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8-K - 8-K - WERNER ENTERPRISES INCwern-20131231x8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1
WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
14507 Frontier Road
P. O. Box 45308
Omaha, Nebraska 68145

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: John J. Steele
 
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
  (402) 894-3036

    
WERNER ENTERPRISES REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND ANNUAL 2013 REVENUES AND EARNINGS

Omaha, Nebraska, January 28, 2014:

Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ: WERN), one of the nation's largest transportation and logistics companies, reported revenues and earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2013.

Summarized financial results for fourth quarter and year 2013 compared to fourth quarter and year 2012 are as follows (dollars in thousands, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
  
2013
 
2012
 
% Change
 
2013
 
2012
 
% Change
Total revenues
$
517,920

 
$
509,694

 
2
 %
 
$
2,029,183

 
$
2,036,386

 
0
 %
Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge
332,592

 
330,081

 
1
 %
 
1,287,656

 
1,309,503

 
(2
)%
Value Added Services (“VAS”) revenues
91,234

 
78,316

 
16
 %
 
361,384

 
324,155

 
11
 %
Operating income
36,089

 
43,124

 
(16
)%
 
139,726

 
171,444

 
(19
)%
Net income
22,175

 
25,981

 
(15
)%
 
86,785

 
103,034

 
(16
)%
Earnings per diluted share
0.30

 
0.35

 
(14
)%
 
1.18

 
1.40

 
(16
)%

Operating income for fourth quarter 2013 of $36.1 million improved sequentially by 11% compared to $32.6 million for third quarter 2013 due primarily to a more favorable freight market. Fourth quarter 2013 freight demand (as measured by the daily morning ratio of loads to trucks in our One-Way Truckload network) showed normal seasonal improvement in October and November, with some further demand strengthening during this quarters compressed retail selling period between Thanksgiving and Christmas compared to the same holiday period a year ago. Freight trends thus far in 2014 have been better than the same period in 2013. Severe weather in December 2013 and early January 2014 created a build up of freight demand but also resulted in higher operating expenses such as maintenance and insurance and lower miles per truck.

Average revenues per total mile, net of fuel surcharge, rose 3.1% in fourth quarter 2013 compared to fourth quarter 2012 due partially to higher seasonal capacity surcharges in the One-Way Truckload fleet and higher average revenue per mile in the Specialized Services unit in fourth quarter 2013. During fourth quarter 2013, the Company increased its emphasis on minimizing empty miles and maximizing utilization in its One-Way Truckload fleet. We believe there are several truckload capacity constraints including an older industry truck fleet, the higher cost of new trucks and trailers, significant regulatory changes, increased trucking company failures and a challenging driver market. We continue to work jointly with our customers to secure sustainable transportation solutions across all modes and to offset increased rates through enhanced optimization and transportation solutions whenever possible.



Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 2

Average monthly miles per truck for the Company declined by 2.2% in fourth quarter 2013 compared to fourth quarter 2012 and increased by 2.6% compared to third quarter 2013. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revised driver hours of service ("HOS) rules became effective July 1, 2013. Among the changes were more restrictive requirements covering driver use of the 34-hour restart rule and a new mandatory 30-minute rest period after 8 hours on duty. As expected, the Company believes that these hours of service changes negatively impacted miles per truck by two to three percent. The Company continues to work closely with its customers and drivers to minimize the impact of these changes and obtain adequate rate relief. In addition to the HOS changes, truck mix changes (more Specialized Services, less One-Way Truckload) and a 4% shorter length of haul in fourth quarter 2013 compared to fourth quarter 2012 also affected truck utilization.

We continue to diversify our business model with the goal of achieving a balanced portfolio of revenues comprised of One-Way Truckload (which includes the short-haul Regional, medium-to-long-haul Van and Expedited fleets), Specialized Services and Logistics (VAS). In fourth quarter 2013, we averaged 7,157 trucks in service in the Truckload segment and 50 intermodal drayage trucks in the VAS segment. We ended the quarter with 7,050 trucks in the Truckload segment and 49 intermodal drayage trucks in the VAS segment. Our Specialized Services unit, primarily Dedicated, ended the quarter with 3,425 trucks (or 49% of our total Truckload segment fleet).

Diesel fuel prices were 16 cents per gallon lower in fourth quarter 2013 than in fourth quarter 2012 and were 6 cents per gallon lower than in third quarter 2013. For the first 28 days of January 2014, the average diesel fuel price per gallon was 5 cents lower than the average diesel fuel price per gallon in the same period of 2013 and 15 cents lower than in first quarter 2013. The components of the Company's total fuel cost consist of and are recorded in our income statement as follows: (i) Fuel (fuel expense for company trucks excluding federal and state fuel taxes); (ii) Taxes and Licenses (federal and state fuel taxes); and (iii) Rent and Purchased Transportation (fuel component of our independent contractor costs, including the base cost of fuel and additional fuel surcharge reimbursement for costs exceeding the fuel base).

Capacity in our industry remains constrained by economic and safety regulatory factors. Following the 2008 recession, class 8 truck builds have been low, resulting in an industry average truck age that remains historically high at 6.6 years. It is very difficult for many smaller and medium size private carriers to replace their older, lower-value trucks with much higher cost, EPA-compliant new trucks, which significantly reduces the risk of trucks being added to the market. We reduced the average age of our much younger truck fleet by half a year during 2011 and 2012, with net capital expenditures totaling $457 million during that two-year period. The significantly higher cost of new trucks and resulting higher depreciation expense and related diesel exhaust fluid costs is not being recovered through a single year customer rate review cycle. We continue to invest in equipment solutions including more aerodynamic truck features, idle reduction systems, tire inflation systems and trailer skirts to improve the mile per gallon efficiency of our fleet. Net capital expenditures in 2013 were $152 million. We estimate capital expenditures for the year 2014 to be in the range of $150 to $200 million. The average age of our truck fleet as of December 31, 2013, was 2.4 years, and our goal is to maintain our average truck age at approximately this level during 2014. We remain committed to investing in a best in class fleet for the benefit of our customers, our drivers and the Werner brand.
 
The driver recruiting and retention market became even more challenging during fourth quarter 2013. Significant factors included a declining number of, and increased competition for, driver training school graduates, a gradually declining national unemployment rate, and increased job competition from the strengthening housing construction and hydraulic fracturing markets.








Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 3

Gains on sales of assets were $3.7 million in fourth quarter 2013, including a $0.7 million gain from the sale of real estate. This compares to gains on sales of assets of $4.7 million in fourth quarter 2012 and $2.7 million in third quarter 2013. In fourth quarter 2013 we realized lower average gains per truck compared to fourth quarter 2012. Gains on sales of assets are reflected as a reduction of Other Operating Expenses in our income statement.

To provide shippers with additional sources of managed capacity and network analysis, we continue to develop our non-asset-based VAS segment. VAS includes Brokerage, Freight Management, Intermodal and Werner Global Logistics (International).
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
  
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Value Added Services (amounts in thousands)
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Operating revenues
$
91,234

 
100.0
 
$
78,316

 
100.0
 
$
361,384

 
100.0
 
$
324,155

 
100.0
Rent and purchased transportation expense
78,172

 
85.7
 
65,450

 
83.6
 
305,582

 
84.6
 
274,326

 
84.6
Gross margin
13,062

 
14.3
 
12,866

 
16.4
 
55,802

 
15.4
 
49,829

 
15.4
Other operating expenses
10,693

 
11.7
 
8,934

 
11.4
 
41,138

 
11.3
 
33,830

 
10.5
Operating income
$
2,369

 
2.6
 
$
3,932

 
5.0
 
$
14,664

 
4.1
 
$
15,999

 
4.9

In fourth quarter 2013, VAS revenues increased $12.9 million or 16%, and operating income dollars decreased $1.6 million or 40%, compared to fourth quarter 2012. The increase in VAS revenues was due primarily to an increase in Brokerage shipments, and to a lesser extent, an increase in Intermodal shipments offset partially by a decrease in average revenue per shipment. Operating income was impacted by a lower gross margin percentage due to higher third party carrier rates as capacity tightened during fourth quarter 2013 compared to fourth quarter 2012.

Comparisons of the operating ratios for the Truckload segment (net of fuel surcharge revenues of $86.9 million and $95.4 million in fourth quarters 2013 and 2012, respectively, and $354.6 million and $376.1 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively) and the VAS segment are shown below.
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
Operating Ratios
2013
 
2012
 
Difference
 
2013
 
2012
 
Difference
Truckload Transportation Services
89.8
%
 
88.0
%
 
1.8
%
 
90.8
%
 
88.4
%
 
2.4
%
Value Added Services
97.4
%
 
95.0
%
 
2.4
%
 
95.9
%
 
95.1
%
 
0.8
%

Fluctuating fuel prices and fuel surcharge collections impact the total company operating ratio and the Truckload segment's operating ratio when fuel surcharges are reported on a gross basis as revenues versus netting against fuel expenses. Eliminating fuel surcharge revenues, which are generally a more volatile source of revenue, provides a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period. The Truckload segment's operating ratios for fourth quarter 2013 and fourth quarter 2012 are 91.9% and 90.7%, respectively, and for 2013 and 2012 are 92.8% and 91.0%, respectively, when fuel surcharge revenues are reported as revenues instead of a reduction of operating expenses.

Our financial position remains strong. As of December 31, 2013, we had $40.0 million of debt outstanding and $772.5 million of stockholders' equity.






Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 4

 
INCOME STATEMENT
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Operating revenues
$
517,920

 
100.0

 
$
509,694

 
100.0

 
$
2,029,183

 
100.0

 
$
2,036,386

 
100.0

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages and benefits
139,244

 
26.9

 
137,039

 
26.9

 
545,419

 
26.9

 
544,322

 
26.7

Fuel
91,915

 
17.7

 
100,353

 
19.7

 
371,789

 
18.3

 
401,417

 
19.7

Supplies and maintenance
45,572

 
8.8

 
41,338

 
8.1

 
179,172

 
8.8

 
172,505

 
8.5

Taxes and licenses
21,928

 
4.2

 
22,252

 
4.3

 
86,686

 
4.3

 
90,002

 
4.4

Insurance and claims
17,342

 
3.3

 
16,797

 
3.3

 
71,177

 
3.5

 
65,593

 
3.2

Depreciation
45,709

 
8.8

 
42,879

 
8.4

 
173,019

 
8.5

 
166,957

 
8.2

Rent and purchased transportation
117,856

 
22.8

 
103,979

 
20.4

 
456,885

 
22.5

 
420,480

 
20.7

Communications and utilities
3,423

 
0.7

 
3,200

 
0.6

 
13,506

 
0.7

 
13,745

 
0.7

Other
(1,158
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(1,267
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(8,196
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(10,079
)
 
(0.5
)
Total operating expenses
481,831

 
93.0

 
466,570

 
91.5

 
1,889,457

 
93.1

 
1,864,942

 
91.6

Operating income
36,089

 
7.0

 
43,124

 
8.5

 
139,726

 
6.9

 
171,444

 
8.4

Other expense (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
118

 

 
63

 

 
454

 

 
288

 

Interest income
(640
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(521
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(2,269
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(1,837
)
 
(0.1
)
Other
(43
)
 

 
(83
)
 

 
(170
)
 

 
(173
)
 

Total other expense (income)
(565
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(541
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(1,985
)
 
(0.1
)
 
(1,722
)
 
(0.1
)
Income before income taxes
36,654


7.1

 
43,665

 
8.6

 
141,711

 
7.0

 
173,166

 
8.5

Income taxes
14,479

 
2.8

 
17,684

 
3.5

 
54,926

 
2.7

 
70,132

 
3.4

Net income
$
22,175

 
4.3

 
$
25,981

 
5.1

 
$
86,785

 
4.3

 
$
103,034

 
5.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted shares outstanding
73,142

 
 
 
73,584

 
 
 
73,428

 
 
 
73,453

 
 
Diluted earnings per share
$
0.30

 
 
 
$
0.35

 
 
 
$
1.18

 
 
 
$
1.40

 
 

 
SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Revenues
 
 


 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
$
423,412

 
$
428,968

 
$
1,657,854

 
$
1,699,349

Value Added Services
91,234

 
78,316

 
361,384

 
324,155

Other
3,847

 
2,372

 
11,342

 
11,782

Corporate
414

 
689

 
3,081

 
4,322

    Subtotal
518,907

 
510,345

 
2,033,661

 
2,039,608

Inter-segment eliminations (1)
(987
)
 
(651
)
 
(4,478
)
 
(3,222
)
     Total
$
517,920

 
$
509,694

 
$
2,029,183

 
$
2,036,386

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
 


 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
$
34,439

 
$
40,045

 
$
119,597

 
$
153,142

Value Added Services
2,369

 
3,932

 
14,664

 
15,999

Other
470

 
(549
)
 
3,947

 
1,212

Corporate
(1,189
)
 
(304
)
 
1,518

 
1,091

     Total
$
36,089

 
$
43,124

 
$
139,726

 
$
171,444


(1)
Inter-segment eliminations represent transactions between reporting segments that are eliminated in consolidation. 2012 VAS segment revenues have been revised to conform to the current presentation.




Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 5

 
OPERATING STATISTICS BY SEGMENT
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
% Change
 
2013
 
2012
 
% Change
Truckload Transportation Services segment
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Average percentage of empty miles
11.91
%
 
12.56
%
 
(5.2
)%
 
12.54
%
 
12.29
%
 
2.0
 %
Average trip length in miles (loaded)
461

 
482

 
(4.4
)%
 
453

 
481

 
(5.8
)%
Average tractors in service
7,157

 
7,156

 
 %
 
7,162

 
7,225

 
(0.9
)%
Average revenues per tractor per week (1)
$
3,575

 
$
3,548

 
0.8
 %
 
$
3,457

 
$
3,486

 
(0.8
)%
Total trailers (at quarter end)
21,980

 
22,415

 
 
 
21,980

 
22,415

 
 
Total tractors (at quarter end)

 

 
 
 

 

 
 
    Company
6,380

 
6,505

 
 
 
6,380

 
6,505

 
 
    Independent contractor
670

 
645

 
 
 
670

 
645

 
 
        Total tractors
7,050

 
7,150

 
 
 
7,050

 
7,150

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Value Added Services segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total VAS shipments
71,471

 
64,226

 
11.3
 %
 
277,430

 
265,411

 
4.5
 %
Less: Non-committed shipments to truckload segment
17,299

 
20,587

 
(16.0
)%
 
75,852

 
79,025

 
(4.0
)%
Net VAS shipments
54,172

 
43,639

 
24.1
 %
 
201,578

 
186,386

 
8.2
 %
Average revenue per shipment
$
1,560

 
$
1,643

 
(5.0
)%
 
$
1,627

 
$
1,602

 
1.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average tractors in service
50

 
40

 
 
 
45

 
22

 
 
Total trailers (at quarter end)
1,725

 
965

 
 
 
1,725

 
965

 
 
Total tractors (at quarter end)
49

 
39

 
 
 
49

 
39

 
 

(1)
Net of fuel surcharge revenues.


 
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
 
(Unaudited)
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Year Ended
December 31,
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
Capital expenditures, net
$
45,448

 
$
44,680

 
$
151,916

 
$
224,927

Cash flow from operations
61,366

 
56,381

 
232,457

 
255,096

Return on assets (annualized)
6.5
%
 
7.6
%
 
6.5
%
 
7.7
%
Return on equity (annualized)
11.6
%
 
13.7
%
 
11.7
%
 
13.6
%





Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 6

 
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
2013
 
December 31,
2012
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
23,678

 
$
15,428

Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance of $9,939 and $10,528, respectively
231,647

 
211,133

Other receivables
10,769

 
8,004

Inventories and supplies
15,743

 
23,260

Prepaid taxes, licenses and permits
15,064

 
14,893

Current deferred income taxes
25,315

 
25,139

Other current assets
27,445

 
21,330

Total current assets
349,661

 
319,187

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
1,727,737

 
1,690,490

Less – accumulated depreciation
750,219

 
696,647

Property and equipment, net
977,518

 
993,843

 
 
 
 
Other non-current assets
26,918

 
21,870

Total assets
$
1,354,097

 
$
1,334,900

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
66,678

 
$
56,397

Current portion of long-term debt

 
20,000

Insurance and claims accruals
59,811

 
57,679

Accrued payroll
22,785

 
21,134

Other current liabilities
18,457

 
20,983

Total current liabilities
167,731

 
176,193

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, net of current portion
40,000

 
70,000

Other long-term liabilities
14,710

 
15,779

Insurance and claims accruals, net of current portion
131,900

 
125,500

Deferred income taxes
227,237

 
232,531

 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 80,533,536
 
 
 
shares issued; 72,713,920 and 73,246,598 shares outstanding, respectively
805

 
805

Paid-in capital
98,534

 
97,457

Retained earnings
830,842

 
758,617

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,631
)
 
(4,156
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 7,819,616 and 7,286,938 shares, respectively
(153,031
)
 
(137,826
)
Total stockholders’ equity
772,519

 
714,897

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,354,097

 
$
1,334,900





Werner Enterprises, Inc. - Release of January 28, 2014
Page 7

Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is a premier transportation and logistics company, with coverage throughout North America, Asia, Europe, South America, Africa and Australia. Werner maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska and maintains offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China and Australia. Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United States, with a diversified portfolio of transportation services that includes dedicated van, temperature-controlled and flatbed; medium-to-long-haul, regional and local van; and expedited services. Werner's Value Added Services portfolio includes freight management, truck brokerage, intermodal, and international services. International services are provided through Werner's domestic and global subsidiary companies and include ocean, air and ground transportation; freight forwarding; and customs brokerage.

Werner Enterprises, Inc.'s common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select MarketSM under the symbol WERN. For further information about Werner, visit the Company's website at www.werner.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Such forward-looking statements are based on information presently available to the Company's management and are current only as of the date made. Actual results could also differ materially from those anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

For those reasons, undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statement. The Company assumes no duty or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, although it may do so from time to time as management believes is warranted or as may be required by applicable securities law. Any such updates or revisions may be made by filing reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, through the issuance of press releases or by other methods of public disclosure.