LANDSTAR SYSTEM INC - Quarter Report: 2004 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

OR

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ X ] No [     ]

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of the close of business on April 23, 2004 was 29,802,172.

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 shareholders’ 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 thirteen weeks ended March 27, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 25, 2004.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

(1) 2003 earnings per share amounts and average number of shares outstanding have been restated to give retroactive effect to a two-for-one stock split effected in the form of a 100% stock dividend declared October 15, 2003.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

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.”

On November 1, 2002, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and six individual Independent Contractors filed a putative class action complaint in the United States District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, against the Company (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases with Independent Contractors violate the federal leasing regulations and seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorney’s fees. On December 16, 2002, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss and, with respect to all of the leases that contain arbitration clauses, a Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On September 30, 2003, the District Court issued an Order denying the Company’s Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On March 8, 2004, the District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of one of the six Owner Operator Plaintiffs. The District Court has yet to rule on Landstar’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of the remaining Plaintiffs. Due to a number of factors, including the lack of specificity of Plaintiffs’ Complaint, the early stage of this litigation and the lack of litigated final judgments in a number of similar pending cases or otherwise applicable precedent, Landstar does not believe it is in a position to conclude whether or not there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse outcome in this case, or what damages, if any, Plaintiffs would be awarded should they prevail on all or any part of their claims. However, Landstar believes it has meritorious defenses to this litigation and intends to continue defending it vigorously. Landstar also believes that it treats its Independent Contractors fairly and in a manner which reflects the important role they play in the Company’s operations.

Landstar is involved in certain other claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on the 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 claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions thereof, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of Landstar, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

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 27, 2003 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table sets forth the percentage relationships of income and expense items to revenue for the periods indicated:

THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 27, 2004 COMPARED TO THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MARCH 29, 2003

Revenue for the 2004 thirteen week period was $421,026,000, an increase of $55,308,000, or 15.1%, compared to the 2003 thirteen week period. The increase was attributable to increased revenue of $31,563,000, $23,305,000 and $440,000 at the carrier, multimodal and insurance segments, respectively. With respect to the carrier segment, revenue per load increased approximately 10% while the number of loads delivered in the 2004 thirteen week period increased slightly compared with the number of loads delivered during the 2003 thirteen week period. The average length of haul per load at the carrier segment increased approximately 9% and revenue per revenue mile increased approximately 1%. At the multimodal segment, the number of loads delivered in the 2004 thirteen week period increased approximately 22% and revenue per load increased approximately 10% over the 2003 period. The increase in delivered loads at the multimodal segment was primarily attributable to increased freight opportunities from the multimodal segment’s existing customer base, while the increase in revenue per load was attributable to both increased rates and an increased length of haul.

Investment income at the insurance segment was $303,000 and $324,000 in the 2004 and 2003 periods, respectively.

Purchased transportation was 74.5% and 74.2% of revenue in 2004 and 2003, respectively. The increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to increased truck brokerage revenue, which tends to have a higher cost of purchased transportation, and increased rates charged by the Company’s other third party truck capacity providers, partially offset by increased use of Company-provided trailing equipment. Commissions to agents were 7.7% of revenue in both 2004 and 2003. Other operating costs were 2.4% of revenue in 2004 and 2.5% of revenue in 2003. The decrease in other operating costs as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to increased brokerage revenue, which does not incur significant other operating costs, and the cost of trailer locks that were purchased and distributed to the Company’s Independent Contractors in 2003, partially offset by increased trailer rental costs. Insurance and claims were 4.9% of revenue in 2004 compared with 2.9% of revenue in 2003. The increase in insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to $7,600,000 of costs incurred to settle one severe accident that occurred early in the first quarter of 2004, increased cost of insurance above the Company’s self insured retention levels (premium cost), increased average severity of commercial trucking claims and unfavorable development of prior year claims in 2004. Selling, general and administrative costs were 6.5% of revenue in 2004 compared with 7.2% of revenue in 2003. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a decreased provision for bonuses under the Company’s incentive compensation plans and the effect of increased revenue, partially offset by increased cost for benefits under the Company’s employee benefit programs. Depreciation and amortization was 0.8% of revenue in 2004 and 0.9% of revenue in 2003. The decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the effect of increased revenue.

Interest and debt expense was 0.2% of revenue in both 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The provisions for income taxes for the 2004 and 2003 thirteen week periods were based on estimated full year combined effective income tax rates of approximately 38.3% and 37.8%, respectively, which are higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state income taxes and the meals and entertainment exclusion. The increase in the combined effective income tax rate is attributable to changes in the tax law enacted by a number of states in which the Company operates.

Net income was $8,102,000, or $0.27 per common share ($0.26 per diluted share), in the 2004 thirteen week period, which included the $7.6 million charge to settle one accident referenced above. This charge, net of related income tax benefits, reduced 2004 net income by $4,900,000, or $0.16 per diluted share. Net income for the 2003 period was $10,159,000, or $0.32 per common share ($0.31 per diluted share).

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Shareholders’ equity was $138,849,000 at March 27, 2004, compared to $142,515,000 at December 27, 2003. The decrease in shareholders’ equity was a result of the purchase of 462,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $16,407,000, partially offset by net income for the 2004 thirteen week period and exercises of stock options. At March 27, 2004, the Company may purchase up to an additional 918,140 shares of its common stock under its authorized stock purchase program. Shareholders’ equity was 61% of total capitalization (defined as total debt plus equity) at both March 27, 2004 and December 27, 2003.

Long-term debt including current maturities was $89,777,000 at March 27, 2004, $1,679,000 less than at December 27, 2003.

Working capital and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities were $76,485,000 and 1.30 to 1, respectively, at March 27, 2004, compared with $147,515,000 and 1.85 to 1, respectively, at December 27, 2003. Landstar has historically operated with current ratios within the range of 1.5 to 1 to 2.0 to 1. The decrease in working capital is attributable to the classification of $71,000,000 of borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, which expires on January 5, 2005, as current. Management expects to renew or replace the current revolving credit facility with a similar agreement prior to the expiration of the current agreement with interest rates and fees at market rates at the time of the financing. Cash provided by operating activities was $21,991,000 in the 2004 thirteen week period compared with $19,589,000 in the 2003 thirteen week period. The increase in cash flow provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to timing of payments.

At March 27, 2004, the Company had $71,000,000 in borrowings outstanding and $9,580,000 of letters of credit outstanding under its revolving credit agreement. At March 27, 2004, there was $94,420,000 available for future borrowings under the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company has $36,014,000 in letters of credit outstanding, as collateral for insurance claims, that are secured by investments and cash equivalents totaling $37,150,000.

Historically, the Company has generated sufficient operating cash flow to meet its debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions and to meet working capital needs. As a non-asset based provider of transportation capacity, the Company’s annual capital requirements for operating property are generally for trailers and management information services equipment. In addition, a significant portion of the trailing equipment used by the Company is provided by third party capacity providers and through leases at rental rates that vary with the revenue generated through the use of the leased equipment, thereby reducing the Company’s capital requirements. During the 2004 thirteen week period, the Company purchased $2,273,000 of operating property and acquired $12,500,000 worth of trailing equipment by entering into a 5 year operating lease. Landstar anticipates acquiring an additional $20,000,000 to $24,000,000 of operating property during the remainder of the 2004 fiscal year either by purchase or by lease financing. It is expected that capital leases will fund any significant trailer purchases of owned-equipment made during 2004. The Company does not anticipate any other significant capital requirements in the near future.

Management believes that cash flow from operations combined with the Company’s borrowing capacity under its revolving credit agreement and any successor credit facility will be adequate to meet Landstar’s debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions, and meet working capital needs.

LEGAL MATTERS

On November 1, 2002, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and six individual Independent Contractors filed a putative class action complaint in the United States District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, against the Company (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases with Independent Contractors violate the federal leasing regulations and seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorney’s fees. On December 16, 2002, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss and, with respect to all of the leases that contain arbitration clauses, a Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On September 30, 2003, the District Court issued an Order denying the Company’s Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On March 8, 2004, the District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of one of the six Owner Operator Plaintiffs. The District Court has yet to rule on Landstar’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of the remaining Plaintiffs. Due to a number of factors, including the lack of specificity of Plaintiffs’ Complaint, the early stage of this litigation and the lack of litigated final judgments in a number of similar pending cases or otherwise applicable precedent, Landstar does not believe it is in a position to conclude whether or not there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse outcome in this case, or what damages, if any, Plaintiffs would be awarded should they prevail on all or any part of their claims. However, Landstar believes it has meritorious defenses to this litigation and intends to continue defending it vigorously. Landstar also believes that it treats its Independent Contractors fairly and in a manner which reflects the important role they play in the Company’s operations.

Landstar is involved in certain other claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Based on the 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 thereof, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of Landstar, 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 March 27, 2004 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 balance sheet date. The ultimate resolution of these claims may be for an amount greater or less than the amount estimated by management. Historically, the Company has experienced both favorable and unfavorable development of prior year claims estimates. The Company is continually revising its existing claim estimates as new or revised information becomes available on the status of each claim. During the 2004 thirteen week period, insurance and claims costs included $1,700,000 of unfavorable adjustments to prior year claims estimates. During the 2003 thirteen week period, insurance and claims costs included $191,000 of favorable 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 March 27, 2004.

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. The Company has provided for its estimated exposure attributable to income tax planning strategies. Management believes that the provision for liabilities resulting from the implementation of income tax planning strategies 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 income tax planning strategies are not appropriate.

Significant variances from management’s estimates for the amount of uncollectible receivables, the ultimate resolution of claims or the provision for liabilities for income tax planning strategies can 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 higher than that experienced in the past five years 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.

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,” “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: the operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2003 fiscal year, described in the section Factors That May Affect Future Results and/or Forward-Looking Statements, 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.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

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

The Company has a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as the administrative agent, (the “Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”) that provides $175,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $50,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees. Borrowings under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement bear interest at rates equal to, at the option of Landstar, either (i) the greatest of (a) the prime rate as publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, (b) the three month CD rate adjusted for statutory reserves and FDIC assessment costs plus 1% and (c) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2%, or, (ii) the rate at the time offered to JPMorgan Chase Bank in the Eurodollar market for amounts and periods comparable to the relevant loan plus a margin that is determined based on the level of the Company’s Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The margin is subject to an increase of .125% if the aggregate amount outstanding under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement exceeds 50% of the total borrowing capacity. As of March 27, 2004, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 1.98%. During the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the average outstanding balance under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was approximately $97,000,000. Based on the borrowings rates in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the repayment terms, the fair value of the outstanding borrowings as of March 27, 2004 was estimated to approximate carrying value. Assuming that debt levels on the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement remain at $71,000,000, the balance at March 27, 2004, a hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in current rates provided for under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is estimated to result in an increase in interest expense of $710,000 on an annualized basis.

The Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement expires on January 5, 2005. The amount outstanding on the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is payable upon the expiration of the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

The Company’s obligations under the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by all but one of Landstar System Holdings, Inc.’s subsidiaries.

Long-term investments, all of which are available-for-sale, consist of investment grade bonds having maturities of up to five years. Assuming that the long-term portion of investments in bonds remains at $7,840,000, the balance at March 27, 2004, 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 consist of short-term investment grade instruments and the current maturities of investment grade bonds. Accordingly, any future interest rate risk on these short-term investments would not be material.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, 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, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 27, 2004, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits 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 March 27, 2004 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

On November 1, 2002, the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and six individual Independent Contractors filed a putative class action complaint in the United States District Court in Jacksonville, Florida, against the Company (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases with Independent Contractors violate the federal leasing regulations and seeks injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorney’s fees. On December 16, 2002, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss and, with respect to all of the leases that contain arbitration clauses, a Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On September 30, 2003, the District Court issued an Order denying the Company’s Motion to Stay and Compel Arbitration. On March 8, 2004, the District Court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of one of the six Owner Operator Plaintiffs. The District Court has yet to rule on Landstar’s Motion to Dismiss with respect to the claims of the remaining Plaintiffs. Due to a number of factors, including the lack of specificity of Plaintiffs’ Complaint, the early stage of this litigation and the lack of litigated final judgments in a number of similar pending cases or otherwise applicable precedent, Landstar does not believe it is in a position to conclude whether or not there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse outcome in this case, or what damages, if any, Plaintiffs would be awarded should they prevail on all or any part of their claims. However, Landstar believes it has meritorious defenses to this litigation and intends to continue defending it vigorously. Landstar also believes that it treats its Independent Contractors fairly and in a manner which reflects the important role they play in the Company’s operations.

The Company is routinely a party to litigation incidental to its business, primarily involving claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in the transportation of freight. The Company maintains insurance which covers liability amounts in excess of retained liabilities from personal injury and property damages claims.

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

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 December 28, 2003 to March 27, 2004, the Company’s first fiscal quarter:

On May 15, 2003, the Company announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of its common stock (not adjusted for the two-for-one stock split declared October 15, 2003) from time to time in the open market and in privately-negotiated transactions. On December 4, 2003, the Company 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.

The May 15, 2003 authorization has been completed. No specific expiration date has been assigned to the December 4, 2004 authorization.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

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

(b) Form 8-K

The Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 28, 2004 furnished the Company’s fiscal year 2003 earnings release.

EXHIBIT INDEX

Registrant’s Commission File No.: 0-21238

* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

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.