Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 24, 2011

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 0-21238

 

 

LOGO

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   06-1313069

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

13410 Sutton Park Drive South, Jacksonville, Florida

(Address of principal executive offices)

32224

(Zip Code)

(904) 398-9400

(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  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files):    Yes  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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of the close of business on October 17, 2011 was 46,905,754.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Index

 

PART I – Financial Information   

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 24, 2011 and December 25, 2010

     Page 4   

Consolidated Statements of Income for the Thirty Nine and Thirteen Weeks Ended September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010

     Page 5   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Thirty Nine Weeks Ended September  24, 2011 and September 25, 2010

     Page 6   

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Thirty Nine Weeks Ended September  24, 2011

     Page 7   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     Page 8   

Item 2.

 

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

     Page 14   

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     Page 23   

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

     Page 24   
PART II – Other Information   

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

     Page 24   

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

     Page 25   

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     Page 25   

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

     Page 26   

Signatures

     Page 28   

EX – 31.1 Section 302 CEO Certification

  

EX – 31.2 Section 302 CFO Certification

  

EX – 32.1 Section 906 CEO Certification

  

EX – 32.2 Section 906 CFO Certification

  

EX – 101 Instance Document

EX – 101 Schema Document

EX – 101 Calculation Linkbase Document

EX – 101 Labels Linkbase Document

EX – 101 Presentation Linkbase Document

EX – 101 Definition Linkbase Document

  

 

2


Table of Contents

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein reflect all adjustments (all of a normal, recurring nature) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the periods presented. They have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Operating results for the thirty nine weeks ended September 24, 2011, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2011.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

3


Table of Contents

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 24,
2011
    December 25,
2010
 
ASSETS     

Current Assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 69,409      $ 44,706   

Short-term investments

     28,177        23,266   

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $4,652 and $5,324

     388,235        307,350   

Other receivables, including advances to independent contractors, less allowance of $5,018 and $5,511

     53,515        23,943   

Deferred income taxes and other current assets

     19,073        21,652   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     558,409        420,917   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating property, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $147,237 and $137,830

     128,388        132,649   

Goodwill

     57,470        57,470   

Other assets

     59,090        72,846   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 803,357      $ 683,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY     

Current Liabilities

    

Cash overdraft

   $ 23,061      $ 24,877   

Accounts payable

     180,488        137,297   

Current maturities of long-term debt

     16,548        22,172   

Insurance claims

     75,511        40,215   

Other current liabilities

     68,268        53,785   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     363,876        278,346   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

     110,526        99,439   

Insurance claims

     30,336        31,468   

Deferred income taxes

     20,078        23,662   

Equity

    

Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary shareholders’ equity

    

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000 shares, issued 66,595,036 and 66,535,169 shares

     666        665   

Additional paid-in capital

     164,766        169,268   

Retained earnings

     917,100        844,132   

Cost of 19,689,466 and 18,674,902 shares of common stock in treasury

     (805,189     (763,182

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,198        881   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary shareholders’ equity

     278,541        251,764   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Noncontrolling interest

     —          (797
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     278,541        250,967   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 803,357      $ 683,882   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
    September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
 

Revenue

   $ 1,931,560      $ 1,812,635      $ 684,013       $ 622,826   

Investment income

     1,294        1,069        373         495   

Costs and expenses:

         

Purchased transportation

     1,459,660        1,381,955        518,300         474,665   

Commissions to agents

     153,165        134,695        54,990         47,316   

Other operating costs

     22,050        21,952        6,427         6,448   

Insurance and claims

     34,096        37,609        9,381         11,480   

Selling, general and administrative

     112,252        114,886        39,206         41,070   

Depreciation and amortization

     19,336        18,444        6,549         6,456   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     1,800,559        1,709,541        634,853         587,435   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     132,295        104,163        49,533         35,886   

Interest and debt expense

     2,340        2,699        735         1,035   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     129,955        101,464        48,798         34,851   

Income taxes

     49,642        38,761        18,640         13,315   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

     80,313        62,703        30,158         21,536   

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

     (62     (712     —           (266
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary

   $ 80,375      $ 63,415      $ 30,158       $ 21,802   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Earnings per common share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary

   $ 1.69      $ 1.27      $ 0.64       $ 0.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary

   $ 1.68      $ 1.27      $ 0.64       $ 0.44   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average number of shares outstanding:

         

Earnings per common share

     47,670,000        49,921,000        47,358,000         49,434,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

     47,735,000        49,990,000        47,387,000         49,447,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends paid per common share

   $ 0.155      $ 0.140      $ 0.055       $ 0.050   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

    

Net income

   $ 80,313      $ 62,703   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization of operating property and intangible assets

     19,336        18,444   

Non-cash interest charges

     164        164   

Provisions for losses on trade and other accounts receivable

     4,308        3,539   

Losses (gains) on sales/disposals of operating property

     (253     570   

Deferred income taxes, net

     (4,205     (1,592

Stock-based compensation

     3,783        3,567   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Increase in trade and other accounts receivable

     (114,765     (49,502

Decrease in other assets

     3,957        323   

Increase in accounts payable

     43,191        25,677   

Increase in other liabilities

     14,401        10,582   

Increase (decrease) in insurance claims

     34,164        (6,192
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

     84,394        68,283   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

    

Net change in other short-term investments

     —          149   

Sales and maturities of investments

     65,646        31,145   

Purchases of investments

     (58,279     (60,865

Purchases of operating property

     (3,460     (25,474

Proceeds from sales of operating property

     2,463        948   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

     6,370        (54,097
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

    

Decrease in cash overdraft

     (1,816     (6,422

Dividends paid

     (7,407     (7,003

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

     656        1,527   

Excess (shortfall) tax effect on stock option exercises

     (122     1,556   

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

     10,000        40,000   

Purchases of common stock

     (41,966     (54,647

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

     (17,575     (19,912

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

     (8,000     —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

     (66,230     (44,901
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     169        71   

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     24,703        (30,644

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     44,706        85,719   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 69,409      $ 55,075   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Thirty Nine Weeks Ended September 24, 2011

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

    Landstar System, Inc. and Subsidiary Shareholders              
    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
    Retained     Treasury Stock
at Cost
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    Non-
controlling
       
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Shares     Amount     Income     Interest     Total  

Balance December 25, 2010

    66,535,169      $ 665      $ 169,268      $ 844,132        18,674,902      $ (763,182   $ 881      $ (797   $ 250,967   

Net income (loss)

          80,375              (62     80,313   

Dividends paid ($0.155 per share)

          (7,407             (7,407

Purchases of common stock

            1,013,507        (41,966         (41,966

Purchase of noncontrolling interest

        (8,859             859        (8,000

Stock-based compensation

        3,783                  3,783   

Exercises of stock options and issuance and vesting of non-vested stock, including shortfall tax effect

    59,867        1        574          1,057        (41         534   

Foreign currency translation

                169          169   

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of income taxes

                148          148   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance September 24, 2011

    66,595,036      $ 666      $ 164,766      $ 917,100        19,689,466      $ (805,189   $ 1,198      $ —        $ 278,541   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc., and reflect all adjustments (all of a normal, recurring nature) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary are herein referred to as “Landstar” or the “Company.” Significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

(1) Noncontrolling Interest

In the Company’s 2009 fiscal third quarter, the Company acquired A3 Integration, LLC and its subsidiaries through A3i Acquisition, LLC, an entity in which the Company owned 100% of the non-voting, preferred interests and, from the date of acquisition to January 2011, 75% of the voting, common equity interests. A subsidiary of the Company purchased the remaining 25% of the voting, common equity interests in A3i Acquisition, LLC in January 2011.

 

(2) Significant Accounting Policies

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, short and long term investments, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, current and non-current insurance claims and long term debt plus current maturities (“Debt”). The carrying value of cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable, current insurance claims and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value as the assets and liabilities are short term in nature. Short and long term investments are carried at fair value as further described in the “Investments” footnote below. The carrying value of non-current insurance claims approximate fair value as the Company generally has the ability to, but is not required to, settle claims in a short term. The Company’s Debt includes borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility plus borrowings relating to capital lease obligations used to finance trailing equipment. The interest rates on borrowings under the revolving credit facility are typically tied to short-term LIBOR rates that adjust monthly and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value. Interest rates on borrowings under capital leases approximate the interest rates that would currently be available to the Company under similar terms and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value.

 

(3) Share-based Payment Arrangements

As of September 24, 2011, the Company had two employee equity incentive plans, the 2002 employee stock option and stock incentive plan (the “ESOSIP”) and the 2011 equity incentive plan (the “2011 EIP”).The Company also has a stock compensation plan for members of its Board of Directors (the “Directors Stock Compensation Plan”). The ESOSIP, 2011 EIP and Directors Stock Compensation Plan are each referred to herein as a “Plan,” and, collectively, as the “Plans.” In May 2011, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2011 EIP. The provisions of the 2011 EIP, which replaces the ESOSIP, are substantially similar to the provisions of the ESOSIP. 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2011 EIP. No further grants can be made under the ESOSIP, including 2,239,117 shares of the Company’s common stock previously reserved for issuance under the ESOSIP. Amounts recognized in the financial statements with respect to these Plans are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended      Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
     September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
 

Total cost of the Plans during the period

   $ 3,783       $ 3,567       $ 1,310       $ 1,199   

Amount of related income tax benefit recognized during the period

     992         906         354         285   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net cost of the Plans during the period

   $ 2,791       $ 2,661       $ 956       $ 914   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

The fair value of each option grant on its grant date was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for grants made in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods:

 

     2011     2010  

Expected volatility

     35.0     37.0

Expected dividend yield

     0.450     0.400

Risk-free interest rate

     1.75     2.50

Expected lives (in years)

     4.0        4.2   

The Company utilizes historical data, including exercise patterns and employee departure behavior, in estimating the term that options will be outstanding. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility and other factors, such as expected changes in volatility arising from planned changes to the Company’s business, if any. The risk-free interest rate was based on the yield of zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds for terms that approximated the terms of the options granted. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010 was $12.06 and $12.00, respectively.

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s stock options granted under the Plans:

 

     Number of
Options
    Weighted Average
Exercise Price

per Share
     Weighted Average
Remaining
Contractual

Term (years)
     Aggregate Intrinsic
Value (000s)
 

Options outstanding at December 25, 2010

     2,295,831      $ 39.73         

Granted

     273,000      $ 41.79         

Exercised

     (99,555   $ 34.24         

Forfeited

     (118,700   $ 41.59         
  

 

 

         

Options outstanding at September 24, 2011

     2,350,576      $ 40.11         6.2       $ —     
  

 

 

         

Options exercisable at September 24, 2011

     1,110,143      $ 39.70         4.9       $ —     
  

 

 

         

As of September 24, 2011, there were 1,788,462 stock options outstanding that were out-of-the-money based on that day’s per share closing market price of $38.51 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. The remaining stock options outstanding as of September 24, 2011 that were in-the-money had an aggregate intrinsic value of $2,805,000. As of September 24, 2011, there were 800,429 exercisable stock options outstanding that were out-of-the-money. The remaining exercisable stock options outstanding as of September 24, 2011 that were in-the-money had an aggregate intrinsic value of $2,412,000. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010 was $983,000 and $9,115,000, respectively.

As of September 24, 2011, there was $9,349,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plans. The unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.8 years.

The fair value of each share of non-vested restricted stock issued under the Plans is based on the fair value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s non-vested restricted stock under the Plans:

 

     Number of
Shares
    Weighted Average
Grant Date

Fair Value
 
    

Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at December 25, 2010

     29,854      $ 39.49   

Granted

     22,410      $ 44.82   

Vested

     (6,056   $ 42.41   

Forfeited

     (2,938   $ 37.13   
  

 

 

   

Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at September 24, 2011

     43,270      $ 42.00   
  

 

 

   

As of September 24, 2011, there was $1,400,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares of restricted stock granted under the Plans. The unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested shares of restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

 

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As of September 24, 2011, there were 118,959 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance under the Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan and 8,336,576 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance in the aggregate under the Company’s other Plans.

 

(4) Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes for the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods were each based on an effective income tax rate of approximately 38.2%, which was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock-based compensation.

 

(5) Earnings Per Share

Earnings per common share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including outstanding restricted stock, and diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, including outstanding restricted stock, plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of all dilutive stock options.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary to the average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary (in thousands):

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended      Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
     September 24,
2011
     September 25,
2010
 

Average number of common shares outstanding

     47,670         49,921         47,358         49,434   

Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options

     65         69         29         13   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

     47,735         49,990         47,387         49,447   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 24, 2011, there were 224,844 and 578,867, respectively, options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary because they were antidilutive. For the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 25, 2010 there were 1,353,313 and 1,650,313, respectively, options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary because they were antidilutive.

 

(6) Additional Cash Flow Information

During the 2011 thirty-nine-week period, Landstar paid income taxes and interest of $42,120,000 and $2,368,000, respectively. During the 2010 thirty-nine-week period, Landstar paid income taxes and interest of $36,568,000 and $2,847,000, respectively. Landstar acquired operating property by entering into capital leases in the amount of $13,038,000 and $14,145,000 in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, respectively.

 

(7) Segment Information

The following tables summarize information about Landstar’s reportable business segments as of and for the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended  
     September 24, 2011      September 25, 2010  
     Transportation
Logistics
     Insurance      Total      Transportation
Logistics
     Insurance      Total  

External revenue

   $ 1,906,037       $ 25,523       $ 1,931,560       $ 1,787,107       $ 25,528       $ 1,812,635   

Investment income

        1,294         1,294            1,069         1,069   

Internal revenue

        21,681         21,681            21,463         21,463   

Operating income

     113,749         18,546         132,295         88,460         15,703         104,163   

Expenditures on long-lived assets

     3,460            3,460         25,474            25,474   

Goodwill

     57,470            57,470         57,470            57,470   

 

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     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24, 2011      September 25, 2010  
     Transportation
Logistics
     Insurance      Total      Transportation
Logistics
     Insurance      Total  

External revenue

   $ 675,416       $ 8,597       $ 684,013       $ 614,273       $ 8,553       $ 622,826   

Investment income

        373         373            495         495   

Internal revenue

        5,864         5,864            5,902         5,902   

Operating income

     41,254         8,279         49,533         31,108         4,778         35,886   

Expenditures on long-lived assets

     631            631         790            790   

In the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 24, 2011, there were no customers who accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company’s revenue. In the thirty-nine-week period ended September 25, 2010, one customer accounted for approximately 11 percent of the Company’s revenue. In the thirteen-week period ended September 25, 2010, there were no customers who accounted for 10 percent or more of the Company’s revenue.

 

(8) Comprehensive Income

The following table includes the components of comprehensive income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary for the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 24, 2011 and September 25, 2010 (in thousands):

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
    September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
 

Net income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary

   $ 80,375      $ 63,415      $ 30,158      $ 21,802   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

     230        948        (224     752   

Income tax benefit (expense) on unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

     (82     (336     79        (266
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments

     148        612        (145     486   

Foreign currency translation gains (losses)

     169        71        (44     14   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary

   $ 80,692      $ 64,098      $ 29,969      $ 22,302   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The foreign currency translation gain (loss) for each period represents the unrealized net gain (loss) on the translation of the financial statements of the Company’s Canadian operations. Accumulated other comprehensive income as reported as a component of equity at September 24, 2011 of $1,198,000 represents the unrealized net gain on the translation of the financial statements of the Company’s Canadian operations of $559,000 and the cumulative unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale investments, net of income taxes, of $639,000.

 

(9) Investments

Investments include investment-grade bonds and mortgage-backed securities having maturities of up to five years (the “bond portfolio”). Investments in the bond portfolio are reported as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Investments maturing less than one year from the balance sheet date are included in short-term investments and investments maturing more than one year from the balance sheet date are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Management has performed an analysis of the nature of the unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments to determine whether such losses are other-than-temporary. Unrealized losses, representing the excess of the purchase price of an investment over its fair value as of the end of a period, considered to be other-than-temporary are to be included as a charge in the statement of income while unrealized losses considered to be temporary are to be included as a component of equity. Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets are classified within Level 1. Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, are classified within Level 2. As Level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity

 

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and/or non-transferability, which are generally based on available market information. Transfers between levels are recognized as of the beginning of the period. Fair value of the bond portfolio was determined using Level 1 inputs related to U.S. Treasury obligations and money market investments and Level 2 inputs related to investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities and direct obligations of government agencies. Net unrealized gains on the investments in the bond portfolio were $990,000 and $760,000 at September 24, 2011 and December 25, 2010, respectively.

The amortized cost and fair market values of available-for-sale investments are as follows at September 24, 2011 and December 25, 2010 (in thousands):

 

            Gross      Gross      Fair  
     Amortized
Cost
     Unrealized
Gains
     Unrealized
Losses
     Market
Value
 

September 24, 2011

           

Money market investments

   $ 2,526       $ —         $ —         $ 2,526   

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,057         36         22         3,071   

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

     53,150         997         73         54,074   

U.S. Treasury obligations

     10,506         52         —           10,558   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 69,239       $ 1,085       $ 95       $ 70,229   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 25, 2010

           

Money market investments

   $ 535       $ —         $ —         $ 535   

Mortgage-backed securities

     3,458         64         8         3,514   

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

     60,330         872         151         61,051   

U.S. Treasury obligations

     12,584         6         23         12,567   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 76,907       $ 942       $ 182       $ 77,667   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

For those available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses at September 24, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the following table summarizes the duration of the unrealized loss (in thousands):

 

     Less than 12 months      12 months or longer      Total  
     Fair
Market
Value
     Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Market
Value
     Unrealized
Loss
     Fair
Market
Value
     Unrealized
Loss
 

September 24, 2011

              

Mortgage-backed securities

   $ 1,405       $ 22       $ —         $ —         $ 1,405       $ 22   

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

     3,512         73         —           —           3,512         73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 4,917       $ 95       $ —         $ —         $ 4,917       $ 95   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 25, 2010

              

Mortgage-backed securities

   $ 225       $ 8       $ —         $ —         $ 225       $ 8   

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

     11,615         151         —           —           11,615         151   

U.S. Treasury obligations

     774         23         —           —           774         23   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 12,614       $ 182       $ —         $ —         $ 12,614       $ 182   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(10) Commitments and Contingencies

Short-term investments include $28,177,000 in current maturities of investments held by the Company’s insurance segment at September 24, 2011. These short-term investments together with $22,006,000 of the non-current portion of investments included in other assets at September 24, 2011 provide collateral for the $45,165,000 of letters of credit issued to guarantee payment of insurance claims. As of September 24, 2011, Landstar also had $33,499,000 of letters of credit outstanding under the Company’s credit agreement.

 

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As further described in periodic and current reports previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Defendants”) are defendants in a suit (the “Litigation”) brought in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “District Court”) by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and four former BCO Independent Contractors (the “Named Plaintiffs” and, with OOIDA, the “Plaintiffs”) on behalf of all independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company and its subsidiaries under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”). The Plaintiffs allege that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases and related practices with its BCO Independent Contractors violate certain federal leasing regulations and seek injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorneys’ fees. Landstar’s periodic and current reports previously filed with the SEC set forth the background for the Litigation through June 25, 2011 (the “Background”). The following information updates the Background.

On March 8, 2011, the Plaintiffs filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to seek to further appeal certain portions of the October 4, 2010 ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. On October 3, 2011, the United States Supreme Court entered an order denying such petition. The decertification of the class by the District Court was upheld on appeal and the Litigation therefore only involves the Named Plaintiffs and OOIDA. The Plaintiffs subsequently informed the Defendants of their intent to continue to seek affirmative relief with the District Court on remand.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s actions, the only open issues with respect to the Litigation are (i) the Plaintiffs’ right to injunctive relief with respect to the violation of the federal leasing regulations described in the Background, (ii) the Named Plaintiffs’ right to hold an evidentiary hearing to give them an opportunity to produce evidence of any damages they actually sustained as a result of such violation, (iii) the Plaintiffs’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs and (iv) the Defendants’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs. Although no assurances can be given with respect to the outcome of the Litigation, including the amount of any possible award of attorneys’ fees to the Plaintiffs, the Company believes that (i) no Plaintiff has sustained any actual damages as a result of any violations by the Defendants of the federal leasing regulations and (ii) injunctive relief, if any, that may be granted by the District Court on remand is unlikely to have a material adverse financial effect on the Company.

In June 2011, Landstar System, Inc. received a Civil Investigative Demand (the “CID”) from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued pursuant to the False Claims Act. The CID requests documents and written interrogatories limited to freight hauled to or from Fort Campbell, Kentucky by certain subsidiaries of the Company and billed to the U.S. government. The Company submitted its response to the CID in August 2011 and intends to continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney.

On September 23, 2011, a jury sitting in a state court in Cobb County, Georgia, entered a damage award of approximately $40.2 million (such amount, plus pre-judgment interest and a portion of plaintiffs’ attorney fees in an amount not yet determined are collectively referred to herein as the “Damage Award”) against Landstar Ranger, Inc., Landstar System Holdings, Inc. and Landstar System, Inc. The Damage Award arises out of an accident that occurred in February, 2007, involving a truck owner-operator leased to Landstar Ranger, Inc. Under the terms of the commercial trucking insurance program that Landstar had in place in 2007, Landstar retained liability for up to $5 million with respect to the accident giving rise to the Damage Award. Landstar has third party insurance in place covering all amounts of the Damage Award in excess of such retention, including all related out-of-pocket expenses, such as the costs of an appeal bond, post-judgment interest and attorney fees comprising the Damage Award. The Company recorded a $5 million charge representing its self-insured retention in respect of this accident in the consolidated financial results of the Company in the 2007 first quarter. Accordingly, the Company’s portion of the Damage Award was previously recorded and therefore did not reduce consolidated operating income or net income for the Company’s 2011 third quarter. Under the terms of the Company’s insurance policies, the Company is the primary obligor of the amount of the Damage Award, and as such, the Company has reported a $40.2 million receivable from the third party insurance providers in other receivables and a corresponding liability of the same amount in insurance claims in the consolidated balance sheets at September 24, 2011. The Company and its insurers intend to appeal the Damage Award. No assurances can be given regarding the outcome of such appeal.

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation, including those described herein, arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

 

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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the attached interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto, and with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this document that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar’s business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in our computer systems; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; a downturn in economic growth or growth in the transportation sector; acquired businesses; intellectual property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2010 fiscal year, described in Item 1A “Risk Factors”, this report or in Landstar’s other Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Introduction

Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (together, referred to herein as “Landstar” or the “Company”), is a non-asset based provider of freight transportation services and supply chain solutions. The Company offers services to its customers across multiple transportation modes, with the ability to arrange for individual shipments of freight to enterprise-wide solutions to manage all of a customer’s transportation and logistics needs. Landstar provides services principally throughout the United States and to a lesser extent in Canada, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries around the world. The Company’s services emphasize safety, information coordination and customer service and are delivered through a network of independent commission sales agents and third party capacity providers linked together by a series of technological applications which are provided and coordinated by the Company. Landstar markets its freight transportation services and supply chain solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport and store customers’ freight. The nature of the Company’s business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue.

Landstar markets its freight transportation services and supply chain solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents who enter into contractual arrangements with the Company and are responsible for locating freight, making that freight available to Landstar’s capacity providers and coordinating the transportation of the freight with customers and capacity providers. The Company’s third party capacity providers consist of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”), unrelated trucking companies who provide truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (the “Truck Brokerage Carriers”), air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers, railroads and independent warehouse capacity providers (“Warehouse Capacity Owners”). The Company has contracts with Class 1 domestic and Canadian railroads, certain short-line railroads and domestic and international airlines and ocean lines. Through this network of agents and capacity providers linked together by Landstar’s information technology systems, Landstar operates a transportation services and supply chain solutions business primarily throughout North America with revenue of $2.4 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company reports the results of two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment.

The transportation logistics segment provides a wide range of transportation services and supply chain solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border, project cargo and customs brokerage. Supply chain solutions are based on advanced technology solutions utilizing intellectual property that may be owned by the Company or licensed from third parties. Such solutions as offered to shippers by the Company may include integrated multi-modal

 

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solutions, outsourced logistics, supply chain engineering and warehousing. In the Company’s 2009 fiscal third quarter, the Company acquired A3 Integration, LLC and its subsidiaries through A3i Acquisition LLC (“A3i Acquisition”), an entity in which the Company owned 100% of the non-voting, preferred interests and, from the date of acquisition to January 2011, 75% of the voting, common equity interests. In January 2011, the Company purchased the remaining 25% of the voting, common equity interests in A3i Acquisition. Industries serviced by the transportation logistics segment include automotive products, paper, lumber and building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics, ammunition and explosives and military hardware. In addition, the transportation logistics segment provides transportation services to other transportation companies, including logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Each of the independent commission sales agents has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment. Freight transportation services are typically charged to customers on a per shipment basis for the physical transportation of freight. Supply chain solution customers are generally charged fees for the services provided. Revenue recognized by the transportation logistics segment when providing capacity to customers to haul their freight is referred to herein as “transportation services revenue” and revenue for freight management services recognized on a fee-for-service basis is referred to herein as “transportation management fees.” During the thirty nine weeks ended September 24, 2011, transportation services revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers, rail intermodal, air cargo carriers and ocean cargo carriers represented 54%, 39%, 3%, 1%, and 2%, respectively, of the Company’s transportation logistics segment revenue. Transportation management fees represented 1% of the Company’s transportation logistics segment revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011.

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature Insurance Company, a wholly owned offshore insurance subsidiary, and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. This segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. In addition, it reinsures certain risks of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and provides certain property and casualty insurance directly to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. Revenue, representing premiums on reinsurance programs provided to the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors, at the insurance segment represented approximately 1% of the Company’s total revenue for the thirty nine weeks ended September 24, 2011.

Changes in Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management believes the Company’s success principally depends on its ability to generate freight through its network of independent commission sales agents and to efficiently deliver that freight utilizing third party capacity providers. Management believes the most significant factors to the Company’s success include increasing revenue, sourcing capacity and controlling costs.

While customer demand, which is subject to overall economic conditions, ultimately drives increases or decreases in revenue, the Company primarily relies on its independent commission sales agents to establish customer relationships and generate revenue opportunities. Management’s primary focus with respect to revenue growth is on revenue generated by independent commission sales agents who on an annual basis generate $1 million or more of Landstar revenue (“Million Dollar Agents”). Management believes future revenue growth is primarily dependent on its ability to increase both the revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents and the number of Million Dollar Agents through a combination of recruiting new agents and increasing the revenue opportunities generated by existing independent commission sales agents. During the 2010 fiscal year, 468 independent commission sales agents generated $1 million or more of Landstar revenue and thus qualified as Million Dollar Agents. During the 2010 fiscal year, the average revenue generated by a Million Dollar Agent was $4,576,000 and revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents in the aggregate represented 89% of consolidated Landstar revenue.

Management monitors business activity by tracking the number of loads (volume) and revenue per load by mode of transportation. Revenue per load can be influenced by many factors other than a change in price. Those factors include the average length of haul, freight type, special handling and equipment requirements, fuel costs and delivery time requirements. For shipments involving two or more modes of transportation, revenue is classified by the mode of transportation having the highest cost for the load. The following table summarizes this data by mode of transportation:

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended      Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,      September 25,      September 24,      September 25,  
     2011      2010      2011      2010  

Revenue generated through (in thousands):

        

BCO Independent Contractors

   $ 1,020,856       $ 966,221       $ 351,108       $ 334,485   

Truck Brokerage Carriers

     747,122         705,189         274,731         239,026   

Rail intermodal

     53,991         51,840         19,159         17,748   

Ocean cargo carriers

     38,733         34,045         12,702         13,210   

Air cargo carriers

     29,528         13,853         12,628         5,291   

Other (1)

     41,330         41,487         13,685         13,066   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,931,560       $ 1,812,635       $ 684,013       $ 622,826   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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Number of loads:

           

BCO Independent Contractors

     601,990         624,270         199,260         203,500   

Truck Brokerage Carriers

     441,930         456,410         154,720         148,080   

Rail intermodal

     22,750         23,120         7,920         7,630   

Ocean cargo carriers

     6,040         4,930         2,090         1,820   

Air cargo carriers

     6,110         4,870         2,110         1,740   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     1,078,820         1,113,600         366,100         362,770   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenue per load:

           

BCO Independent Contractors

   $ 1,696       $ 1,548       $ 1,762       $ 1,644   

Truck Brokerage Carriers

     1,691         1,545         1,776         1,614   

Rail intermodal

     2,373         2,242         2,419         2,326   

Ocean cargo carriers

     6,413         6,906         6,078         7,258   

Air cargo carriers

     4,833         2,845         5,985         3,041   

 

(1) Includes premium revenue generated by the insurance segment and warehousing and transportation management fee revenue generated by the transportation logistics segment.

Also critical to the Company’s success is its ability to secure capacity, particularly truck capacity, at rates that allow the Company to profitably transport customers’ freight. The following table summarizes available truck capacity providers:

 

    September 24, 2011     September 25, 2010  

BCO Independent Contractors

    7,798        7,893   

Truck Brokerage Carriers:

   

Approved and active (1)

    18,402        17,393   

Other approved

    9,088        9,490   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    27,490        26,883   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total available truck capacity providers

    35,288        34,776   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

Number of trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors

    8,314        8,481   
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1)

Active refers to Truck Brokerage Carriers who moved at least one load in the 180 days immediately preceding the fiscal quarter end.

The Company incurs costs that are directly related to the transportation of freight that include purchased transportation and commissions to agents. The Company incurs indirect costs associated with the transportation of freight that include other operating costs and insurance and claims. In addition, the Company incurs selling, general and administrative costs essential to administering its business operations. Management continually monitors all components of the costs incurred by the Company and establishes annual cost budgets which, in general, are used to benchmark costs incurred on a monthly basis.

Purchased transportation represents the amount a BCO Independent Contractor or other third party capacity provider is paid to haul freight. The amount of purchased transportation paid to a BCO Independent Contractor is primarily based on a contractually agreed-upon percentage of revenue generated by the haul. Purchased transportation paid to a Truck Brokerage Carrier is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or a contractually agreed-upon rate. Purchased transportation paid to rail intermodal, air cargo or ocean cargo carriers is based on contractually agreed-upon fixed rates. Purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue for truck brokerage, rail intermodal and ocean cargo services is normally higher than that of BCO Independent Contractor and air cargo services. Purchased transportation is the largest component of costs and expenses and, on a consolidated basis, increases or decreases in proportion to the

 

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revenue generated through BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers, transportation management fees and revenue from the insurance segment. Purchased transportation as a percent of revenue also increases or decreases in relation to the availability of truck brokerage capacity, the price of fuel on revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers and, to a lesser extent, on revenue hauled by railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers. Purchased transportation costs are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

Commissions to agents are based on contractually agreed-upon percentages of revenue or net revenue, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, or net revenue less a contractually agreed upon percentage of revenue retained by Landstar. Commissions to agents as a percentage of consolidated revenue will vary directly with fluctuations in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated by the various modes of transportation, transportation management fees and revenue from the insurance segment and with changes in net revenue on services provided by Truck Brokerage Carriers and rail intermodal, air cargo and ocean cargo carriers. Commissions to agents are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

The Company’s gross profit equals revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents. Gross profit divided by revenue is referred to as gross profit margin. The Company’s operating margin is defined as operating income divided by gross profit.

In general, gross profit margin on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors represents a fixed percentage of revenue due to the nature of the contracts that pay a fixed percentage of revenue to both the BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents. For revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers, gross profit margin is either fixed or variable as a percent of revenue, depending on the contract with each individual independent commission sales agent. Under certain contracts with independent commission sales agents, the Company retains a fixed percentage of revenue and the agent retains the amount remaining less the cost of purchased transportation (the “retention contracts”). Gross profit margin on revenue hauled by rail, air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and Truck Brokerage Carriers, other than those under retention contracts, is variable in nature as the Company’s contracts with independent commission sales agents provide commissions to agents at a contractually agreed upon percentage of net revenue. Approximately 67% of the Company’s revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011 had a fixed gross profit margin.

Maintenance costs for Company-provided trailing equipment, BCO Independent Contractor recruiting costs and the provision for uncollectable advances and other receivables due from BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents are the largest components of other operating costs.

Potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. For commercial trucking claims, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. The Company also retains liability for each general liability claim up to $1,000,000, $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by Truck Brokerage Carriers, rail intermodal capacity providers and air cargo and ocean cargo carriers who transport freight on behalf of the Company is reduced by various factors including the extent to which they maintain their own insurance coverage. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, cargo claims or workers’ compensation claims or the unfavorable development of existing claims could be expected to materially adversely affect Landstar’s results of operations.

Employee compensation and benefits account for over half of the Company’s selling, general and administrative costs.

Depreciation and amortization primarily relate to depreciation of trailing equipment, amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of information technology hardware and software.

The following table sets forth the percentage relationships of purchased transportation and commissions to agents, both being direct costs, to revenue and indirect costs as a percentage of gross profit for the periods indicated:

 

     Thirty Nine Weeks Ended     Thirteen Weeks Ended  
     September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
    September 24,
2011
    September 25,
2010
 

Revenue

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Purchased transportation

     75.6        76.3        75.8        76.2   

Commissions to agents

     7.9        7.4        8.0        7.6   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit margin

     16.5     16.3     16.2     16.2
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Gross profit

     100.0     100.0     100.0     100.0

Investment income

     0.4        0.4        0.3        0.5   

Indirect costs and expenses:

        

Other operating costs

     6.9        7.5        5.8        6.4   

Insurance and claims

     10.7        12.7        8.5        11.4   

Selling, general and administrative

     35.2        38.8        35.4        40.7   

Depreciation and amortization

     6.1        6.2        5.9        6.4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating margin

     41.5     35.2     44.7     35.6
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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THIRTY NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 COMPARED TO THIRTY NINE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

Revenue for the 2011 thirty-nine-week period was $1,931,560,000, an increase of $118,925,000, or 7%, compared to the 2010 thirty-nine-week period. Revenue increased $118,930,000, or 7%, at the transportation logistics segment. The increase in revenue at the transportation logistics segment was primarily attributable to a higher revenue per load of approximately 10%, partially offset by a 3% decrease in the number of loads hauled. Included in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods were transportation management fees of $15,417,000 and $13,246,000, respectively.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers (together the “third-party truck capacity providers”) for the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011, which represented 92% of total revenue, was $1,767,978,000, an increase of $96,568,000, or 6%, compared to the 2010 thirty-nine-week period. The number of loads hauled by third-party truck capacity providers in the 2011 thirty-nine-week period decreased 3% compared to the 2010 thirty-nine-week period, while revenue per load increased 10% over the same period. The decrease in the number of loads hauled by third-party truck capacity providers was primarily attributable to the anticipated reduction of freight hauled on behalf of one customer in the Company’s less-than-truckload substitute line haul service offering. Less-than-truckload substitute line haul revenue was $55,254,000 and $196,159,000 in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, respectively. The increase in revenue per load on revenue hauled by third-party truck capacity providers was primarily attributable to tighter truck capacity in the domestic market during the thirty nine weeks ended September 24, 2011. Fuel surcharges on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue identified separately in billings to customers and included as a component of Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue were $71,129,000 and $62,304,000 in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. Fuel surcharges billed to customers on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors are excluded from revenue.

Transportation revenue hauled by rail intermodal, air cargo and ocean cargo carriers (together the “multimode capacity providers”) for the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011, which represented 6% of total revenue, was $122,252,000, an increase of $22,514,000, or 23%, compared to the 2010 thirty-nine-week period. The number of loads hauled by multimode capacity providers in the 2011 thirty-nine-week period increased 6% compared to the 2010 thirty-nine-week period, and revenue per load increased 16% over the same period. The increase in revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers is influenced by many factors including the mode of transportation used, length of haul, complexity of freight, density of freight lanes, fuel costs and availability of capacity.

Purchased transportation was 75.6% and 76.3% of revenue in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, respectively. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to reduced less-than-truckload substitute line-haul revenue, which has the highest rate of purchased transportation, partially offset by an increase in the percentage of revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers other than less-than-truckload substitute line-haul revenue (“Core Truck Brokerage revenue”). Commissions to agents were 7.9% of revenue in the 2011 period and 7.4% of revenue in the 2010 period. The increase in commissions to agents as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to decreased less-than-truckload substitute line-haul revenue, which typically has a lower commission rate, and increased Core Truck Brokerage revenue as a percent of revenue.

Investment income at the insurance segment was $1,294,000 and $1,069,000 in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, respectively. The increase in investment income was primarily due to an increased average rate of return on investments held by the insurance segment, partly offset by a lower average investment balance in the 2011 period.

Other operating costs were 6.9% and 7.5% of gross profit in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. The decrease in other operating costs as a percentage of gross profit was primarily attributable to the effect of increased gross profit and a reduction in certain outsourced logistics services costs, partially offset by increased trailing equipment maintenance costs in the 2011 period. Insurance and claims were 10.7% of gross profit in the 2011 period and 12.7% of gross profit in the 2010 period. The decrease in insurance and claims as a percentage of gross profit was primarily due to an increase in the percent of gross profit contributed from revenue hauled by Truck

 

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Brokerage Carriers, which has a lower claims risk profile, and unfavorable development of prior year claims in the 2010 period. Selling, general and administrative costs were 35.2% of gross profit in the 2011 period and 38.8% of gross profit in the 2010 period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of gross profit was primarily attributable to the effect of increased gross profit, a lower provision for bonuses under the Company’s incentive compensation plan and a one-time charge recorded in the 2010 period of $3,800,000 related to the buyout by the Company of its remaining contingent payment obligations from an acquisition completed in 2009. Depreciation and amortization was 6.1% of gross profit in the 2011 period compared to 6.2% in the 2010 period. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of gross profit was primarily attributable to the effect of increased gross profit.

The provisions for income taxes for the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods were based on an effective income tax rate of approximately 38.2%, which was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock compensation expense.

The net losses attributable to noncontrolling interest of $62,000 and $712,000 in the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, respectively, represent the noncontrolling investor’s 25 percent share of the net loss incurred by A3i Acquisition through January 2011. The Company purchased the remaining 25 percent of A3i Acquisition in January 2011.

Net income attributable to the Company was $80,375,000, or $1.69 per common share ($1.68 per diluted share), in the 2011 thirty-nine-week period. Net income attributable to the Company was $63,415,000, or $1.27 per common share ($1.27 per diluted share), in the 2010 thirty-nine-week period. Included in the 2010 thirty-nine-week period was a one-time charge of $3,800,000 related to the buy-out by the Company of its remaining contingent payment obligations from an acquisition completed in 2009. This charge, net of related income taxes, decreased 2010 thirty-nine-week period net income attributable to the Company by $2,348,000, or $0.05 per common share ($0.05 per diluted share).

THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 24, 2011 COMPARED TO THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 25, 2010

Revenue for the 2011 thirteen-week period was $684,013,000, an increase of $61,187,000, or 10%, compared to the 2010 thirteen-week period. Revenue increased $61,143,000, or 10%, at the transportation logistics segment. The increase in revenue at the transportation logistics segment was primarily attributable to a higher revenue per load of approximately 9% and a 1% increase in the number of loads hauled. Included in the 2011 and 2010 thirteen-week periods were transportation management fees of $4,998,000 and $4,254,000, respectively.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by third-party truck capacity providers for the thirteen-week period ended September 24, 2011, which represented 91% of total revenue, was $625,839,000, an increase of $52,328,000, or 9%, compared to the 2010 thirteen-week period. During the 2011 and 2010 thirteen week periods, less-than-truckload substitute line haul revenue was $17,111,000 and $48,408,000, respectively. The number of loads hauled by third-party truck capacity providers in the 2011 thirteen-week period increased 1% compared to the 2010 thirteen-week period and revenue per load increased 8% over the same period. The increase in revenue per load on revenue hauled by third-party truck capacity providers was primarily attributable to tighter truck capacity in the domestic market during the thirteen weeks ended September 24, 2011. Fuel surcharges on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue identified separately in billings to customers and included as a component of Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue were $25,903,000 and $20,289,000 in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. Fuel surcharges billed to customers on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors are excluded from revenue.

Transportation revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers for the thirteen-week period ended September 24, 2011, which represented 7% of total revenue, was $44,489,000, an increase of $8,240,000, or 23%, compared to the 2010 thirteen-week period. The number of loads hauled by multimode capacity providers in the 2011 thirteen-week period increased 8% compared to the 2010 thirteen-week period, and revenue per load increased 13% over the same period. The increase in revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers is influenced by many factors including the mode of transportation used, length of haul, complexity of freight, density of freight lanes and availability of capacity.

Purchased transportation was 75.8% and 76.2% of revenue in the 2011 and 2010 thirteen-week periods, respectively. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to reduced less-than-truckload substitute line-haul revenue, which has the highest rate of purchased transportation, partially offset by an increase in Core Truck Brokerage revenue as a percent of revenue. Commissions to agents were 8.0% of revenue in the 2011 period and 7.6% of revenue in the 2010 period. The increase in commissions to agents as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to decreased less-than-truckload substitute line-haul revenue, which typically has a lower commission rate, and increased net revenue on Core Truck Brokerage revenue.

 

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Investment income at the insurance segment was $373,000 and $495,000 in the 2011 and 2010 thirteen-week periods, respectively. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to a lower average rate of return on investments held by the insurance segment in the 2011 period.

Other operating costs were 5.8% and 6.4% of gross profit in the 2011 and 2010 periods, respectively. The decrease in other operating costs as a percentage of gross profit was primarily attributable to the effect of increased gross profit. Insurance and claims were 8.5% of gross profit in the 2011 period and 11.4% of gross profit in the 2010 period. The decrease in insurance and claims as a percentage of gross profit was primarily due to an increase in the percent of gross profit contributed from revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers, which has a lower claims risk profile, favorable development of prior year claims in the 2011 period and unfavorable development of prior year claims in the 2010 period, partially offset by an increased cost of cargo claims. Selling, general and administrative costs were 35.4% of gross profit in the 2011 period and 40.7% of gross profit in the 2010 period. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of gross profit was primarily attributable to the effect of increased gross profit and a one-time charge recorded in the 2010 period of $3,800,000 related to the buyout by the Company of its remaining contingent payment obligations from an acquisition completed in 2009. Depreciation and amortization was 5.9% of gross profit in the 2011 period compared with 6.4% in the 2010 period. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of gross profit was primarily due to the effect of increased gross profit.

The provisions for income taxes for the 2011 and 2010 thirteen-week periods were based on an effective income tax rate of approximately 38.2%, which was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock compensation expense.

Net income attributable to the Company was $30,158,000, or $0.64 per common share ($0.64 per diluted share), in the 2011 thirteen-week period. Net income attributable to the Company was $21,802,000, or $0.44 per common share ($0.44 per diluted share), in the 2010 thirteen-week period. As described above, the 2010 thirteen-week period included a one-time charge of $3,800,000 related to the buy-out by the Company of its remaining contingent payment obligations from an acquisition completed in 2009. This charge, net of related income taxes, decreased 2010 thirteen-week period net income attributable to the Company by $2,348,000, or $0.05 per common share ($0.05 per diluted share).

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Working capital and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities were $194,533,000 and 1.5 to 1, respectively, at September 24, 2011, compared with $142,571,000 and 1.5 to 1, respectively, at December 25, 2010. Landstar has historically operated with current ratios within the range of 1.5 to 1 to 2.0 to 1. Cash provided by operating activities was $84,394,000 in the 2011 thirty-nine-week period compared with $68,283,000 in the 2010 thirty-nine-week period. The increase in cash flow provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to increased net income and timing of payments, partially offset by the timing of collections of trade accounts receivable. The number of days sales outstanding in trade accounts receivable, representing gross outstanding receivables divided by the average revenue per day for the most recent period, increased to 49 days outstanding at September 24, 2011 compared to 46 days outstanding at September 25, 2010. The increase in the number of days sales outstanding in trade accounts receivable was primarily attributable to the significant decrease in revenue from one customer that historically had paid the Company quickly on revenue generated under the Company’s less-than-truckload substitute line haul service offering.

The Company paid $0.155 per share, or $7,407,000, in cash dividends during the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011. It is the intention of the Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly dividend. During the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011, the Company purchased 1,013,507 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $41,966,000. As of September 24, 2011, the Company may purchase up to an additional 709,155 shares of its common stock under its authorized stock purchase program. Long-term debt, including current maturities, was $127,074,000 at September 24, 2011, $5,463,000 higher than at December 25, 2010.

Equity was $278,541,000, or 69% of total capitalization (defined as long-term debt including current maturities plus equity), at September 24, 2011, compared to $250,967,000, or 67% of total capitalization, at December 25, 2010. The increase in equity was primarily a result of net income and the effect of the exercises of stock options during the period, partially offset by the purchase of the noncontrolling interest and dividends paid by the Company.

On June 27, 2008, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which expires on June 27, 2013, provides $225,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $75,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees.

 

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The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that limit, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Company is required to, among other things, maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and maintain a Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, below a specified maximum. The Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders on the Company’s capital stock to the extent there is a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement under certain circumstances limits the amount of such cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders in the event that after giving effect to any payment made to effect such cash dividend or other distribution, the Leverage Ratio would exceed 2.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement provides for an event of default in the event, among other things, that a person or group acquires 25% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or obtains power to elect a majority of the Company’s directors. None of these covenants are presently considered by management to be materially restrictive to the Company’s operations, capital resources or liquidity. The Company is currently in compliance with all of the debt covenants under the Credit Agreement.

At September 24, 2011, the Company had $90,000,000 in borrowings outstanding and $33,499,000 of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement. At September 24, 2011, there was $101,501,000 available for future borrowings under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company has $45,165,000 in letters of credit outstanding as collateral for insurance claims that are secured by investments and cash equivalents totaling $50,183,000. Investments, all of which are carried at fair value, include investment-grade bonds and mortgage-backed securities having maturities of up to five years. Fair value of investments is based primarily on quoted market prices. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on measurement of fair value of investments.

Historically, the Company has generated sufficient operating cash flow to meet its debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions, complete or execute share purchases of its common stock under authorized share purchase programs, pay dividends and meet working capital needs. As a non-asset based provider of transportation services and supply chain solutions, the Company’s annual capital requirements for operating property are generally for trailing equipment and information technology hardware and software. In addition, a significant portion of the trailing equipment used by the Company is provided by third party capacity providers, thereby reducing the Company’s capital requirements. During the 2011 thirty-nine-week period, the Company purchased $3,460,000 of operating property and acquired $13,038,000 of trailing equipment by entering into capital leases. Landstar anticipates purchasing approximately $21,000,000 in operating property, primarily new trailing equipment to replace older trailing equipment and information technology equipment, during the remainder of fiscal year 2011 either by purchase or lease financing.

Management believes that cash flow from operations combined with the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet Landstar’s debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions, pay dividends, complete the authorized share purchase programs and meet working capital needs.

LEGAL MATTERS

As further described in periodic and current reports previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Defendants”) are defendants in a suit (the “Litigation”) brought in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “District Court”) by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and four former BCO Independent Contractors (the “Named Plaintiffs” and, with OOIDA, the “Plaintiffs”) on behalf of all independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company and its subsidiaries under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”). The Plaintiffs allege that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases and related practices with its BCO Independent Contractors violate certain federal leasing regulations and seek injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorneys’ fees. Landstar’s periodic and current reports previously filed with the SEC set forth the background for the Litigation through June 25, 2011 (the “Background”). The following information updates the Background.

On March 8, 2011, the Plaintiffs filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to seek to further appeal certain portions of the October 4, 2010 ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. On October 3, 2011, the United States Supreme Court entered an order denying such petition. The decertification of the class by the District Court was upheld on appeal and the Litigation therefore only involves the Named Plaintiffs and OOIDA. The Plaintiffs subsequently informed the Defendants of their intent to continue to seek affirmative relief with the District Court on remand.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s actions, the only open issues with respect to the Litigation are (i) the Plaintiffs’ right to injunctive relief with respect to the violation of the federal leasing regulations described in the Background, (ii) the Named Plaintiffs’ right to hold an

 

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evidentiary hearing to give them an opportunity to produce evidence of any damages they actually sustained as a result of such violation, (iii) the Plaintiffs’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs and (iv) the Defendants’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs. Although no assurances can be given with respect to the outcome of the Litigation, including the amount of any possible award of attorneys’ fees to the Plaintiffs, the Company believes that (i) no Plaintiff has sustained any actual damages as a result of any violations by the Defendants of the federal leasing regulations and (ii) injunctive relief, if any, that may be granted by the District Court on remand is unlikely to have a material adverse financial effect on the Company.

In June 2011, Landstar System, Inc. received a Civil Investigative Demand (the “CID”) from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued pursuant to the False Claims Act. The CID requests documents and written interrogatories limited to freight hauled to or from Fort Campbell, Kentucky by certain subsidiaries of the Company and billed to the U.S. government. The Company submitted its response to the CID in August 2011 and intends to continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney.

On September 23, 2011, a jury sitting in a state court in Cobb County, Georgia, entered a damage award of approximately $40.2 million (such amount, plus pre-judgment interest and a portion of plaintiffs’ attorney fees in an amount not yet determined are collectively referred to herein as the “Damage Award”) against Landstar Ranger, Inc., Landstar System Holdings, Inc. and Landstar System, Inc. The Damage Award arises out of an accident that occurred in February, 2007, involving a truck owner-operator leased to Landstar Ranger, Inc. Under the terms of the commercial trucking insurance program that Landstar had in place in 2007, Landstar retained liability for up to $5 million with respect to the accident giving rise to the Damage Award. Landstar has third party insurance in place covering all amounts of the Damage Award in excess of such retention, including all related out-of-pocket expenses, such as the costs of an appeal bond, post-judgment interest and attorney fees comprising the Damage Award. The Company recorded a $5 million charge representing its self-insured retention in respect of this accident in the consolidated financial results of the Company in the 2007 first quarter. Accordingly, the Company’s portion of the Damage Award was previously recorded and therefore did not reduce consolidated operating income or net income for the Company’s 2011 third quarter. Under the terms of the Company’s insurance policies, the Company is the primary obligor of the amount of the Damage Award, and as such, the Company has reported a $40.2 million receivable from the third party insurance providers in other receivables and a corresponding liability of the same amount in insurance claims in the consolidated balance sheets at September 24, 2011. The Company and its insurers intend to appeal the Damage Award. No assurances can be given regarding the outcome of such appeal.

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation, including those described herein, arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The allowance for doubtful accounts for both trade and other receivables represents management’s estimate of the amount of outstanding receivables that will not be collected. Historically, management’s estimates for uncollectible receivables have been materially correct. Although management believes the amount of the allowance for both trade and other receivables at September 24, 2011 is appropriate, a prolonged period of low or no economic growth may adversely affect the collection of these receivables. Conversely, a more robust economic environment may result in the realization of some portion of the estimated uncollectible receivables.

Landstar provides for the estimated costs of self-insured claims primarily on an actuarial basis. The amount recorded for the estimated liability for claims incurred is based upon the facts and circumstances known on the applicable balance sheet date. The ultimate resolution of these claims may be for an amount greater or less than the amount estimated by management. The Company continually revises its existing claim estimates as new or revised information becomes available on the status of each claim. Historically, the Company has experienced both favorable and unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates. During the 2011 and 2010 thirty-nine-week periods, insurance and claims costs included $198,000 and $1,634,000, respectively, of unfavorable adjustments to prior years’ claims estimates. It is reasonably likely that the ultimate outcome of settling all outstanding claims will be more or less than the estimated claims reserve at September 24, 2011.

The Company utilizes certain income tax planning strategies to reduce its overall cost of income taxes. Upon audit, it is possible that certain strategies might be disallowed resulting in an increased liability for income taxes. Certain of these tax planning strategies result in a level of uncertainty as to whether the related tax positions taken by the Company would result in a recognizable benefit. The Company has provided for its estimated exposure attributable to such tax positions due to the corresponding level of uncertainty with respect to the amount of income tax benefit that may ultimately be realized. Management believes that the provision for liabilities resulting from the

 

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uncertainty in certain income tax positions is appropriate. To date, the Company has not experienced an examination by governmental revenue authorities that would lead management to believe that the Company’s past provisions for exposures related to the uncertainty of such income tax positions are not appropriate.

The Company tests for impairment of goodwill at least annually, typically in the fourth quarter, based on a two-step impairment test. The first step compares the fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using a discounted cash flow model and market approach. The model includes a number of significant assumptions and estimates including future cash flows and discount rates. If the carrying amount exceeds fair value under the first step of the impairment test, then the second step is performed to measure the amount of any impairment loss. Only the first step of the impairment test was required in 2010 as the estimated fair value of the reporting units significantly exceeded carrying value.

Significant variances from management’s estimates for the amount of uncollectible receivables, the ultimate resolution of self-insured claims, the provision for uncertainty in income tax positions and impairment of goodwill can all be expected to positively or negatively affect Landstar’s earnings in a given quarter or year. However, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these items, given a range of reasonably likely outcomes, will not significantly affect the long-term financial condition of Landstar or its ability to fund its continuing operations.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Management does not believe inflation has had a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of Landstar in the past five years. However, inflation in excess of historic trends might have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.

SEASONALITY

Landstar’s operations are subject to seasonal trends common to the trucking industry. Results of operations for the quarter ending in March are typically lower than the quarters ending June, September and December.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of its financing activities, primarily its borrowings on the revolving credit facility, and investing activities with respect to investments held by the insurance segment.

On June 27, 2008, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which expires on June 27, 2013, provides $225,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $75,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees.

Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at rates equal to, at the option of the Company, either (i) the greater of (a) the prime rate as publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and (b) the federal funds effective rate plus .5%, or, (ii) the rate at the time offered to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the Eurodollar market for amounts and periods comparable to the relevant loan plus, in either case, a margin that is determined based on the level of the Company’s Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of September 24, 2011 and December 25, 2010, the weighted average interest rates on borrowings outstanding were 1.11% and 1.14%, respectively. During the third quarter of 2011, the average outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was approximately $88,731,000. Assuming that debt levels on the Credit Agreement remain at $90,000,000, the balance at September 24, 2011, a hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in current rates provided for under the Credit Agreement is estimated to result in an increase in interest expense of $900,000 on an annualized basis. Based on the borrowing rates in the Credit Agreement and the repayment terms, the fair value of the outstanding borrowings as of September 24, 2011 was estimated to approximate carrying value.

Long-term investments, all of which are available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, include investment-grade bonds and mortgage-backed securities having maturities of up to five years. Assuming that the long-term portion of investments remains at $42,052,000, the balance at September 24, 2011, a hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would not have a material impact on future earnings on an annualized basis. Short-term investments include short-term investment-grade instruments and the current maturities of investment-grade bonds and mortgage-backed securities. Accordingly, any future interest rate risk on these short-term investments would not be material.

 

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Assets and liabilities of the Company’s Canadian operations are translated from their functional currency to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transactional gains and losses arising from receivable and payable balances, including intercompany balances, in the normal course of business that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the operation are recorded in the statements of income when they occur. The net assets held at the Company’s Canadian subsidiary at September 24, 2011 were, as translated to U.S. dollars, less than 1% of total consolidated net assets. Accordingly, any translation gain or loss related to the Canadian operation would not be material.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 24, 2011, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended September 24, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

In designing and evaluating controls and procedures, Company management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitation in any control system, no evaluation or implementation of a control system can provide complete assurance that all control issues and all possible instances of fraud have been or will be detected.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

As further described in periodic and current reports previously filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (the “Defendants”) are defendants in a suit (the “Litigation”) brought in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “District Court”) by the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and four former BCO Independent Contractors (the “Named Plaintiffs” and, with OOIDA, the “Plaintiffs”) on behalf of all independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company and its subsidiaries under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”). The Plaintiffs allege that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases and related practices with its BCO Independent Contractors violate certain federal leasing regulations and seek injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorneys’ fees. Landstar’s periodic and current reports previously filed with the SEC set forth the background for the Litigation through June 25, 2011 (the “Background”). The following information updates the Background.

On March 8, 2011, the Plaintiffs filed a petition with the United States Supreme Court to seek to further appeal certain portions of the October 4, 2010 ruling of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. On October 3, 2011, the United States Supreme Court entered an order denying such petition. The decertification of the class by the District Court was upheld on appeal and the Litigation therefore only involves the Named Plaintiffs and OOIDA. The Plaintiffs subsequently informed the Defendants of their intent to continue to seek affirmative relief with the District Court on remand.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s actions, the only open issues with respect to the Litigation are (i) the Plaintiffs’ right to injunctive relief with respect to the violation of the federal leasing regulations described in the Background, (ii) the Named Plaintiffs’ right to hold an evidentiary hearing to give them an opportunity to produce evidence of any damages they actually sustained as a result of such violation, (iii) the Plaintiffs’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs and (iv) the Defendants’ right to an award of attorneys’ fees and/or costs.

 

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Although no assurances can be given with respect to the outcome of the Litigation, including the amount of any possible award of attorneys’ fees to the Plaintiffs, the Company believes that (i) no Plaintiff has sustained any actual damages as a result of any violations by the Defendants of the federal leasing regulations and (ii) injunctive relief, if any, that may be granted by the District Court on remand is unlikely to have a material adverse financial effect on the Company.

In June 2011, Landstar System, Inc. received a Civil Investigative Demand (the “CID”) from the United States Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued pursuant to the False Claims Act. The CID requests documents and written interrogatories limited to freight hauled to or from Fort Campbell, Kentucky by certain subsidiaries of the Company and billed to the U.S. government. The Company submitted its response to the CID in August 2011 and intends to continue to cooperate fully with the U.S. Attorney.

On September 23, 2011, a jury sitting in a state court in Cobb County, Georgia, entered a damage award of approximately $40.2 million (such amount, plus pre-judgment interest and a portion of plaintiffs’ attorney fees in an amount not yet determined are collectively referred to herein as the “Damage Award”) against Landstar Ranger, Inc., Landstar System Holdings, Inc. and Landstar System, Inc. The Damage Award arises out of an accident that occurred in February, 2007, involving a truck owner-operator leased to Landstar Ranger, Inc. Under the terms of the commercial trucking insurance program that Landstar had in place in 2007, Landstar retained liability for up to $5 million with respect to the accident giving rise to the Damage Award. Landstar has third party insurance in place covering all amounts of the Damage Award in excess of such retention, including all related out-of-pocket expenses, such as the costs of an appeal bond, post-judgment interest and attorney fees comprising the Damage Award. The Company recorded a $5 million charge representing its self-insured retention in respect of this accident in the consolidated financial results of the Company in the 2007 first quarter. Accordingly, the Company’s portion of the Damage Award was previously recorded and therefore did not reduce consolidated operating income or net income for the Company’s 2011 third quarter. Under the terms of the Company’s insurance policies, the Company is the primary obligor of the amount of the Damage Award, and as such, the Company has reported a $40.2 million receivable from the third party insurance providers in other receivables and a corresponding liability of the same amount in insurance claims in the consolidated balance sheets at September 24, 2011. The Company and its insurers intend to appeal the Damage Award. No assurances can be given regarding the outcome of such appeal.

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation, including those described herein, arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Doing business with the federal government

We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to doing business with the federal government. U.S. government agencies, including various agency Inspectors General, routinely audit and investigate government contractors. Government contractors may also be subject to investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice as a result of or in connection with allegations made by third parties. In connection with an audit or investigation by a U.S. government agency or the U.S. Department of Justice, the Government may allege violations of specific laws and regulations by the Company or those doing business with the Company. The Government may also seek remedies against the Company, such as fines and penalties, the termination of our contracts, or suspension or prohibition from doing business with the U.S. Government, any of which could cause the Company to suffer serious reputational harm and other adverse commercial consequences.

For additional discussion identifying risk factors and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, see the discussions under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 25, 2010, and in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company

The following table provides information regarding the Company’s purchases of its Common Stock during the period from June 26, 2011 to September 24, 2011, the Company’s third fiscal quarter:

 

Fiscal Period

   Total Number of
Shares  Purchased
     Average Price
Paid Per  Share
     Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Program
     Maximum Number of
Shares That  May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Program
 

June 25, 2011

              525,969   

June 26, 2011 – July 23, 2011

     —         $ —           —           525,969   

July 24, 2011 – August 20, 2011

     675,969         40.58         675,969         850,000   

August 21, 2011 – Sept. 24, 2011

     140,845         37.41         140,845         709,155   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total

     816,814       $ 40.03         816,814      
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

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On August 23, 2010, Landstar System, Inc. announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions. During its 2011 third quarter, the Company completed the purchase of shares authorized for purchase under this program. On August 16, 2011, Landstar System, Inc. announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of its common stock from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions. As of September 24, 2011, the Company may purchase 709,155 shares of its common stock under this authorization. No specific expiration date has been assigned to the August 16, 2011 authorization.

During the thirty-nine-week period ended September 24, 2011, Landstar paid dividends as follows:

 

Dividend Amount

per Share

   Declaration
Date
     Record
Date
     Payment
Date
 

$0.050

     January 25, 2011         February 14, 2011         March 11, 2011   

$0.050

     April 20, 2011         May 5, 2011         May 27, 2011   

$0.055

     July 20, 2011         August 8, 2011         August 26, 2011   

On June 27, 2008, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders on the Company’s capital stock to the extent there is a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement, under certain circumstances, limits the amount of such cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders in the event that, after giving effect to any payment made to effect such cash dividend or other distribution, the Leverage Ratio would exceed 2.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

 

Item 5. Other Information

None.

 

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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EXHIBIT INDEX

Registrant’s Commission File No.: 0-21238

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

(31)   Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:
  31.1 *   Chief Executive Officer certification, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  31.2 *   Chief Financial Officer certification, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
(32)   Certifications Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:
  32.1 **   Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
  32.2 **   Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**   XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL**   XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB**   XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE**   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF**   XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

 

* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

 

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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.

 

    LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

Date: October 28, 2011

   

  /s/ Henry H. Gerkens

      Henry H. Gerkens
      Chairman, President and
      Chief Executive Officer

Date: October 28, 2011

   

  /s/ James B. Gattoni

      James B. Gattoni
      Vice President and Chief
      Financial Officer

 

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