383

 
40,588

Other long-term liabilities
43,073

 
24,104

Deferred income taxes
35,756

 
29,080

 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock
—

 
—

Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 50,000,000, Issued and outstanding shares - 28,869,008 in 2018 and 29,454,062 in 2017
288

 
295

Additional paid-in capital
206,790

 
195,346

Retained earnings
341,332

 
337,058

Total shareholders’ equity
548,410

 
532,699

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
743,141

 
$
692,622

 
 
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


3


Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
Operating revenue
$
331,375

 
$
298,289

 
$
964,325

 
$
844,209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
155,451

 
140,330

 
450,833

 
389,127

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
76,028

 
65,334

 
217,682

 
192,279

Operating leases
18,671

 
16,809

 
54,640

 
47,205

Depreciation and amortization
10,295

 
10,326

 
31,346

 
30,578

Insurance and claims
9,203

 
7,844

 
26,442

 
21,379

Fuel expense
5,634

 
4,096

 
16,786

 
11,448

Other operating expenses
26,214

 
26,374

 
79,612

 
71,279

Total operating expenses
301,496

 
271,113

 
877,341

 
763,295

Income from operations
29,879

 
27,176

 
86,984

 
80,914

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(472
)
 
(288
)
 
(1,327
)
 
(806
)
Other, net
(1
)
 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
Total other expense
(473
)
 
(291
)
 
(1,329
)
 
(817
)
Income before income taxes
29,406

 
26,885

 
85,655

 
80,097

Income tax expense
7,077

 
8,557

 
21,289

 
27,522

Net income and comprehensive income
$
22,329


$
18,328

 
$
64,366

 
$
52,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.76

 
$
0.61

 
$
2.18

 
$
1.74

Diluted
$
0.76

 
$
0.61

 
$
2.18

 
$
1.73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per share:
$
0.15

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.45

 
$
0.45


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

4


Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
64,366

 
$
52,575

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
31,346

 
30,578

Change in fair value of earn-out liability
(455
)
 
—

Share-based compensation
7,525

 
5,965

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment
(14
)
 
701

Provision for (recovery) loss on receivables
(52
)
 
1,788

Provision for revenue adjustments
2,921

 
2,131

Deferred income tax
6,676

 
523

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(3,386
)
 
(22,894
)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(4,880
)
 
(1,411
)
Income taxes
(3,193
)
 
(424
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
12,991

 
8,179

Net cash provided by operating activities
113,845

 
77,711

 
 
 
 
Investing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment
5,989

 
1,497

Purchases of property and equipment
(34,344
)
 
(13,610
)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
(3,737
)
 
(22,500
)
Other
(356
)
 
(73
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(32,448
)
 
(34,686
)
 
 
 
 
Financing activities:
 
 
 
Payments of debt and capital lease obligations
(228
)
 
(28,215
)
Proceeds from senior credit facility
—

 
55,000

Payments on line of credit
—

 
(14,500
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
3,682

 
5,642

Payments of cash dividends
(13,213
)
 
(13,584
)
Repurchase of common stock (repurchase program)
(44,985
)
 
(41,983
)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan
237

 
226

Cash settlement of share-based awards for tax withholdings
(1,872
)
 
(1,699
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(56,379
)
 
(39,113
)
Net increase in cash
25,018

 
3,912

Cash at beginning of period
3,893

 
8,511

Cash at end of period
$
28,911

 
$
12,423

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.



5
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018


1.    Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Forward Air Corporation is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. Forward Air Corporation's ("the Company", "We", "Our") services can be classified into four reportable segments: Expedited LTL, Truckload Premium Services ("TLS"), Intermodal and Pool Distribution ("Pool") (See Note 11).
 
Through the Expedited LTL segment, we operate a comprehensive national network to provide expedited regional, inter-regional and national less-than-truckload ("LTL") services. Expedited LTL offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage and other handling.

Through our TLS segment, we provide expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services, as well as high security and temperature-controlled logistics services in the United States and Canada.

Our Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and CFS warehouse and handling services. Today, Intermodal operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, with a smaller operational presence in the Southwest United States.

In our Pool Distribution segment, we provide high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations within a specific geographic region. We offer this service throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The Company’s operating results are subject to seasonal trends (as described in our 2017 Form 10-K) when measured on a quarterly basis; therefore operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Forward Air Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company include Forward Air Corporation and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial information to conform to the current year presentation.

2.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): "Simplifying the Accounting for Goodwill Impairment." Under the new standard, a goodwill impairment loss will be measured at the amount by which a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill, thus no longer requiring the two-step method. The guidance requires prospective adoption and will be effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption of this guidance is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. We have adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018 and do not expect any impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset with a corresponding lease liability on their balance sheet for most leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. Lessors will be required to recognize a net lease investment for most leases. Additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures will also be required. The guidance will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted. We plan to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption as allowed per the guidance. Changes to processes and internal controls to meet the standard’s reporting and disclosure requirements have been identified and are being implemented. We continue to evaluate the expected impact of this guidance, but do not anticipate any material changes to operating results or liquidity as a result of the right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities that will be recorded.

6
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

    
In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue from contracts with customers that superseded most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The underlying principle is that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Other major provisions include capitalization of certain contract costs, consideration of time value of money in the transaction price, and allowing estimates of variable consideration to be recognized before contingencies are resolved in certain circumstances. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. The guidance is effective for the interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption approach with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded in either scenario as necessary upon transition.

As permitted by the guidance, we implemented the use of full retrospective presentation, which required the Company to restate each prior reporting period presented. While evaluating principal versus agent relationships under the new standard, we determined that we will transition the fuel surcharge revenue stream from an agent to principal relationship. This caused this revenue stream and associated costs to be recognized on a gross basis that have historically been recognized on a net basis.

In addition, based on a review of our customer shipping arrangements, we have concluded that revenue recognition for our performance obligations should be over time. This is because the customer will simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of these services as the entity performs over the related service period. A performance obligation is performed over time if an entity determines that another entity would not need to substantially reperform the work completed to date if another entity were to fulfill the remaining performance obligation to the applicable customer. Applying this guidance to our shipping performance obligations, if we were to move a customer’s freight partially to its destination but were unable to complete the remaining obligation, a replacement vendor would only have to complete the transit as opposed to initiating at shipment origin. Therefore, we believe our customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits we provide and as a result we will recognize the revenue for each shipment over the course of time based on percentage of days in transit.

Our revenue from contracts with customers is disclosed within our four reportable segments: Expedited LTL, TLS, Intermodal and Pool. This is consistent with our disclosures in earnings releases and annual reports and with the information regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for evaluating financial performance.

The impact of implementing this guidance using the full retrospective approach on the prior period statements of operations are shown in the "As Adjusted" columns of the following tables:

 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
As Previously Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Adjusted
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
$
155,703

 
$
9,696

 
$
165,399

Truckload Premium Services
 
45,941

 
5,520

 
51,461

Pool Distribution
 
39,180

 
1,003

 
40,183

Intermodal
 
42,292

 
1,869

 
44,161

Eliminations and other operations
 
(2,915
)
 
—

 
(2,915
)
Consolidated revenue
 
280,201

 
18,088

 
298,289

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
253,303

 
17,810

 
271,113

Income from operations
 
26,898

 
278

 
27,176

Income tax expenses
 
8,453

 
104

 
8,557

Net Income
 
18,155

 
173

 
18,328

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.60

 
$
0.01

 
$
0.61


7
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
As Previously Reported
 
Adjustments
 
As Adjusted
Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
$
448,571

 
$
26,065

 
$
474,636

Truckload Premium Services
 
132,912

 
16,087

 
148,999

Pool Distribution
 
113,838

 
2,903

 
116,741

Intermodal
 
105,853

 
4,454

 
110,307

Eliminations and other operations
 
(6,474
)
 
—

 
(6,474
)
Consolidated revenue
 
794,700

 
49,509

 
844,209

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expenses
 
714,804

 
48,491

 
763,295

Income from operations
 
79,896

 
1,018

 
80,914

Income tax expenses
 
27,131

 
391

 
27,522

Net Income
 
51,948

 
627

 
52,575

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
1.71

 
$
0.02

 
$
1.73


3.    Acquisitions and Goodwill

Intermodal Acquisitions

As part of the Company's strategy to expand its Intermodal operations, in May 2017, we acquired certain assets of Atlantic Trucking Company, Inc., Heavy Duty Equipment Leasing, LLC, Atlantic Logistics, LLC and Transportation Holdings, Inc. (together referred to as “Atlantic” in this note) for $22,500 and an earnout of $135 to be paid in October 2018. The acquisition was funded by a combination of cash on hand and funds from our revolving credit facility. Atlantic was a privately held provider of intermodal, drayage and related services headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. It also has terminal operations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Jacksonville, Memphis, Nashville, Norfolk and Savannah. These locations allowed Intermodal to significantly expand its footprint in the southeastern region.
In October 2017, we also acquired certain assets of Kansas City Logistics, LLC ("KCL") for $640 and an earnout of $100 paid in the second quarter of 2018. KCL provided Intermodal with an expanded footprint in the Kansas and Missouri markets.
In July 2018, we also acquired certain assets of Multi-Modal Transport Inc. ("MMT") for $3,737. The MMT acquisition provides Intermodal with an expanded footprint in the Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Wisconsin markets, along with access to several strategic customer relationships.
The assets, liabilities, and operating results of these collective acquisitions have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from their dates of acquisition and have been included in the Intermodal reportable segment.

8
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

Allocations of Purchase Prices
The following table presents the allocation of the Atlantic, KCL, and MMT purchase prices to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values and resulting residual goodwill (in thousands):

Atlantic
KCL
MMT

May 7, 2017
October 22, 2017
July 25, 2018
Tangible assets:
 
 
 
Property and equipment
$
1,821

$
223

$
81

Total tangible assets
1,821

223

81

Intangible assets:
 
 
 
Non-compete agreements
1,150

6

43

Customer relationships
13,400

234

1,659

Goodwill
6,719

277

1,954

Total intangible assets
21,269

517

3,656

Total assets acquired
23,090

740

3,737


 
 
 
Liabilities assumed:
 
 
 
Current liabilities
590

100

—

Total liabilities assumed
590

100

—

Net assets acquired
$
22,500

$
640

$
3,737

The acquired definite-lived intangible assets have the following useful lives:

Useful Lives

Atlantic
KCL
MMT
Customer relationships
15 years
15 years
15 years
Non-compete agreements
5 years
2 years
5 years
The fair value of the non-compete agreements and customer relationships assets were estimated using an income approach. The Company's inputs into fair value estimates are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as defined in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“the FASB Codification”). Under this method, an intangible asset's fair value is equal to the present value of the incremental after-tax cash flows (excess earnings) attributable solely to the intangible asset over its remaining useful life. To estimate fair value, the Company used cash flows discounted at rates considered appropriate given the inherent risks associated with each type of asset. The Company believes that the level and timing of cash flows appropriately reflect market participant assumptions. Cash flows were assumed to extend through the remaining economic useful life of each class of intangible asset.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill

The Company conducted its annual impairment assessments and test of goodwill for each reporting unit as of June 30, 2018 and
no impairment charges were required at that time. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these fair value estimates and require adjustments to recorded asset balances. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 no indicators of impairment were identified.


9
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

The following is a summary of the changes to goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Approximately $114,481 of goodwill is deductible for tax purposes.

 
Beginning balance, December 31, 2017
 
MMT Acquisition
 
Ending balance, September 30, 2018
Expedited LTL
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
$
97,593

 
$
—

 
$
97,593

Accumulated Impairment
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
TLS
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
45,164

 
—

 
45,164

Accumulated Impairment
(25,686
)
 
—

 
(25,686
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pool Distribution
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
12,359

 
—

 
12,359

Accumulated Impairment
(6,953
)
 
—

 
(6,953
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Intermodal
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill
69,194

 
1,954

 
71,148

Accumulated Impairment
—

 
—

 
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
191,671

 
$
1,954

 
$
193,625

4.    Share-Based Payments

The Company’s general practice has been to make a single annual grant of share-based compensation in the first quarter to key employees and to make other employee grants only in connection with new employment or promotions.  Forms of share-based compensation granted to employees by the Company include stock options, non-vested shares of common stock (“non-vested share”), and performance shares.  The Company also typically makes a single annual grant of non-vested shares to non-employee directors in conjunction with the annual election of non-employee directors to the Board of Directors. Share-based compensation is based on the grant date fair value of the instrument and is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, or vesting period.  All share-based compensation expense is recognized in salaries, wages and employee benefits.

Employee Activity - Stock Options
 
Stock option grants to employees generally expire seven years from the grant date and typically vest ratably over a three-year period.  The Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the grant-date fair value of options granted.  The weighted-average fair value of options granted and assumptions used to estimate their fair value during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Expected dividend yield
1.1
%

1.3
%
Expected stock price volatility
24.4
%

28.7
%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
2.7
%

2.0
%
Expected life of options (years)
6.1


6.0

Weighted average grant date fair value
$
16


$
13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

The following tables summarize the Company’s employee stock option activity and related information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended September 30, 2018







Weighted-



Weighted-

Aggregate

Average



Average

Intrinsic

Remaining

Options

Exercise

Value

Contractual

(000)

Price

(000)

Term
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
440


$
45





Granted
193


62





Exercised
(89
)

41





Forfeited
—


—





Outstanding at September 30, 2018
544


$
51


$
6,689


4.9
Exercisable at September 30, 2018
228


$
45


$
4,294


3.4
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Share-based compensation for options
$
1,085


$
993

Tax benefit for option compensation
$
271


$
354

Unrecognized compensation cost for options, net of estimated forfeitures
$
3,621


$
1,909

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)
2.3

 
 

Employee Activity - Non-vested Shares

Non-vested share grants to employees vest ratably over a three-year period.  The non-vested shares’ fair values were estimated using closing market prices on the day of grant. The following tables summarize the Company’s employee non-vested share activity and related information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended September 30, 2018



Weighted-

Aggregate

Non-vested

Average

Grant Date

Shares

Grant Date

Fair Value

(000)

Fair Value

(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 2017
227


$
47



Granted
202


60



Vested
(108
)

56



Forfeited
(3
)

52



Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 2018
318


$
55


$
17,467


11
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
 
 

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares
$
4,902


$
3,762

Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation
$
1,225


$
1,343

Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures
$
13,146


$
7,410

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)
2.0

 
 

Employee Activity - Performance Shares

The Company annually grants performance shares to key employees.  Under the terms of the performance share agreements, following the end of a three-year performance period, the Company will issue to the employees a calculated number of common stock shares based on the three year performance of the Company’s total shareholder return as compared to the total shareholder return of a selected peer group.  No shares may be issued if the Company's total shareholder return outperforms 25% or less of the peer group, but the number of shares issued may be doubled if the Company's total shareholder return performs better than 90% of the peer group.  The fair value of the performance shares was estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation. The weighted average assumptions used in the Monte Carlo estimate were as follows:

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Expected stock price volatility
24.3
%

24.7
%
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
2.2
%

1.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following tables summarize the Company’s employee performance share activity, assuming median share awards, and related information:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended September 30, 2018



Weighted-

Aggregate

Performance

Average

Grant Date

Shares

Grant Date

Fair Value

(000)

Fair Value

(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 2017
69


$
58



Granted
18


72



Additional shares awarded based on performance
—


—



Vested
—


—



Forfeited
(22
)

67



Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 2018
65


$
58


$
3,795


12
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
 
 

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Share-based compensation for performance shares
$
953


$
689

Tax benefit for performance share compensation
$
238


$
246

Unrecognized compensation cost for performance shares, net of estimated forfeitures
$
1,725


$
1,740

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)
1.9

 
 

Employee Activity - Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Under the 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”), which has been approved by shareholders, the Company is authorized to issue up to a remaining 367,309 shares of common stock to employees of the Company. These shares may be issued at a price equal to 90% of the lesser of the market value on the first day or the last day of each six-month purchase period. Common stock purchases are paid for through periodic payroll deductions and/or up to two large lump sum contributions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, participants under the plan purchased 4,550 shares at an average price of $51.98 per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, participants under the plan purchased 5,188 shares at an average price of $43.59 per share. The weighted-average fair value of each purchase right under the ESPP granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, which is equal to the discount from the market value of the common stock at the end of each six month purchase period, was $7.10 per share. The weighted-average fair value of each purchase right under the ESPP granted for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, which is equal to the discount from the market value of the common stock at the end of each six month purchase period, was $9.69 per share. Share-based compensation expense of $32 and $51 was recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Non-employee Director Activity - Non-vested Shares

Grants of non-vested shares to non-employee directors vest ratably over the elected term to the Board of Directors, or approximately one year.  The following tables summarize the Company’s non-employee non-vested share activity and related information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nine months ended September 30, 2018



Weighted-

Aggregate

Non-vested

Average

Grant Date

Shares

Grant Date

Fair Value

(000)

Fair Value

(000)
Outstanding and non-vested at December 31, 2017
11


$
52



Granted
15


58



Vested
(12
)

52



Forfeited
—


—



Outstanding and non-vested at September 30, 2018
14


$
58


$
805


13
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
 
 

Nine months ended

September 30,
2018

September 30,
2017
Share-based compensation for non-vested shares
$
553


$
470

Tax benefit for non-vested share compensation
$
138


$
167

Unrecognized compensation cost for non-vested shares, net of estimated forfeitures
$
501


$
430

Weighted average period over which unrecognized compensation will be recognized (years)
0.6

 
 


5.    Senior Credit Facility

On September 29, 2017, the Company entered into a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $150,000, with a sublimit of $30,000 for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30,000 for swing line loans. The Facility may be increased by up to $100,000 to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $250,000 pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement, subject to the lenders’ agreement to increase their commitments or the addition of new lenders extending such commitments. Such increases to the Facility may be in the form of additional revolving credit loans, term loans or a combination thereof, and are contingent upon there being no events of default under the Facility and satisfaction of other conditions precedent and are subject to the other limitations set forth in the credit agreement.

The Facility is scheduled to mature in September 2022 and may be used to refinance existing indebtedness of the Company and for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The Facility refinanced the Company’s existing obligations for its unsecured credit facility under the credit agreement dated as of February 4, 2015, as amended, which was terminated as of the date of the new Facility.

Unless the Company elects otherwise under the credit agreement, interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on the highest of (a) the federal funds rate (not less than 0%) plus 0.5%, (b) the administrative agent's prime rate and (c) the LIBOR Rate plus 1.0%, in each case plus a margin that can range from 0.3% to 0.8% with respect to the Facility depending on the Company’s ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as set forth in the credit agreement. Payments of interest for each loan that is based on the LIBOR Rate are due in arrears on the last day of the interest period applicable to such loan (with interest periods of one, two or three months being available, at the Company’s option). Payments of interest on loans that are not based on the LIBOR Rate are due on the last day of each quarter ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. All unpaid amounts of principal and interest are due at maturity. As of September 30, 2018, we had $40,500 in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $11,123 utilized for outstanding letters of credit and $98,377 of available borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the outstanding borrowing under the revolving credit facility was 3.6% at September 30, 2018.

The Facility contains customary events of default including, among other things, payment defaults, breach of covenants, cross acceleration to material indebtedness, bankruptcy-related defaults, material judgment defaults, and the occurrence of certain change of control events. The occurrence of an event of default may result in, among other things, the termination of the Facilities, acceleration of repayment obligations and the exercise of remedies by the lenders with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries that are party to the Facility. The Facility also contains financial covenants and other covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, without the approval of the required lenders, to engage in certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, dividends and stock repurchases, investments, and other transactions or to incur liens or indebtedness in excess of agreed thresholds, as set forth in the credit agreement. As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned covenants.



14
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

6.    Net Income Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share:
 
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income and comprehensive income
 
$
22,329

 
$
18,328


$
64,366


$
52,575

Income allocated to participating securities
 
(239
)
 
(146
)

(596
)

(424
)
Numerator for basic and diluted income per share - net income
 
$
22,090

 
$
18,182

 
$
63,770

 
$
52,151

Denominator (in thousands):
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic income per share - weighted-average shares
 
28,964

 
29,855

 
29,189

 
29,977

Effect of dilutive stock options (in thousands)
 
95

 
52

 
81

 
62

Effect of dilutive performance shares (in thousands)
 
36

 
33

 
33

 
30

Denominator for diluted income per share - adjusted weighted-average shares
 
29,095

 
29,940

 
29,303

 
30,069

Basic net income per share
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.61

 
$
2.18

 
$
1.74

Diluted net income per share
 
$
0.76

 
$
0.61

 
$
2.18

 
$
1.73


The number of instruments that could potentially dilute net income per basic share in the future, but that were not included in the computation of net income per diluted share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented, are as follows:
 
September 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2017
Anti-dilutive stock options (in thousands)
100

 
172

Anti-dilutive performance shares (in thousands)
15

 
—

Anti-dilutive non-vested shares and deferred stock units (in thousands)
3

 
—

Total anti-dilutive shares (in thousands)
118

 
172


7.    Income Taxes

Tax Reform

On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, “An Act to provide for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018” (this legislation was formerly called the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” and is referred to herein as the “U.S. Tax Act”). The U.S. Tax Act provides for significant changes in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The U.S. Tax Act contains provisions with separate effective dates but is generally effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the U.S. Tax Act lowers the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% on our U.S. earnings from that date and beyond.

The ultimate impact of the U.S. Tax Act on our reported results in 2018 may differ from the estimates provided herein, possibly materially, due to, among other things, changes in interpretations and assumptions we have made, guidance that may be issued, and other actions we may take as a result of the U.S. Tax Act different from that presently contemplated. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 that allows us to record provisional amounts during a measurement period not to extend beyond one year of the enactment date. We currently are analyzing the U.S. Tax Act, and in certain areas, have made reasonable estimates of the effects on our consolidated financial statements and tax disclosures, including the changes to our existing deferred tax balances.


15
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

Tax Rate

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the effective income tax rates varied from the statutory federal income tax rate of 21.0% and 35.0%, primarily as a result of the effect of state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, and permanent differences between book and tax net income. The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 24.9% compared to a rate of 34.4% for the same period in 2017.  The lower effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is the result of the enactment of the U.S. Tax Act, which lowered the statutory federal income tax rate to 21.0% from 35.0%. The lower rate was partly offset by fuel tax benefits taken in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 that were not deductible for tax purposes and 2017 benefiting from qualified production property deductions.

8.    Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts reported in the balance sheet for accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate their fair value based on their short-term nature.
 
Revolving credit facility: The Company’s revolving credit facility bears variable interest rates plus additional basis points based upon covenants related to total indebtedness to earnings.  As the revolving credit facility bears a variable interest rate, the carrying value approximates fair value. Using interest rate quotes and discounted cash flows, the Company estimated the fair value of its outstanding capital lease obligations as follows:
 
 
 
September 30, 2018
 
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Capital leases
 
$
452

 
$
465


The Company's fair value estimates for the above financial instruments are classified within level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

9.    Shareholders' Equity

During each quarter of 2017 and through the third quarter of 2018, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock. The Company expects to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends, though each subsequent quarterly dividend is subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors.

On July 21, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization for up to three million shares of the Company’s common stock. The following table summarizes our share repurchases for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.
 
Three months ended
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30, 2018
 
September 30, 2017
 
September 30, 2018
 
September 30, 2017
Shares repurchased
267,451

 
579,769

 
764,617

 
826,633

Cost of shares repurchased
$
16,820

 
$
29,988

 
$
44,985

 
$
41,983

Average cost per share
$
62.89

 
$
51.72

 
$
58.83

 
$
50.79


As of September 30, 2018, 1,054,048 shares were available to be purchased under the 2016 Plan.


16
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

10.    Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is party to ordinary, routine litigation incidental to and arising in the normal course of business.  The Company does not believe that any of these pending actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.

The primary claims in the Company’s business relate to workers’ compensation, property damage, vehicle liability and medical benefits. Most of the Company’s insurance coverage provides for self-insurance levels with primary and excess coverage which management believes is sufficient to adequately protect the Company from catastrophic claims. We renewed our liability insurance policies on April 1, 2018 and took on additional risk exposure for vehicle liability claims by increasing our self-insurance retention and deductible levels. See “Item 1A - Risk Factors” for additional details related to the risks of our insurance coverage. In the opinion of management, adequate provision has been made for all incurred claims up to the self-insured limits, including provision for estimated claims incurred but not reported.
 
The Company estimates its self-insurance loss exposure by evaluating the merits and circumstances surrounding individual known claims and by performing hindsight and actuarial analysis to determine an estimate of probable losses on claims incurred but not reported.  Such losses should be realized immediately as the events underlying the claims have already occurred as of the balance sheet dates. 

Because of the uncertainty of the ultimate resolution of outstanding claims, as well as uncertainty regarding claims incurred but not reported, it is possible that management’s provision for these losses could change materially in the near term. However, no estimate can currently be made of the range of additional loss that is at least reasonably possible.


11.    Segment Reporting

The Company operates in four reportable segments based on information available to and used by the chief operating decision maker.  Expedited LTL operates a comprehensive national network that provides expedited regional, inter-regional and national LTL services.  The TLS segment provides expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services and high security and temperature-controlled logistics services. The Intermodal segment primarily provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Pool Distribution provides high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations.

Except for certain insurance activity, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies disclosed in Note 1 of the Forward Air Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. For workers compensation and vehicle claims each segment is charged an insurance premium and is also charged a deductible that corresponds with each segment's individual self retention limit. However, any losses beyond our deductibles and any loss development factors applied to our outstanding claims as a result of actuarial analysis are not passed to the segments, but reported at the corporate level ("Eliminations & other").

Segment data includes intersegment revenues and shared costs.  Costs of the corporate headquarters, shared services and shared assets, such as trailers, are allocated to the segments based on usage. The cost basis of shared assets are not allocated. The basis for the majority of shared assets, such as trailers, are included in Expedited LTL.  The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on income from operations.   The Company’s business is conducted in the U.S. and Canada.

The following tables summarize segment information about results from operations and assets used by the chief operating decision maker of the Company in making decisions regarding allocation of assets and resources as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.

17
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2018
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
Truckload Premium
 
Pool Distribution
 
Intermodal
 
Eliminations & other
 
Consolidated
External revenues
 
$
186,544

 
$
47,158

 
$
47,177

 
$
50,496

 
$
—

 
$
331,375

Intersegment revenues
 
1,963

 
784

 
103

 
49

 
(2,899
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,598

 
1,543

 
1,699

 
1,455

 
—

 
10,295

Share-based compensation expense
 
1,961

 
178

 
114

 
262

 
332

 
2,847

Interest expense
 
—

 
2

 
—

 
10

 
460

 
472

Income from operations
 
23,724

 
1,673

 
735

 
7,321

 
(3,574
)
 
29,879

Total assets
 
672,186

 
70,841

 
60,672

 
159,428

 
(219,986
)
 
743,141

Capital expenditures
 
15,253

 
30

 
1,179

 
276

 
—

 
16,738

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2017
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
Truckload Premium
 
Pool Distribution
 
Intermodal
 
Eliminations & other
 
Consolidated
External revenues
 
$
164,702

 
$
49,385

 
$
40,125

 
$
44,077

 
$
—

 
$
298,289

Intersegment revenues
 
697

 
2,076

 
58

 
84

 
(2,915
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
5,438

 
1,546

 
1,652

 
1,690

 
—

 
10,326

Share-based compensation expense
 
1,604

 
101

 
90

 
144

 
—

 
1,939

Interest expense
 
1

 
—

 
—

 
12

 
275

 
288

Income (loss) from operations
 
23,189

 
124

 
681

 
3,785

 
(603
)
 
27,176

Total assets
 
638,704

 
59,657

 
53,201

 
146,836

 
(222,998
)
 
675,400

Capital expenditures
 
8,372

 
7

 
239

 
330

 
—

 
8,948


18
Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(In thousands, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2018
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
Truckload Premium
 
Pool Distribution
 
Intermodal
 
Eliminations & other
 
Consolidated
External revenues
 
$
546,066

 
$
137,221

 
$
132,980

 
$
148,058

 
$
—

 
$
964,325

Intersegment revenues
 
5,276

 
5,761

 
276

 
217

 
(11,530
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
16,682

 
4,863

 
5,208

 
4,593

 
—

 
31,346

Share-based compensation expense
 
5,595

 
524

 
342

 
776

 
288

 
7,525

Interest expense
 
1

 
5

 
—

 
47

 
1,274

 
1,327

Income (loss) from operations
 
71,023

 
3,348

 
3,695

 
16,333

 
(7,415
)
 
86,984

Total assets
 
672,186

 
70,841

 
60,672

 
159,428

 
(219,986
)
 
743,141

Capital expenditures
 
31,960

 
70

 
1,832

 
482

 
—

 
34,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
Expedited LTL
 
Truckload Premium
 
Pool Distribution
 
Intermodal
 
Eliminations & other
 
Consolidated
External revenues
 
$
472,723

 
$
144,753

 
$
116,542

 
$
110,191

 
$
—

 
$
844,209

Intersegment revenues
 
1,913

 
4,246

 
199

 
116

 
(6,474
)
 
—

Depreciation and amortization
 
16,521

 
4,694

 
5,067

 
4,296

 
—

 
30,578

Share-based compensation expense
 
4,980

 
281

 
297

 
407

 
—

 
5,965

Interest expense
 
2

 
—

 
—

 
36

 
768

 
806

Income (loss) from operations
 
65,164

 
3,734

 
3,672

 
9,548

 
(1,204
)
 
80,914

Total assets
 
638,704

 
59,657

 
53,201

 
146,836

 
(222,998
)
 
675,400

Capital expenditures
 
12,640

 
15

 
524

 
431

 
—

 
13,610


12.    Subsequent Events

On October 24, 2018, we announced that our wholly-owned subsidiary, Central States Trucking Co. (“CST”), entered into an agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Southwest Freight Distributors (“Southwest”). The closing of the transaction is subject to various customary conditions, including but not limited to, compliance with the covenants and agreements in the definitive agreement in all material respects. The Company will pay approximately $16,250 and acquisition will be funded by a combination of cash on hand. Southwest is a Dallas, Texas based premium drayage provider.  We expect the transaction will close within a month, and we anticipate Southwest will contribute $20,000 of revenue and $3,000 of EBITDA on an annualized basis.

CST is included in our Intermodal reportable segment.


19
Table of Contents


Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview and Executive Summary
 
Forward Air Corporation is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. Our services are classified into four reportable segments: Expedited LTL, Truckload Premium Services ("TLS"), Intermodal and Pool Distribution ("Pool").
 
Through the Expedited LTL segment, we operate a comprehensive national network to provide expedited regional, inter-regional and national LTL services. Expedited LTL offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage and other handling. Because of our roots in serving the deferred air freight market, our terminal network is located at or near airports in the United States and Canada.

Through our TLS segment, we provide expedited truckload brokerage, dedicated fleet services, as well as high security and temperature-controlled logistics services in the United States and Canada.

Our Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and CFS warehouse and handling services. Intermodal operates primarily in the Midwest and Southeast, with a smaller operational presence in the Southwest. We plan to grow Intermodal’s geographic footprint through acquisitions as well as greenfield start-ups where we do not have an acceptable acquisition target.

In our Pool Distribution segment, we provide high-frequency handling and distribution of time sensitive product to numerous destinations within a specific geographic region. We offer this service throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Midwest and Southwest United States.

Our operations, particularly our network of hubs and terminals, represent substantial fixed costs. Consequently, our ability to increase our earnings depends in significant part on our ability to increase the amount of freight and the revenue per pound for the freight shipped through our networks and to grow other lines of businesses, such as TLS, Intermodal and Pool Distribution, which will allow us to maintain revenue growth in challenging shipping environments.

Trends and Developments

Appointment of New President and Chief Executive Officer

Effective September 1, 2018 ("Effective Date"), Thomas Schmitt was named the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Schmitt succeeded Bruce A. Campbell, in his position as President and Chief Executive Officer as of the Effective Date. It is expected that as of the Effective Date, Mr. Campbell will be employed by the Company as Executive Chairman until the Company’s 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, at which time, in order to ensure a continued, successful management transition, the
Company plans to retain Mr. Campbell as a consultant for a period of time following his resignation as Executive Chairman. The Board appointed Mr. Schmitt to the Board as of the Effective Date.

Intermodal Acquisitions

As part of our strategy to expand our Intermodal operations, in May 2017, we acquired certain assets of Atlantic for $22.5 million. In October 2017, we acquired certain assets of KCL for $0.7 million and in July 2018, we acquired certain assets of MMT for $3.7 million. These acquisitions provide an opportunity for our Intermodal segment to expand into additional geographic markets or add volumes to our existing locations. The assets, liabilities, and operating results of these acquisitions have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition and have been assigned to the Intermodal reportable segment.




20
Table of Contents


Results from Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated historical financial data for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
 
Three months ended September 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Percent Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
$
188.5

 
$
165.4

 
$
23.1

 
14.0
 %
Truckload Premium Services
47.9

 
51.5

 
(3.6
)
 
(7.0
)
Pool Distribution
47.3

 
40.2

 
7.1

 
17.7

Intermodal
50.5

 
44.2

 
6.3

 
14.3

Eliminations and other operations
(2.8
)
 
(3.0
)
 
0.2

 
(6.7
)
Operating revenue
331.4

 
298.3

 
33.1

 
11.1

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Purchased transportation
155.5

 
140.3

 
15.2

 
10.8

   Salaries, wages, and employee benefits
76.0

 
65.3

 
10.7

 
16.4

   Operating leases
18.7

 
16.8

 
1.9

 
11.3

   Depreciation and amortization
10.3

 
10.3

 
—

 
—

   Insurance and claims
9.2

 
7.9

 
1.3

 
16.5

   Fuel expense
5.6

 
4.1

 
1.5

 
36.6

   Other operating expenses
26.2

 
26.4

 
(0.2
)
 
(0.8
)
      Total operating expenses
301.5

 
271.1

 
30.4

 
11.2

Income (loss) from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
23.7

 
23.2

 
0.5

 
2.2

Truckload Premium Services
1.7

 
0.1

 
1.6

 
1,600.0

Pool Distribution
0.7

 
0.7

 
—

 
—

Intermodal
7.3

 
3.8

 
3.5

 
92.1

Other operations
(3.5
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(2.9
)
 
483.3

Income from operations
29.9

 
27.2

 
2.7

 
9.9

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Interest expense
(0.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
66.7

      Total other expense
(0.5
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
66.7

Income before income taxes
29.4

 
26.9

 
2.5

 
9.3

Income tax expense
7.1

 
8.6

 
(1.5
)
 
(17.4
)
Net income and comprehensive income
$
22.3

 
$
18.3

 
$
4.0

 
21.9
 %
During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we experienced a 11.1% increase in our consolidated revenues compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017. Operating income increased $2.7 million, or 9.9%, to $29.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $27.2 million for the same period of 2017. As a result of the following segment factors, net income increased by $4.0 million, or 21.9%, to $22.3 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $18.3 million for the same period in 2017.

Segment Operations

The results for our four reportable segments are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $0.3 million for the same period of 2017. The increase in interest expense was attributable to additional borrowings on our revolving credit facility.


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Income Taxes

The combined federal and state effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 was 24.1% compared to a rate of 31.8% for the same period in 2017. The lower effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2018 is the result of the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which lowered the statutory federal income tax rate to 21.0% from 35.0%, and the result of a $0.3 million Tennessee state job tax credit. The 2017 rate is lower than the statutory rate due to the third quarter of 2017 including an increased tax benefit from a technology credit.

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Expedited LTL - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Expedited LTL segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
Expedited LTL Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
188.5

 
100.0
%
 
$
165.4

 
100.0
%
 
$
23.1

 
14.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
88.6

 
47.0

 
72.9

 
44.1

 
15.7

 
21.5

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
41.6

 
22.1

 
35.7

 
21.6

 
5.9

 
16.5

Operating leases
10.3

 
5.5

 
9.4

 
5.7

 
0.9

 
9.6

Depreciation and amortization
5.6

 
3.0

 
5.4

 
3.3

 
0.2

 
3.7

Insurance and claims
3.9

 
2.1

 
3.3

 
2.0

 
0.6

 
18.2

Fuel expense
1.6

 
0.8

 
0.9

 
0.5

 
0.7

 
77.8

Other operating expenses
13.2

 
7.0

 
14.6

 
8.8

 
(1.4
)
 
(9.6
)
Total operating expenses
164.8

 
87.4

 
142.2

 
86.0

 
22.6

 
15.9

Income from operations
$
23.7

 
12.6
%
 
$
23.2

 
14.0
%
 
$
0.5

 
2.2
 %

Expedited LTL Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business days
63

 
63

 
—
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonnage
 
 
 
 
 
    Total pounds ¹
636,831

 
630,753

 
1.0

    Pounds per day ¹
10,108

 
10,012

 
1.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments
 
 
 
 
 
    Total shipments ¹
1,003

 
998

 
0.5

    Shipments per day ¹
15.9

 
15.8

 
0.5

    Total shipments with pickup and/or delivery ¹
245

 
246

 
(0.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per hundredweight
$
26.47

 
$
23.67

 
11.8

Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel
$
22.21

 
$
21.23

 
4.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per shipment
$
168

 
$
150

 
12.0

Revenue per shipment, ex fuel
$
141

 
$
134

 
5.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Weight per shipment
635

 
632

 
0.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ - In thousands
 
 
 
 
 


23
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Revenues
Expedited LTL operating revenue increased $23.1 million, or 14.0%, to $188.5 million from $165.4 million, accounting for 56.9% of consolidated operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 55.5% for the same period in 2017. The increase in Expedited LTL's revenue was due to increases in fuel surcharge revenue, Linehaul revenue, other terminal based revenues and pickup and delivery shipments. Linehaul revenue, which is the largest portion of Expedited LTL revenue, increased $5.1 million, or 4.7%, due to higher tonnage and a 3.7% increase in linehaul revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel. The increase in tonnage is due to a growing percentage of total volume from class-rated shipments and the increase in revenue per hundredweight is due to increased revenue per shipment and increased shipment size.
The $23.1 million revenue increase is also the result of a $11.8 million increase in fuel surcharge revenue largely due to rate increases to our fuel surcharges and increases in fuel prices and tonnage volumes. Other terminal based revenues, which includes dedicated local pickup and delivery services, warehousing and terminal handling, increased $3.8 million, or 23.7%, to $20.0 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $16.1 million in the same period of 2017. The increase in other terminal revenue was mainly attributable to increases in certain dedicated local pickup and delivery services.  Additionally, compared to the same period in 2017, revenue from pickup and delivery shipments attached to a linehaul shipment ("Complete") increased $2.4 million, or 9.6% which was attributable to an increase in shipping volumes in our Expedited LTL network and an increase in the attachment rate of Complete to linehaul shipments.
Purchased Transportation
Expedited LTL purchased transportation increased by $15.7 million, or 21.5%, to $88.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $72.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. As a percentage of segment operating revenue, Expedited LTL purchased transportation was 47.0% during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 44.1% for the same period in 2017. The increase is mostly due to an increase in Expedited LTL cost per mile as a result of increased utilization of third party transportation providers, which are more costly than owner-operators. The increase as a percentage of revenue is also due to increased Complete and dedicated pickup and delivery volumes, as their portion of revenue mix increased. Complete and pickup and delivery have higher purchased transportation as a higher percentage of revenue than linehaul.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits
Expedited LTL salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $5.9 million, or 16.5%, to $41.6 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $35.7 million for the same period in 2017.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 22.1% of Expedited LTL’s operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 21.6% for the same period of 2017.  The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a 0.5% increase as a percentage of revenue in Company-employed drivers to service linehaul and local pickup and delivery services.
Operating Leases
Expedited LTL operating leases increased $0.9 million, or 9.6%, to $10.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $9.4 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 5.5% of Expedited LTL operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 5.7% for the same period of 2017. The increase in cost is due to a $1.2 million increase in tractor rentals and leases to correspond with the increase in Company-employed driver usage mentioned above partly offset by a decrease in trailer rentals and leases, as prior year rentals and leases were replaced with purchased units.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited LTL depreciation and amortization increased $0.2 million, or 3.7%, to $5.6 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $5.4 million in the same period of 2017.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 3.0% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 3.3% in the same period of 2017.  The decrease as a percentage of revenue was due to lower amortization expenses partly offset by the purchase of new trailers since the third quarter of 2017. The lower amortization expense is due to the completion of the useful life for an acquired customer relationship.
Insurance and Claims
Expedited LTL insurance and claims expense increased $0.6 million, or 18.2%, to $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $3.3 million for the same period of 2017.  Insurance and claims was 2.1% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.0% in the same period of 2017. The increase was attributable to an increase in vehicle liability premiums and vehicle claim reserves. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.

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Table of Contents


Fuel Expense
Expedited LTL fuel expense increased $0.7 million, or 77.8%, to $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $0.9 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 0.8% of Expedited LTL operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 0.5% in the same period of 2017.  Expedited LTL fuel expenses increased due to higher Company-employed driver miles and higher year-over-year fuel prices.
Other Operating Expenses
Expedited LTL other operating expenses decreased $1.4 million, or 9.6%, to $13.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $14.6 million in the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses were 7.0% of Expedited LTL operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 8.8% in the same period of 2017. Other operating expenses includes equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs. The decrease in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the third quarter of 2018 including a recovery of a previously reserved receivable, while the third quarter of 2017 included an increase in receivables allowance. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was also due to the increase in fuel revenue, which has no corresponding costs in other operating expenses.
Income from Operations
Expedited LTL income from operations increased by $0.5 million, or 2.2%, to $23.7 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared to $23.2 million for the same period in 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of Expedited LTL operating revenue was 12.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 14.0% in the same period of 2017. The increase in income from operations was due to increases in revenue due to higher tonnage, higher fuel surcharge and higher pickup and delivery revenue. These improvements were mostly offset by increased utilization of third party transportation providers, which caused the deterioration in income from operations as a percentage of revenue.



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Truckload Premium Services - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Truckload Premium Services segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
Truckload Premium Services Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
47.9

 
100.0
%
 
$
51.5

 
100.0
%
 
$
(3.6
)
 
(7.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
35.8

 
74.7

 
39.5

 
76.7

 
(3.7
)
 
(9.4
)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
4.7

 
9.8

 
5.0

 
9.7

 
(0.3
)
 
(6.0
)
Operating leases
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
0.6

 
(0.2
)
 
(66.7
)
Depreciation and amortization
1.5

 
3.1

 
1.6

 
3.1

 
(0.1
)
 
(6.3
)
Insurance and claims
1.2

 
2.5

 
2.0

 
3.9

 
(0.8
)
 
(40.0
)
Fuel expense
0.7

 
1.5

 
0.8

 
1.6

 
(0.1
)
 
(12.5
)
Other operating expenses
2.2

 
4.6

 
2.2

 
4.3

 
—

 
—

Total operating expenses
46.2

 
96.5

 
51.4

 
99.8

 
(5.2
)
 
(10.1
)
Income from operations
$
1.7

 
3.5
%
 
$
0.1

 
0.2
%
 
$
1.6

 
1,600.0
 %

Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Miles ¹
19,197

 
24,714

 
(22.3
)%
Empty Miles Percentage
8.5
%
 
9.6
%
 
(11.5
)
Tractors (avg)
291

 
378

 
(23.0
)
Miles per tractor per week 2
2,317

 
2,823

 
(17.9
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per mile
$
2.37

 
$
2.01

 
17.9

Cost per mile
$
1.88

 
$
1.66

 
13.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ - In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
2 - Calculated using Company driver and owner operator miles


Revenues
    
TLS revenue decreased $3.6 million, or 7.0%, to $47.9 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $51.5 million in the third quarter of 2017.  TLS revenue decreased due to a 22.3% decrease in overall miles mostly offset by a 17.9% increase in average revenue

26
Table of Contents


per mile. The decrease in overall miles was due to deliberate shedding of lower margin business as well as reduced fleet capacity compared to the third quarter of last year. The increased revenue per mile was primarily driven by rate increases to existing customers and, to a lesser extent, the aforementioned shedding of lower margin business.

Purchased Transportation

TLS purchased transportation costs decreased $3.7 million, or 9.4%, to $35.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $39.5 million for the same period in 2017. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, purchased transportation costs represented 74.7% of revenue compared to 76.7% for the same period in 2017.  TLS purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation was attributable to an 22.3% decrease in miles driven by owner operators and third party carriers partly offset by a 14.1% increase in cost per mile during the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease in purchased transportation miles was attributable to the revenue activity discussed above. The increase in cost per mile was due to higher utilization of third party carriers, which are more costly than owner operators. Purchased transportation decreased as a percentage of revenue due to operational purchasing disciplines with third party carriers and the revenue rate increases mentioned above.

Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

TLS salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased by $0.3 million, or 6.0%, to $4.7 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $5.0 million in the same period of 2017.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 9.8% of TLS’s operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 9.7% for the same period in 2017.  The slight decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was mostly attributable to a decrease in Company-employed driver pay due to a decrease in miles driven partly offset by an increase in employee incentives and share-based compensation.
Operating Leases
TLS operating leases decreased $0.2 million to $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $0.3 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 0.2% of TLS operating revenue for the third quarter of 2018 compared to 0.6% for the same period in 2017. The decrease was due to a decrease in trailer rentals, as TLS utilized more purchased trailers in third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.
Depreciation and Amortization

TLS depreciation and amortization decreased $0.1 million, or 6.3%, to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2018 from $1.6 million for the same period in 2017.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was consistent at 3.1% in the third quarter of 2018 and 2017.  Depreciation and amortization is comprised mostly of Company-owned trailers and tractors.
Insurance and Claims

TLS insurance and claims expense decreased $0.8 million, or 40.0%, to $1.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $2.0 million for the same period of 2017.  Insurance and claims were 2.5% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.9% in the same period of 2017. The decrease was due to lower vehicle claims reserves partly offset by higher vehicle insurance premiums. At a consolidated level, vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense

TLS fuel expense decreased $0.1 million, or 12.5%, to $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $0.8 million for the same period of 2017.  Fuel expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 1.5% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 1.6% for the same period of 2017. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in Company-employed driver miles, mostly offset by an increase in year-over-year fuel prices.
Other Operating Expenses

TLS other operating expenses were $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.  Other operating expenses were 4.6% of TLS operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 4.3% for the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses includes equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other costs of transiting shipments. The increase was mostly due to increased driver recruiting costs compared to the same period of 2017.

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Table of Contents


Income from Operations
TLS income from operations increased by $1.6 million to $1.7 million during the third quarter of 2018 from $0.1 million for the same period in 2017. The improvement in income from operations was due to rate increases and higher fuel surcharges to existing customers, the shedding of lower margin business and lower vehicle claims reserves.

28
Table of Contents


Pool Distribution - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Pool Distribution segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

Pool Distribution Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
47.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
40.2

 
100.0
%
 
$
7.1

 
17.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
14.3

 
30.2

 
11.4

 
28.4

 
2.9

 
25.4

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
17.5

 
37.0

 
15.3

 
38.1

 
2.2

 
14.4

Operating leases
4.2

 
8.9

 
3.3

 
8.2

 
0.9

 
27.3

Depreciation and amortization
1.7

 
3.6

 
1.7

 
4.2

 
—

 
—

Insurance and claims
1.3

 
2.7

 
1.1

 
2.8

 
0.2

 
18.2

Fuel expense
1.6

 
3.4

 
1.3

 
3.2

 
0.3

 
23.1

Other operating expenses
6.0

 
12.7

 
5.4

 
13.4

 
0.6

 
11.1

Total operating expenses
46.6

 
98.5

 
39.5

 
98.3

 
7.1

 
18.0

Income from operations
$
0.7

 
1.5
%
 
$
0.7

 
1.7
%
 
$
—

 
—
%

Pool Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cartons¹
22,218

 
19,256

 
15.4
%
Revenue per Carton
$
2.13

 
$
2.09

 
1.9
%
Terminals
28

 
28

 
—
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ In thousands
 
 
 
 
 

Revenues

Pool Distribution ("Pool") operating revenue increased $7.1 million, or 17.7%, to $47.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $40.2 million for the same period in 2017.  The increase was due to rate increases and increased volumes from existing customers and lanes and new business wins.
Purchased Transportation

Pool purchased transportation increased $2.9 million, or 25.4%, to $14.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $11.4 million for the same period of 2017.  Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 30.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 28.4% for the same period of 2017.  The increase in Pool purchased

29
Table of Contents


transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to increased rates charged by, and increased utilization of, third party carriers.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Pool salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $2.2 million, or 14.4%, to $17.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $15.3 million for the same period of 2017.  As a percentage of Pool operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 37.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 38.1% for the same period in 2017.   The decrease in salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue was the result of decreases in employee incentives, group health insurance costs and administrative salaries, wages and benefits partly offset by increased dock pay. Dock pay deteriorated as a percentage of revenue as increasing revenue volumes required the use of more costly contract labor.
Operating Leases

Pool operating leases increased $0.9 million, or 27.3%, to $4.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $3.3 million for the same period of 2017.  Operating leases were 8.9% of Pool operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 8.2% in the same period of 2017.  Operating leases increased as a percentage of revenue due to increases in tractor leases for the additional revenue discussed above and the use of leased tractors to replace old purchased equipment.
Depreciation and Amortization

Pool depreciation and amortization was $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 3.6% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 4.2% in the same period of 2017. The decrease in Pool depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was due to the increase in leased equipment mentioned above instead of purchased equipment.
Insurance and Claims

Pool insurance and claims expense increased $0.2 million, or 18.2%, to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $1.1 million for the same period of 2017.  Insurance and claims were 2.7% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.8% in the same period of 2017. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was due to a decrease in claims and claims-related fees. At a consolidated level, vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense

Pool fuel expense increased $0.3 million, or 23.1%, to $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $1.3 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 3.4% of Pool operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 3.2% for the same period of 2017.  Pool fuel expenses increased due to an increase in year-over-year fuel prices and higher revenue volumes.
Other Operating Expenses

Pool other operating expenses increased $0.6 million, or 11.1%, to $6.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $5.4 million in the same period of 2017.  Pool other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the third quarter of 2018 were 12.7% compared to 13.4% for the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses includes equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs.  As a percentage of revenue the decrease was primarily attributable to a 0.6% decrease in equipment maintenance costs as a percentage of revenue due to the increased usage of leased equipment instead of purchased equipment.
Income from Operations

Pool income from operations was $0.7 million for the third quarter of 2018 and 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 1.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 1.7% for the same period of 2017.  The deterioration in Pool operating income as a percentage of revenue was primarily the result of increased utilization of and higher rates charged by third party carriers and increasing revenue volumes required the use of more costly contract labor. These decreases were partly offset by current year revenue rate increases.


30
Table of Contents


Intermodal - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Intermodal segment for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

Intermodal Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
50.5

 
100.0
%
 
$
44.2

 
100.0
%
 
$
6.3

 
14.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
19.3

 
38.2

 
19.1

 
43.2

 
0.2

 
1.0

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
10.9

 
21.6

 
9.0

 
20.4

 
1.9

 
21.1

Operating leases
4.0

 
7.9

 
3.8

 
8.6

 
0.2

 
5.3

Depreciation and amortization
1.5

 
3.0

 
1.7

 
3.8

 
(0.2
)
 
(11.8
)
Insurance and claims
1.4

 
2.8

 
1.2

 
2.7

 
0.2

 
16.7

Fuel expense
1.6

 
3.2

 
1.1

 
2.5

 
0.5

 
45.5

Other operating expenses
4.5

 
8.9

 
4.5

 
10.2

 
—

 
—

Total operating expenses
43.2

 
85.5

 
40.4

 
91.4

 
2.8

 
6.9

Income from operations
$
7.3

 
14.5
%
 
$
3.8

 
8.6
%
 
$
3.5

 
92.1
 %

Intermodal Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Three months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drayage shipments
75,981

 
72,476

 
4.8
%
Drayage revenue per Shipment
$
574

 
$
535

 
7.3
%
Number of Locations
$
19

 
$
19

 
—
%

Revenues

Intermodal operating revenue increased $6.3 million, or 14.3%, to $50.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $44.2 million for the same period in 2017.  The increases in operating revenue were primarily attributable to the impact of increased fuel surcharges and increased rental and storage revenues.

Purchased Transportation

Intermodal purchased transportation increased $0.2 million, or 1.0%, to $19.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $19.1 million for the same period in 2017.  Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 38.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 43.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  The decrease in Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to a change in revenue mix, as Intermodal increased revenue lines that did not require the use of purchased transportation and increased utilization of Company-employed drivers compared to the same period in 2017.

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Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $1.9 million, or 21.1%, to $10.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $9.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017.  As a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits increased to 21.6% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 20.4% for the same period in 2017. The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was attributable to higher employee incentive and share-based compensation, increased utilization of Company-employed drivers and increased dock pay. These increases were partly offset by lower workers' compensation and health insurance costs and administrative salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue.

Operating Leases

Intermodal operating leases increased $0.2 million, or 5.3%, to $4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $3.8 million for the same period of 2017.  Operating leases were 7.9% of Intermodal operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 8.6% in the same period of 2017.  Operating leases decreased as a percentage of revenue due to moderate increases to trailer rental charges while other revenue not requiring trailer rentals increased at a faster pace. Additional decreases as a percentage of revenue was due to flat office and facility rent while revenue increased. These decreases were partially offset by increased tractor rentals to handle increased revenue.

Depreciation and Amortization

Intermodal depreciation and amortization decreased $0.2 million, or 11.8%, to $1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $1.7 million for the same period in 2017. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 3.0% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to 3.8% in the same period of 2017. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was due to the use of equipment rentals mentioned above instead of purchased equipment.

Insurance and Claims

Intermodal insurance and claims increased $0.2 million, or 16.7%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 from $1.2 million for the same period in 2017. Intermodal insurance and claims were 2.8% of operating revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 2.7% for the same period in 2017. The increase in Intermodal insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was attributable to an increase in vehicle claims reserves. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.

Fuel Expense

Intermodal fuel expense increased $0.5 million, or 45.5%, to $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2018 from $1.1 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 3.2% of Intermodal operating revenue in the third quarter of 2018 compared with 2.5% for the same period of 2017.  Intermodal fuel expenses increased due to higher year-over-year fuel prices and increased Company-employed driver activity.
Other Operating Expenses
Intermodal other operating expenses were $4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.  Intermodal other operating expenses for the third quarter of 2018 were 8.9% compared to 10.2% for the same period of 2017.  The decrease in Intermodal other operating expenses as a percentage of revenue was due mostly to a $0.5 million reduction in the earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition.
Income from Operations
Intermodal’s income from operations increased by $3.5 million, or 92.1%, to $7.3 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with $3.8 million for the same period in 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 14.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 8.6% in the same period of 2017.  The increase in operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the increase in high-margin storage and fuel revenues and a reduction of the estimated earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition.

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Other Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2017

Other operating activity declined from a $0.6 million operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2017 to a $3.5 million operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2018. The $3.5 million operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2018 is primarily due to a $1.4 million increase in self-insurance reserves related to existing vehicular claims and $0.6 in self insurance reserves resulting from analysis of our workers' compensation claims. The loss was also attributable to $1.1 million in costs related to the CEO transition.

The $0.6 million operating loss included in other operations and corporate activities for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was due to increased claims activity during 2017 resulting in increases to our loss development factors for workers' compensation and vehicle claims.



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Results from Operations
The following table sets forth our consolidated historical financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
 
Nine months ended September 30
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
Percent Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
$
551.3

 
$
474.6

 
$
76.7

 
16.2
 %
Truckload Premium Services
143.0

 
149.0

 
(6.0
)
 
(4.0
)
Pool Distribution
133.3

 
116.8

 
16.5

 
14.1

Intermodal
148.3

 
110.3

 
38.0

 
34.5

Eliminations and other operations
(11.6
)
 
(6.5
)
 
(5.1
)
 
78.5

Operating revenue
964.3

 
844.2

 
120.1

 
14.2

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Purchased transportation
450.8

 
389.1

 
61.7

 
15.9

   Salaries, wages, and employee benefits
217.7

 
192.3

 
25.4

 
13.2

   Operating leases
54.6

 
47.2

 
7.4

 
15.7

   Depreciation and amortization
31.4

 
30.6

 
0.8

 
2.6

   Insurance and claims
26.4

 
21.4

 
5.0

 
23.4

   Fuel expense
16.8

 
11.4

 
5.4

 
47.4

   Other operating expenses
79.6

 
71.3

 
8.3

 
11.6

      Total operating expenses
877.3

 
763.3

 
114.0

 
14.9

Income (loss) from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expedited LTL
71.0

 
65.2

 
5.8

 
8.9

Truckload Premium Services
3.4

 
3.7

 
(0.3
)
 
(8.1
)
Pool Distribution
3.7

 
3.7

 
—

 
—

Intermodal
16.3

 
9.5

 
6.8

 
71.6

Other operations
(7.4
)
 
(1.2
)
 
(6.2
)
 
516.7

Income from operations
87.0

 
80.9

 
6.1

 
7.5

Other expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Interest expense
(1.3
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.5
)
 
62.5

      Total other expense
(1.3
)
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.5
)
 
62.5

Income before income taxes
85.7

 
80.1

 
5.6

 
7.0

Income tax expense
21.3

 
27.5

 
(6.2
)
 
(22.5
)
Net income and comprehensive income
$
64.4

 
$
52.6

 
$
11.8

 
22.4
 %


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Expedited LTL - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Expedited LTL segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
Expedited LTL Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
551.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
474.6

 
100.0
%
 
$
76.7

 
16.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
257.5

 
46.7

 
205.0

 
43.2

 
52.5

 
25.6

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
120.6

 
21.9

 
107.6

 
22.7

 
13.0

 
12.1

Operating leases
30.4

 
5.5

 
27.6

 
5.8

 
2.8

 
10.1

Depreciation and amortization
16.7

 
3.0

 
16.5

 
3.5

 
0.2

 
1.2

Insurance and claims
10.7

 
1.9

 
10.3

 
2.2

 
0.4

 
3.9

Fuel expense
4.4

 
0.8

 
2.7

 
0.6

 
1.7

 
63.0

Other operating expenses
40.0

 
7.3

 
39.7

 
8.4

 
0.3

 
0.8

Total operating expenses
480.3

 
87.1

 
409.4

 
86.3

 
70.9

 
17.3

Income from operations
$
71.0

 
12.9
%
 
$
65.2

 
13.7
%
 
$
5.8

 
8.9
%

Expedited LTL Operating Statistics
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business days
191

 
191

 
—
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tonnage
 
 
 
 
 
    Total pounds ¹
1,913,782

 
1,811,751

 
5.6

    Pounds per day ¹
10,020

 
9,486

 
5.6

 
 
 
 
 
 
Shipments
 
 
 
 
 
    Total shipments ¹
3,069

 
2,912

 
5.4

    Shipments per day ¹
16.1

 
15.2

 
5.4

    Total shipments with pickup and/or delivery ¹
743

 
700

 
6.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per hundredweight
$
25.84

 
$
23.78

 
8.7

Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel
$
21.90

 
$
21.30

 
2.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per shipment
$
161

 
148

 
8.8
%
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel
$
137

 
$
133

 
3.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weight per shipment
624

 
622

 
0.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ - In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
Expedited LTL operating revenue increased $76.7 million, or 16.2%, to $551.3 million from $474.6 million, accounting for 57.2% of consolidated operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 56.2% for the same period in 2017. The increase in Expedited LTL's revenue was due to increases in fuel surcharge revenue, Linehaul revenue, other terminal based

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revenues and pickup and delivery shipments. Linehaul revenue, which is the largest portion of Expedited LTL revenue, increased $22.0 million, or 7.0%, due to higher tonnage and and a 1.3% increase in linehaul revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel. The increase in tonnage was due to a growing percentage of total volume from class-rated shipments and the increase in revenue per hundredweight was due to increased shipment size and revenue per shipment.

The $76.7 million revenue increase was also the result of a $30.4 million increase in fuel surcharge revenue largely due to rate increases to our fuel surcharges and increases in fuel prices and tonnage volumes.  Other terminal based revenues, which includes dedicated local pickup and delivery services, warehousing and terminal handling, increased $13.1 million, or 30.0%, to $56.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $43.8 million in the same period of 2017. The increase in other terminal revenue was mainly attributable to increases in certain dedicated local pickup and delivery revenues. Additionally, compared to the same period in 2017, Complete revenue increased $11.2 million, or 15.9% which was attributable to an increase in shipping volumes in our Expedited LTL network. Other terminal based revenues, which includes dedicated local pickup and delivery services, warehousing and terminal handling, increased $13.1 million, or 30.0%, to $56.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $43.8 million in the same period of 2017. The increase in other terminal revenue was mainly attributable to increases in certain dedicated local pickup and delivery revenues.
Purchased Transportation
Expedited LTL purchased transportation increased by $52.5 million, or 25.6%, to $257.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $205.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. As a percentage of segment operating revenue, LTL purchased transportation was 46.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 43.2% for the same period in 2017. The increase is mostly due to an increase in Expedited LTL cost per mile as a result of increased utilization of third party transportation providers, which are more costly than owner-operators. The increase as a percentage of revenue is also due to increased Complete and dedicated pickup and delivery volumes, as their portion of revenue mix increased. Complete and pickup and delivery have higher purchased transportation as a higher percentage of revenue than linehaul.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits
Expedited LTL salaries, wages and employee benefits of LTL increased by $13.0 million, or 12.1%, to $120.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $107.6 million in the same period of 2017. Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 21.9% of LTL’s operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 22.7% for the same period of 2017.    The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a 0.5% decrease in health insurance costs as a percentage of revenue and a 0.4% decrease in Expedited LTL terminal and management salaries as a percentage of revenue. The decrease in salaries as a percentage of revenue is the impact of additional revenue on fixed salaries and improved operating efficiencies. These decreases were slightly offset by increased use of Company-employed drivers for linehaul and local pickup and delivery services.
Operating Leases
Expedited LTL operating leases increased $2.8 million, or 10.1%, to $30.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $27.6 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 5.5% of LTL operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 5.8% for the same period in 2017. The increase in cost is due to a $2.7 million increase in tractor rentals and leases and $1.2 million of additional facility lease expenses partly offset by a $1.1 million decrease in trailer leases and equipment rentals. Tractor leases increased due to the increased usage of Company-employed drivers mentioned above and facility leases increased due to the expansion of certain facilities. Trailer leases and equipment rentals decreased due to prior year rentals and leases that were replaced with purchased units.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited LTL depreciation and amortization increased $0.2 million, or 1.2%, to $16.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $16.5 million for the same period in 2017.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of LTL operating revenue was 3.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.5% in the same period of 2017.  The decrease as a percentage of revenue was due to lower amortization expenses partly offset by the purchase of new trailers since the third quarter of 2017. The lower amortization expense was due to the completion of the useful life for an acquired customer relationship.
Insurance and Claims
Expedited LTL insurance and claims expense increased $0.4 million, or 3.9%, to $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $10.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  Insurance and claims was 1.9% of operating

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revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.2% for the same period of 2017. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was attributable to lower vehicle claim reserves and insurance premiums. At a consolidated level, vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense
Expedited LTL fuel expense increased $1.7 million, or 63.0%, to $4.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $2.7 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 0.8% of LTL operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 0.6% for the same period of 2017.  LTL fuel expenses increased due to higher year-over-year fuel prices and increased Company-employed driver miles.
Other Operating Expenses
Expedited LTL other operating expenses increased $0.3 million, or 0.8%, to $40.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $39.7 million in the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses were 7.3% of LTL operating revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 8.4% in the same period of 2017. Other operating expenses includes equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs. The decrease as percentage of revenue was primarily the result of lower owner operator costs and lower maintenance due to the increased utilization of brokered transportation mentioned above. Additional decrease as a percentage of revenue was due to the nine months ended September 30, 2018 including a recovery of a previously reserved receivable, while the same period of 2017 included an increase in receivables allowance. These improvements were partly offset as the prior year included a reduction in legal fees associated with indemnification funds received related to the Towne acquisition.
Income from Operations
Expedited LTL income from operations increased by $5.8 million, or 8.9%, to $71.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $65.2 million for the same period in 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of LTL operating revenue was 12.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 13.7% in the same period of 2017. The increase in income from operations was due to increases in revenue due to higher tonnage, higher fuel surcharge and higher pickup and delivery revenue. These improvements were mostly offset by increased utilization of third party transportation providers, which caused the deterioration in income from operations as a percentage of revenue.

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Truckload Premium Services - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth our historical financial data of the Truckload Premium Services segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):
Truckload Premium Services Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
143.0

 
100.0
%
 
$
149.0

 
100.0
%
 
$
(6.0
)
 
(4.0
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
107.6

 
75.2

 
111.9

 
75.1

 
(4.3
)
 
(3.8
)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits
14.5

 
10.1

 
15.2

 
10.2

 
(0.7
)
 
(4.6
)
Operating leases
0.4

 
0.3

 
0.6

 
0.4

 
(0.2
)
 
(33.3
)
Depreciation and amortization
4.8

 
3.4

 
4.7

 
3.2

 
0.1

 
2.1

Insurance and claims
3.2

 
2.2

 
4.3

 
2.9

 
(1.1
)
 
(25.6
)
Fuel expense
2.5

 
1.7

 
2.3

 
1.5

 
0.2

 
8.7

Other operating expenses
6.6

 
4.6

 
6.3

 
4.2

 
0.3

 
4.8

Total operating expenses
139.6

 
97.6

 
145.3

 
97.5

 
(5.7
)
 
(3.9
)
Income (loss) from operations
$
3.4

 
2.4
%
 
$
3.7

 
2.5
%
 
$
(0.3
)
 
(8.1
)%

Truckload Premium Services Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Miles ¹
59,404

 
72,011

 
(17.5
)%
Empty Miles Percentage
9.2
%
 
9.9
%
 
(7.1
)
Tractors (avg)
315

 
397

 
(20.7
)
Miles per tractor per week 2
2,275

 
2,733

 
(16.8
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue per mile
$
2.29

 
$
2.01

 
13.9

Cost per mile
$
1.85

 
$
1.63

 
13.5
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ - In thousands
 
 
 
 
 
2 - Calculated using Company driver and owner operator miles

Revenues
    
TLS revenue decreased $6.0 million, or 4.0%, to $143.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $149.0 million in the same period of 2017.  TLS revenue decreased due to a 17.5% decrease in overall miles mostly offset by a 13.9% increase in average revenue per mile. The decrease in overall miles was due to deliberate shedding of lower margin business as well as reduced fleet capacity versus the prior year period. The increased revenue per mile was primarily driven by rate increases to existing customers, higher fuel surcharges and, to a lesser extent, the aforementioned shedding of lower margin business.


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Purchased Transportation

TLS purchased transportation costs decreased $4.3 million, or 3.8%, to $107.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $111.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, TLS purchased transportation costs represented 75.2% of TLS revenue compared to 75.1% for the same period in 2017.  TLS purchased transportation includes owner operators and third party carriers, while company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation was attributable to an 18.1% decrease in purchased transportation miles mostly offset by a 14.6% increase in cost per mile during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The decrease in TLS purchased transportation miles was attributable to the revenue activity discussed above. The increase in cost per mile was due to increased utilization of third party carriers, which are more costly than owner operators. This increased utilization of third party carriers also led to the increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

TLS salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased by $0.7 million, or 4.6%, to $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $15.2 million in the same period of 2017.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 10.1% of TLS’s operating revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 10.2% for the same period of 2017.  The slight decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was mostly attributable to a decrease in Company-employed driver miles partly offset by an increase in share-based compensation.
Operating Leases
TLS operating leases decreased $0.2 million, or 33.3%, to $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $0.6 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 0.3% of TLS operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 0.4% for the same period in 2017. The decrease was due to a decrease in trailer rentals, as TLS utilized purchased trailers in third quarter of 2018 compared to rentals in the same period in 2017.
Depreciation and Amortization

TLS depreciation and amortization increased $0.1 million, or 2.1%, to $4.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $4.7 million in the same period of 2017.  Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 3.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.2% in the same period of 2017.  The increase was due to increased trailer depreciation on trailers purchased since the third quarter of 2017 partly offset by lower amortization expense. The lower amortization expense is due to the completion of the useful life for an acquired customer relationship.
Insurance and Claims

TLS insurance and claims expense decreased $1.1 million, or 25.6%, to $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  Insurance and claims were 2.2% of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.9% in the same period of 2017. The decrease was due to lower vehicle claims reserves. At a consolidated level, vehicle claims reserves increased; see discussion in the "Other operations" section below.
Fuel Expense

TLS fuel expense increased $0.2 million, or 8.7%, to $2.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $2.3 million for the same period of 2017.  Fuel expense as a percentage of TLS operating revenue was 1.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 1.5% in the same period of 2017. The increase as a percentage of revenue was mostly attributable to higher year-over-year fuel prices.
Other Operating Expenses

TLS other operating expenses increased $0.3 million, or 4.8%, to $6.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $6.3 million in the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses were 4.6% of TLS operating revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 4.2% in the same period of 2017.  The increase in other operating expenses was due to an increase in driver recruiting expenses.

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Table of Contents


Income from Operations
TLS income from operations decreased by $0.3 million, or 8.1%, to $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with $3.7 million for the same period in 2017.  The deterioration in income from operations was due to a decrease in revenue due to the shedding of lower margin business mentioned above. Income from operations as a percentage of revenue deteriorated only slightly due to the decrease in revenue being offset by lower vehicle claims reserves and rate increases to existing customers and higher fuel surcharges.

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Pool Distribution - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Pool Distribution segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):

Pool Distribution Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
133.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
116.8

 
100.0
%
 
$
16.5

 
14.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
38.9

 
29.2

 
32.8

 
28.1

 
6.1

 
18.6

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
49.2

 
36.9

 
43.8

 
37.5

 
5.4

 
12.3

Operating leases
11.6

 
8.7

 
9.6

 
8.2

 
2.0

 
20.8

Depreciation and amortization
5.2

 
3.9

 
5.1

 
4.4

 
0.1

 
2.0

Insurance and claims
3.2

 
2.4

 
3.2

 
2.7

 
—

 
—

Fuel expense
4.9

 
3.7

 
3.7

 
3.2

 
1.2

 
32.4

Other operating expenses
16.6

 
12.5

 
14.9

 
12.8

 
1.7

 
11.4

Total operating expenses
129.6

 
97.2

 
113.1

 
96.8

 
16.5

 
14.6

Income (loss) from operations
$
3.7

 
2.8
%
 
$
3.7

 
3.2
%
 
$
—

 
—
%

Pool Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cartons¹
62,542

 
56,024

 
11.6
%
Revenue per Carton
2.13

 
2.08

 
2.4
%
Terminals
28

 
28

 
—
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
¹ In thousands
 
 
 
 
 

Revenues

Pool operating revenue increased $16.5 million, or 14.1%, to $133.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $116.8 million for the same period in 2017.  The increase was due to rate increases and increased volumes from existing customers and lanes and new business wins.
Purchased Transportation
Pool purchased transportation increased $6.1 million, or 18.6%, to $38.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $32.8 million for the same period of 2017.  Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 29.2% for

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the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 28.1% for the same period of 2017.  The increase in Pool purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to increased rates charged by, and increased utilization of, third party carriers.
Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Pool salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $5.4 million, or 12.3%, to $49.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $43.8 million for the same period of 2017.  As a percentage of Pool operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits was 36.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 37.5% for the same period of 2017.  The decrease in salaries, wages and benefits as a percentage of revenue was the result of decreases in employee incentives and group health insurance costs partly offset by increased dock pay. Dock pay deteriorated as a percentage of revenue as increasing revenue volumes required the use of more costly contract labor.
Operating Leases

Pool operating leases increased $2 million, or 20.8%, to $11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $9.6 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 8.7% of Pool operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 8.2% in the same period of 2017.  Operating leases increased as a percentage of revenue due to increases in tractor leases for the additional revenue discussed above and the use of leased tractors to replace old purchased equipment.
Depreciation and Amortization

Pool depreciation and amortization increased $0.1 million, or 2.0%, to $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $5.1 million for the same period in 2017. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 3.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 4.4% for the same period of 2017. The decrease in Pool depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was due to the increase in leased equipment mentioned above instead of purchased equipment.
Insurance and Claims

Pool insurance and claims expense was $3.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.  Insurance and claims were 2.4% of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.7% in the same period of 2017. The decrease as a percentage of revenue was due to a $0.5 million reimbursement of legal fees in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 for expenses incurred in prior periods.
Fuel Expense

Pool fuel expense increased $1.2 million, or 32.4%, to $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $3.7 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 3.7% of Pool operating revenue during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.2% in the same period of 2017.  Pool fuel expenses increased due to higher year-over-year fuel prices, higher revenue volumes and increased Company-employed driver miles.
Other Operating Expenses

Pool other operating expenses increased $1.7 million, or 11.4%, to $16.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $14.9 million for the same period of 2017.  Pool other operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were 12.5% of operating revenue compared to 12.8% for the same period of 2017.  Other operating expenses includes equipment maintenance, terminal and office expenses, professional fees and other over-the-road costs.  As a percentage of revenue the decrease was attributable to a 0.6% decrease in equipment maintenance costs. This decrease was partly offset by a 0.2% increase in recruiting and safety expenses and 0.1% in legal fees as a percentage of revenue.
Income from Operations
Pool income from operations was $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of Pool operating revenue was 2.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to a 3.2% in the same period of 2017. The deterioration in Pool operating income as a percentage of revenue was primarily the result of increased utilization of and higher rates charged by third party carriers and increasing revenue volumes required the use of more costly contract labor. These decreases were partly offset by current year revenue rate increases.

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Intermodal - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

The following table sets forth the historical financial data of our Intermodal segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 (in millions):


Intermodal Segment Information
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
September 30,
 
Percent of
 
 
 
Percent
 
2018
 
Revenue
 
2017
 
Revenue
 
Change
 
Change
 
 
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenue
$
148.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
110.3

 
100.0
%
 
$
38.0

 
34.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation
57.4

 
38.7

 
44.8

 
40.6

 
12.6

 
28.1

Salaries, wages and employee benefits
31.7

 
21.4

 
24.2

 
21.9

 
7.5

 
31.0

Operating leases
12.0

 
8.1

 
10.0

 
9.1

 
2.0

 
20.0

Depreciation and amortization
4.6

 
3.1

 
4.3

 
3.9

 
0.3

 
7.0

Insurance and claims
4.3

 
2.9

 
3.4

 
3.1

 
0.9

 
26.5

Fuel expense
4.9

 
3.3

 
2.7

 
2.4

 
2.2

 
81.5

Other operating expenses
17.1

 
11.5

 
11.4

 
10.3

 
5.7

 
50.0

Total operating expenses
132.0

 
89.0

 
100.8

 
91.4

 
31.2

 
31.0

Income from operations
$
16.3

 
11.0
%
 
$
9.5

 
8.6
%
 
$
6.8

 
71.6
%

Intermodal Operating Statistics
 
 
 
Nine months ended
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
Percent
 
2018
 
2017
 
Change
 
 
 
(As Adjusted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Drayage shipments
223,673

 
156,358

 
43.1
 %
Drayage revenue per Shipment
570

 
571

 
(0.2
)%
Number of Locations
19

 
19

 
—
 %

Revenues

Intermodal operating revenue increased $38.0 million, or 34.5%, to $148.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $110.3 million for the same period in 2017.   The increases in operating revenue were primarily attributable to the acquisition of Atlantic, the impact of increased fuel surcharges and increased rental and storage revenues.

Purchased Transportation

Intermodal purchased transportation increased $12.6 million, or 28.1%, to $57.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $44.8 million for the same period in 2017.  Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was 38.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 40.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The decrease in Intermodal purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was attributable to a change in revenue mix, as Intermodal had

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higher increases to revenue lines that did not require the use of purchased transportation. This was partly offset by a higher utilization of owner operators as opposed to Company-employed drivers during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period of 2017, as Atlantic, which was acquired in May 2017, utilized more owner operators than Company-employed drivers.

Salaries, Wages, and Benefits

Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $7.5 million, or 31.0%, to $31.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $24.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  As a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue, salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 21.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 21.9% for the same period in 2017.   The improvement in salaries, wages and employee benefits as a percentage of revenue was attributable to lower workers' compensation and health insurance costs as a percentage of revenue. Additional improvement was due to leveraging the increase in revenue on office and administrative salaries and a higher utilization of owner operators instead of Company-employed drivers.

Operating Leases

Intermodal operating leases increased $2.0 million, or 20.0%, to $12.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $10.0 million for the same period in 2017.  Operating leases were 8.1% of Intermodal operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 9.1% in the same period of 2017.  Operating leases decreased as a percentage of revenue since revenue that does not require trailer rentals increased at a faster pace than those that required trailer rental charges. The decrease as a percentage of revenue is also attributable to utilization of owned equipment acquired from Atlantic and the increase in revenue out-pacing the increase in facility rents. These decreases were partially offset by increased tractor rentals to handle increased revenue instead of Company-purchased equipment.

Depreciation and Amortization

Intermodal depreciation and amortization increased $0.3 million, or 7.0%, to $4.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $4.3 million for the same period in 2017. Depreciation and amortization expense as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 3.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 3.9% for the same period in 2017. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was due to the use of equipment rentals mentioned above instead of purchased equipment.

Insurance and Claims

Intermodal insurance and claims expense increased $0.9 million, or 26.5%, to $4.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.   Intermodal insurance and claims were 2.9% of operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with 3.1% for the same period in 2017. The increase in Intermodal insurance and claims was attributable to higher insurance premiums for the additional volumes. See additional discussion over the consolidated increase in self-insurance reserves related to vehicle claims in the "Other operations" section below.

Fuel Expense

Intermodal fuel expense increased $2.2 million, or 81.5%, to $4.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 from $2.7 million in the same period of 2017.  Fuel expenses were 3.3% of Intermodal operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 2.4% in the same period of 2017.  Intermodal fuel expenses increased due to higher year-over-year fuel prices and increased Company-employed driver activity.

Other Operating Expenses

Intermodal other operating expenses increased $5.7 million, or 50.0%, to $17.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to $11.4 million for the same period of 2017.  Intermodal other operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were 11.5% of Intermodal operating revenue compared to 10.3% for the same period of 2017.  The increase in Intermodal other operating expenses was due mostly due to a $5.1 million increase in container related rental and storage charges associated with revenue increases discussed previously. The remaining increase was due to increased professional fees. These increases were partly offset by a $0.5 million reduction in the earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.




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Income from Operations

Intermodal income from operations increased by $6.8 million, or 71.6%, to $16.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with $9.5 million for the same period in 2017.  Income from operations as a percentage of Intermodal operating revenue was 11.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to 8.6% in the same period of 2017.  The increase in operating income in total dollars and as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the increase in high-margin storage and fuel revenues, a full nine months of the Atlantic acquisition and a reduction of the estimated earn-out liability for the Atlantic acquisition.

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Other Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

Other operating activity declined from a $1.2 million operating loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to a $7.4 million operating loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The nine months ended September 30, 2018 included a $5.2 million increase in self-insurance reserves related to existing vehicular claims and $0.8 million in self insurance reserves resulting from analysis of our workers' compensation claims. The loss was also attributable to $1.1 million in costs related to the CEO transition.

The $1.2 million operating loss included in other operations and corporate activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 included $0.9 million of executive severance costs and $0.9 million in reserves for vehicle and workers' compensation claims. These costs were partly offset by $0.6 million of indemnification funds received related to the Towne acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).  The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and changes in the business environment.  However, actual results may differ from estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially.  Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and require management’s most subjective judgments.  A summary of significant accounting policies is disclosed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our critical accounting policies are further described under the caption “Discussion of Critical Accounting Policies” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Valuation of Goodwill and Other Long Term Assets

The Company conducted its annual impairment assessments and test of goodwill for each reporting unit as of June 30, 2018 and
no impairment charges were required at that time. Goodwill impairment exists when the estimated implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value. Changes in strategy or market conditions could significantly impact these fair value estimates and require adjustments to recorded asset balances. During the three months ended September 30, 2018 no indicators of impairment were noted.

Impact of Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See discussion in Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We have historically financed our working capital needs, including capital expenditures, with cash flows from operations and borrowings under our bank lines of credit. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled approximately $113.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to approximately $77.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The $36.1 million increase in cash provided by operating activities is mainly attributable to a $18.5 million increase in net earnings after consideration of non-cash items and a $19.5 million improvement in the collection of receivables, primarily related to the collections of receivables related to the Atlantic acquisition. These increases were partly offset by increased estimated income tax payments.

Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $32.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with approximately $34.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted primarily of net capital expenditures of $28.4 million primarily for new trailers, forklifts and information technology.  Investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 consisted primarily of $22.5 million used to acquire Atlantic and net capital expenditures of $12.1 million primarily for information technology. The proceeds from disposal of property and equipment during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were primarily from sales of older trailers.
  
Net cash used in financing activities totaled approximately $56.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared with net cash used in financing activities of $39.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  The $17.3 million increase was attributable to a $40.5 million decrease in net borrowings from our revolving credit facility partly offset by a $28.0 million decrease in payments on our term loan. Additionally, there was a $2.2 million decrease in cash from employee stock

46
Table of Contents


transactions and related tax benefits. The three months ended September 30, 2018 also included $45.0 million used to repurchase shares of our common stock, which was a $3.0 million increase from the $42.0 million used to repurchase shares of common stock for the same period of 2017. The remaining change in financing activity is attributable to a $0.4 million decrease in payments of cash dividends due to a lower outstanding share count during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period in 2017.

On September 29, 2017, the Company, entered into a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million, with a sublimit of $30.0 million for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30.0 million for swing line loans. The Facility may be increased by up to $100.0 million to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million pursuant to the terms of the credit agreement, subject to the lenders’ agreement to increase their commitments or the addition of new lenders extending such commitments. Such increases to the Facility may be in the form of additional revolving credit loans, term loans or a combination thereof, and are contingent upon there being no events of default under the Facility and satisfaction of other conditions precedent and are subject to the other limitations set forth in the credit agreement.

The Facility is scheduled to mature in September 2022. The proceeds were used to refinance existing indebtedness of the Company and may be used to refinance existing indebtedness of the Company and for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The Facility refinances the Company’s existing obligations for its unsecured credit facility under the credit agreement dated as of February 4, 2015, as amended, which has been terminated as of the date of the new Facility.

Unless the Company elects otherwise under the credit agreement, interest on borrowings under the Facility is based on the highest of (a) the federal funds rate (not less than 0%) plus 0.5%, (b) the administrative agent's prime rate and (c) the LIBOR Rate plus 1.0%, in each case plus a margin that can range from 0.3% to 0.8% with respect to the Facility depending on the Company’s ratio of consolidated funded indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as set forth in the credit agreement. Payments of interest for each loan that is based on the LIBOR Rate are due in arrears on the last day of the interest period applicable to such loan (with interest periods of one, two or three months being available, at the Company’s option). Payments of interest on loans that are not based on the LIBOR Rate are due on the last day of each quarter ended March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. All unpaid amounts of principal and interest are due at maturity. As of September 30, 2018, we had $40.5 million in borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility, $11.1 million utilized for outstanding letters of credit and $98.4 million of available borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility.  The interest rate on the outstanding borrowing under the revolving credit facility was 3.6% at September 30, 2018.

The Facility contains customary events of default including, among other things, payment defaults, breach of covenants, cross acceleration to material indebtedness, bankruptcy-related defaults, material judgment defaults, and the occurrence of certain change of control events. The occurrence of an event of default may result in, among other things, the termination of the Facilities, acceleration of repayment obligations and the exercise of remedies by the lenders with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries that are party to the Facility. The Facility also contains financial covenants and other covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries, without the approval of the required lenders, to engage in certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, dividends and stock repurchases, investments, and other transactions or to incur liens or indebtedness in excess of agreed thresholds, as set forth in the credit agreement. As of September 30, 2018, the Company was in compliance with the aforementioned covenants.
On July 21, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization for up to three million shares of the Company’s common stock. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased 267,451 for $16.8 million, or $62.89 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we repurchased 764,617 for $45.0 million, or $58.83 per share. During the three months ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased 579,769 for $30.0 million, or $51.72 per share. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we repurchased 826,633 for $42.0 million, or $50.79 per share. As of September 30, 2018, there were 1,054,048 shares remaining to be purchased under the 2016 Plan.

During each quarter of 2017 and the first, second and third quarters of 2018, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share of common stock. We expect to continue to pay regular quarterly cash dividends, though each subsequent quarterly dividend is subject to review and approval by the Board of Directors.
We believe that our available cash, investments, expected cash generated from future operations and borrowings under the available credit facility will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated cash needs for at least the next twelve months.





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Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or our future financial performance. In this Form 10-Q, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any projections of earnings, revenues, dividends, or other financial items or methods of interpretation or measurement; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements regarding future insurance and claims; any statements concerning proposed or intended new services or developments; any statements regarding intended expansion through acquisition or greenfield startups; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance based on our business strategy, reliance on financial instruments or otherwise; and any statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by use of such terms as “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects” or “expects.”  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, the availability and compensation of qualified independent owner-operators and freight handlers as well as contracted, third-party carriers needed to serve our customers’ transportation needs, the inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, changes in fuel prices, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, loss of a major customer, increasing competition and pricing pressure, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, our inability to successfully integrate acquisitions, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers’ compensation, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental and tax matters, insurance matters, the handling of hazardous materials and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a result of the foregoing, no assurance can be given as to future financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.  We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Our exposure to market risk related to our outstanding debt is not significant and has not changed materially from the information provided in our 2017 Form 10-K.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that we are able to collect the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), and to process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules of the SEC. Based on an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that these controls and procedures are effective to ensure that we are able to collect, process and disclose the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file with the SEC within the required time periods.

Changes in Internal Control

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


48

Part II.
Other Information
 
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, we are a party to ordinary, routine litigation incidental to and arising in the normal course of our business, most of which involve claims for personal injury and property damage related to the transportation and handling of freight, or workers’ compensation. We do not believe that any of these pending actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors.

A summary of factors which could affect results and cause results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us, or on our behalf, are further described under the caption “Risk Factors” in the Business portion of our 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following risk factor serves to update the applicable risk factor described under Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 related to our insurance program.

Claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers’ compensation and related expenses could significantly reduce our earnings.

Under DOT regulations, we are liable for property damage and personal injuries caused by owner-operators and Company-employed drivers while they are operating on our behalf. Additionally, from time to time, the drivers employed and engaged by the third-party transportation carriers we contract with are involved in accidents, which may result in serious personal injuries. The resulting types and/or amounts of damages may be excluded by or exceed the amount of insurance coverage maintained by the contracted carrier. Although these drivers are not our employees and all of these drivers are employees, owner-operators, or independent contractors working for carriers, from time to time, claims may be asserted against us for their actions, or for our actions in retaining them. In our Expedited LTL and Pool businesses, we have a self-insured retention ("SIR") of $3.0 million per occurrence for vehicle and general liability claims and will be responsible for any damages and personal injuries below that self-insured amount. We are also responsible for varying annual aggregate deductible amounts of liability for claims in excess of the SIR/deductible. For the policy year that began April 1, 2018, we have an annual $6.0 million aggregate deductible for claims between $3.0 million and $5.0 million. We also have a $2.5 million aggregate deductible for claims between $5.0 million and $10.0 million. As a result, we are responsible for the first $7.5 million per claim, until we meet the $6.0 million aggregate deductible for claims between $3.0 million and $5.0 million and the $2.5 million aggregate deductible for claims between $5.0 million and $10.0 million. We cannot guarantee that our SIR levels will not increase and/or that we have to agree to more unfavorable policy terms as a result of market conditions, poor claims experience or other factors.

We may also be subject to claims for workers’ compensation. We maintain workers’ compensation insurance coverage that we believe is adequate to cover such claims. We have a SIR of approximately $0.4 million for each such claim, except in Ohio, where we are a qualified self-insured entity with an approximately $0.5 million self-insured retention. We could incur claims in excess of our policy limits or incur claims not covered by our insurance. Any claims beyond the limits or scope of our insurance coverage may have a material adverse effect on us. Because we do not carry “stop loss” insurance, a significant increase in the number of claims that we must cover under our self-insurance retainage could adversely affect our profitability. In addition, we may be unable to maintain insurance coverage at a reasonable cost or in sufficient amounts or scope to protect us against losses.


49

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Information regarding repurchases of our shares during the third quarter of 2018 is as follows:

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced 2016 Program (1)
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
July 1-31, 2018
 
30,883

 
$
59.09

 
30,883

 
1,290,616

August 1-31, 2018
 
217,172

 
63.32

 
217,172

 
1,073,444

September 1-30, 2018
 
19,396

 
64.14

 
19,396

 
1,054,048

Total
 
267,451

 
$
62.89

 
267,451

 
1,054,048

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) - On July 21, 2016, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase authorization for up to three million shares of the Company’s common stock ("shares"). There is currently no expiration date.


Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information.

Not applicable.

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Item 6.
Exhibits.

In accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8212, Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are to be treated as “accompanying” this report rather than “filed” as part of the report.
 
No.
 
Exhibit
3.1
 
3.2
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1
 
32.2
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 


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Signatures

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

 
 
Forward Air Corporation
Date: October 25, 2018
By: 
/s/ Michael J. Morris
 
 
Michael J. Morris
Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice President and Treasurer
(Principal Financial Officer)





52

EXHIBIT INDEX

No.
 
Exhibit
3.1
 
3.2
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32.1
 
32.2
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 


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