UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 26, 2015

or

For the transition period from                      to                     .

Commission File Number: 0-51142

 

UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

12755 E. Nine Mile Road

Warren, Michigan 48089

(Address, including Zip Code of Principal Executive Offices)

(586) 920-0100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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  o

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  o

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

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 of the registrant’s common stock, no par value, outstanding as of October 30, 2015, was 28,378,179.

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Universal Truckload Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Universal”, or “the Company”), have been prepared by the Company’s management. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the information required to be set forth therein. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Our fiscal year ends on December 31 and consists of four quarters, each with thirteen weeks.

Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior financial statements in order for them to conform to the September 26, 2015 presentation.

 

 

At September 26, 2015 and December 31, 2014, marketable securities, all of which are available-for-sale, consist of common and preferred stocks.  Marketable securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related income taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, except for losses from impairments which are determined to be other-than-temporary.  Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in the determination of net income and are included in other non-operating income (expense), at which time the average cost basis of these securities are adjusted to fair value.  Fair values are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date.  Interest and dividends on available-for-sale securities are included in other non-operating income (expense).

The cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of available-for-sale securities by type were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Included in equity securities at September 26, 2015 are securities with a fair value of $4.3 million with a cumulative loss position of $1.2 million, the impairment of which we consider to be temporary.  We consider several factors in our determination as to whether declines in value are judged to be temporary or other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the decline, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the specific issuers and the industries in which they operate, and our intent and ability to hold these securities.  We may incur future impairment charges if declines in market values continue and/or worsen and impairments are no longer considered temporary.

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

The fair value and gross unrealized holding losses of our marketable securities that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired aggregated by type and length of time they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Our portfolio of equity securities in a continuous loss position, the impairment of which we consider to be temporary, consists primarily of common stocks in the oil and gas, banking, steel, and transportation industries.  The fair value and unrealized losses are distributed in 40 publicly traded companies, with no single industry or company representing a material or concentrated unrealized loss.  We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the various industries, as well as the specific issuers within our portfolio, in relation to the severity and duration of the impairments, and based on that evaluation, as well as our ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time to allow for a recovery of fair value, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 26, 2015.

We may, from time to time, invest cash in excess of our current needs in marketable securities, much of which is held in equity securities, which are actively traded on public exchanges.  It is our philosophy to minimize the risk of capital loss without foregoing the potential for capital appreciation through investing in value-and-income oriented investments.  However, holding equity securities subjects us to fluctuations in the market value of our investment portfolio based on current market prices, and a decline in market prices or other unstable market conditions could cause a loss in the value of our marketable securities classified as available-for-sale.

 

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

Debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

Syndicated credit facility

On December 19, 2013, we entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to our Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated August 28, 2012 (the “Credit Agreement”), with and among the lenders parties thereto and Comerica Bank, as administrative agent, to provide for aggregate borrowing facilities of up to $300 million.  The Second Amendment modifies the Credit Agreement to allow for additional borrowings of $70 million under a new term loan and a $10 million increase in the revolving credit facility.  The Credit Agreement, as amended, consists of a $120 million revolving credit facility (which amount may be increased by up to $20 million upon our request and approval of the lenders), a $60 million equipment credit facility, a $50 million term loan, and a $70 million term loan B.  Additionally, the Credit Agreement provides for up to $5 million in letters of credit, which letters of credit reduce availability under the revolving credit facility.

$120 million Revolving Credit Facility

The revolving credit facility is available to refinance existing indebtedness and to finance working capital through August 28, 2017.  Two interest rate options are applicable to advances borrowed pursuant to the facility:  Eurodollar-based advances and base rate advances.  Eurodollar-based advances bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.35% to 2.10% based on our ratio of total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined.  As an alternative, base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.35% to 1.10%.  The base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Comerica Bank, the federal funds effective rate plus 1.0%, or the daily adjusting LIBOR rate plus 1.0%.  At September 26, 2015, interest accrued at 2.05% based on 30-day LIBOR.

To support daily borrowing and other operating requirements, the revolving credit facility contains a $10.0 million Swing Line sub-facility and a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility.  On June 3, 2013, we executed an amendment to our Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”) which split the availability on the Swing Line between two existing lenders, Comerica Bank and KeyBank.  The Swing Line was split to provide for borrowings of up to $7.0 million from Comerica Bank and $3.0 million from KeyBank, so long as the Comerica Bank and KeyBank advances do not exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate.  Swing Line borrowings incur interest at either the base rate plus the applicable margin or, alternatively, at a quoted rate offered by the applicable Swing Line lender in its sole discretion.  At September 26, 2015, we did not have any amounts outstanding under the Swing Line, and there were no letters of credit issued against the revolving credit facility.

Interest on the unpaid balance of all revolving credit facility and swing line base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter.  Interest on the unpaid balance of each Eurodollar-based advance of the revolving credit facility is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.  Interest on the unpaid balance of each quoted rate based advance of the swing line is payable on the last day of the applicable quoted rate interest period.  

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

The revolving credit facility is subject to a facility fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, of either 0.25% or 0.50%, depending on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.  Other than in connection with Eurodollar-based advances or quoted rate advances that are paid off and terminated prior to an applicable interest period, there are no premiums or penalties resulting from prepayment.  Borrowings outstanding at any time under the revolving credit facility are limited to the value of eligible accounts receivable of our principal operating subsidiaries, pursuant to a monthly borrowing base certificate.  At September 26, 2015, our $80.5 million revolver advance was secured by, among other assets, net eligible accounts receivable totaling $138.4 million, of which, $114.6 million were available for borrowing against pursuant to the agreement.

$60 million Equipment Credit Facility

Through August 28, 2015, the equipment credit facility was used to refinance existing indebtedness and to finance capital expenditures including in connection with acquisitions.  At September 26, 2015, outstanding borrowings under the equipment credit facility were $49.0 million.  Such borrowings are being repaid in quarterly installments equal to 1/28^th of the aggregate amount of borrowings under the equipment credit facility commencing on January 1, 2014.  

The two interest rate options that apply to revolving credit facility advances also apply to equipment credit facility advances.  Eurodollar-based advances bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.60% to 2.60% based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.   Base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.60% to 1.60%.  The equipment credit facility is subject to an unused fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, of 0.50%. At September 26, 2015, interest accrued at 2.55% based on 30-day LIBOR.

Interest on the unpaid balance of all equipment credit facility base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter.  Interest on the unpaid balance of each Eurodollar-based advance of the equipment credit facility is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.  

$50 million Term Loan

Proceeds of the term loan were advanced on October 1, 2012 and used to refinance existing indebtedness of LINC.  The outstanding principal balance is due on August 28, 2017, to the extent not already reduced by mandatory or optional prepayments.  The applicable interest rate on the effective date of the term loan indebtedness was the base rate.  Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.  Thereafter, we may convert base rate advances to Eurodollar-based advances, which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.  At September 26, 2015, interest accrued at 3.20% based on 30-day LIBOR.

Interest on the unpaid principal of all term loan base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter.  Interest on the unpaid principal of each Eurodollar-based advance of the term loan is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.  

$70 million Term Loan B

Proceeds of the term loan were advanced on December 19, 2013 and used to finance the acquisition of Westport.  The outstanding principal balance is due on August 28, 2017, to the extent not already reduced by mandatory or optional prepayments.  The applicable interest rate on the effective date of the term loan indebtedness was the base rate.  Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.  Thereafter, we may convert base rate advances to Eurodollar-based advances, which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.  At September 26, 2015, interest accrued at 3.20% based on 30-day LIBOR.

Interest on the unpaid principal of all term loan base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on January 1, 2014, and on the first day of each January, April, July and October thereafter.  Interest on the unpaid principal of each Eurodollar-based advance of the term loan is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.  

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

The Credit Agreement requires us to repay the borrowings made under the term loan facilities and the equipment credit facility as follows: 50% (which percentage shall be reduced to 0% subject to the Company attaining a certain leverage ratio) of our annual excess cash flow, as defined; 100% of net cash proceeds of certain asset sales; and 100% of certain insurance and condemnation proceeds.  There were no mandatory prepayments of the term loans due as of September 26, 2015.  We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under each of the facilities at any time, subject to certain customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR-based borrowings.  In addition, we may elect to permanently terminate or reduce all or a portion of the revolving credit facility.  

All obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries and the obligations of the Company and such subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement and such guarantees are secured by, subject to certain exceptions, substantially all of their assets.  The Credit Agreement also may, in certain circumstances, limit our ability to pay dividends or distributions.  The Credit Agreement includes annual, quarterly and ad hoc financial reporting requirements and financial covenants requiring us to maintain maximum leverage ratios and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default.  Specifically, we may not exceed a maximum senior debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, of 2.5:1 and a maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, of 3.0:1.  We must also maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 1.25:1.  On June 9, 2015, we entered into a third amendment  to exclude purchases of up to $35 million of the Company’s common stock in a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer from the calculation of the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  As of September 26, 2015, we were in compliance with our debt covenants.

UBS Secured Borrowing Facility

We also maintain a secured borrowing facility at UBS Financial Services, Inc., or UBS, using our marketable securities as collateral for the short-term line of credit.  The line of credit bears an interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.10% (effective rate of 1.29% at September 26, 2015), and interest is adjusted and billed monthly.  No principal payments are due on the borrowing; however, the line of credit is callable at any time.  The amount available under the line of credit is based on a percentage of the market value of the underlying securities.  If the equity value in the account falls below the minimum requirement, we must restore the equity value, or UBS may call the line of credit.  As of September 26, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit, and the maximum available borrowings were $7.5 million and $6.9 million, respectively.  

 

 

FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and expanded disclosures with respect to fair value measurements.

FASB ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

We have segregated all financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the tables below (in thousands):

 

 

 

The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the tables above are as follows:

Our senior debt and line of credit consists of variable rate borrowings.  We categorize borrowings under the credit agreement and line of credit as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.  The carrying value of these borrowings approximate fair value because the applicable interest rates are adjusted frequently based on short-term market rates.

 

 

Through December 31, 2004, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenTra, Inc. On December 31, 2004, CenTra distributed all of our common stock to the shareholders of CenTra.  Subsequent to our initial public offering in 2005, our majority shareholders retained and continue to hold a controlling interest in us.  CenTra and affiliates of CenTra provide administrative support services to us, including legal, human resources, and tax services.  The cost of these services is based on the actual or estimated utilization of the specific service. Management believes these charges are reasonable.  However, the costs of these services charged to us are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if we had internally performed or acquired these services as a separate unaffiliated entity.

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

In addition to the administrative support services described above, we purchase other services from affiliates. Following is a schedule of cost incurred for services provided by affiliates for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014 (in thousands):

 

In connection with our transportation services, we also routinely cross the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor Ontario, and we pay tolls and other fees to certain related entities which are under common control with CenTra.  CenTra also charges us for the direct variable cost of various maintenance, fueling and other operational support costs for services delivered at their trucking terminals that are geographically remote from our own facilities.  Such activities are billed when incurred, paid on a routine basis, and reflect actual labor utilization, repair parts costs or quantities of fuel purchased.

A significant number of our transportation and logistics service operations are located at facilities leased from affiliates.  At 43 facilities, occupancy is based on either month-to-month or contractual, multi-year lease arrangements which are billed and paid monthly.  Leasing properties provided by an affiliate that owns a substantial commercial property portfolio affords us significant operating flexibility.  However, we are not limited to such arrangements.  

In July 2015, we entered into a lease agreement with Cedar Investments LLC, an affiliate, to provide us a logistics facility of up to 500,000 sq. ft. located on 33 acres in close proximity to a major customer in Detroit, Michigan.  The term of the lease is 124 months at a rate of approximately $256,500 per month once the new facility is made available for occupancy, which is expected to occur prior to the end of 2015.

We purchase workers’ compensation, property and casualty, cargo, warehousing and other general liability insurance from an insurance company controlled by our majority shareholders.  Our employee health care benefits and 401(k) programs are also provided by this affiliate.

Other services from affiliates, including leased real estate, insurance and employee benefit plans, and contracted transportation services, are delivered to us on a per-transaction-basis or pursuant to separate contractual arrangements provided in the ordinary course of business.  At September 26, 2015 and December 31, 2014, amounts due to affiliates were $5.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively.  In our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we record our insured claims liability and the related recovery from an affiliate insurance provider in insurance and claims, and other receivables.  At September 26, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were $13.7 million and $10.7 million, respectively, included in each of these accounts for insured claims.  

We did not purchase any tractors or trailers from affiliates during the thirteen weeks or thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015.  We did however purchase used snow removal equipment from an affiliate during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, for $18,000. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, we purchased 10 used tractors and one used trailer from an affiliate totaling approximately $0.8 million.

We have retained the law firm of Sullivan Hincks & Conway to provide us legal services.  Daniel C. Sullivan, a member of our Board, is a partner at Sullivan Hincks & Conway.  Not included in the table above are amounts paid for legal services during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 of $500 and $1,500, respectively.  Also not included in the table above are amounts paid for legal services during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014 of $46,000 and $71,000, respectively.

We also exercised our right of first refusal to acquire 25,000 shares of restricted stock from a director, H.E. “Scott” Wolfe, for $622,500 based on the closing market price on March 5, 2015, the effective date of the transaction. Effective August 19, 2015, we exercised our right of first refusal to acquire 2,500 shares of restricted stock from our CEO, Jeff Rogers, for $50,825 based on the closing market price on the effective date of the transaction.

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

Services provided by Universal to Affiliates

We may assist our affiliates with selected transportation and logistics services in connection with their specific customer contracts or purchase orders.  Following is a schedule of services provided to affiliates for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014 (in thousands):

 

At September 26, 2015 and December 31, 2014, amounts due from affiliates were $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively.

We did not sell any equipment to affiliates during the thirteen or thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015.  During the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014, we sold two used trailers to an affiliate for $4,000.  The trailers were fully depreciated, and therefore, the sale resulted in a gain of approximately $4,000.  For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, we sold 41 used trailers to an affiliate for approximately $82,000.  The trailers were fully depreciated, and therefore, the sale resulted in a gain of approximately $82,000.  

 

In June 2015, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock through a “Dutch auction” tender offer. Subject to certain limitations and legal requirements, we could repurchase up to an additional 2% of our outstanding shares. The tender offer began on the date of the announcement, June 9, 2015, and expired on July 8, 2015. Through this tender offer, the Company’s shareholders had the opportunity to tender some or all of their shares at a price within the range of $21.50 to $23.50 per share. Upon expiration, 1,599,605 shares were purchased through this offer at a final purchase price of $21.50 per share for a total purchase price of approximately $34.4 million, including fees and commission.  The tender offer was settled on July 14, 2015, and we used funds borrowed under our existing line of credit and from our available cash and cash equivalents to fund the offering.  Immediately following the consummation of the tender offer, we had 28,380,679 shares of common stock outstanding. The total amount of shares purchased in the tender offer included 1,486,060 shares tendered by Mr. Manuel J. Moroun, a member of Universal’s Board of Directors, and a trust controlled by him.  Mr. Moroun is the father of Mr. Matthew T. Moroun, the Chairman of the Board of Directors.  

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, we incurred approximately $0.5 million of costs related to an underwritten public offering of our common stock. Under the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 25, 2012 with our majority shareholders, we were responsible to pay for the cost of the offering. After deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses, we did not have any remaining proceeds from the sale of our common stock.

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

Comprehensive income includes the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

On April 23, 2014, our Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, or the Plan. The Plan was approved by our shareholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting and became effective as of the date it was adopted by the Board of Directors. The Plan replaced our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and carried forward the shares of common stock that remained available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The grants may be made in the form of stock options, restricted stock bonuses, restricted stock purchase rights, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, restricted stock units or unrestricted common stock. Restricted stock awards currently outstanding under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of that plan.

On December 20, 2012, the Company granted 178,137 shares of restricted stock to certain of its employees.  The restricted stock grants vested 20% on December 20, 2012, and an additional 20% will vest on each anniversary of the grant through December 20, 2016, subject to continued employment with the Company.  On March 5, 2015, the Company granted an additional 10,000 shares of restricted stock its Chief Executive Officer. The restricted stock grants vested 25% on March 5, 2015, and an additional 25% will vest on each anniversary of the grant through March 5, 2018, subject to continued employment with the Company.  On April 29, 2015, the Company granted an additional 20,000 shares of restricted stock to the Chief Executive Officer. These restricted stock grants vested 25% on April 29, 2015, and an additional 25% will vest in three equal increments on each March 5 in 2016, 2017 and 2018.  A grantee’s vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions, including retirement.  

The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s non-vested shares and related information for the period indicated:

 

 

As of September 26, 2015, there was approximately $0.8 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years.  The total fair value of shares vested during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 was $0.2 million.  No shares vested during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015.

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

 

Basic earnings per common share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding outstanding non-vested restricted stock.  Diluted earnings per common share include dilutive common stock equivalents determined by the treasury stock method.   For the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, there were 177 and 3,502 weighted average non-vested shares of restricted stock included in the denominator for the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.  For the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, there were 35,438 and 39,848 weighted average non-vested shares of restricted stock included in the denominator for the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.  

 

 

On July 23, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 3, 2015 and paid on August 13, 2015.  Declaration of future cash dividends is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, any legal or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

 

We report our financial results in two reportable segments, the transportation segment and the logistics segment, based on the nature of the underlying customer commitment and the types of investments required to support these commitments.  This presentation reflects the manner in which management evaluates our operating segments, including an evaluation of economic characteristics and applicable aggregation criteria.  

Operations aggregated in our transportation segment are associated with individual freight shipments coordinated by our agents, company-managed terminals and specialized services operations.  In contrast, operations aggregated in our logistics segment deliver value-added services or transportation services to specific customers on a dedicated basis, generally pursuant to contract terms of one year or longer.  Other non-reportable operating segments are comprised of the Company’s subsidiaries that provide support services to other subsidiaries and to owner-operators, including shop maintenance and equipment leasing.  

The following tables summarize information about our reportable segments as of and for the thirteen week and thirty-nine week period ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014 (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

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UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 

 

 

 

Our principal commitments relate to long-term real estate leases and payment obligations to equipment vendors.

We are involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the ordinary conduct of business. We also provide accruals for claims within our self-insured retention amounts. Based on the knowledge of the facts, and in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, in the Company’s opinion the resolution of these claims and pending litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

At September 26, 2015, approximately 25% of our employees in the United States, Canada and Colombia, and 92% of our employees in Mexico are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are renegotiated periodically, less than 5% of which are subject to contracts that expire in 2015.  

 

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provided new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, an entity will (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price;  (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new guidance was originally effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016 for public companies. Early adoption is not permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. In July 2015, the FASB voted to delay of the effective date of the new standard by one year.  As a result of the delay, the revenue recognition standard will be effective for public companies in 2018, with early adoption permitted.  We are evaluating the effect, if any, that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest, which is intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs.  ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendments in this update.  The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies.  Entities must apply the new guidance on a full retrospective basis and early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued.  We are evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

On October 22, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock, payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015 and expected to be paid on November 12, 2015.  Declaration of future cash dividends is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, any legal or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

 

 

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ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Some of the statements and assumptions in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking statements. These statements identify prospective information. Important factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those in the forward-looking statements. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “plan,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will” and “would” or other similar words. You should read statements that contain these words carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other “forward-looking” information. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by which, such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on information available at the time and/or management’s good faith belief with respect to future events, and is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. The factors listed in the section captioned “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as well as any other cautionary language in that Form 10-K, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information except to the extent required by applicable securities laws. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect thereto or with respect to other forward-looking statements.

Overview

We are a leading asset-light provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States and in Mexico, Canada and Colombia. We provide our customers with supply chain solutions that can be scaled to meet their changing demands and volumes. We offer our customers a broad array of services across their entire supply chain, including transportation, value-added, and intermodal services. Our customized solutions and flexible business model are designed to provide us with a highly variable cost structure.

We provide a comprehensive suite of transportation and logistics solutions that allow our customers and clients to reduce costs and manage their global supply chains more efficiently. We market our services through a direct sales and marketing network focused on selling our portfolio of services to large customers in specific industry sectors, through a network of agents who solicit freight business directly from shippers, and through company-managed facilities and full-service freight forwarding and customs house brokerage offices. We believe our asset-light business model is highly scalable and will continue to support our growth with comparatively modest capital expenditure requirements. Our asset-light model, combined with a disciplined approach to contract structuring and pricing, creates a highly flexible cost structure that allows us to expand and contract quickly in response to changes in demand from our customers. 

We generate substantially all of our revenues through fees charged to customers for the transportation of freight and for the customized logistics services we provide. We also derive revenue from fuel surcharges, where separately identifiable, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention, container management and storage and other related services. Operations aggregated in our transportation segment are associated with individual freight shipments coordinated by our agents, company-managed terminals and specialized services operations. In contrast, operations aggregated in our logistics segment deliver value-added services and transportation services to specific customers on a dedicated basis, generally pursuant to contract terms of one year or longer. Our segments are distinguished by the amount of forward visibility we have in regards to pricing and volumes, and also by the extent to which we dedicate resources and company-owned equipment.

The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

Operating Revenues

We broadly group our services into the following categories: transportation services, value-added services and intermodal services. Our intermodal services and transportation services associated with individual freight shipments coordinated by our agents and company-managed terminals are aggregated into our reportable transportation segment, while our value-added services and transportation services to specific customers on a dedicated basis make up our logistics segment. The following table sets forth

 

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operating revenues resulting from each of these categories for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, presented as a percentage of total operating revenues:

 

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth items derived from our consolidated statements of income for the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014, presented as a percentage of operating revenues:

 

 

 

Thirteen Weeks Ended September 26, 2015 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended September 27, 2014

 

Operating revenues. Operating revenues for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $17.9 million, or 5.9%, to $284.2 million from $302.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. Included in operating revenues are fuel surcharges, where separately identifiable, of $18.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, which compares to $30.4 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  Revenues from our transportation segment decreased $17.0 million, or 8.3%, and income from operations decreased $2.1 million, or 20.9% compared to the same period last year.  The transportation segment continues to experience a decrease in volumes primarily attributable to low oil and gas production and weak domestic steel markets, both of which adversely impacted our flatbed operations.  In our logistics segment, revenues decreased marginally by 0.9% to $97.2 million, while income from operations decreased $3.9 million, or 27.6%, to $10.1 million compared to the same period last year. Operating margins remain compressed at 10.4% in the third quarter this year when compared to the 14.3% achieved during the same period last year.  The declines in operating margins are primarily attributable to additional start-up costs at a new value-added facility, decreased production at a heavy industrial customer, and contractually-agreed price reductions in one of our value-added service operations.  

 

The decrease in consolidated operating revenues is the result of decreases in our transportation services of $18.6 million and $0.8 million in our value-added service operations.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.5 million in our intermodal

 

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services.  Overall, declines in fuel surcharges accounted for $12.0 million of the decrease in our consolidated operating revenues. The decrease in transportation services revenues results primarily from decreases in both pricing and in the number of loads hauled.  For the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, our operating revenue per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased to $2.54 from $2.65 for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014, and the number of loads declined 7.9% to approximately 151,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to approximately 164,000 in the same period last year.  

 

Value-added services revenue decreased slightly by 1.2% to $68.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $69.2 million during the same period last year.  At September 26, 2015, we provided value-added services at 48 locations compared to 45 at September 27, 2014.

 

Revenues from our intermodal services operation increased due to increases in operating revenues per loaded mile and in the number of loads hauled. Operating revenue per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharges, for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased to $4.76 from $4.41 for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014, and the number of loads hauled increased to approximately 85,000 for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, compared to approximately 81,000 during the same period last year.  

  

Purchased transportation and equipment rent. Purchased transportation and equipment rental costs for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $13.6 million, or 8.5%, to $146.7 million from $160.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. Purchased transportation and equipment rent generally increases or decreases in proportion to the revenues generated through owner-operators and other third party providers, and is generally correlated with changes in demand for transportation and intermodal services.  Combined, transportation and intermodal service revenues decreased 7.4% to $215.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $233.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  As a percentage of operating revenues, purchased transportation and equipment rent decreased to 51.6% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 from 53.0% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in transportation service revenues, which typically operate with higher purchased transportation and equipment rental costs.  For the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, transportation services accounted for 62.7% of total operating revenues compared to 65.1% for same period last year.

 

Direct personnel and related benefits.    Direct personnel and related benefit costs for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $6.2 million, or 12.9%, to $54.1 million compared to $47.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. Trends in these expenses are generally correlated with changes in operating facilities and headcount requirements and, therefore, increase and decrease with the level of demand for our value-added services and staffing needs of our operations. For the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, our average headcount, including full-time equivalents, increased 639 or 11.1% compared to the same period last year.  As a percentage of operating revenues, personnel and related benefits expenses increased to 19.0% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 15.9% for the same period last year. The percentage is derived on an aggregate basis from both existing and new programs, and from customer operations at various stages in their lifecycles. Individual operations may be impacted by additional production shifts or by overtime at selected operations. While generalizations about the impact of personnel and related benefits costs as a percentage of total operating revenues are difficult, we manage compensation and staffing levels, including the use of contract labor, to maintain target economics based on near-term projections of demand for our services.

 

Commission expense. Commission expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $2.0 million, or 17.1%, to $9.7 million from $11.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. The absolute decrease was primarily due to the decrease in our operating revenues from transportation services. Commission expense generally increases or decreases in proportion to our transportation and intermodal revenues, excluding where we generate a higher proportion of our revenues at company-managed terminals.  As a percentage of operating revenues, commission expense decreased to 3.4% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 3.9% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, the decrease in commission expense is due to a shift in the mix of revenues generated by company-managed locations and in value-added services where no commissions are paid.  

 

Operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately).    Operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) decreased $3.0 million, or 10.5%, to $25.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015, compared to $28.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) decreased to 9.0% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 from 9.4% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. These expenses include items such as fuel, maintenance, cost of materials, insurance, communications, utilities and other general expenses, and generally relate to fluctuations in customer demand. The decrease in operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) was primarily due to decreases in fuel expense on company-owned equipment of $2.8 million and $1.1 million in other operating expenses, including cost of materials.  These decreases were partially offset by increases of $0.4 million in registration and permit costs and $0.4 million in highway use and fuel taxes.

 

 

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Occupancy expense.    Occupancy expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $0.5 million, or 8.1%, to $6.7 million from $6.2 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  As a percentage of operating revenues, occupancy expense increased to 2.4% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 2.1% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  The absolute increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of company-leased value added service facilities. At September 26, 2015, the company leased 31 value-added service locations compared to 30 at September 27, 2014.  

 

Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $0.3 million, or 3.1%, to $9.5 million from $9.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, selling, general and administrative expense increased slightly to 3.3% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 3.2% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  The absolute decrease was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and wage expenses of $0.9 million, which is the largest component of selling, general and administrative expense and a decrease in other selling, general and administrative costs of $0.9 million.  These decreases were largely offset by an increase in professional service fees of $1.3 million.

 

Insurance and claims. Insurance and claims expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $0.3 million, or 4.8%, to $6.6 million from $6.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, insurance and claims increased to 2.3% for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 from 2.1% for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014. The absolute increase was the result of an increase in our auto liability insurance premiums and claims expense of $1.1 million, which was largely offset by a decrease in our cargo and service claims expense of $0.8 million.  

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 remained consistent at $8.5 million compared to the same period last year.  Depreciation expense increased in the current period primarily as a result of capital investments made throughout 2014; however, this increase was offset by a decrease in amortization expense as certain other intangible assets became fully amortized.  

 

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense was $2.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $2.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014.  At September 26, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings totaling $245.9 million compared to $238.4 million at September 27, 2014.

 

Other non-operating income.  Other non-operating income was $0.1 million for both the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 and September 27, 2014. There were no significant or unusual items impacting other non-operating income.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes for the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 was $5.8 million compared to $8.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2014, based on effective tax rates of 38.4% and 37.8%, respectively.  

 

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 26, 2015 Compared to Thirty-nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2014

 

Operating revenues. Operating revenues for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $46.2 million, or 5.2%, to $842.8 million from $889.0 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. Included in operating revenues are fuel surcharges, where separately identifiable, of $59.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, which compares to $91.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014.  Revenues from our transportation segment decreased $31.8 million, or 5.5%, while income from operations decreased $1.7 million, or 6.9% compared to the same period last year.  In our logistics segment, revenues decreased $14.5 million, or 4.6%, over the same period last year, and income from operations decreased $8.1 million, or 20.4%, to $31.6 million. Overall, operating revenues declined due to several factors including a decline in fuel surcharges, a slowdown in key markets including steel and metals and energy, and harsh weather conditions experienced in first quarter of 2015.  Operating margins in our transportation segment decreased slightly to 4.3% from 4.4% during the same period last year, and our dedicated transportation business continues to negatively impact our logistics segment where operating margins fell from 12.7% in the prior year compared to 10.6% during the same period this year.  

 

The decrease in consolidated operating revenues is primarily the result of a decrease in our transportation services of $55.4 million and a modest decrease in our value-added operations of $0.9 million.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in our intermodal services of $10.1 million.  Overall, declines in fuel surcharges contributed $31.8 million of the decrease in our consolidated operating revenues. The decrease in transportation services revenues was primarily the result of decreases in pricing and in the number of loads hauled.  For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, our operating revenue per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharges, decreased to $2.48 from $2.58 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, and the number of loads hauled declined 6.0% to approximately 453,000 during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 from approximately 482,000 in the same period last year.  

 

 

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Value-added services revenue decreased by less than 1% to $213.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, which compares to $214.7 million during the same period last year.  At September 26, 2015, we provided value-added services at 48 locations compared to 45 at September 27, 2014.  The year-over-year decrease in revenue was primarily due to the change in the mix of business at our current operating locations.

 

Revenues from our intermodal services operation increased due to an increase in operating revenues per loaded mile and an increase in the number of loads hauled. Operating revenue per loaded mile, excluding fuel surcharges, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased to $4.59 from $4.27 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, and the number of loads hauled increased to approximately 244,000 for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, compared to approximately 226,000 during the same period last year.  

  

Purchased transportation and equipment rent. Purchased transportation and equipment rental costs for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $28.3 million, or 6.2%, to $427.9 million from $456.2 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. Purchased transportation and equipment rent generally increases or decreases in proportion to the revenues generated through owner-operators and other third party providers, and is generally correlated with changes in demand for transportation and intermodal services.  Combined, transportation and intermodal service revenues decreased 6.7% to $629.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $674.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014.  As a percentage of operating revenues, purchased transportation and equipment rent decreased to 50.8% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 from 51.3% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. This decrease is primarily due to a decrease in transportation service revenues, which typically operate with higher purchased transportation and equipment rental costs.  For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, transportation services accounted for 61.5% of total operating revenues compared to 64.6% for same period last year.

 

Direct personnel and related benefits.    Direct personnel and related benefit costs for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $2.1 million, or 1.3%, to $159.4 million compared to $157.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. Trends in these expenses are generally correlated with changes in operating facilities and headcount requirements and, therefore, increase and decrease with the level of demand for our value-added services and staffing needs of our operations. As a percentage of operating revenues, personnel and related benefits expenses increased to 18.9% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, compared to 17.7% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. The percentage is derived on an aggregate basis from both existing and new programs and from customer operations at various stages in their lifecycles. Individual operations may be impacted by additional production shifts or by overtime at selected operations. While generalizations about the impact of personnel and related benefits costs as a percentage of total operating revenues are difficult, we manage compensation and staffing levels, including the use of contract labor, to maintain target economics based on near-term projections of demand for our services.

 

Commission expense. Commission expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $4.4 million, or 13.6%, to $28.0 million from $32.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. The absolute decrease was primarily due to the decrease in our operating revenues from transportation services. Commission expense generally increases or decreases in proportion to our transportation and intermodal revenues, excluding where we generate a higher proportion of our revenues at company-managed terminals.  As a percentage of operating revenues, commission expense decreased to 3.3% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 3.6% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, the decrease in commission expense is due to a shift in the mix of revenues generated by company-managed locations and in value-added services where no commissions are paid.  

 

Operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately).    Operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) decreased $9.0 million, or 9.9%, to $81.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, compared to $90.6 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) decreased to 9.7% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 from 10.2% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. These expenses include items such as fuel, maintenance, cost of materials, insurance, communications, utilities and other general expenses, and generally relate to fluctuations in customer demand. The decrease in operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately) was primarily due to decreases in fuel expense on company-owned equipment of $7.2 million, $1.9 million in other operating expenses, $0.6 million in travel and related costs, and $0.5 million in repair and maintenance expense.  These decreases were partially offset by increases of $0.9 million in licensing and permit costs and $0.7 million in highway use and fuel taxes.

 

Occupancy expense.    Occupancy expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $1.4 million, or 7.4%, to $20.2 million from $18.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014.  As a percentage of operating revenues, occupancy expense increased to 2.4% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to 2.1% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014.  The absolute increase was primarily attributable to the increase in the number of company-leased value added service facilities. At September 26, 2015, the company leased 31 value-added service locations compared to 30 at September 27, 2014.  

 

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Selling, general and administrative. Selling, general and administrative expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $2.0 million, or 6.7%, to $27.7 million from $29.7 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, selling, general and administrative expense remained consistent at 3.3% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to the same period last year.  The absolute decrease was primarily due to a decrease in salaries and wage expenses of $2.6 million, which is the largest component of selling, general and administrative expense, and a $2.4 million decrease in other selling, general and administrative costs. These decreases were partially offset by increases in professional services of $2.1 million and of $0.5 million in bad debt expense.  Minor fluctuations in other expense categories reflect our efforts to maintain stable overhead expenditures while expanding the business.  The overall decrease in selling, general and administrative costs also impacted our reportable segments, where the rate of allocated charges from the parent company was higher than the actual spend, thus resulting in a favorable impact on income from operations not directly attributable to our transportation segment or our logistics segment.

 

Insurance and claims. Insurance and claims expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 decreased by $1.3 million, or 7.3%, to $16.6 million from $17.9 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. As a percentage of operating revenues, insurance and claims remained consistent at 2.0% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to the same period last year. The absolute decrease was primarily the result of decreases in our cargo and service claims expense of $1.8 million, which was partially offset by an increase in our auto liability insurance premiums and claims expense of $0.6 million.  

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 increased by $2.3 million, or 9.5%, to $26.4 million from $24.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. The absolute increase is primarily the result of increases in capital investments throughout 2014 compared to historic trends.  These increases were partially offset by decreases in certain other intangible assets becoming fully amortized.  

 

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense was $5.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $6.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014.  At September 26, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings totaling $245.9 million, including $34.0 million advanced in July 2015 in connection with our “Dutch auction” tender offer, compared to $238.4 million at September 27, 2014.

 

Other non-operating income.  Other non-operating income was $0.8 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 compared to $0.3 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to $0.3 million of gains on the sale of marketable securities during the period.

 

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 was $19.2 million compared to $21.4 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2014, based on effective tax rates of 38.5% and 38.1%, respectively.  

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary sources of liquidity are funds generated by operations, our availability under our $120 million revolving credit, our ability to borrow on margin against our marketable securities held at UBS, and proceeds from the sales of marketable securities.  Additionally, our revolving credit facility includes an accordion feature which would allow us to increase availability by up to $20 million upon our request and approval of the lenders.  

 

We employ an asset-light operating strategy which we believe lowers our capital expenditure requirements. In general, our facilities used in our value-added services are leased on terms that are either substantially matched to our customer’s contracts, are month-to-month or are provided to us by our customers. We also utilize owner-operators and third-party carriers to provide a significant portion of our transportation and specialized services. A significant portion of the tractors and trailers used in our business are provided by our owner-operators. In addition, our use of agents reduces our overall need for large terminals.  As a result, our capital expenditure requirements are limited in comparison to most large transportation and logistics service providers, which maintain significant properties and sizable fleets of owned tractors and trailers.

 

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015, our capital expenditures totaled $13.4 million. These expenditures primarily consisted of transportation equipment and investments in support of our value-added service operations.  Our asset-light business model depends somewhat on the customized solutions we implement for specific customers.  As a result, our capital expenditures will depend on specific new contracts and the overall age and condition of our owned transportation equipment.  In 2015, exclusive of acquisitions of businesses, we expect to incur capital expenditures in the range of 3% to 4% of operating revenues for the acquisition

 

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of transportation equipment, to support our value-added service operations, and for the acquisition of real property and improvements to our existing terminal yard and container facilities.  

 

We have a cash dividend policy which anticipates a total annual dividend of $0.28 per share of common stock, payable in quarterly increments of $0.07 per share of common stock.  We paid $0.21 per common share, or $6.2 million, during the thirty-nine week period ended September 26, 2015.  On October 22, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock.  The dividend is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 2, 2015 and is expected to be paid on November 12, 2015.  Declaration of future cash dividends are subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, any legal or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

 

We expect that our cash flow from operations, working capital and available borrowings will be sufficient to meet our capital commitments, to fund our operational needs for at least the next twelve months, and to fund mandatory debt repayments. Based on the availability of borrowings under our credit facilities, against our marketable security portfolio and other financing sources, and assuming the continuation of our current level of profitability, we do not expect that we will experience any liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

 

We continue to evaluate business development opportunities, including potential acquisitions that fit our strategic plans. There can be no assurance that we will identify any opportunities that fit our strategic plans or will be able to execute any such opportunities on terms acceptable to us.  Depending on prospective consideration to be paid for an acquisition, any such opportunities would be financed first from available cash and cash equivalents and availability of borrowings under our credit facilities.

Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement

 

On December 19, 2013, the Company entered into a Second Amendment (the “Second Amendment”) to its Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated August 28, 2012, (the “Credit Agreement”) with and among the lenders parties thereto and Comerica Bank, as administrative agent, to provide for aggregate borrowing facilities of up to $300 million.  The Second Amendment modifies the Credit Agreement to allow for additional borrowings of $70 million under a new term loan and a $10 million increase in the revolving credit facility.  The Credit Agreement, as amended, consists of a $120 million revolving credit facility (which amount may be increased by up to $20 million upon request of the Company and approval of the lenders), a $60 million equipment credit facility, a $50 million term loan, and a $70 million term loan B.  Additionally, the Credit Agreement provides for up to $5 million in letters of credit, which letters of credit reduce availability under the revolving credit facility.  Borrowings under the revolving credit facility may be made until, and mature on, August 28, 2017.  Borrowings under the equipment credit facility were available through August 28, 2015.  Such borrowings made in any year are being repaid in 28 quarterly installments commencing January 1, 2014.  Borrowings under the term loan facilities will mature on August 28, 2017.  Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at LIBOR or a base rate, plus an applicable margin for each.  The applicable margin fluctuates based on the Company’s total debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  

 

The Credit Agreement requires us to repay the borrowings made under the term loan facility and the equipment credit facility as follows: 50% (which percentage will be reduced to 0% subject to the Company attaining a certain leverage ratio) of our annual excess cash flow, as defined; 100% of net cash proceeds of certain asset sales; and 100% of certain insurance and condemnation proceeds.  We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under each of the facilities at any time, subject to certain customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR-based borrowings.  In addition, we may elect to permanently terminate or reduce all or a portion of the revolving credit facility.  

 

All obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by our material U.S. subsidiaries and the obligations of the Company and such subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement and such guarantees are secured by, subject to certain exceptions, substantially all of their assets.  The Credit Agreement also may, in certain circumstances, limit our ability to pay dividends or distributions.  The Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring us to maintain maximum leverage ratios and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default.  On June 9, 2015, we entered into a third amendment to exclude purchases of up to $35 million of the Company’s common stock in a modified “Dutch auction” tender offer from the calculation of the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement.  At September 26, 2015, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.  At September 26, 2015, our $80.5 million revolving loan was secured by, among other assets, net eligible accounts receivable totaling $138.4 million, of which $114.6 million were available for borrowing pursuant to the agreement.

 

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Secured Line of Credit

 

The Company maintains a secured borrowing facility at UBS Financial Services, Inc., or UBS, using its marketable securities as collateral for the short-term line of credit.  The line of credit bears an interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.10%, and interest is adjusted and billed monthly.  No principal payments are due on the borrowing; however, the line of credit is callable at any time.  The amount available under the line of credit is based on a percentage of the market value of the underlying securities.  If the equity value in the account falls below the minimum requirement, the Company must restore the equity value, or UBS may call the line of credit.  As of September 26, 2015, there was no outstanding balance under the line of credit, and the maximum available borrowings against the line of credit were $7.5 million.  

Discussion of Cash Flows

 

At September 26, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $10.2 million compared to $8.0 million at December 31, 2014.  Net cash provided by operating activities was $48.5 million, while we used $13.7 million in investing activities and $31.6 million in financing activities.  

 

The $48.5 million in net cash provided by operations for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 was primarily attributed to $30.7 million of net income, which reflects non-cash depreciation and amortization, gains on the sale of marketable securities, losses on the sales of property and equipment, amortization of debt issuance costs, stock-based compensation, provisions for doubtful accounts and a change in deferred income taxes totaling $27.6 million, net.  Net cash provided by operating activities also reflects an aggregate increase in net working capital totaling $9.8 million.  The increase in the working capital position is primarily the result of increases in accounts receivable and a decrease in other long-term liabilities.  This was partially offset by decreases in prepaid expenses and other assets, and increases in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities, insurance and claims accruals.  Affiliate transactions increased net cash provided by operating activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 by $1.8 million.  The increase consisted of an increase in accounts payable to affiliates of $2.1 million, while accounts receivable from affiliates increased by $0.3 million.

 

The $13.7 million in net cash used in investing activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015 consisted of $13.4 million of capital expenditures and $1.1 million for the purchases of marketable securities.  These uses were partially offset by $0.5 million in proceeds from the sale of property and equipment and $0.3 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities.  

We also used $31.6 million in net cash in financing activities during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2015.  As of September 26, 2015, we had outstanding borrowings totaling $245.9 million compared to $235.3 million at December 31, 2014.  We paid $34.4 million for purchases of common stock through a “Dutch auction” tender offer, cash dividends of $6.2 million, $0.8 million in capital lease obligations, and $0.7 million for repurchases of common stock upon exercising our right of first refusal pursuant to a restricted stock bonus awards.  

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

None.

Critical Accounting Policies

 

A summary of critical accounting policies is presented in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies," of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There have been no changes in our accounting policies during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015.

Seasonality

 

Generally, demand for our value-added services delivered to existing customers increases during the second calendar quarter of each year as a result of the automotive industry’s spring selling season and decreases during the third quarter of each year due to the impact of scheduled OEM customer plant shutdowns in July and August for vacations and changeovers in production lines for new model years. Our value-added services business is also impacted in the fourth quarter by plant shutdowns during the December holiday period.  Prolonged adverse weather conditions, particularly in winter months, can also adversely impact margins due to productivity declines and related challenges meeting customer service requirements.

 

 

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Additionally, our transportation services business, excluding dedicated transportation tied to specific customer supply chains, is generally impacted by decreased activity during the post-holiday winter season and, in certain states during hurricane season, because some shippers reduce their shipments and inclement weather impedes trucking operations or underlying customer demand.

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have not been any material changes to the Company’s market risk during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015. For additional information, please see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 13a-15 or 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or the Exchange Act). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 26, 2015, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in causing the material information required to be disclosed in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act (i) to be recorded, processed, summarized and reported, to the extent applicable, within the time periods required for us to meet the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (or SEC) filing deadlines for these reports specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) to be accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting during the thirteen weeks ended September 26, 2015 identified in connection with our evaluation that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.

 

 

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information with respect to legal proceedings and other exposures appears in Part I, Item 1, Note (14) of the “Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements,” and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS

There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part 1 of our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

ITEM 2: UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s purchases of its Common Stock during the period from June 28, 2015 to September 26, 2015, the Company’s third fiscal quarter:

 

 

On June 30, 2014, the Company announced that it had been authorized to purchase up to 800,000 shares of its Common Stock from time to time in the open market.  There have not been any purchases of shares under this authorization.  

 

In June 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of common stock through a “Dutch auction” tender offer. Subject to certain limitations and legal requirements, the Company could repurchase up to an additional 2% of our outstanding shares. The tender offer began on the date of the announcement, June 9, 2015 and expired on July 8, 2015. Through this tender offer, the Company’s shareholders had the opportunity to tender some or all of their shares at a price within the range of $21.50 to $23.50 per share. Upon expiration, 1,599,605 shares were purchased through this offer at a final purchase price of $21.50 per share for a total purchase price of approximately $34.4 million, including fees and commission.  The tender offer was settled on July 14, 2015.

 

The Company also acquired 2,500 shares of common stock from its Chief Executive Officer for $50,825 on August 19, 2015 upon exercising its right of first refusal pursuant to a restricted stock bonus award agreement.  

ITEM 3: DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5: OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

 

 

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ITEM 6: EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed on the Exhibit Index are furnished as part of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

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Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, Jeff Rogers, certify that:

Date:  November 5, 2015

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT

I, David A. Crittenden, certify that:

Date:  November 5, 2015

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report, or the Report, of Universal Truckload Services, Inc., or the Company, on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 26, 2015, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, each of the undersigned, Jeff Rogers, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, David A. Crittenden, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of his knowledge, respectively, that (1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and (2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: November 5, 2015

 

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.