LANDSTAR SYSTEM INC - Annual Report: 2007 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

 

 

Commission File Number: 0-21238

 

Landstar System, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

(904) 398-9400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes o     No þ

 

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 þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  þ

 

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):

 

 

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

 

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $2,627,137,000 (based on the per share closing price on June 29, 2007, the last business day of the Company’s second fiscal quarter, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market). In making this calculation, the registrant has assumed, without admitting for any purpose, that all directors and executive officers of the registrant, and no other persons, are affiliates.

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), outstanding as of the close of business on February 1, 2008 was 52,510,874.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

Portions of the following document are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K as indicated herein:

 

 

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

 

2007 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

General

 

Landstar System, Inc. was incorporated in January 1991 under the laws of the State of Delaware. It acquired all of the capital stock of its predecessor, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (“LSHI”) on March 28, 1991. Landstar System, Inc. has been a publicly held company since its initial public offering in March 1993. LSHI owns directly or indirectly all of the common stock of Landstar Ranger, Inc. (“Landstar Ranger”), Landstar Inway, Inc. (“Landstar Inway”), Landstar Ligon, Inc. (“Landstar Ligon”), Landstar Gemini, Inc. (“Landstar Gemini”), Landstar Carrier Services, Inc. (“Landstar Carrier Services”), Landstar Global Logistics, Inc. (“Landstar Global Logistics”), Landstar Express America, Inc. (“Landstar Express America”), Landstar Canada Holdings, Inc. (“LCHI”), Landstar Canada, Inc. (“Landstar Canada”), Landstar Contractor Financing, Inc. (“LCFI”), Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. (“RMCS”) and Signature Insurance Company (“Signature”). Landstar Ranger, Landstar Inway, Landstar Ligon, Landstar Gemini, Landstar Carrier Services, Landstar Global Logistics, Landstar Express America and Landstar Canada are collectively herein referred to as Landstar’s “Operating Subsidiaries.” Landstar System, Inc., LSHI, LCFI, RMCS, LCHI, Signature and the Operating Subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “Landstar” or the “Company,” unless the context otherwise requires. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 13410 Sutton Park Drive South, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 and its telephone number is (904) 398-9400. The Company makes available free of charge through its website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, proxy and current reports on Form 8-K as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s website is www.landstar.com. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains the Company’s current and periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically with the SEC.

 

Historical Background

 

In March 1993, Landstar completed its initial public offering of Common Stock at a price of $13.00 per share, $1.625 per share adjusted for subsequent stock splits.

 

Description of Business

 

Landstar is a non-asset based transportation and logistics services company, providing transportation capacity and related transportation services to shippers throughout the United States, and to a lesser extent, in Canada, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries. These business 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. The Company’s independent commission sales agents enter into contractual arrangements with Landstar 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 “Business Capacity Owner Independent Contractors” or “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 Warehouse Capacity Owners (as defined below). Through this network of agents and capacity providers, Landstar operates a transportation and logistics services business primarily throughout North America with revenue of approximately $2.5 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

Landstar provides transportation services to a variety of industries, including automotive products, paper, lumber and building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics, ammunition and explosives and military hardware. In addition, Landstar provides transportation services to other transportation companies including logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Landstar’s transportation

services include a full array of truckload transportation utilizing a wide range of specialized equipment including dry vans of various sizes, flatbeds (including drop decks and light specialty trailers), temperature-controlled vans and containers. In addition, Landstar provides dedicated contract and logistics solutions, including freight optimization and less-than-truckload freight consolidations. Landstar also provides expedited land and air delivery of time-critical freight and the movement of containers via ocean.

 

Landstar focuses on providing transportation and logistics services which emphasize customer service and information coordination among its independent commission sales agents, customers and capacity providers. Landstar intends to continue developing appropriate systems and technologies that offer integrated transportation and logistics solutions to meet the total needs of its customers.

 

During the second half of 2006, the Company began the roll-out of its warehouse initiative. The Company’s strategy is to offer its customers, through its independent commission sales agent network, national warehousing services without owning or leasing facilities or hiring employees to work at warehouses. The initial phase of developing the product offering included the identification of qualified independent regional warehouse facilities. As of December 29, 2007, the Company has entered into non-exclusive arrangements with 128 independent warehouse capacity providers (“Warehouse Capacity Owners” or “WCOs”) in the United States. The Company’s warehouse offering is designed to provide the availability of warehouse capacity nationally to its customers utilizing a network of independently owned and operated regional warehouse facilities linked by a single warehouse information technology application. The Company believes the addition of warehousing services to its transportation and logistics product offerings will contribute additional freight transportation opportunities to and from the network of warehouse facilities. Revenue derived directly from warehouse storage and services will be reported net of the amount earned by the WCO. In general, WCOs are paid a fixed percentage of the gross revenue for storage and services provided through their warehouse. The roll-out of warehousing services will continue throughout 2008. Warehousing services were not a significant contributor to revenue or earnings in 2006 or 2007.

 

The Company has three reportable business segments. These are the carrier, global logistics and insurance segments. The financial information relating to the Company’s reportable business segments as of and for the fiscal years ending 2007, 2006 and 2005 is included in Footnote 10 of Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.

 

The carrier segment consists of Landstar Ranger, Landstar Inway, Landstar Ligon, Landstar Gemini and Landstar Carrier Services. The carrier segment primarily provides transportation services to the truckload market for a wide range of general commodities over irregular or non-repetitive routes utilizing dry and specialty vans and unsided trailers, including flatbed, drop deck and specialty. It also provides short-to-long haul movement of containers by truck and dedicated power-only truck capacity. The carrier segment markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents and utilizes Business Capacity Owner Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers.

 

The nature of the carrier segment business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue. At December 29, 2007, the carrier segment operated a fleet of 8,603 tractors, provided by 8,050 BCO Independent Contractors, and had over 25,000 qualified Truck Brokerage Carriers who provide additional tractor and trailer capacity. At December 29, 2007, the carrier segment also operated a fleet of 14,331 trailers, of which 4,790 of the trailers were provided by BCO Independent Contractors, 518 were leased by the Company at rental rates that vary with the revenue generated through the trailer, 7,206 were owned by the Company, 1,584 were under a long-term rental arrangement at a fixed rate, and 233 were rented on a short-term basis from trailer rental companies. Over 16,000 of the qualified Truck Brokerage Carriers moved at least one load of freight for the Company during the 180 day period immediately preceding December 29, 2007. The use of BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers and other third party capacity providers enables the carrier segment to utilize a large fleet of revenue equipment while minimizing capital investment and fixed costs, thereby enhancing return on investment. BCO Independent Contractors who provide a tractor receive a percentage of the revenue generated for the freight hauled and a larger percentage of such revenue for providing both a tractor and a trailer. Truck Brokerage Carriers are paid a negotiated rate for each load they haul. The carrier segment’s network of 1,010 independent commission sales agents provides

1,225 sales locations. This network provides an in-market presence throughout the continental United States and Canada.

 

The global logistics segment is comprised of Landstar Global Logistics and its subsidiary, Landstar Express America. Transportation and logistics services provided by the global logistics segment include the arrangement of multimodal (ground, air, ocean and rail) moves, contract logistics, truck brokerage, emergency and expedited ground, air and ocean freight and warehousing. The global logistics segment markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents and utilizes capacity provided by BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers, including Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads, air and ocean cargo carriers and WCOs. Global logistics independent commission sales agents generally receive a percentage of the gross profit from each load they generate or a percentage of the gross revenue from warehousing services. BCO Independent Contractors who provide truck capacity to the global logistics segment are compensated based on a percentage of the revenue generated by the haul depending on the type and timing of the shipment. Truck Brokerage Carriers are paid either a negotiated rate for each load they haul or a contractually agreed-upon fixed amount per load. Railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers generally receive a contractually fixed amount per load. Warehouse Capacity Owners generally are paid a fixed percentage of the gross revenue for storage and services provided through their warehouse.

 

The nature of the global logistics segment business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs also varies directly with revenue. At December 29, 2007, the global logistics segment operated a fleet of 390 trucks, provided by approximately 353 BCO Independent Contractors. Global logistics segment BCO Independent Contractors primarily provide cargo vans and straight trucks that are utilized for emergency and expedited freight services. The global logistics segment’s network of 162 independent commission sales agents provides 172 sales locations. Approximately 31% of the global logistics segment’s revenue and 8% of consolidated revenue is contributed by one independent commission sales agent who derives the majority of his revenue from one customer. During the fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005, 1%, 15% and 35%, respectively, of the global logistics segment’s revenue was derived from transportation services provided in support of disaster relief efforts provided primarily under a contract between Landstar Express America and the United States Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA Contract”).

 

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature, a wholly-owned offshore insurance subsidiary, and RMCS. The insurance segment provides risk and claims management services to 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 Landstar’s Operating Subsidiaries.

 

Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations

 

Management believes the following factors are particularly significant to the Company’s operations:

 

Agent Network

 

Management believes the Company has more independent commission sales agents than any other non-asset based transportation and logistics services company. Landstar’s network of 1,397 independent commission sales agent locations provides the Company with regular contact with shippers at the local level and the capability to be highly responsive to shippers’ changing needs. The agent network also enables Landstar to be responsive both in providing specialized equipment to both large and small shippers and in providing capacity on short notice from the Company’s large fleet. Through its agent network, the Company believes it offers smaller shippers a level of service comparable to that typically enjoyed only by larger customers. Examples of services that Landstar is able to make available through the agent network to smaller shippers include the ability to provide transportation services on short notice (often within hours from notification to time of pick-up), multiple pick-up and delivery points, electronic data interchange capability and access to specialized equipment. In addition, a number of the Company’s agents specialize in certain types of freight and transportation services (such as oversized or heavy loads).

 

The typical Landstar agent maintains a relationship with a number of shippers and services these shippers by providing a base of operations for the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and other third party

capacity providers. Independent commission sales agents in the carrier segment receive a commission generally between 5% and 8% of the revenue they generate if the load is hauled by a BCO Independent Contractor and a contractually agreed-upon percentage of the revenue or the gross profit, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, from each load they generate if hauled by a Truck Brokerage Carrier. In most cases, the carrier segment independent commission sales agents are paid volume-based incentives for freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors. Global logistics independent commission sales agents are typically paid a contractually agreed-upon percentage of the gross profit from each load they generate or a percentage of the gross revenue from sourcing warehousing services.

 

The Company’s primary day-to-day contact with its customers is through its agents and not through employees of the Company. The Company provides assistance to the agents in developing additional relationships with shippers and enhancing agent and company relationships with larger shippers through the Company’s employee field organizations and National Accounts group. Nevertheless, it is important to note that Operating Subsidiaries contract directly with customers and generally assume the credit risk and liability for freight losses or damages.

 

The carrier segment’s independent commission sales agents use the Company’s Landstar Electronic Administrative Dispatch System (LEADS) software program which enables these agents to enter available freight, dispatch capacity and process most administrative procedures and then communicate that information to Landstar and its capacity providers via the internet. The global logistics segment’s independent commission sales agents use other Landstar proprietary software to process customer shipments and communicate the necessary information to third party capacity providers and Landstar. The Company’s web-based available freight and truck information system provides a listing of available trucks to the Company’s independent commission sales agents.

 

The Operating Subsidiaries emphasize programs to support the agents’ operations and to establish pricing parameters. The carrier segment and global logistics segment maintain regular contact with their independent commission sales agents and Landstar holds an annual company-wide agent convention.

 

During 2007, 495 agents generated revenue for Landstar of at least $1 million each, or approximately $2.3 billion of Landstar’s total revenue, and one agent generated approximately $197,000,000 of Landstar’s total revenue.

 

Management believes that the majority of the agents who generate revenue of $1 million or more choose to represent Landstar exclusively. Historically, Landstar has experienced very limited agent turnover among its larger-volume agents.

 

Capacity

 

The Company relies exclusively on independent third parties for its hauling and warehousing capacity. These third party capacity providers consist of BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers, air and ocean cargo carriers, railroads and WCOs. Landstar’s use of capacity provided by its BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers allows it to maintain a lower level of capital investment, resulting in lower fixed costs. Historically, with the exception of air revenue, the net margin (defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents) generated from freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors has been greater than from freight hauled by other third party capacity providers.

 

BCO Independent Contractors.  Management believes the Company has the largest fleet of truckload BCO Independent Contractors in the United States. Our network of BCO Independent Contractors provides marketing, operating, safety, recruiting, retention and financial advantages to the Company. The Company’s BCO Independent Contractors are compensated based on a fixed percentage of the revenue generated from the freight they haul. This percentage generally ranges from 60% to 70% where the BCO Independent Contractor provides only a tractor and from 73% to 79% where the BCO Independent Contractor provides both a tractor and a trailer. The BCO Independent Contractor must pay substantially all of the expenses of operating his/her

equipment, including driver wages and benefits, fuel, physical damage insurance, maintenance, highway use taxes and debt service, if applicable. The Company passes 100% of fuel surcharges billed to customers to its BCO Independent Contractors for freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors. During 2007, the Company’s carrier segment passed $173.6 million in fuel charges billed to customers to BCO Independent Contractors. These fuel surcharges are excluded from revenue.

 

The Company maintains an internet site through which BCO Independent Contractors can view a complete listing of the Company’s available freight, allowing them to consider rate, size, origin and destination when planning trips.

 

The Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program (LCAPP) leverages Landstar’s purchasing power to provide discounts to eligible BCO Independent Contractors when they purchase equipment, fuel, tires and other items. In addition, LCFI provides a source of funds at competitive interest rates to the BCO Independent Contractors to purchase primarily trailing equipment and mobile communication equipment.

 

Trucks provided to the Company by the BCO Independent Contractors were 8,993 at December 29, 2007, compared to 9,205 at December 30, 2006. The number of trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors fluctuates daily as a result of truck recruiting and truck terminations. Trucks recruited were higher in 2007 than in 2006, but truck terminations were also higher in 2007 compared to 2006 resulting in a net loss of 212 trucks. Landstar’s truck turnover was approximately 37% in 2007 compared to 28% in 2006. Approximately half of this turnover was attributable to BCO Independent Contractors who had been BCO Independent Contractors with the Company for less than one year. Management believes that factors that have historically favorably impacted turnover include the Company’s extensive agent network, the Company’s programs to reduce the operating costs of its BCO Independent Contractors and Landstar’s reputation for quality, service and reliability. Management believes that a reduction in the amount of available freight may cause an increase in the truck turnover ratio.

 

Truck Brokerage Carriers.  The Company maintains a database of over 25,000 qualified Truck Brokerage Carriers who provide truck hauling capacity to the Company. Truck Brokerage Carriers are paid either a negotiated rate for each load they haul or a contractually agreed-upon amount per load. The Company recruits, qualifies, establishes contracts with, tracks safety ratings and service records of and generally maintains the relationships with these third party trucking companies. In addition to providing additional capacity to the Company, the use of Truck Brokerage Carriers enables the Company to pursue different types and quality of freight such as temperature-controlled, short-haul traffic and, in certain instances, lower-priced freight that would generally not be handled by the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors.

 

The Company maintains an internet site through which Truck Brokerage Carriers can view a listing of the Company’s freight that is available to be hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers.

 

The Landstar Savings Plus Program leverages Landstar’s purchasing power to provide discounts to eligible Truck Brokerage Carriers when they purchase fuel and equipment and provides the Truck Brokerage Carriers with an electronic payment option.

 

Third Party Rail, Air, Ocean and Other Transportation Capacity.  The Company maintains contractual relationships with various railroads and ocean and air cargo capacity providers. These relationships allow the Company to pursue the freight best serviced by these forms of transportation capacity. Railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers are generally paid a contractually fixed amount per load. The Company also contracts with other third party capacity providers, such as air charter companies, when required by specific customer needs.

 

Warehouse Capacity Owners.  The Company maintains non-exclusive contractual relationships with 128 WCOs. The Company expects that warehousing services, introduced in August 2006, will provide its customers with additional resources to manage their warehousing services and storage needs. WCOs generally are paid a fixed percentage of the gross revenue for storage and services provided through their warehouse.

Diversity of Services Offered

 

The Company offers its customers a wide range of transportation and logistics services through the Operating Subsidiaries, including a fleet of diverse trailing equipment, extensive geographic coverage and, more recently, warehousing services. Specialized services offered by the Company include those provided by a large fleet of flatbed trailers, multi-axle trailers capable of hauling extremely heavy or oversized loads, drivers certified to handle ammunition and explosives shipments for the U.S. Department of Defense, emergency and expedited surface and air cargo services and intermodal capability with railroads and, to a lesser extent, steamship lines.

 

The following table illustrates the diversity of the trailing equipment available to the Company as of December 29, 2007:

 

 

Customers

 

The Company has a diversified group of customers. The Company’s top 100 customers accounted for approximately 50% of the Company’s revenue during both fiscal 2007 and 2006. Management believes that the Company’s overall size, geographic coverage, access to equipment and service capability offer the Company significant competitive marketing and operating advantages. These advantages allow the Company to meet the needs of even the largest shippers. Increasingly, larger shippers are substantially reducing the number of authorized carriers they use in favor of a small number of “core carriers”, such as the Company, whose size and diverse service capabilities enable these core carriers to satisfy most of the shippers’ transportation needs. The Company’s national account customers include the United States Department of Defense, the United States Department of Transportation/Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) and many of the companies included in the Fortune 500. Large shippers are also using third party logistics providers (“3PLs”) to outsource the management and coordination of their transportation needs. In turn, 3PLs require significant amounts of capacity from carriers, such as the Company, to service the needs of shippers. In addition, other transportation companies utilize the Company’s transportation capacity to satisfy their obligations to their shippers. There were 9 transportation service providers, including 3PLs, included in the Company’s top 25 customers for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007. In addition, management believes the Company’s network of agents and third party capacity providers allows it to efficiently attract and service smaller shippers which may not be as desirable to other large transportation providers (see above under “Agent Network”).

 

Prior to fiscal year 2005, no customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. Historically, the United States Government has been the Company’s largest customer. During 2007, 2006 and 2005, revenue derived from the United States Government was approximately 6%, 9% and 17% of revenue, respectively. Included in the revenue derived from the United States Government in all three fiscal years was revenue related to disaster relief services provided by the Company primarily under a contract with the FAA. Revenue included $8.5 million, $100.7 million and $275.9 million in 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively, generated primarily under the FAA contract. The FAA contract expired on December 31, 2007.

 

Technology

 

Management believes leadership in the development and application of technology is an ongoing part of providing high quality service at competitive prices. The Company’s focus is on developing and implementing software applications which are designed to improve its operational and administrative efficiency, assisting its independent commission sales agents in sourcing capacity, assisting customers in meeting their transportation

needs and assisting its third party capacity providers in identifying desirable freight. Landstar manages its technology programs centrally through its information services department.

 

The Company’s information technology systems used in connection with its operations are located in Jacksonville, Florida and, to a lesser extent, in Rockford, Illinois. Landstar relies, in the regular course of its business, on the proper operation of its information technology systems.

 

Corporate Services

 

Management believes that significant advantages result from the collective expertise and corporate services provided by Landstar’s corporate management. The primary services include:

 

 

Competition

 

Landstar competes primarily in the transportation and logistics services industry with truckload carriers, intermodal transportation and logistics service providers, railroads, less-than-truckload carriers and other non-asset based transportation and logistics service providers. The transportation services industry is extremely competitive and fragmented.

 

Management believes that competition for the freight transported by the Company is based primarily on service and efficiency and, to a lesser degree, on freight rates alone. Management believes that Landstar’s overall size and availability of a wide range of equipment, together with its geographically-dispersed local independent agent network, present the Company with significant competitive advantages over many transportation and logistics service providers.

 

Self-Insured Claims

 

Potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. Landstar’s retained liability for individual commercial trucking claims varies depending on when such claims are incurred. For commercial trucking claims incurred prior to June 19, 2003 and subsequent to March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. For commercial trucking claims incurred from June 19, 2003 through March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $10,000,000 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 $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by other third party capacity providers 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 or workers’ compensation claims or the unfavorable development of existing claims could be expected to materially adversely affect Landstar’s results of operations.

 

Insurance Above Self-Insured Retention

 

The Company has historically maintained insurance coverage above its self-insured retention amounts. For the fiscal year ended and as of December 29, 2007, the Company maintains insurance for liabilities attributable to commercial trucking accidents with third party insurance companies for each and every occurrence in an amount in excess of $200,000,000 per occurrence above the Company’s $5,000,000 self insured retention. Historically, the Company has relied on a limited number of third party insurance companies

to provide insurance coverage for commercial trucking claims in excess of specific per occurrence limits, up to various maximum amounts. Over the past few years, the premiums proposed by the third party insurance companies providing coverage for commercial trucking liability insurance over the Company’s self insured retention amounts have varied dramatically. In an attempt to manage the significant fluctuations in the cost of these premiums required by the third party insurance companies, the Company has historically increased or decreased the level of its exposure to commercial trucking claims on a per occurrence basis. To the extent that the third party insurance companies increase their proposed premiums for coverage of commercial trucking claims, the Company may increase its exposure in aggregate or on a per occurrence basis. However, to the extent the third party insurance companies reduce their premiums proposed for coverage of commercial trucking claims, the Company may reduce its exposure in aggregate or on a per occurrence basis.

 

Regulation

 

Certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are considered motor carriers and/or brokers authorized to arrange for transportation services by motor carriers which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the “FMCSA”) and by various state agencies. The FMCSA has broad regulatory powers with respect to activities such as motor carrier operations, practices, periodic financial reporting and insurance. Subject to federal and state regulatory authorities or regulation, the Company may transport most types of freight to and from any point in the United States over any route selected by the Company.

 

Interstate motor carrier operations are subject to safety requirements prescribed by the FMCSA. Each driver, whether a BCO Independent Contractor or Truck Brokerage Carrier, is required to have a commercial driver’s license and is subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing. The FMCSA’s commercial driver’s license and drug and alcohol testing requirements have not adversely affected the Company’s ability to source the capacity necessary to meet its customers’ transportation needs.

 

In addition, certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are licensed as ocean transportation intermediaries by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission as non-vessel-operating common carriers and/or as ocean freight forwarders. The Company’s air transportation activities in the United States are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation as an indirect air carrier. The Company is also subject to regulations and requirements relating to safety and security promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, the Canada Border Services Agency and various state and local agencies and port authorities.

 

The transportation industry is subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes (such as the possibility of more stringent environmental and/or safety/security regulations or limits on vehicle weight and size) that may affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for common or contract carrier services or the cost of providing truckload or other transportation or logistics services.

 

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 in June, September and December.

 

Employees

 

As of December 29, 2007, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 1,281 individuals. Approximately 18 Landstar Ranger drivers (out of a Company total of 8,993 drivers for BCO Independent Contractors) are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Company considers relations with its employees to be good.

 

Increased severity or frequency of accidents and other claims.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Self Insured-Claims,” potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. Landstar’s retained liability for individual commercial trucking claims varies depending on when such claims are incurred. For commercial trucking claims incurred prior to June 19, 2003 and subsequent to March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. For commercial trucking claims incurred from June 19, 2003 through March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $10,000,000 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 $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by other third party capacity providers who haul 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 or workers’ compensation claims or the unfavorable development of existing claims could be expected to materially adversely affect Landstar’s results of operations.

 

Dependence on third party insurance companies.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Insurance Above Self-Insured Retention,” the Company is dependent on a limited number of third party insurance companies to provide insurance coverage in excess of its self-insured retention amounts. Historically, the Company has maintained insurance coverage for commercial trucking claims in excess of specific per occurrence limits, up to various maximum amounts, with a limited number of third party insurance companies. Over the past years, the premiums proposed by the third party insurance companies providing coverage for commercial trucking liability insurance above the Company’s self-insured retention amounts have varied dramatically. In an attempt to manage the significant fluctuations in the cost of these premiums required by the third party insurance companies, the Company has historically increased or decreased the level of its exposure to commercial trucking claims on a per occurrence basis. To the extent the third party insurance companies increase their proposed premiums for coverage of commercial trucking liability claims, the Company may increase its exposure or reduce the maximum amount of coverage in aggregate or on a per occurrence basis. However, to the extent the third party insurance companies reduce their premiums proposed for coverage of commercial trucking claims, the Company may reduce its exposure or increase the maximum amount of coverage in aggregate or on a per occurrence basis.

 

Dependence on independent commission sales agents.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Agent Network,” the Company markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents, and currently has a network of 1,397 agent locations. During 2007, 495 agents generated revenue for Landstar of at least $1 million each, or approximately 91% of Landstar’s consolidated revenue and one agent generated approximately $197,000,000, or 8%, of Landstar’s total revenue. Although the Company competes with motor carriers and other third parties for the services of these independent commission sales agents, Landstar has historically experienced very limited agent turnover among its larger-volume agents. However, Landstar’s contracts with its agents are typically terminable upon 10 to 30 days notice by either party and generally restrict the ability of a former agent to compete with Landstar for a specific period of time following any such termination. The loss of some of the Company’s key agents or a significant decrease in volume generated by Landstar’s larger agents could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and revenue.

 

Dependence on third party capacity providers.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Capacity,” Landstar does not own trucks or other transportation equipment (other than trailing equipment) and relies on third party capacity providers, including BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers to transport freight for its customers. The Company competes with motor carriers and other third parties for the services of BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers. A significant decrease in available capacity provided by either the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors or other third party capacity providers could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and revenue.

Decreased demand for transportation services.  The transportation industry historically has experienced cyclical financial results as a result of slowdowns in economic activity, the business cycles of customers, price increases by capacity providers, interest rate fluctuations, and other economic factors beyond Landstar’s control. Certain of the Company’s third party capacity providers can be expected to charge higher prices to cover increased operating expenses, and the Company’s operating income may decline if it is unable to pass through to its customers the full amount of such higher transportation costs. If a slowdown in economic activity or a downturn in the Company’s customers’ business cycles cause a reduction in the volume of freight shipped by those customers, the Company’s operating results could be materially adversely affected.

 

Substantial industry competition.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Competition,” Landstar competes primarily in the transportation and logistics services industry. The transportation and logistics services industry is extremely competitive and fragmented. Landstar competes primarily with truckload carriers, intermodal transportation service providers, railroads, less-than-truckload carriers, third party broker carriers and other non-asset based transportation and logistics service providers. Management believes that competition for the freight transported by the Company is based primarily on service and efficiency and, to a lesser degree, on freight rates alone. Historically, competition has created downward pressure on freight rates. In addition, many large shippers are using third party logistics providers (“3PLs”) to outsource the management and coordination of their transportation needs rather than directly arranging for transportation services with carriers, such as the Company. Usage by large shippers of 3PLs often provide carriers, such as the Company, with a less direct relationship with the shipper and, as a result, may increase pressure on freight rates while making it more difficult for the Company to compete primarily based on service and efficiency. A decrease in freight rates could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its revenue and operating income.

 

Dependence on key personnel.  The Company is dependent on the services of certain of its executive officers. The Company believes it has an experienced and highly qualified management group and the loss of the services of certain of the Company’s executive officers could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

Disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Technology,” the Company’s information technology systems used in connection with its operations are located in Jacksonville, Florida and to a lesser extent in Rockford, Illinois. Landstar relies in the regular course of its business on the proper operation of its information technology systems to link its extensive network of customers, agents and third party capacity providers, including its BCO Independent Contractors. Any significant disruption or failure of its technology systems could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations and impose significant costs on the Company.

 

Potential changes in fuel taxes.  From time to time, various legislative proposals are introduced to increase federal, state, or local taxes, including taxes on motor fuels. The Company cannot predict whether, or in what form, any increase in such taxes applicable to the transportation services provided by the Company will be enacted and, if enacted, whether or not the Company’s Truck Brokerage Carriers would attempt to pass the increase on to the Company or if the Company will be able to reflect this potential increased cost of capacity, if any, in prices to customers. Any such increase in fuel taxes, without a corresponding increase in price to the customer, could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, competition from other transportation service companies including those that provide non-trucking modes of transportation and intermodal transportation would likely increase if state or federal taxes on fuel were to increase without a corresponding increase in taxes imposed upon other modes of transportation.

 

Status of independent contractors.  From time to time, various legislative or regulatory proposals are introduced at the federal or state levels to change the status of independent contractors’ classification to employees for either employment tax purposes (withholding, social security, Medicare and unemployment taxes) or other benefits available to employees. Currently, most individuals are classified as employees or independent contractors for employment tax purposes based on 20 “common-law” factors rather than any definition found in the Internal Revenue Code or Internal Revenue Service regulations. In addition, under

Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978, taxpayers that meet certain criteria may treat an individual as an independent contractor for employment tax purposes if they have been audited without being told to treat similarly situated workers as employees, if they have received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or a court decision affirming their treatment, or if they are following a long-standing recognized practice.

 

The Company classifies all of its BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents as independent contractors for all purposes, including employment tax and employee benefit purposes. There can be no assurance that legislative, judicial, or regulatory (including tax) authorities will not introduce proposals or assert interpretations of existing rules and regulations that would change the employee/independent contractor classification of BCO Independent Contractors or independent commission sales agents currently doing business with the Company. Although management believes that there are no proposals currently pending that would change the employee/independent contractor classification of BCO Independent Contractors or independent commission sales agents currently doing business with the Company, the costs associated with potential changes, if any, with respect to these BCO Independent Contractor classifications could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition if Landstar were unable to reflect them in its fee arrangements with the BCO Independent Contractors or independent commission sales agents or in the prices charged to its customers.

 

Regulatory and legislative changes.  As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Regulation,” certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are motor carriers and/or property brokers authorized to arrange for transportation services by motor carriers which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and by various state agencies. Certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are licensed as ocean transportation intermediaries by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission as non-vessel-operating common carriers and/or as ocean freight forwarders. The Company’s air transportation activities in the United States are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation as an indirect air carrier. The Company is also subject to regulations and requirements relating to safety and security promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration, the Canada Border Services Agency and various state and local agencies and port authorities. The transportation industry is subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes (such as increasingly stringent environmental and/or safety/security regulations or limits on vehicle weight and size) that may affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for common or contract carrier services or the cost of providing truckload or other transportation or logistics services. Any such regulatory or legislative changes could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition.

 

Catastrophic loss of a Company facility.  The Company faces the risk of a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of its facilities located in Jacksonville, Florida and Rockford, Illinois due to hurricanes, flooding, tornados or other weather conditions or natural disasters, terrorist attack or otherwise. The Company’s corporate headquarters and approximately two-thirds of the Company’s employees are located in its Jacksonville, Florida facility and a significant portion of the Company’s operations with respect to the carrier segment and Truck Brokerage Carriers is located in its Rockford, Illinois facility. In particular, a Category 3, 4 or 5 hurricane that impacts the Jacksonville, Florida metropolitan area or a tornado that strikes the Rockford, Illinois area could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations and impose significant costs on the Company.

 

Although the Company maintains insurance covering its facilities, including business interruption insurance, the Company’s insurance may not be adequate to cover all losses that may be incurred in the event of a catastrophic loss of either the Jacksonville, Florida or Rockford, Illinois facility. In addition, such insurance, including business interruption insurance, could in the future become more expensive and difficult to maintain and may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

 

 

None.

 

The Company owns or leases various properties in the U.S. for the Company’s operations and administrative staff that support its independent commission sales agents, BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers. The carrier segment’s primary facilities are located in Jacksonville, Florida and Rockford, Illinois. The global logistics segment’s primary facility is located in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition, the Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida. The Rockford, Illinois facility is owned by the Company and all other primary facilities are leased.

 

Management believes that Landstar’s owned and leased properties are adequate for its current needs and that leased properties can be retained or replaced at an acceptable cost.

 

 

On November 1, 2002, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and certain BCO Independent Contractors (as defined below) (collectively with OOIDA, the “Plaintiffs”) filed a putative class action complaint on behalf of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company and its subsidiaries under exclusive lease arrangements (“BCO Independent Contractors”) in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “District Court”) in Jacksonville, Florida, against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The complaint was amended on April 7, 2005 (as amended, the “Amended Complaint”). The Amended Complaint alleged that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases and related practices with its BCO Independent Contractors violate certain federal leasing regulations and sought injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorney’s fees. On August 30, 2005, the District Court granted a motion by the Plaintiffs to certify the case as a class action.

 

On January 16, 2007, the District Court ordered the decertification of the class of BCO Independent Contractors for purposes of determining remedies. Immediately thereafter, the trial commenced for purposes of determining what remedies, if any, would be awarded to the remaining named BCO Independent Contractor Plaintiffs against the following subsidiaries of the Company: Landstar Inway, Inc., Landstar Ligon, Inc. and Landstar Ranger, Inc. (the “Defendants”). On March 29, 2007, the District Court denied Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief, entered a Judgment in favor of the Defendants and issued written orders setting forth its rulings related to the decertification of the class and the denial of Plaintiffs requests for damages and injunctive relief. The Plaintiffs and the Defendants have each filed motions with the District Court concerning an award of attorney fees from the other party.

 

The Plaintiffs have filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (the “Appellate Court”) with respect to certain of the District Court’s rulings, including the judgments entered by the District Court in favor of the Defendants on the issues of damages and injunctive relief. The Defendants have asked the Appellate Court to affirm the rulings of the District Court that have been appealed by the Plaintiffs. The Defendants have also filed a cross-appeal with the Appellate Court with respect to certain other rulings of the District Court. Although no assurances can be given with respect to the outcome of the appeal or any proceedings that may be conducted thereafter, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses and it intends to continue asserting these defenses vigorously.

 

The Company is involved in certain other claims and pending litigation 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 other claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions thereof, 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.

 

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2007.

 

 

The Common Stock of the Company is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “LSTR.” The following table sets forth the high and low reported sale prices for the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the per share value of dividends declared for the periods indicated.

 

 

The reported last sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on February 1, 2008 was $46.87 per share. As of such date, Landstar had 52,510,874 shares of Common Stock outstanding. As of February 1, 2008, the Company had 71 stockholders of record of its Common Stock. However, the Company estimates that it has a significantly greater number of stockholders because a substantial number of the Company’s shares are held by brokers or dealers for their customers in street name.

 

It is the intention of the Board of Directors to pay a quarterly dividend going forward.

 

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 September 30, 2007 to December 29, 2007, the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter:

 

 

On August 27, 2007, 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. No specific expiration date has been assigned to the August 27, 2007 authorization.

The Company maintains three stock option plans and one stock compensation plan. The following table presents information related to securities authorized for issuance under these plans at December 29, 2007:

 

 

Included in the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans was 150,423 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2003 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan.

Financial Model Shareholder Returns

 

The following graph illustrates the return that would have been realized assuming reinvestment of dividends by an investor who invested $100 in each of the Company’s Common Stock, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones Transportation Stock Index for the period commencing December 31, 2002 through December 31, 2007.

 

Financial Model
Shareholder Returns

 

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

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-K 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; dependence on key personnel; 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; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in this and Landstar’s other SEC filings from time to time and described in Item 1A of this Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.” 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”), provide transportation services to a variety of market niches throughout the United States and to a lesser extent in Canada, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries through its operating subsidiaries. Landstar’s business strategy is to be a non-asset based provider of transportation capacity and logistics services delivering safe, specialized transportation services globally, utilizing a network of independent commission sales agents, third party capacity providers and employees. Landstar focuses on providing transportation services which emphasize safety, customer service and information coordination among its independent commission sales agents, customers and capacity providers. The Company markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport customers’ freight. The nature of the Company’s business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue. The Company has three reportable business segments. These are the carrier, global logistics and insurance segments.

 

The carrier segment consists of Landstar Ranger, Inc., Landstar Inway, Inc., Landstar Ligon, Inc., Landstar Gemini, Inc. and Landstar Carrier Services, Inc. The carrier segment primarily provides transportation services to the truckload market for a wide range of general commodities over irregular or non-repetitive routes utilizing dry and specialty vans and unsided trailers, including flatbed, drop deck and specialty. It also provides short-to-long haul movement of containers by truck and dedicated power-only truck capacity. The carrier segment markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents and utilizes independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “Business Capacity Owner Independent Contractors” or “BCO Independent Contractors”) and other third party truck capacity providers under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (“Truck Brokerage Carriers”).

 

The global logistics segment is comprised of Landstar Global Logistics, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar Express America, Inc. Transportation and logistics services provided by the global logistics segment include the arrangement of multimodal (ground, air, ocean and rail) moves, contract logistics, truck brokerage, emergency and expedited ground, air and ocean freight and warehousing. The global logistics segment markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents and utilizes capacity provided by BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers, including Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads, air and ocean cargo carriers and warehouse owners. Beginning in August 2006, the global logistics segment began the rollout of warehousing services with independent contractors who provide warehouse

capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (“Warehouse Capacity Owners” or “WCO Independent Contractors”). As of December 29, 2007, Landstar Global Logistics, Inc. has executed contracts with 128 Warehouse Capacity Owners.

 

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature Insurance Company (“Signature”), a wholly-owned offshore insurance subsidiary, and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. The insurance segment provides risk and claims management services to 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 Landstar’s operating subsidiaries.

 

During the fiscal year ended December 29, 2007, the carrier segment contributed 73% of Landstar’s consolidated revenue, the global logistics segment contributed 26% of Landstar’s consolidated revenue and the insurance segment contributed 1% of Landstar’s consolidated revenue.

 

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. The following table shows the number of Million Dollar Agents, the average revenue generated by these agents, the percent of consolidated revenue generated by these agents during the past three fiscal years and the number of agent locations at each fiscal year end:

 

 

Management monitors business activity by tracking the number of loads (volume) and revenue per load generated by the carrier and global logistics segments. In addition, management tracks revenue per revenue mile, average length of haul and total revenue miles at the carrier segment. Revenue per revenue mile and revenue per load (collectively, price) as well as the number of loads, can be influenced by many factors which do not necessarily indicate a change in price or volume. Those factors include the average length of haul,

freight type, special handling and equipment requirements and delivery time requirements. The following table summarizes this data by reportable segment for the past three fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

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 as of the end of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

 

 

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 for the brokerage services operations of the carrier segment is based on a negotiated rate for each load hauled. Purchased transportation for the brokerage services operations of the global logistics segment is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or a contractually agreed-upon rate. Purchased transportation for the rail intermodal, air and ocean freight operations of the global logistics segment is based on a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate. Included in revenue in 2007, 2006 and 2005 was revenue related to bus services provided for disaster relief under the FAA contract. Purchased transportation for bus services provided under the FAA contract was based upon a negotiated rate per mile or per day. Purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue for truck brokerage services, rail intermodal operations and bus services is normally higher than that of Landstar’s other transportation operations. Purchased transportation is the largest component of costs and expenses and, on a consolidated basis, increases or decreases in proportion to the revenue generated through BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers and revenue from the insurance segment.

 

Commissions to agents are based on contractually agreed-upon percentages of revenue or gross profit, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, at the carrier segment and of gross profit at the global logistics segment. Commissions to agents as a percentage of consolidated revenue will vary directly with fluctuations in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated by the carrier segment, the global logistics segment and the insurance segment and with changes in gross profit at the global logistics segment and the truck brokerage operations of the carrier segment.

 

Rent and maintenance costs for Company-provided trailing equipment, BCO Independent Contractor recruiting costs and bad debts 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. Landstar’s retained liability for individual commercial trucking claims varies depending on when such claims are incurred. For commercial trucking claims incurred prior to June 19, 2003 and subsequent to March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. For commercial trucking claims incurred from June 19, 2003 through March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $10,000,000 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 $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by other third party capacity providers who haul 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 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 and management information services equipment.

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

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2007 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2006

 

Revenue for the fiscal year 2007 was $2,487,277,000, a decrease of $26,479,000, or 1.1%, compared to revenue for the 2006 fiscal year. The decrease in revenue was primarily attributable to lower disaster relief revenue provided under the FAA contract in fiscal year 2007 compared to fiscal year 2006. Revenue for disaster relief services provided under the FAA contract in 2007 and 2006 was $8,511,000 and $100,655,000, respectively, including trailer rental revenue of $2,235,000 and $18,778,000, respectively. Revenue increased $11,775,000 and $2,268,000 at the carrier and insurance segments, respectively, while revenue at the global logistics segment decreased $40,522,000. With respect to the carrier segment, revenue per load, the number of loads delivered, the average length of haul and revenue per revenue mile were all approximately the same in 2007 as compared to 2006. The decrease in revenue at the global logistics segment was primarily due to the decreased revenue for disaster relief services provided under the FAA contract. Excluding the number of loads and revenue related to disaster relief services provided by the global logistics segment in 2007 and 2006, the number of loads delivered by the global logistics segment in fiscal year 2007 increased approximately 6% over 2006 and average revenue per load increased approximately 3% over 2006.

 

Investment income at the insurance segment was $5,347,000 and $4,250,000 for fiscal years 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase in investment income was primarily due to an increased rate of return attributable to a general increase in interest rates on investments held by the insurance segment and an increase in average investments held at the insurance segment.

 

Purchased transportation was 75.8% of revenue in 2007 compared with 75.2% in 2006. The increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the effect of decreased revenue under the FAA contract, which tends to have a lower cost of purchased transportation, and increased rates for purchased transportation paid to rail intermodal carriers, partially offset by decreased rates for purchased transportation paid to Truck Brokerage Carriers. Commissions to agents were 8.1% of revenue in 2007 and 8.0% of revenue in 2006. The increase in commissions to agents as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to decreased revenue for disaster relief services provided under the FAA contract, which tends to have a lower agent commission rate, and increased commissions to agents primarily attributable to increased gross profit, revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, on truck brokerage revenue. Other

operating costs were 1.1% of revenue in 2007 and 1.8% of revenue in 2006. The decrease in other operating costs as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to reduced trailer rental costs incurred in support of disaster relief services under the FAA contract. Insurance and claims were 2.0% of revenue in 2007 and 1.6% of revenue in 2006. The increase in insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to a $5,000,000 charge for the estimated cost of one severe accident that occurred during the first quarter of 2007 and increased cargo claims expense in 2007. Selling, general and administrative costs were 5.0% of revenue in 2007 and 5.3% in 2006. 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 programs. Depreciation and amortization was 0.8% of revenue in 2007 and 0.7% of revenue in 2006. The increase in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to an increase in Company-owned trailing equipment.

 

Interest and debt expense was 0.3% of revenue in both 2007 and 2006.

 

The provisions for income taxes for the 2007 and 2006 fiscal years were based on estimated full year combined effective income tax rates of approximately 38.4% and 38.7%, respectively, which are higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state income taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock compensation expense. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily attributable to changes in the mix of income apportioned to the states in which the Company generates revenue and previously unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions that were recognized in 2007 that had reached the statute of limitations. The Company believes that deferred income tax benefits are more likely than not to be realized because of the Company’s ability to generate future taxable earnings.

 

Net income for the 2007 fiscal year was $109,653,000, or $2.01 per common share ($1.99 per diluted share), which included approximately $2,153,000 of operating income related to the $8,511,000 of revenue related to emergency transportation services provided primarily under the FAA contract. The $2,153,000 of operating income, net of related income taxes, increased net income approximately $1,325,000, or $0.02 per common share ($0.02 per diluted share). Net income for the 2006 fiscal year was $113,085,000, or $1.95 per common share ($1.93 per diluted share), which included approximately $14,590,000 of operating income related to the $100,655,000 of revenue related to emergency transportation services provided primarily under the FAA contract. The $14,590,000 of operating income, net of related income taxes, increased net income approximately $8,944,000, or $0.15 per common share ($0.15 per diluted share).

 

Fiscal Year Ended December 30, 2006 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2005

 

Revenue for the fiscal year 2006 was $2,513,756,000, compared to revenue of $2,517,828,000 for the 2005 fiscal year. Revenue increased $104,948,000 and $3,574,000 at the carrier and insurance segments, respectively, and decreased $112,594,000 at the global logistics segment, primarily attributable to lower disaster relief revenue provided under the FAA contract in fiscal year 2006 compared to fiscal year 2005. With respect to the carrier segment, revenue per load increased approximately 5% while the number of loads delivered in 2006 increased approximately 1% over the number of loads delivered in 2005. The average length of haul per load at the carrier segment remained approximately the same as prior year, however, revenue per revenue mile increased approximately 5%. Included in disaster relief revenue at the global logistics segment for the 2006 and 2005 fiscal years was $100,655,000 and $275,929,000, respectively, of disaster relief revenue provided primarily under the FAA contract. Excluding the number of loads and revenue related to the disaster relief efforts provided by the global logistics segment in 2006 and 2005, the number of loads delivered by the global logistics segment in fiscal year 2006 increased approximately 16% over 2005, however, average revenue per load decreased approximately 3%.

 

Investment income at the insurance segment was $4,250,000 and $2,695,000 for fiscal years 2006 and 2005, respectively. The increase in investment income was primarily due to an increased rate of return attributable to a general increase in interest rates on investments held by the insurance segment.

 

Purchased transportation was 75.2% of revenue in 2006 compared with 74.7% in 2005. The increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in the portion of revenue generated under the FAA contract attributable to bus, air and fuel delivery services, which have a

higher cost of purchased transportation, and increased truck brokerage and rail intermodal revenue, which tend to have a higher cost of purchased transportation compared to revenue generated through BCO Independent Contractors, partially offset by lower rates for purchased transportation paid to Truck Brokerage Carriers. Commissions to agents were 8.0% of revenue in 2006 and 8.1% of revenue in 2005. The decrease in commissions to agents as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to the change in the mix of revenue generated under the FAA contract in 2006 towards transportation services which have a lower commission rate. Other operating costs were 1.8% of revenue in 2006 and 1.5% of revenue in 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to trailer rental costs incurred in support of disaster relief services provided under the FAA contract, partially offset by reduced other trailer rent expense and maintenance costs, as a result of the Company’s on-going effort to reduce the cost of Company provided trailing equipment. Insurance and claims were 1.6% of revenue in 2006 and 2.0% of revenue in 2005. The decrease in insurance and claims as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to favorable development of prior year claims in 2006, lower frequency and severity of commercial trucking accidents in 2006, and increased truck brokerage revenue, which has a lower claims risk profile than revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors. Selling, general and administrative costs were 5.3% of revenue in 2006 and 5.5% in 2005. 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 programs. Depreciation and amortization was 0.7% of revenue in 2006 and 0.6% of revenue in 2005. The increase in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to an increase in Company owned trailing equipment as opposed to trailing equipment obtained through operating leases.

 

Interest and debt expense was 0.3% of revenue in 2006 and 0.2% of revenue in 2005. This increase in interest and debt expense was primarily attributable to increased interest rates on the Company’s revolving credit facility, increased capital lease obligations and increased borrowings under the Company’s credit facility during the first half of 2006, which were used to fund a portion of the December 31, 2005 receivable from the FAA and to fund purchases of the Company’s common stock under its authorized share repurchase program.

 

The provisions for income taxes for the 2006 and 2005 fiscal years were based on an estimated full year combined effective income tax rate of approximately 38.7% for each annual period, which is higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state income taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock compensation expense.

 

Net income for the 2006 fiscal year was $113,085,000, or $1.95 per common share ($1.93 per diluted share), which included approximately $14,590,000 of operating income related to the $100,655,000 of revenue related to emergency transportation services provided primarily under the FAA contract. The $14,590,000 of operating income, net of related income taxes, increased net income approximately $8,944,000, or $0.15 per common share ($0.15 per diluted share). Net income for the 2005 fiscal year was $115,598,000, or $1.95 per common share ($1.91 per diluted share), which included approximately $51,945,000 of operating income related to the $275,929,000 of revenue related to emergency transportation services provided primarily under the FAA contract. The $51,945,000 of operating income, net of related income taxes, increased net income approximately $31,626,000, or $0.53 per common share ($0.52 per diluted share).

 

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

In this annual report on Form 10-K, Landstar provides the following information that may be deemed non-GAAP financial measures for the 2007, 2006 and 2005 fiscal years: (1) revenue per load for the global logistics segment excluding revenue and loads related to disaster relief transportation services provided under the FAA contract and (2) the percentage change in revenue per load for the global logistics segment excluding revenue and loads related to disaster relief transportation services provided under the FAA contract as compared to revenue per load for the global logistics segment for the corresponding prior year periods. Each of the foregoing financial measures should be considered as additional information and not as a substitute for the GAAP financial information presented in this Form 10-K.

 

Management believes that it is appropriate to present this financial information for the following reasons: (1) a significant portion of the disaster relief transportation services were provided under the FAA contract on

the basis of a daily rate for the use of transportation equipment in question, and therefore load and per load information is not necessarily available or appropriate for a significant portion of the related revenue, (2) disclosure of the effect of the transportation services provided by Landstar relating to disaster relief efforts will allow investors to better understand the underlying trends in Landstar’s financial condition and results of operations, (3) this information will facilitate comparisons by investors of Landstar’s results as compared to the results of peer companies and (4) management considers this financial information in its decision making.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Shareholders’ equity was $180,786,000, or 52% of total capitalization (defined as total debt plus equity), at December 29, 2007, compared with $230,274,000, or 64% of total capitalization, at December 30, 2006. The decrease in shareholders’ equity was primarily a result of the purchase of 4,093,100 shares of the Company’s common stock at a total cost of $176,590,000 and dividends paid of $7,389,000, partially offset by net income and the effect of the exercises of stock options during the period. As of December 29, 2007, the Company may purchase an additional 734,401 shares of its common stock under its authorized stock purchase program. Long-term debt including current maturities was $164,753,000 at December 29, 2007, compared to $129,321,000 at December 30, 2006. Working capital and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities were $184,078,000 and 1.7 to 1, respectively, at December 29, 2007, compared with $221,168,000 and 1.9 to 1, respectively, at December 30, 2006. 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 $140,608,000 in 2007 compared with cash provided by operating activities of $292,168,000 in 2006. The decrease in cash flow provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to the collection of the 2005 fiscal year end receivable from the FAA for disaster relief transportation services during 2006.

 

On July 8, 2004, Landstar renegotiated its existing credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent (the “Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which expires on July 8, 2009, 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.

 

At December 29, 2007, the Company had $80,000,000 in borrowings outstanding and $26,868,000 of letters of credit outstanding under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. At December 29, 2007, there was $118,132,000 available for future borrowings under the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company has $43,254,000 in letters of credit outstanding as collateral for insurance claims that are secured by investments and cash equivalents totaling $45,630,000.

 

Borrowings under the Fourth 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 Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The margin is subject to an increase of 0.125% if the aggregate amount outstanding under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement exceeds 50% of the total borrowing capacity. As of December 29, 2007, the margin was equal to 62.5/100 of 1%.

 

The unused portion of the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement carries a commitment fee determined based on the level of the Leverage Ratio, as therein defined. As of December 29, 2007, the commitment fee for the unused portion of the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was 0.20%. At December 29, 2007, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was 5.92%.

 

The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that limit, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the incurrence of operating or capital lease obligations and the purchase of operating property. The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement also requires Landstar to meet certain financial tests. Landstar is required to, among other things, maintain minimum levels

of Consolidated Net Worth and Fixed Charge Coverage and limit its borrowings to a specified ratio of indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (the “Leverage Ratio”), as each is defined in the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. 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 Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides that the Company maintain a minimum Consolidated Net Worth of $80,000,000. Under the most restrictive covenant, the Fixed Charge Coverage, fixed charges were $74,580,000 lower than the maximum amount allowed at December 29, 2007.

 

The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for an event of default related to a person or group acquiring 25% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or obtaining the power to elect a majority of the Company’s directors.

 

Borrowings under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are unsecured, however, Landstar System, Inc., LSHI and all but two subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends on the Company’s capital stock only to the extent there is an event of default under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

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 capacity and logistics services, the Company’s annual capital requirements for operating property are generally for trailing equipment and management information services equipment. In addition, a portion of the trailing equipment used by the Company is provided by third party capacity providers, thereby reducing the Company’s capital requirements. During 2007, 2006 and 2005, the Company purchased $6,514,000, $4,173,000 and $3,857,000, respectively, of operating property and acquired $36,046,000, $36,594,000 and $28,512,000, respectively, of trailing equipment by entering into capital leases. Landstar anticipates acquiring approximately $20,000,000 of operating property during fiscal year 2008 either by purchase or by lease financing. Prior to 2003, the Company historically funded its acquisition of Company provided fixed cost trailing equipment using capital leases. During 2004 and 2003, the Company acquired van trailing equipment under a long-term operating lease at a fixed monthly rental price per trailer. The Company does not currently anticipate any other significant capital requirements in 2008.

 

Since January 1997, the Company has purchased $764,810,000 of its common stock under programs authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company in open market and private block transactions. The Company has used cash provided by operating activities and borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facilities to fund the purchases.

 

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

 

At December 29, 2007, the Company’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as debt and lease agreements, were as follows (in thousands):

 

Long-term debt represents borrowings under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and does not include interest. Capital lease obligations above include $8,979,000 of imputed interest. Operating leases primarily include $13,710,000 related to the Company’s main office facility located in Jacksonville, Florida and $5,198,000 related to a long-term operating lease for trailing equipment. At December 29, 2007, the Company has gross unrecognized tax benefits of $16,401,000. This amount is excluded from the table above as the Company cannot reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of December 29, 2007, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases as disclosed in the table of Contractual Obligations and Commitments above, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

Legal Matters

 

On November 1, 2002, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Inc. (“OOIDA”) and certain BCO Independent Contractors (as defined below) (collectively with OOIDA, the “Plaintiffs”) filed a putative class action complaint on behalf of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company and its subsidiaries under exclusive lease arrangements (“BCO Independent Contractors”) in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “District Court”) in Jacksonville, Florida, against the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. The complaint was amended on April 7, 2005 (as amended, the “Amended Complaint”). The Amended Complaint alleged that certain aspects of the Company’s motor carrier leases and related practices with its BCO Independent Contractors violate certain federal leasing regulations and sought injunctive relief, an unspecified amount of damages and attorney’s fees. On August 30, 2005, the District Court granted a motion by the Plaintiffs to certify the case as a class action.

 

On January 16, 2007, the District Court ordered the decertification of the class of BCO Independent Contractors for purposes of determining remedies. Immediately thereafter, the trial commenced for purposes of determining what remedies, if any, would be awarded to the remaining named BCO Independent Contractor Plaintiffs against the following subsidiaries of the Company: Landstar Inway, Inc., Landstar Ligon, Inc. and Landstar Ranger, Inc. (the “Defendants”). On March 29, 2007, the District Court denied Plaintiffs’ request for injunctive relief, entered a Judgment in favor of the Defendants and issued written orders setting forth its rulings related to the decertification of the class and the denial of Plaintiffs requests for damages and injunctive relief. The Plaintiffs and the Defendants have each filed motions with the District Court concerning an award of attorney fees from the other party.

 

The Plaintiffs have filed an appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (the “Appellate Court”) with respect to certain of the District Court’s rulings, including the judgments entered by the District Court in favor of the Defendants on the issues of damages and injunctive relief. The Defendants have asked the Appellate Court to affirm the rulings of the District Court that have been appealed by the Plaintiffs. The Defendants have also filed a cross-appeal with the Appellate Court with respect to certain other rulings of the District Court. Although no assurances can be given with respect to the outcome of the appeal or any proceedings that may be conducted thereafter, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses and it intends to continue asserting these defenses vigorously.

 

The Company is involved in certain other claims and pending litigation 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 other claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions thereof, 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 December 29, 2007 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 year claims estimates. During fiscal years 2007, 2006 and 2005, insurance and claims costs included $8,296,000, $7,739,000 and $1,525,000, respectively, 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 December 29, 2007.

 

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 will 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 uncertainty in such 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.

 

Significant variances from management’s estimates for the amount of uncollectible receivables, the ultimate resolution of self-insured claims or the provision for uncertainty in income tax positions 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 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.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Currently Effective

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. In February 2007, the FASB issued

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”). SFAS 159 permits entities to choose to measure certain financial assets and liabilities at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 or SFAS 159 to have a significant effect on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

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.

 

On July 8, 2004, Landstar entered into a new senior credit facility with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as administrative agent (the “Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, which expires on July 8, 2009, 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 Fourth 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 Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The margin is subject to an increase of 0.125% if the aggregate amount outstanding under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement exceeds 50% of the borrowing capacity. As of December 29, 2007, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 5.92%. During fiscal 2007, the average outstanding balance under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was approximately $55,420,000. Based on the borrowing rates in the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and the repayment terms, the fair value of the outstanding borrowings as of December 29, 2007 was estimated to approximate carrying value. Assuming that debt levels on the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement remain at $80,000,000, the balance at December 29, 2007, a hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in current rates provided for under the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement is estimated to result in an increase in interest expense of $800,000 on an annualized basis.

 

All amounts outstanding on the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are payable on July 8, 2009, the expiration of the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 

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 $14,939,000, the balance at December 29, 2007, 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.

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Fiscal Years Ended December 29, 2007,

December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (“LSHI”). Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary are herein referred to as “Landstar” or the “Company.” Significant inter-company accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Fiscal Year

 

Landstar’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the last Saturday in December.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company is the primary obligor with respect to freight delivery and assumes the related credit risk. Accordingly, transportation revenue and the related direct freight expenses of the carrier and global logistics segments are recognized on a gross basis upon completion of freight delivery. Insurance premiums of the insurance segment are recognized over the period earned, which is usually on a monthly basis. Fuel surcharges billed to customers for freight hauled by independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “Business Capacity Owner Independent Contractors” or “BCO Independent Contractors”) are excluded from revenue and paid in entirety to the BCO Independent Contractors.

 

Insurance Claim Costs

 

Landstar provides, primarily on an actuarially determined basis, for the estimated costs of cargo, property, casualty, general liability and workers’ compensation claims both reported and for claims incurred but not reported. Landstar retains liability for individual commercial trucking claims incurred prior to June 19, 2003 or subsequent to March 30, 2004, up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. For commercial trucking claims incurred from June 19, 2003 through March 30, 2004, Landstar retains liability up to $10,000,000 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 $250,000 for each cargo claim.

 

Tires

 

Tires purchased as part of trailing equipment are capitalized as part of the cost of the equipment. Replacement tires are charged to expense when placed in service.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Included in cash and cash equivalents are all investments, except those provided for collateral, with an original maturity of 3 months or less.

 

Investments

 

Investments, all of which are available-for-sale, consist of investment-grade bonds having maturities of up to five years. Investments are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related income taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income. Short-term investments include $8,823,000 in current maturities of investment grade bonds and $14,098,000 of cash equivalents held by the Company’s insurance segment at December 29, 2007. These short-term investments together with $14,939,000 of the non-current portion of investment grade bonds and $7,770,000 of cash equivalents included in other assets at

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

December 29, 2007, provide collateral for the $43,254,000 of letters of credit issued to guarantee payment of insurance claims. Based upon quoted market prices, the unrealized gain on these bonds was $88,000 at December 29, 2007 and the unrealized loss on these bonds was $11,000 at December 30, 2006.

 

Investment income represents the earnings on the insurance segment’s assets. Investment income earned from the assets of the insurance segment are included as a component of operating income as the investing activities and earnings thereon generally comprise a significant portion of the insurance segment’s profitability.

 

Operating Property

 

Operating property is recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Trailing equipment is being depreciated over 7 years. Hardware and software included in management information services equipment is generally being depreciated over 3 to 7 years.

 

Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense is equal to the current year’s liability for income taxes and a provision for deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

 

In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Earnings per common share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and diluted earnings per share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding 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 to the average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

 

 

For the fiscal years ended December 29, 2007, December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, there were 9,000, 5,000 and 470,000, respectively, options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive.

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Share-Based Payments

 

On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123R (“FAS 123R”), Share-Based Payment. The Company adopted FAS 123R using the modified retrospective method. Under the modified retrospective method, compensation cost is recognized in the financial statements for all share-based payments granted after January 1, 2006 based on the requirements of FAS 123R and based on the requirements of FAS 123 for all unvested awards granted prior to January 1, 2006. The Company recognizes compensation cost for stock option awards on a straight line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award.

 

 

The following table includes the components of comprehensive income for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2007, December 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 (in thousands):