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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - WERNER ENTERPRISES INCwern-2014331xex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - WERNER ENTERPRISES INCwern-2014331xex321.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - WERNER ENTERPRISES INCwern-2014331xex311.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - WERNER ENTERPRISES INCwern-2014331xex312.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
[Mark
one]
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 0-14690
 
WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
NEBRASKA
 
47-0648386
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
14507 FRONTIER ROAD
POST OFFICE BOX 45308
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
 
68145-0308
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(402) 895-6640
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
Non-accelerated filer
 
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of May 1, 2014, 72,209,977 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.



WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
INDEX
 
 
 
PAGE
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
Item 2.
Item 6.

2


PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains historical information and forward-looking statements based on information currently available to our management. The forward-looking statements in this report, including those made in Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) of Part I, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These safe harbor provisions encourage reporting companies to provide prospective information to investors. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of certain words, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar terms and language. We believe the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on currently available information. However, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, whether known or unknown, that could cause our actual results, business, financial condition and cash flows to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. A discussion of important factors relating to forward-looking statements is included in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 (“2013 Form 10-K”). Readers should not unduly rely on the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q because such statements speak only to the date they were made. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation or duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Item 1. Financial Statements.
The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and were also prepared without audit. The interim consolidated financial statements do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements; although in management’s opinion, the disclosures are adequate so that the information presented is not misleading.
Operating results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014. In the opinion of management, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheets from which it has been derived.
These interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in our 2013 Form 10-K.

3


WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
  
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
$
492,022

 
$
492,887

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages and benefits
 
 
 
 
134,713

 
133,105

Fuel
 
 
 
 
91,075

 
96,793

Supplies and maintenance
 
 
 
 
45,854

 
43,128

Taxes and licenses
 
 
 
 
20,832

 
21,624

Insurance and claims
 
 
 
 
20,206

 
19,801

Depreciation
 
 
 
 
43,123

 
42,331

Rent and purchased transportation
 
 
 
 
111,646

 
106,318

Communications and utilities
 
 
 
 
3,499

 
3,142

Other
 
 
 
 
(2,367
)
 
(2,048
)
Total operating expenses
 
 
 
 
468,581

 
464,194

Operating income
 
 
 
 
23,441

 
28,693

Other expense (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
 
94

 
144

Interest income
 
 
 
 
(655
)
 
(505
)
Other
 
 
 
 
4

 
(10
)
Total other income
 
 
 
 
(557
)
 
(371
)
Income before income taxes
 
 
 
 
23,998

 
29,064

Income taxes
 
 
 
 
9,659

 
11,553

Net income
 
 
 
 
$
14,339

 
$
17,511

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.24

Diluted
 
 
 
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.24

Dividends declared per share
 
 
 
 
$
0.050

 
$
0.050

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
72,676

 
73,260

Diluted
 
 
 
 
73,169

 
73,782

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

4


WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
  
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
 
(Unaudited)
Net income
 
 
 
 
$
14,339

 
$
17,511

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
 
 
 
10

 
963

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
 
 
 
10

 
963

Comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
$
14,349

 
$
18,474

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

5


WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
March 31,
2014
 
December 31,
2013
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
56,468

 
$
23,678

Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance of $10,032 and $9,939, respectively
244,294

 
231,647

Other receivables
11,680

 
10,769

Inventories and supplies
14,519

 
15,743

Prepaid taxes, licenses and permits
11,017

 
15,064

Current deferred income taxes
25,852

 
25,315

Other current assets
34,850

 
27,445

Total current assets
398,680

 
349,661

Property and equipment
1,705,581

 
1,727,737

Less – accumulated depreciation
758,892

 
750,219

Property and equipment, net
946,689

 
977,518

Other non-current assets
27,240

 
26,918

Total assets
$
1,372,609

 
$
1,354,097

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
70,187

 
$
66,678

Insurance and claims accruals
64,764

 
59,811

Accrued payroll
25,385

 
22,785

Other current liabilities
30,162

 
18,457

Total current liabilities
190,498

 
167,731

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

 
40,000

Other long-term liabilities
14,948

 
14,710

Insurance and claims accruals, net of current portion
130,700

 
131,900

Deferred income taxes
221,440

 
227,237

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 80,533,536 shares
 
 
 
issued; 72,389,330 and 72,713,920 shares outstanding, respectively
805

 
805

Paid-in capital
99,973

 
98,534

Retained earnings
841,561

 
830,842

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(4,621
)
 
(4,631
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 8,144,206 and 7,819,616 shares, respectively
(162,695
)
 
(153,031
)
Total stockholders’ equity
775,023

 
772,519

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,372,609

 
$
1,354,097

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

6


WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
Three Months Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
2014
 
2013
 
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
14,339

 
$
17,511

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
43,123

 
42,331

Deferred income taxes
(6,294
)
 
(5,183
)
Gain on disposal of property and equipment
(4,647
)
 
(3,533
)
Non-cash equity compensation
1,304

 
1,301

Insurance and claims accruals, net of current portion
(1,200
)
 
2,450

Other
203

 
(213
)
Changes in certain working capital items:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
(12,647
)
 
(7,877
)
Other current assets
(2,650
)
 
5,156

Accounts payable
8,405

 
6,411

Other current liabilities
19,273

 
18,252

Net cash provided by operating activities
59,209

 
76,606

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(30,864
)
 
(31,919
)
Retirements of property and equipment
14,818

 
10,613

Decrease in notes receivable
2,766

 
2,197

Net cash used in investing activities
(13,280
)
 
(19,109
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repayments of short-term debt

 
(20,000
)
Repayments of long-term debt

 
(30,000
)
Dividends on common stock
(3,636
)
 
(3,662
)
Repurchases of common stock
(12,880
)
 

Tax withholding related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards

 
(157
)
Stock options exercised
3,133

 
220

Excess tax benefits from equity compensation
218

 
4

Net cash used in financing activities
(13,165
)
 
(53,595
)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash
26

 
199

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
32,790

 
4,101

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
23,678

 
15,428

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
56,468

 
$
19,529

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
105

 
$
168

Income taxes paid
1,344

 
3,780

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Notes receivable issued upon sale of property and equipment
$
3,452

 
$
3,489

Property and equipment acquired included in accounts payable
507

 
25

Property and equipment disposed included in other receivables
469

 
1,016

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

7


WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
(1)
Credit Facilities
Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Notes payable to banks under committed credit facilities
$
40,000

 
$
40,000

Less current portion

 

Long-term debt, net
$
40,000

 
$
40,000


As of March 31, 2014, we have committed credit facilities with two banks. These include a $175 million four-year credit facility which will expire on May 31, 2016, and a $75 million five-year credit facility which will expire on May 31, 2017. Borrowings under these credit facilities bear variable interest (0.85% at March 31, 2014) based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). As of March 31, 2014, we had $40 million outstanding under these credit facilities with banks. The $250 million of credit available under these facilities is further reduced by $32.7 million in standby letters of credit under which we are obligated. Each of the debt agreements includes, among other things, two financial covenants requiring us (i) not to exceed a maximum ratio of total debt to total capitalization and (ii) not to exceed a maximum ratio of total funded debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (as such terms are defined in each credit facility). At March 31, 2014, we were in compliance with these covenants.
At March 31, 2014, the aggregate future maturities of long-term debt by year are as follows (in thousands):
2014
$

2015

2016
40,000

2017

Total
$
40,000


The carrying amounts of our long-term debt approximate fair value due to the duration of the notes and the variable interest rates.

(2)
Income Taxes
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, there were no material changes to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits. We accrued interest expense of $58 thousand and $79 thousand during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, excluding the reversal of accrued interest related to an adjustment for the remeasurement of uncertain tax positions. Our total gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2014, is $8.7 million. If recognized, $5.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact our effective tax rate. Interest of $1.7 million has been reflected as a component of the total liability. We expect no other significant increases or decreases for uncertain tax positions during the next twelve months.
We file U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as income tax returns in various states and several foreign jurisdictions. The years 2010 through 2013 are open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and various years are open for examination by state and foreign tax authorities. State and foreign jurisdictional statutes of limitations generally range from three to four years.
 
(3)
Commitments and Contingencies
As of March 31, 2014, we have committed to property and equipment purchases of approximately $64.5 million.
We are involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, management believes the ultimate resolution of these matters will not materially affect our consolidated financial statements.

 

8


(4)
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards. There are no differences in the numerators of our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for any period presented. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts).
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Net income
 
 
 
 
$
14,339

 
$
17,511

Weighted average common shares outstanding
 
 
 
 
72,676

 
73,260

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
 
 
 
 
493

 
522

Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
73,169

 
73,782

Basic earnings per share
 
 
 
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.24

Diluted earnings per share
 
 
 
 
$
0.20

 
$
0.24

There were no options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during the periods indicated above that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option purchase price was greater than the average market price of the common shares during the period. Performance stock units are excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares until the threshold performance conditions have been satisfied.
 
(5)
Equity Compensation
The Werner Enterprises, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Plan (the "Equity Plan"), approved by the Company's shareholders, provides for grants to employees and non-employee directors of the Company in the form of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and units ("restricted awards"), performance stock and units ("performance awards"), and stock appreciation rights. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the terms of each award, including the type, recipients, number of shares subject to and vesting conditions of each award. No awards of stock appreciation rights have been issued under the Equity Plan to date. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be awarded under the Equity Plan is 20,000,000 shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be awarded to any one person in any one calendar year under the Equity Plan is 500,000. As of March 31, 2014, there were 7,419,365 shares available for granting additional awards.
We apply the fair value method of accounting for equity compensation awards granted under our Equity Plan. Equity compensation expense is included in salaries, wages and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Income. For performance awards, we accrue compensation expense for the estimated number of shares expected to be issued using the most current information available at the date of the financial statements. If the performance goals are not met, no compensation expense will be recognized and any previously recognized compensation expense will be reversed. As of March 31, 2014, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested equity compensation awards was approximately $11.4 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.6 years. The following table summarizes the equity compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):
 

9


 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Stock options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
 
 
 
 
$
30

 
$
66

Tax benefit
 
 
 
 
12

 
26

Stock option expense, net of tax
 
 
 
 
$
18

 
$
40

Restricted awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
 
 
 
 
$
995

 
$
1,235

Tax benefit
 
 
 
 
401

 
491

Restricted award expense, net of tax
 
 
 
 
$
594

 
$
744

Performance awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
 
 
 
 
$
286

 
$

Tax benefit
 
 
 
 
115

 

Performance award expense, net of tax
 
 
 
 
$
171

 
$

We do not have a formal policy for issuing shares upon an exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted and performance awards. Such shares are generally issued from treasury stock. From time to time, we repurchase shares of our common stock, the timing and amount of which depends on market and other factors. Historically, the shares acquired from such repurchases have provided us with sufficient quantities of stock to issue for equity compensation. Based on current treasury stock levels, we do not expect to repurchase additional shares specifically for equity compensation during 2014.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted at prices equal to the market value of the common stock on the date the option award is granted. Option awards currently outstanding become exercisable in installments from 24 to 72 months after the date of grant. The options are exercisable over a period not to exceed ten years, one day from the date of grant.
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Number of
Options
(in thousands)
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price ($)
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at beginning of period
653

 
$
17.85

 

 

Granted

 
$

 

 

Exercised
(175
)
 
$
17.86

 

 

Forfeited
(3
)
 
$
21.15

 

 

Expired

 
$

 

 

Outstanding at end of period
475

 
$
17.83

 
3.73
 
$
3,647

Exercisable at end of period
394

 
$
17.40

 
3.23
 
$
3,198

We did not grant any stock options during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014, and 2013. The fair value of stock option grants is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1.4 million and $0.1 million for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2013, respectively.
Restricted Awards
Restricted stock entitles the holder to shares of common stock when the award vests. Restricted stock units entitle the holder to a combination of cash or stock equal to the value of common stock when the unit vests. The value of these shares may fluctuate according to market conditions and other factors. Restricted awards currently outstanding vest over periods ranging from 12 to 84 months from the grant date of the award. The restricted awards do not confer any voting or dividend rights to recipients until such shares fully vest and do not have any post-vesting sales restrictions.

10


The following table summarizes restricted award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
Number of
Restricted
Awards (in
thousands)
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)
Nonvested at beginning of period
698

 
$
21.04

Granted

 
$

Vested

 
$

Forfeited
(1
)
 
$
22.51

Nonvested at end of period
697

 
$
21.03

We did not grant any restricted awards during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. We estimate the fair value of restricted awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated future dividends because the awards are not entitled to receive dividends prior to vesting. Our estimate of future dividends is based on the most recent quarterly dividend rate at the time of grant, adjusted for any known future changes in the dividend rate.
No restricted awards vested during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014. The total fair value of previously granted restricted awards vested during the three-month period ended March 31, 2013, was $0.5 million. We withheld shares based on the closing stock price on the vesting date to settle the employees' minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes. Total cash remitted for the employees' tax obligations to the relevant taxing authorities is reflected as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the shares withheld to satisfy the minimum tax withholding obligations are recorded as treasury stock.
Performance Awards
In February 2014, we granted performance awards. Performance awards entitle the recipient to shares of common stock upon attainment of performance criteria as pre-established by the Compensation Committee. Performance awards currently outstanding vest, subject to continued employment, over periods ranging from 12 to 60 months from the grant date of the award. The performance awards do not confer any voting or dividend rights to recipients until such shares fully vest and do not have any post-vesting sales restrictions.
The following table summarizes performance award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2014:

 
Number of
Performance
Awards (in
thousands)
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)
Nonvested at beginning of period

 
$

Granted
183

 
$
25.06

Vested

 
$

Forfeited

 
$

Nonvested at end of period
183

 
$
25.06

The 2014 performance awards are earned based upon the level of attainment by the Company of specified performance objectives related to earnings per share for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2014, as established by the Compensation Committee. The number of shares which are ultimately earned will range from 0 percent to 133 percent of the target number based on the level of attainment of the performance objectives. We estimate the fair value of performance awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated future dividends because the awards are not entitled to receive dividends prior to vesting. Our estimate of future dividends is based on the most recent quarterly dividend rate at the time of grant, adjusted for any known future changes in the dividend rate. The present value of estimated future dividends for the 2014 grant was calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
Dividends per share (quarterly amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.05

Risk-free interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5
%


11



(6)
Segment Information
We have two reportable segments – Truckload Transportation Services (“Truckload”) and Value Added Services (“VAS”).
The Truckload segment consists of two operating units, One-Way Truckload and Specialized Services, that are aggregated because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria described in the accounting guidance for segment reporting. One-Way Truckload is comprised of the following operating fleets: (i) the regional short-haul (“Regional”) fleet transports a variety of consumer nondurable products and other commodities in truckload quantities within geographic regions across the United States using dry van trailers; (ii) the medium-to-long-haul van (“Van”) fleet provides comparable truckload van service over irregular routes; and (iii) the expedited (“Expedited”) fleet provides time-sensitive truckload services utilizing driver teams. Specialized Services provides truckload services dedicated to a specific customer, generally for a retail distribution center or manufacturing facility, including services for products requiring specialized trailers such as flatbed or temperature-controlled trailers. Revenues for the Truckload segment include a small amount of non-trucking revenues which consist primarily of the portion of shipments delivered to or from Mexico where we utilize a third-party capacity provider.
The VAS segment generates the majority of our non-trucking revenues through four operating units that provide non-trucking services to our customers. These four VAS operating units are as follows: (i) truck brokerage (“Brokerage”) uses contracted carriers to complete customer shipments; (ii) freight management (”Freight Management”) offers a full range of single-source logistics management services and solutions; (iii) the intermodal (“Intermodal”) unit offers rail transportation through alliances with rail and drayage providers as an alternative to truck transportation; and (iv) Werner Global Logistics international (“WGL”) provides complete management of global shipments from origin to destination using a combination of air, ocean, truck and rail transportation modes.
We generate other revenues related to third-party equipment maintenance, equipment leasing and other business activities. None of these operations meets the quantitative reporting thresholds. As a result, these operations are grouped in “Other” in the table below. “Corporate” includes revenues and expenses that are incidental to our activities and are not attributable to any of our operating segments. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment. Inter-segment eliminations in the table below represent transactions between reporting segments that are eliminated in consolidation.
The following table summarizes our segment information (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
 
 
 
 
$
403,185

 
$
408,900

Value Added Services
 
 
 
 
85,154

 
82,510

Other
 
 
 
 
3,989

 
2,044

Corporate
 
 
 
 
558

 
650

Subtotal
 
 
 
 
492,886

 
494,104

Inter-segment eliminations
 
 
 
 
(864
)
 
(1,217
)
Total
 
 
 
 
$
492,022

 
$
492,887

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
 
 
 
 
$
20,780

 
$
23,615

Value Added Services
 
 
 
 
1,855

 
3,613

Other
 
 
 
 
484

 
905

Corporate
 
 
 
 
322

 
560

Total
 
 
 
 
$
23,441

 
$
28,693



12


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (the “MD&A”) summarizes the financial statements from management’s perspective with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors that may affect actual results. The MD&A is organized in the following sections:
Overview
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Regulations
Critical Accounting Policies
Accounting Standards
The MD&A should be read in conjunction with our 2013 Form 10-K.
Overview:
We have two reportable segments, Truckload Transportation Services ("Truckload") and Value Added Services ("VAS"), and we operate in the truckload and logistics sectors of the transportation industry. In the truckload sector, we focus on transporting consumer nondurable products that generally ship more consistently throughout the year. In the logistics sector, besides managing transportation requirements for individual customers, we provide additional sources of truck capacity, alternative modes of transportation, a global delivery network and systems analysis to optimize transportation needs. Our success depends on our ability to efficiently and effectively manage our resources in the delivery of truckload transportation and logistics services to our customers. Resource requirements vary with customer demand, which may be subject to seasonal or general economic conditions. Our ability to adapt to changes in customer transportation requirements is essential to efficiently deploy resources and make capital investments in tractors and trailers (with respect to our Truckload segment) or obtain qualified third-party capacity at a reasonable price (with respect to our VAS segment). Although our business volume is not highly concentrated, we may also be affected by our customers’ financial failures or loss of customer business.
Revenues for our Truckload segment operating units (One-Way Truckload and Specialized Services) are typically generated on a per-mile basis and also include revenues such as stop charges, loading and unloading charges, equipment detention charges and equipment repositioning charges. To mitigate our risk to fuel price increases, we recover from our customers additional fuel surcharges that generally recoup a majority of the increased fuel costs; however, we cannot assure that current recovery levels will continue in future periods. Because fuel surcharge revenues fluctuate in response to changes in fuel costs, we identify them separately and exclude them from the statistical calculations to provide a more meaningful comparison between periods. The key statistics used to evaluate trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, are (i) average revenues per tractor per week, (ii) average percentage of empty miles (miles without trailer cargo), (iii) average trip length (in loaded miles) and (iv) average number of tractors in service. General economic conditions, seasonal trucking industry freight patterns and industry capacity are important factors that impact these statistics. Our Truckload segment also generates a small amount of revenues categorized as non-trucking revenues, related to shipments delivered to or from Mexico where the Truckload segment utilizes a third-party capacity provider. We exclude such revenues from the statistical calculations.
Our most significant resource requirements are company drivers, independent contractors, tractors and trailers. Our financial results are affected by company driver and independent contractor availability and the markets for new and used revenue equipment. We are self-insured for a significant portion of bodily injury, property damage and cargo claims; workers’ compensation claims; and associate health claims (supplemented by premium-based insurance coverage above certain dollar levels). For that reason, our financial results may also be affected by driver safety, medical costs, weather, legal and regulatory environments and insurance coverage costs to protect against catastrophic losses.
The operating ratio is a common industry measure used to evaluate our profitability and that of our Truckload segment operating fleets. The operating ratio consists of operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenues. The most significant variable expenses that impact the Truckload segment are driver salaries and benefits, fuel, fuel taxes (included in taxes and licenses expense), payments to independent contractors (included in rent and purchased transportation expense), supplies and maintenance and insurance and claims. As discussed further in the comparison of operating results for first quarter 2014 to first quarter 2013, several industry-wide issues have caused, and could continue to cause, costs to increase in future periods. These issues include shortages of drivers or independent contractors, changing fuel prices, higher new truck and trailer purchase prices and compliance with new or proposed regulations. Our main fixed costs include depreciation expense for tractors and trailers and equipment licensing fees (included in taxes and licenses expense). The Truckload segment requires substantial cash expenditures for tractor and trailer purchases. We fund these purchases with net cash from operations and financing available under our existing credit facilities, as management deems necessary.

13


We provide non-trucking services primarily through the four operating units within our VAS segment (Brokerage, Freight Management, Intermodal and WGL). Unlike our Truckload segment, the VAS segment is less asset-intensive and is instead dependent upon qualified associates, information systems and qualified third-party capacity providers. The largest expense item related to the VAS segment is the cost of purchased transportation we pay to third-party capacity providers. This expense item is recorded as rent and purchased transportation expense. Other operating expenses consist primarily of salaries, wages and benefits. We evaluate the VAS segment's financial performance by reviewing the gross margin percentage (revenues less rent and purchased transportation expenses expressed as a percentage of revenues) and the operating income percentage. The gross margin percentage can be impacted by the rates charged to customers and the costs of securing third-party capacity. We generally do not have contracted long-term rates for the cost of third-party capacity, and we cannot assure that our operating results will not be adversely impacted in the future if our ability to obtain qualified third-party capacity providers changes or the rates of such providers increase.

Results of Operations:
The following table sets forth the Consolidated Statements of Income in dollars and as a percentage of total operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease in the dollar amounts of those items compared to the prior year.  
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Percentage Change in Dollar Amounts
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014 to 2013
(Amounts in thousands)
$
%
 
$
%
 
%
Operating revenues
$
492,022

100.0

 
$
492,887

100.0

 
(0.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Salaries, wages and benefits
134,713

27.4

 
133,105

27.0

 
1.2
 %
Fuel
91,075

18.5

 
96,793

19.6

 
(5.9
)%
Supplies and maintenance
45,854

9.3

 
43,128

8.8

 
6.3
 %
Taxes and licenses
20,832

4.2

 
21,624

4.4

 
(3.7
)%
Insurance and claims
20,206

4.1

 
19,801

4.0

 
2.0
 %
Depreciation
43,123

8.8

 
42,331

8.6

 
1.9
 %
Rent and purchased transportation
111,646

22.7

 
106,318

21.6

 
5.0
 %
Communications and utilities
3,499

0.7

 
3,142

0.6

 
11.4
 %
Other
(2,367
)
(0.5
)
 
(2,048
)
(0.4
)
 
(15.6
)%
Total operating expenses
468,581

95.2

 
464,194

94.2

 
0.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Operating income
23,441

4.8

 
28,693

5.8

 
(18.3
)%
Total other expense (income)
(557
)
(0.1
)
 
(371
)
(0.1
)
 
(50.1
)%
Income before income taxes
23,998

4.9

 
29,064

5.9

 
(17.4
)%
Income taxes
9,659

2.0

 
11,553

2.3

 
(16.4
)%
Net income
$
14,339

2.9

 
$
17,511

3.6

 
(18.1
)%


14


The following tables set forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating income for the Truckload segment, as well as certain statistical data regarding our Truckload segment operations for the periods indicated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Truckload Transportation Services (amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
311,522

 
 
 
$
313,400

 
 
Trucking fuel surcharge revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
87,021

 
 
 
91,585

 
 
Non-trucking and other operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4,642

 
 
 
3,915

 
 
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
403,185

 
100.0
 
408,900

 
100.0
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
382,405

 
94.8
 
385,285

 
94.2
Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
20,780

 
5.2
 
$
23,615

 
5.8

 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
2014
 
2013
 
% Change
Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharge revenues
93.4
%
 
92.6
%
 
 
Average revenues per tractor per week (1)
$
3,422

 
$
3,368

 
1.6
 %
Average trip length in miles (loaded)
466

 
465

 
0.2
 %
Average percentage of empty miles (2)
11.97
%
 
13.03
%
 
(8.1
)%
Average tractors in service
7,004

 
7,157

 
(2.1
)%
Total trailers (at quarter end)
21,650

 
22,100

 
 
Total tractors (at quarter end):
 
 
 
 
 
     Company
6,380

 
6,425

 
 
     Independent contractor
700

 
665

 
 
          Total tractors
7,080

 
7,090

 
 

(1)
Net of fuel surcharge revenues.
(2) 
“Empty” refers to miles without trailer cargo.

The following tables set forth the VAS segment’s revenues, rent and purchased transportation expense, gross margin, other operating expenses (primarily salaries, wages and benefits expense) and operating income, as well as certain statistical data regarding the VAS segment's shipments and average revenues (excluding logistics fee revenue) per shipment for the periods indicated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
Value Added Services (amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
85,154

 
100.0
 
$
82,510

 
100.0
Rent and purchased transportation expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
72,554

 
85.2
 
69,197

 
83.9
Gross margin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12,600

 
14.8
 
13,313

 
16.1
Other operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,745

 
12.6
 
9,700

 
11.7
Operating income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,855

 
2.2
 
$
3,613

 
4.4

15


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
Value Added Services
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
% Change
Total VAS shipments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
62,292

 
64,366

 
(3.2
)%
Less: Non-committed shipments to Truckload segment
 
 
 
 
 
16,497

 
19,946

 
(17.3
)%
Net VAS shipments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45,795

 
44,420

 
3.1
 %
Average revenue per shipment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,717

 
$
1,677

 
2.4
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


 
 
Average tractors in service
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
47

 
40

 
 
Total trailers (at quarter end)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,930

 
1,580

 
 
Total tractors (at quarter end)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
45

 
41

 
 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues decreased 0.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to the same period of the prior year due to lower revenues in the Truckload segment, partially offset by higher VAS revenues.
Truckload segment revenues declined $5.7 million, or 1.4%, in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013. First quarter 2014 freight demand (as measured by the daily morning ratio of loads to trucks in our One-Way Truckload network) showed the strongest first quarter performance in 10 years. A combination of several factors contributed to the demand strength, including (i) the early timing of the 2014 Chinese New Year, (ii) relatively lean retail customer inventory levels following the fourth quarter 2013 holiday season, (iii) multiple severe winter storms that created a backlog of truckload freight shipments and also caused some severely delayed intermodal freight shipments to shift to truckload, (iv) the preamble of a strong December 2013 freight market and (v) a tightening of truck capacity due to increasing trucking company failures, an extremely challenging driver market, expensive new trucks and increasing federal safety regulations. Freight pre-books in our One-Way Truckload fleets in April 2014 were better than April 2013.
Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, decreased 0.6% due to a 2.1% decrease in the average number of tractors in service, partially offset by a 1.6% increase in average revenues per tractor per week. Average revenues per tractor per week reflect the combined effects of average revenues per total mile, net of fuel surcharge, and average miles per tractor. Average revenues per total mile, net of fuel surcharge, rose 3.1% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013. This is due to a combination of (i) increased rates with some existing customers, (ii) new customer business, (iii) surcharges for capacity creation and (iv) higher transactional spot market rates in the One-Way Truckload fleet. We are in the process of negotiating rate increases with many customers during the traditionally substantial spring bid season, when rates for a significant percentage of our business are negotiated. Average monthly miles per tractor were 1.5% lower in first quarter 2014 than in first quarter 2013, the result of several severe winter storms and the more restrictive hours of service ("HOS") rules that became effective July 1, 2013. We believe the HOS changes negatively impacted miles per tractor by two to three percent when compared to periods before the new rules became effective. Mileage trends improved as first quarter 2014 progressed; total miles declined year-over-year by 6.6% in January 2014 and 5.8% in February 2014, but increased 1.5% in March 2014, despite the new HOS rules.
The average number of tractors in service in the Truckload segment decreased 2.1%, to 7,004 in first quarter 2014 from 7,157 in first quarter 2013, a decrease of 153 tractors. We ended first quarter 2014 with 7,080 tractors in the Truckload segment, an increase of 30 trucks from the end of fourth quarter 2013. We cannot predict whether future driver shortages, if any, will adversely affect our ability to maintain our fleet size or return our fleet to our goal of 7,300 trucks. If such a driver market shortage were to occur, it could result in a fleet size reduction, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Trucking fuel surcharge revenues represent collections from customers for the increase in fuel and fuel-related expenses, including the fuel component of our independent contractor cost (recorded as rent and purchased transportation expense) and fuel taxes (recorded in taxes and licenses expense), when diesel fuel prices rise. Conversely, when fuel prices decrease, fuel surcharge revenues decrease. These revenues decreased 5.0% to $87.0 million in first quarter 2014 from $91.6 million in first quarter 2013 because of lower average fuel prices and lower miles in first quarter 2014. To lessen the effect of fluctuating fuel prices on our margins, we collect fuel surcharge revenues from our customers for the cost of diesel fuel and taxes in excess of specified base fuel price levels according to terms in our customer contracts. Fuel surcharge rates generally adjust weekly based on an independent U.S. Department of Energy fuel price survey which is released every Monday. Our fuel surcharge programs are designed to (i) recoup higher fuel costs from customers when fuel prices rise and (ii) provide customers with the benefit of lower fuel costs when fuel prices decline. These programs generally enable us to recover a majority, but not all, of the fuel price increases. The remaining portion is generally not recoverable because it results from empty and out-of-route miles (which are not billable to

16


customers) and truck idle time. Fuel prices that change rapidly in short time periods also impact our recovery because the surcharge rate in most programs only changes once per week.
We continue to diversify our business model. Our goal is to attain a more balanced revenue portfolio comprised of one-way truckload, specialized and logistics (which includes the VAS segment) services by growing our logistics services revenues. Our Specialized Services unit, primarily Dedicated, ended first quarter 2014 with 3,525 tractors or 50% of our Truckload segment fleet.
VAS revenues are generated by its four operating units and exclude revenues for full truckload shipments transferred to the Truckload segment, which are recorded as trucking revenues by the Truckload segment. VAS also recorded revenue and brokered freight expense of $0.9 million in first quarter 2014 and $1.2 million in first quarter 2013 for Intermodal drayage movements performed by the Truckload segment (also recorded as trucking revenue by the Truckload segment), and these transactions between reporting segments are eliminated in consolidation. VAS revenues increased 3.2% to $85.2 million in first quarter 2014 from $82.5 million in first quarter 2013, resulting from an increase in the number of Brokerage shipments. VAS gross margin dollars decreased 5.4% to $12.6 million in first quarter 2014 from $13.3 million for the same period in 2013, and its gross margin percentage declined to 14.8% in first quarter 2014 from 16.1% in first quarter 2013. VAS gross margin and operating income were negatively impacted by higher third party carrier costs as capacity tightened in first quarter 2014, which resulted in lower gross margin percentages for contractual business. Other operating expenses increased $1.0 million, or 10.8%, and VAS operating income decreased 48.7% to $1.9 million in first quarter 2014 from $3.6 million in first quarter 2013. The average number of tractors in service in the VAS segment (intermodal drayage trucks) increased to 47 in first quarter 2014 from 40 in first quarter 2013, an increase of 7 tractors.
Operating Expenses
Our operating ratio (operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenues) was 95.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014, compared to 94.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2013. Expense items that impacted the overall operating ratio are described on the following pages. The tables on pages 14 through 16 show the Consolidated Statements of Income in dollars and as a percentage of total operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease in the dollar amounts of those items compared to the same quarter of the prior year, as well as the operating ratios, operating margins, and certain statistical information for our two reportable segments, Truckload and VAS.
Harsh winter weather in first quarter 2014 caused higher expenses in several categories. As we noted in our Form 10-K filing on February 25, 2014, severe snow, ice and cold weather in multiple geographic regions caused a significant increase in costs in January and February 2014 in the areas of supplies and maintenance, insurance and claims, fuel (due to increased truck idling) and the impact of higher fixed costs per mile due to lower miles per truck.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $1.6 million, or 1.2%, in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 0.4% as a percentage of operating revenues. The higher dollar amount of salaries, wages and benefits expense was due primarily to higher non-driver salaries. The dollar amount of fringe benefits and driver salaries were flat, after considering the shift from this expense category to rent and purchased transportation expense that occurred because of the increase in independent contractor miles as a percentage of total miles. However, when evaluated on a per-mile basis, both driver and non-driver salaries, wages and benefits increased, which we attribute to (i) higher driver pay, including discretionary pay items, in a more competitive driver market, (ii) the effects of lower miles per tractor on the fixed components of this expense category, and (iii) higher health insurance costs during first quarter 2014. Non-driver salaries, wages and benefits in the non-trucking VAS segment increased 2.5%, and net VAS shipments managed by VAS personnel increased by 3.1%.
We renewed our workers' compensation insurance coverage for the policy year beginning April 1, 2014. Our coverage levels are the same as the prior policy year. We continue to maintain a self-insurance retention of $1.0 million per claim. Our workers’ compensation insurance premiums for the policy year beginning April 2014 were similar to those for the previous policy year.
The driver recruiting and retention market remained extremely challenging in first quarter 2014. We believe that 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 were all contributing factors. The difficult driver market is making it challenging to achieve our 7,300 truck goal for the Truckload segment. We expect the driver market to become more problematic as 2014 progresses. We are unable to predict whether we will experience future driver shortages. If such a shortage were to occur and driver pay rate increases became necessary to attract and retain drivers, our results of operations would be negatively impacted to the extent that we could not obtain corresponding freight rate increases.
Fuel decreased $5.7 million or 5.9% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and decreased 1.1% as a percentage of operating revenues due to (i) fewer miles, (ii) a shift from this expense category to rent and purchased transportation expense because of the increase in independent contractor miles as a percentage of total miles, and (iii) lower average diesel fuel prices.

17


Average diesel fuel prices were 4 cents per gallon lower in first quarter 2014 than in first quarter 2013. These decreases were partially offset by higher fuel costs from increased truck idling during severe winter weather events in first quarter 2014 and the resulting negative effect on miles per gallon ("mpg").
We continue to employ measures to improve our fuel mpg such as (i) limiting truck engine idle time, (ii) optimizing the speed, weight and specifications of our equipment and (iii) implementing mpg-enhancing equipment changes to our fleet including new trucks with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) 2010 compliant engines, more aerodynamic truck features, idle reduction systems, tire inflation systems and trailer skirts to reduce our fuel gallons purchased. However, fuel savings from mpg improvement is offset by higher depreciation expense and the additional cost of diesel exhaust fluid (required in certain tractors with engines that meet the 2010 EPA emission standards). Although our fuel management programs require significant capital investment and research and development, we intend to continue these and other environmentally conscious initiatives, including our active participation as an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a national voluntary program developed by the EPA and freight industry representatives to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution and promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation.
For April 2014, the average diesel fuel price per gallon was approximately 10 cents higher than the average diesel fuel price per gallon in the same period of 2013 and approximately 11 cents higher than in second quarter 2013.
Shortages of fuel, increases in fuel prices and petroleum product rationing can have a materially adverse effect on our operations and profitability. We are unable to predict whether fuel price levels will increase or decrease in the future or the extent to which fuel surcharges will be collected from customers. As of March 31, 2014, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.
Supplies and maintenance increased $2.7 million or 6.3% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 0.5% as a percentage of operating revenues. Severe winter weather conditions in first quarter 2014 contributed to the increase in this expense category, causing higher over the road tractor repair and towing costs. Other expense increases included driver advertising and other driver related expenses and tire expense. These increases were partially offset by a shift from this expense category to rent and purchased transportation expense because of the increase in independent contractor miles as a percentage of total miles. The average age of our company truck fleet was 2.5 years at the end of first quarter 2014 and 2.4 years for both fourth quarter 2013 and first quarter 2013. Our goal for year end 2014 is an average truck age in the range of 2.3 years to 2.5 years.
Taxes and licenses decreased $0.8 million or 3.7% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and decreased 0.2% as a percentage of operating revenues. The decrease resulted from driving fewer miles and the resulting decrease in fuel taxes associated with fewer gallons purchased.
Insurance and claims increased $0.4 million or 2.0% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 0.1% as a percentage of operating revenues. The increase was primarily the result of higher expense on new claims partially offset by a lower amount of reserve increases for prior period claims (unfavorable development) in first quarter 2014, both of which related to smaller dollar liability claims. The severe winter weather in first quarter 2014 contributed to the increased insurance expense for new claims. The majority of our insurance and claims expense results from our claim experience and claim development under our self-insurance program; the remainder results from insurance premiums for claims in excess of our self-insured limits. We renewed our liability insurance policies on August 1, 2013 and continue to be responsible for the first $2.0 million per claim with an annual $8.0 million aggregate for claims between $2.0 million and $5.0 million and an annual aggregate of $5.0 million for claims in excess of $5.0 million and less than $10.0 million. We maintain liability insurance coverage with insurance carriers substantially in excess of the $10.0 million per claim. Our liability and cargo insurance premiums for the policy year that began August 1, 2013 are slightly higher than premiums for the previous policy year on a per-mile basis.
Depreciation expense increased $0.8 million or 1.9% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 0.2% as a percentage of operating revenues. This increase was due primarily to the higher cost of new trucks purchased compared to the cost of used trucks that were sold over the past 12 months. In addition, the purchase of new trailers over the past 12 months to replace older used trailers which were fully depreciated also contributed to the increase in depreciation expense. These increases were partially offset by lower depreciation on auxiliary power units that were sold with the older used trucks and not replaced.
Depreciation expense was historically affected by two changes to engine emissions standards imposed by the EPA that became effective in October 2002 and in January 2007, resulting in increased truck purchase costs. We began to take delivery of trucks with these 2007-standard engines in first quarter 2008 to replace older trucks in our fleet. A final set of more rigorous EPA-mandated emissions standards became effective for all new engines manufactured after January 1, 2010. Trucks with 2010-standard engines have a higher purchase price than trucks manufactured to meet the 2007 standards, but the 2010-standard engines are more fuel efficient. In 2014, we continue to purchase trucks with 2010-standard engines to replace older trucks that we sell or trade. By the end of 2014, we expect nearly all company trucks will have engines that comply with the 2010 emissions standards.

18


Depreciation expense increased in first quarter 2014 due to higher prices for these new trucks and is expected to increase further as we continue to replace tractors with 2007-standard engines.
Rent and purchased transportation expense increased $5.3 million or 5.0% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 1.1% as a percentage of operating revenues. Rent and purchased transportation expense consists mainly of payments to third-party capacity providers in the VAS segment and other non-trucking operations and payments to independent contractors in the Truckload segment. The payments to third-party capacity providers generally vary depending on changes in the volume of services generated by the VAS segment. VAS rent and purchased transportation expense increased $3.4 million and as a percentage of VAS revenues increased to 85.2% in first quarter 2014 from 83.9% in first quarter 2013. This increase was due primarily to higher third party carrier costs as capacity tightened during first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013.
Rent and purchased transportation for the Truckload segment increased $1.3 million in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013. This increase is due primarily to the shift from salaries, wages and benefits and several other expense categories to rent and purchased transportation expense because of the increase in independent contractor truck miles as a percentage of total miles, offset partially by lower fuel prices that resulted in lower reimbursements to independent contractors for fuel. Independent contractor miles as a percentage of total miles were 12.6% in first quarter 2014 compared to 11.8% in first quarter 2013.
Challenging operating conditions continue to make independent contractor recruitment and retention difficult. Such conditions include inflationary cost increases that are the responsibility of independent contractors and a shortage of financing available to independent contractors for equipment purchases. We have historically been able to add company tractors and recruit additional company drivers to offset any decrease in the number of independent contractors. If a shortage of independent contractors and company drivers occurs, increases in per mile settlement rates (for independent contractors) and driver pay rates (for company drivers) may become necessary to attract and retain these drivers. This could negatively affect our results of operations to the extent that we would not be able to obtain corresponding freight rate increases.
Communication and utilities increased $0.4 million or 11% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and increased 0.1% as a percentage of operating revenues. This slight increase is primarily due to use of a new driver navigation program, which helps to reduce out-of-route miles, beginning in 2013.
Other operating expenses decreased $0.3 million or 15.6% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and decreased 0.1% as a percentage of operating revenues. Gains on sales of assets (primarily used trucks and trailers) are reflected as a reduction of other operating expenses and are reported net of sales-related expenses (which include costs to prepare the equipment for sale). Gains on sales of assets increased to $4.6 million in first quarter 2014 from $3.5 million in first quarter 2013. This also compares to gains of $3.7 million in fourth quarter 2013, which included a $0.7 million gain from the sale of real estate. We sold more trucks and trailers in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013, and we realized lower average gains per truck sold but higher average gains per trailer sold in the 2014 quarter.
Other Expense (Income)
Other expense (income) decreased $0.2 million or 50.1% in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013 and did not change as a percentage of operating revenues. Interest income net of interest expense increased $0.2 million in first quarter 2014 compared to first quarter 2013.
Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate (income taxes expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes) increased to 40.25% for first quarter 2014 from 39.75% for first quarter 2013. The higher income tax rate is attributed to lower projected employment tax credits in 2014.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:
During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we generated cash flow from operations of $59.2 million, a 23% decrease ($17.4 million) in cash flows compared to the same three-month period a year ago. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from a $7.8 million decrease in cash flows related to other current assets, a $4.8 million decrease in cash flows related to accounts receivable, a $3.7 million decrease in cash flows related to insurance and claims and a $3.2 million decrease in net income. We were able to make net capital expenditures, pay dividends and repurchase company stock with the net cash provided by operating activities and existing cash balances.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $13.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 from $19.1 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2013. Net property additions (primarily revenue equipment) were $16.0 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, compared to $21.3 million during the same period of 2013. This decrease

19


occurred because our purchases of new trucks and trailers, net of dispositions, were lower in the 2014 period than in the 2013 period. As of March 31, 2014, we were committed to property and equipment purchases of approximately $64.5 million. We currently expect our net capital expenditures (primarily revenue equipment) in 2014 to be in the range of $150.0 million to $200.0 million, compared to net capital expenditures in 2013 of $151.9 million. We intend to fund these net capital expenditures through cash flow from operations and financing available under our existing credit facilities, as management deems necessary.
Net financing activities used $13.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2014, and $53.6 million during the same period in 2013. During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, we did not borrow or repay debt. Our outstanding debt at March 31, 2014, was $40.0 million. During the same period in 2013, we repaid short-term and long-term debt totaling $50.0 million. We paid dividends of $3.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2014, and $3.7 million in the same period in 2013. Financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2014, also included common stock repurchases of 500,000 shares at a cost of $12.9 million. From time to time, Werner Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") has repurchased, and may continue to repurchase, shares of the Company’s common stock. The timing and amount of such purchases depend upon stock market conditions and other factors. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had purchased 2,362,291 shares pursuant to our current Board of Directors repurchase authorization and had 5,637,709 shares remaining available for repurchase.
Management believes our financial position at March 31, 2014 is strong. As of March 31, 2014, we had $56.5 million of cash and cash equivalents and $775.0 million of stockholders’ equity. Cash is invested primarily in government portfolio money market funds. As of March 31, 2014, we had a total of $250.0 million of credit available pursuant to two credit facilities, of which we had borrowed $40.0 million. The remaining $210.0 million of credit available under these facilities is reduced by the $32.7 million in stand-by letters of credit under which we are obligated. These stand-by letters of credit are primarily required as security for insurance policies. Based on our strong financial position, management does not foresee any significant barriers to obtaining sufficient financing, if necessary.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments:
The following tables set forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of March 31, 2014.
Payments Due by Period
 
(Amounts in millions)
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
5 years
 
Period
Unknown
Contractual Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized tax benefits
$
8.7

 
$
0.1

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
8.6

Long-term debt, including current maturities
40.0

 

 
40.0

 

 

 

Interest payments on debt
0.7

 
0.3

 
0.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment purchase commitments
64.5

 
64.5

 

 

 

 

Operating leases
1.8

 
1.6

 
0.2

 

 

 

Total contractual cash obligations
$
115.7

 
$
66.5

 
$
40.6

 
$

 
$

 
$
8.6

Other Commercial Commitments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unused lines of credit
$
177.3

 
$

 
$
102.3

 
$
75.0

 
$

 
$

Stand-by letters of credit
32.7

 
32.7

 

 

 

 

Total commercial commitments
$
210.0

 
$
32.7

 
$
102.3

 
$
75.0

 
$

 
$

Total obligations
$
325.7

 
$
99.2

 
$
142.9

 
$
75.0

 
$

 
$
8.6

    
We have committed credit facilities with two banks totaling $250.0 million that mature in May 2016 ($175.0 million) and May 2017 ($75.0 million). At March 31, 2014, we had borrowed $40 million under these facilities. Borrowings under these credit facilities bear variable interest (0.85% at March 31, 2014) based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Interest payments on debt are based on the debt balance and interest rate at March 31, 2014. The credit available under these facilities is further reduced by the amount of stand-by letters of credit under which we are obligated. The stand-by letters of credit are primarily required for insurance policies. The unused lines of credit are available to us in the event we need financing for the replacement of our fleet or for other significant capital expenditures. Management believes our financial position is strong, and we therefore expect that we could obtain additional financing, if necessary. Property and equipment purchase commitments relate to committed equipment expenditures, primarily for revenue equipment. As of March 31, 2014, we had recorded an $8.7 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits. We expect $0.1 million to be settled within the next twelve months and are unable to reasonably determine when the $8.6 million categorized as “period unknown” will be settled.

20


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:
We began leasing certain tractors under non-cancelable operating leases in May 2011. Our future payment obligation under these leases at March 31, 2014 was approximately $1.8 million.
Regulations:
Item 1 of Part I of our 2013 Form 10-K includes a discussion of pending proposed regulations that may have an effect on our operations if they become adopted and effective as proposed. Except as described below, there have been no material changes in the status of these proposed regulations previously disclosed in the 2013 Form 10-K.
In March 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA") issued its formal proposal regarding the mandatory implementation and use of electronic logging devices ("ELDs") by nearly all carriers to enhance the monitoring and enforcement of the driver HOS rules. As proposed, the new regulations would become effective two years after the final rule is issued. We are the recognized industry leader for electronic logging of driver hours as we proactively adopted a paperless log system in 1996 that was subsequently approved for our use by the FMCSA in 1998. We don't currently believe the proposed rules will have a significant effect on our operations and profitability.


21


Critical Accounting Policies:
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the (i) reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (ii) reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Information regarding our Critical Accounting Policies can be found in our 2013 Form 10-K. Together with the effects of the matters described there, these factors may significantly impact our results of operations from period to period. The most significant accounting policies and estimates that affect our financial statements include the following:
Selections of estimated useful lives and salvage values for purposes of depreciating tractors and trailers.
Impairment of long-lived assets.
Estimates of accrued liabilities for insurance and claims for liability and physical damage losses and workers’ compensation.
Policies for revenue recognition.
Accounting for income taxes.
Allowance for doubtful accounts.
We periodically evaluate these policies and estimates as events and circumstances change. There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates from those discussed in our 2013 Form 10-K.
Accounting Standards:
In the descriptions under “New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted” and “Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Effective” that follow, references in quotations identify guidance and Accounting Standards Updates relating to the topics and subtopics (and their descriptive titles, as appropriate) of the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
We did not adopt any new accounting standards during first quarter 2014.
Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Effective
Accounting Standards Updates not effective until after March 31, 2014 are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Commodity Price Risk
The price and availability of diesel fuel are subject to fluctuations attributed to changes in the level of global oil production, refining capacity, seasonality, weather and other market factors. Historically, we have recovered a majority, but not all, of fuel price increases from customers in the form of fuel surcharges. We implemented customer fuel surcharge programs with most of our customers to offset much of the higher fuel cost per gallon. However, we do not recover all of the fuel cost increase through these surcharge programs. We cannot predict the extent to which fuel prices will increase or decrease in the future or the extent to which fuel surcharges could be collected. As of March 31, 2014, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We conduct business in several foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, China and Australia. To date, most foreign revenues are denominated in U.S. Dollars, and we receive payment for foreign freight services primarily in U.S. Dollars to reduce direct foreign currency risk. Assets and liabilities maintained by a foreign subsidiary company in the local currency are subject to foreign exchange gains or losses. Foreign currency translation gains and losses primarily relate to changes in the value of revenue equipment owned by a subsidiary in Mexico, whose functional currency is the Peso. Foreign currency translation gains were $10 thousand for first quarter 2014 and $1.0 million for first quarter 2013 and were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.


22


Interest Rate Risk
We had $40.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding at March 31, 2014. Interest rates on the variable rate debt and our unused credit facilities are based on the LIBOR. Increases in interest rates could impact our annual interest expense on future borrowings. Assuming this level of borrowings, a hypothetical one-percentage point increase in the LIBOR interest rate would increase our annual interest expense by $400,000. As of March 31, 2014, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to interest rate increases.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at a reasonable assurance level in enabling us to record, process, summarize and report information required to be included in our periodic filings with the SEC within the required time period and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that no changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
We have confidence in our internal controls and procedures. Nevertheless, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the internal controls or disclosure procedures and controls will prevent all errors or intentional fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of such internal controls are met. Further, the design of an internal control system must reflect that resource constraints exist, and the benefits of controls must be evaluated relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, misstatements and instances of fraud, if any, have been prevented or detected.


23


PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On October 15, 2007, we announced that on October 11, 2007 our Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares of our common stock that the Company is authorized to repurchase. Under this authorization, the Company is permitted to repurchase an additional 8,000,000 shares. As of March 31, 2014, the Company had purchased 2,362,291 shares pursuant to this authorization and had 5,637,709 shares remaining available for repurchase. The Company may purchase shares from time to time depending on market, economic and other factors. The authorization will continue unless withdrawn by the Board of Directors.
The following table summarizes our common stock repurchases during the first quarter of 2014 made pursuant to this authorization. The Company did not purchase any shares during the first quarter of 2014 other than pursuant to this authorization. All stock repurchases were made by the Company or on its behalf and not by any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined by Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Period
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased
Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit)
Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1-31, 2014



6,137,709

February 1-28, 2014
50,000

$
25.98

50,000

6,087,709

March 1-31, 2014
450,000

$
25.73

450,000

5,637,709

Total
500,000

$
25.76

500,000

5,637,709



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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
Exhibit No.
  
Exhibit
  
Incorporated by Reference to:
3(i)
  
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Werner Enterprises, Inc.
  
Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
 
 
 
3(ii)
  
Revised and Restated By-Laws of Werner Enterprises, Inc.
  
Exhibit 3(ii) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
Named Executive Officer Compensation
 
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and Item 5.02 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 10, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
11
 
Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings
 
See Note 4 (Earnings Per Share) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) under Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Furnished herewith
 
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Furnished herewith
 
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.SCH
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.CAL
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.LAB
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.DEF
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 


25


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
 
 
Date: May 5, 2014
By:
 
/s/ John J. Steele
 
 
 
John J. Steele
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
Date: May 5, 2014
By:
 
/s/ James L. Johnson
 
 
 
James L. Johnson
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Corporate Secretary

26