Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2009

or

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number: 000-24180

 

 

Quality Distribution, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Florida   59-3239073

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

4041 Park Oaks Boulevard, Suite 200, Tampa, FL   33610
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

813-630-5826

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its 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  ¨    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 definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

 

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

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

As of November 2, 2009, the registrant had 19,651,761 shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC.

CONTENTS

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION    1

    ITEM 1

     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS    1
    

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

   1
    

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

   2
    

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

   3
    

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September  30, 2009 and 2008

   4
    

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   5

    ITEM 2

     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    28

    ITEM 3

     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    46

    ITEM 4

     Controls and Procedures    47

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

   47

    ITEM 1

     Legal Proceedings    47

    ITEM 1A

     Risk Factors    47

    ITEM 2

     Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds    48

    ITEM 3

     Defaults Upon Senior Securities    48

    ITEM 4

     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders    48

    ITEM 5

     Other Information    48

    ITEM 6

     Exhibits    48

Signatures

        51


Table of Contents

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited - in 000’s, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

OPERATING REVENUES:

        

Transportation

   $ 120,444      $ 144,774      $ 343,554      $ 445,798   

Other service revenue

     26,793        25,494        80,241        78,916   

Fuel surcharge

     15,568        44,473        38,528        122,490   
                                

Total operating revenues

     162,805        214,741        462,323        647,204   
                                

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Purchased transportation

     102,393        124,800        273,269        376,378   

Compensation

     19,040        27,519        61,791        83,518   

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

     16,129        30,031        49,591        93,199   

Depreciation and amortization

     5,055        5,207        15,694        15,435   

Selling and administrative

     5,592        8,699        19,614        26,515   

Insurance costs

     3,081        3,202        11,076        11,629   

Taxes and licenses

     1,023        1,583        3,096        4,042   

Communication and utilities

     1,977        3,104        6,785        10,109   

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

     279        (867     14        (2,832

Impairment charge

     —          —          148,630        —     

Restructuring costs

     340        1,700        2,105        4,075   
                                

Total operating expenses

     154,909        204,978        591,665        622,068   
                                

Operating income (loss)

     7,896        9,763        (129,342     25,136   

Interest expense

     6,462        8,455        19,980        26,246   

Interest income

     (25     (128     (211     (333

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —          —          (675     —     

Other (income) expense

     (8     15        (284     171   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     1,467        1,421        (148,152     (948

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

     41        704        36,951        (98
                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,426      $ 717      $ (185,103   $ (850
                                

PER SHARE DATA:

        

Net income (loss) per common share

        

Basic

   $ 0.07      $ 0.04      $ (9.55   $ (0.04
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.07      $ 0.04      $ (9.55   $ (0.04
                                

Weighted-average number of shares

        

Basic

     19,458        19,387        19,373        19,377   
                                

Diluted

     19,653        19,556        19,373        19,377   
                                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In 000’s)

Unaudited

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 2,831      $ 6,787   

Accounts receivable, net

     80,728        81,612   

Prepaid expenses

     6,382        12,922   

Deferred tax asset, net

     6,774        14,707   

Other

     5,772        7,950   
                

Total current assets

     102,487        123,978   

Property and equipment, net

     131,802        148,692   

Assets held-for-sale

     4,927        —     

Goodwill

     27,289        173,519   

Intangibles, net

     18,859        22,698   

Non-current deferred tax asset, net

     —          22,636   

Other assets

     8,203        10,580   
                

Total assets

   $ 293,567      $ 502,103   
                

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of indebtedness

   $ 3,538      $ 8,361   

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     6,063        7,994   

Accounts payable

     9,646        16,126   

Affiliates and independent owner-operators payable

     11,052        7,649   

Accrued expenses

     22,937        25,357   

Environmental liabilities

     4,563        4,819   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     9,074        8,705   
                

Total current liabilities

     66,873        79,011   

Long-term indebtedness, less current maturities

     316,547        330,409   

Capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     12,862        15,822   

Environmental liabilities

     6,695        6,035   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     11,152        12,815   

Other non-current liabilities

     30,430        25,158   
                

Total liabilities

     444,559        469,250   
                

Commitments and contingencies - Note 10

    

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

     1,833        1,833   

SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

    

Common stock, no par value; 29,000 shares authorized; 19,857 issued and 19,652 outstanding at September 30, 2009 and 19,754 issued and 19,549 outstanding at December 31, 2008.

     363,365        362,945   

Treasury stock, 205 shares at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008

     (1,580     (1,580

Accumulated deficit

     (299,137     (114,034

Stock recapitalization

     (189,589     (189,589

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (25,650     (26,488

Stock subscriptions receivable

     (234     (234
                

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity

     (152,825     31,020   
                

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ (deficit) equity

   $ 293,567      $ 502,103   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 and 2008

Unaudited (In 000’s)

 

     Shares of
Common
Stock
   Shares of
Treasury
Stock
    Common
Stock
   Treasury
Stock
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Stock
Recapitalization
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
    Stock
Subscription
Receivables
    Total
Shareholders’
Equity
(Deficit)
 

Balance, December 31, 2007

   19,334    (158   $ 361,617    $ (1,564   $ (126,146   $ (189,589   $ (16,748   $ (270   $ 27,300   

Net loss

   —      —          —        —          (850     —          —          —          (850

Issuance of restricted stock

   398    —          —        —          —          —          —          —          —     

Forfeiture of restricted stock

   —      (45     —        —          —          —          —          —          —     

Amortization of restricted stock

   —      —          189      —          —          —          —          —          189   

Amortization of non-employee options

   —      —          94      —          —          —          —          —          94   

Amortization of stock options

   —      —          860      —          —          —          —          —          860   

Acquisition of treasury stock

   —      (1     —        (16     —          —          —          36        20   

Amortization of prior service costs, net of tax provision

   —      —          —        —          —          —          241        —          241   

Translation adjustment, net of tax provision

   —      —          —        —          —          —          113        —          113   
                                                                  

Balance, September 30, 2008

   19,732    (204   $ 362,760    $ (1,580   $ (126,996   $ (189,589   $ (16,394   $ (234   $ 27,967   
                                                                  

Balance, December 31, 2008

   19,754    (205   $ 362,945    $ (1,580   $ (114,034   $ (189,589   $ (26,488   $ (234   $ 31,020   

Net loss

   —      —          —        —          (185,103     —          —          —          (185,103

Issuance of restricted stock

   103    —          —        —          —          —          —          —          —     

Amortization of restricted stock

   —      —          147      —          —          —          —          —          147   

Amortization of stock options

   —      —          273      —          —          —          —          —          273   

Amortization of prior service costs and losses, net of tax

   —      —          —        —          —          —          936        —          936   

Translation adjustment, net of tax

   —      —          —        —          —          —          (98     —          (98
                                                                  

Balance, September 30, 2009

   19,857    (205   $ 363,365    $ (1,580   $ (299,137   $ (189,589   $ (25,650   $ (234   $ (152,825
                                                                  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited - In 000’s)

 

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

    

Net loss

   $ (185,103   $ (850

Adjustments to reconcile to net cash and cash equivalents provided by (used in) operating activities:

    

Deferred income tax benefit

     (5,138     (892

Depreciation and amortization

     15,694        15,435   

Bad debt expense

     1,811        1,000   

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

     14        (2,832

Impairment charge

     148,630        —     

Gain on extinguishment of long-term debt

     (675     —     

Stock-based compensation

     420        1,143   

Amortization of deferred financing costs

     2,126        2,235   

Amortization of bond discount

     825        825   

Redeemable noncontrolling interest dividends

     109        109   

Provision for deferred tax asset valuation allowance

     42,482        —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts and other receivables

     (1,092     (7,915

Prepaid expenses

     6,633        2,692   

Other assets

     2,071        1,935   

Accounts payable

     222        1,830   

Accrued expenses

     (2,420     4,050   

Environmental liabilities

     403        (658

Accrued loss and damage claims

     (1,294     (8,239

Affiliates and independent owner-operators payable

     3,403        3,752   

Other liabilities

     146        (2,418

Current income taxes

     (54     (537
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     29,213        10,665   
                

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

    

Capital expenditures

     (7,125     (14,967

Acquisition of businesses and assets

     —          (1,397

Boasso purchase adjustment

     —          1,318   

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     6,495        4,598   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (630     (10,448
                

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

    

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —          1,049   

Principal payments on long-term debt

     (6,928     (3,316

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

     (6,153     (1,949

Proceeds from revolver

     28,600        110,700   

Payments on revolver

     (40,600     (89,830

Payments on acquisition notes

     (711     (631

Deferred financing costs

     —          (623

Change in book overdraft

     (6,673     (1,782

Redeemable noncontrolling interest dividends

     (109     (109

Other stock transactions

     —          20   
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (32,574     13,529   
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     35        (14

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,956     13,732   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     6,787        9,711   
                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 2,831      $ 23,443   
                

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 15,867      $ 20,308   
                

Income Taxes

     392        1,684   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

In this quarterly report, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, (i) the terms the “Company,” “our Company,” “Quality Distribution,” “QDI,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Quality Distribution, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and their predecessors, (ii) the terms “Quality Distribution, LLC” and “QD LLC” refer to our wholly owned subsidiary, Quality Distribution, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its consolidated subsidiaries and their predecessors, (iii) the term “QD Capital” refers to our wholly owned subsidiary, QD Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation and (iv) the term “Boasso” refers to our wholly owned subsidiary, Boasso America Corporation, a Louisiana corporation.

We are primarily engaged in truckload transportation of bulk chemicals and are also engaged in International Organization Standardization, or ISO, tank container transportation and depot services, logistics and other value-added services. We conduct a significant portion of our business through a network of affiliates, company terminals and independent owner-operators. Affiliates are independent companies, which enter into various term contracts with the Company. Affiliates are responsible for paying for their own power equipment (including debt service), fuel and other operating costs. Certain affiliates lease trailers from us. Owner-operators are independent contractors, who, through a contract with us, supply one or more tractors and drivers for our use. Contracts with owner-operators may be terminated by either party on short notice. We charge affiliates and third parties for the use of tractors and trailers as necessary. In exchange for the services rendered, affiliates and owner-operators are normally paid a percentage of the revenues generated for each load hauled.

Our accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X and do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows have been included. The year ended consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all the disclosures required by GAAP. For further information, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.

Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or Codification. Effective July 1, 2009, the Codification became the single source for all authoritative generally accepted accounting principles, recognized by the FASB and is required to be applied to financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. Therefore, we adopted the Codification for the reporting in our 2009 third quarter. The Codification does not change GAAP and did not impact our financial position or results of operations.

In June 2009, FASB issued new guidance which revises and updates previously issued guidance related to variable interest entities. The new guidance eliminates the exceptions to consolidating qualifying special-purpose entities that were included in the prior guidance. The new guidance contains new criteria for determining the primary beneficiary and increases the frequency of required reassessments to determine whether a company is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The guidance also contains a new requirement that any term, transaction, or arrangement that does not have a substantive effect on an entity’s status as a variable interest entity, a company’s power over a variable interest entity, or a company’s obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits of an entity must be disregarded. The elimination of the qualifying special-purpose entity concept and its consolidation exceptions means more entities will be subject to consolidation assessments and reassessments. The new guidance will be effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. We are currently assessing the potential impacts, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity, creates more stringent conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, clarifies other sale-accounting criteria, and changes the initial measurement of a transferor’s interest in transferred financial assets. This guidance will be effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2010. We are currently assessing the potential impacts, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2009, the FASB issued guidance related to subsequent events that provides general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date; that is, whether that date represents the date the financial statements were issued or were available to be issued. We adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2009, as it became effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. We evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date of September 30, 2009, through the date of issuance, November 6, 2009.

On April 9, 2009, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued guidance that amended and supplemented its previous guidance on other than temporary impairment of certain investments in debt and equity securities The newly issued guidance maintains the SEC staff’s previous views related to equity securities; however, debt securities are excluded from its scope. The guidance provides that “other-than-temporary” impairment is not necessarily the same as “permanent” impairment and unless evidence exists to support a value equal to or greater than the carrying value of the equity security investment, a write-down to fair value should be recorded and accounted for as a realized loss. The guidance was effective upon issuance and had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued guidance which requires an entity to provide disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial information. The disclosures are required prospectively and are effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted this guidance, and the required disclosures are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. This guidance has no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On April 1, 2009, the FASB issued guidance requiring that assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that arise from a contingency must be recognized at fair value. If fair value cannot be determined during the measurement period defined in the guidance, the asset or liability can still be recognized if it can be determined that it is probable that the asset existed or the liability had been incurred as of the measurement date and if the amount of the asset or liability can be reasonably estimated. If it is not determined to be probable that the asset/liability existed/was incurred or no reasonable amount can be determined, no asset or liability is recognized. The entity should determine a rational basis for subsequently measuring the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. Contingent consideration agreements should be recognized initially at fair value and subsequently reevaluated in accordance with the guidance. The guidance is effective for business combinations with an acquisition date on or after the beginning of the Company’s first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company will assess the impact of this guidance if and when a future acquisition occurs.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted newly issued guidance from the FASB regarding business combinations. This guidance significantly changes the financial accounting and reporting of business combination transactions but retains the fundamental requirements of the prior guidance, including utilizing the purchase method for all business combinations and identifying an acquirer for each business combination. The impact of adopting the new guidance will depend on the nature, terms and size of business combinations completed.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the FASB’s amended guidance on noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements. This guidance requires the reporting of all noncontrolling interests as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, the reporting of consolidated net income (loss) as the amount attributable to both the parent and the noncontrolling interests, and the separate disclosure of net income (loss) attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interests. Other than the reporting requirements described above which require retrospective application, the remaining provisions are to be applied prospectively in the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The adoption of this guidance had an immaterial impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In conjunction with guidance on noncontrolling interests, we adopted guidance on classification and measurement of redeemable securities. This standard is applicable for all noncontrolling interests where the Company is subject to equity classified securities that are redeemable or may become redeemable at a fixed or determinable price on a fixed or determinable date, at the option of the holder, or upon the occurrence of an event that is not solely within the control of the issuer. A subsidiary of QDI has issued and outstanding preferred stock that is held by holders other than QDI and its other subsidiaries. The holders have the right to cause us to redeem their shares of preferred stock. The redemption value of the preferred stock held by these noncontrolling holders equals the fair value of $1.8 million at September 30, 2009 and is reflected in our consolidated balance sheets as redeemable noncontrolling interest.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted new guidance from the FASB on determining the useful life of intangible assets which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset. The amended guidance removes an earlier requirement to consider whether an intangible asset can be renewed without substantial cost or material modifications to the existing terms and conditions; instead, it requires an entity to consider its own historical experience in renewing similar arrangements. The guidance also requires expanded disclosure related to the determination of intangible asset useful lives. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2009, we adopted the FASB’s guidance to assist in determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The guidance addresses whether unvested equity-based awards are participating securities and, therefore, need to be included in the earnings allocation in computing earnings per share under the two-class method The adoption of this guidance had no impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued guidance on an employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. This guidance is intended to ensure that an employer meets the objectives of the disclosures about plan assets in an employer’s defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan to provide users of financial statements with an understanding of the following: how investment allocation decisions are made, the major categories of plan assets, the inputs and valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of plan assets, the effect of fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs on changes in plan assets, and significant concentrations of risk within plan assets. The disclosures required become effective for us on December 31, 2009. We have determined that the adoption of this guidance will not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2008, we adopted the FASB’s guidance on fair value measurements which provides a consistent definition of fair value that focuses on exit price and prioritizes, within a measurement of fair value, the use of market-based inputs over company-specific inputs. The guidance requires expanded disclosures about fair value measurements and establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based on the observable inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability at the measurement date. The standard also requires that a company consider its own nonperformance risk when measuring liabilities carried at fair value, including derivatives. In February 2008, the FASB permitted companies to partially defer the effective date of its fair value measurement guidance for one year for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis, and we elected to do so. On January 1, 2009, we adopted the fair value measurement guidance for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities. The effect of our adoption was not material to our consolidated financial statements.

On January 1, 2008, we adopted the FASB’s guidance on the fair value option for financial assets and financial liabilities which permits a company to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value that were not previously required to be measured at fair value. We have not elected to measure any financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value which were not previously required to be measured at fair value; therefore, the adoption of this guidance has had no effect on our results of operations.

Fair Value Measurements

The three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurements is based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets;

 

   

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose significant inputs are observable: and

 

   

Level 3 — Instruments whose significant inputs are unobservable.

Following is a description of the valuation methodologies we used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following tables summarize assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis subsequent to initial recognition:

 

 

     September 30, 2009    Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
   Total
Loss
 

Assets

        

Goodwill

   $ 27,289    $ 27,289    $ (146,230

Intangibles

     18,859      18,859      (2,400
                      

Total

   $ 46,148    $ 46,148    $ (148,630
                      

We review the carrying value of our assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when events and circumstances warrant. This review requires the comparison of the fair value of our assets to their respective carrying values. The fair value of our assets is determined based on valuation techniques using the best information that is available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded whenever a decline in fair value below the carrying value is determined to be other than temporary.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill and intangible assets may become impaired as a result of declines in profitability due to changes in volume, pricing or costs. Fair value is determined using a combination of two valuation approaches: the market approach and the income approach. As of September 30, 2009, the carrying value of our goodwill was $27.3 million, and the carrying value of our intangibles was $18.9

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

million. These values reflect adjustments to fair value made as of June 30, 2009 as a result of our annual impairment analysis. Refer to Note 2 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report for further information on the valuation process of our goodwill and intangibles.

Long-term indebtedness

The fair value of our 9% Senior Subordinated Notes (“9% Notes”) and our Senior Floating Rate Notes (“2012 Notes”) were based on quoted market prices. As of September 30, 2009, the carrying value of our 9% Notes was $99.8 million with a fair value of $74.9 million. As of September 30, 2009, the carrying value of our 2012 Notes was $135.0 million with a fair value of $106.7 million. Our asset-based loan facility (the “ABL Facility”) is variable rate debt and approximates fair value.

The carrying amounts reported in the accompanying balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the immediate or short-term maturities of these financial instruments.

Acquisition of Business Assets

During the first nine months of 2009, we did not complete any acquisitions of businesses or affiliates. During 2008, we purchased two transportation companies and an affiliate for $2.1 million, in the aggregate, of which $1.4 million was paid in cash at closing and the remaining $0.7 million is payable over future periods. Of the total $2.1 million, we allocated $1.0 million to property and equipment, $0.9 million to goodwill, and $0.2 million to other intangible assets such as non-compete agreements.

2. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Under the FASB guidance, goodwill and intangible assets are subject to an annual impairment test as well as impairment assessments of certain triggering events. We evaluate goodwill for impairment by determining the fair value for each reporting unit: our trucking segment and our container services segment. These reporting units contain goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets as a result of previous business acquisitions. Our annual impairment test is performed during the second quarter with a measurement date of June 30. Described in greater detail below, the methodology applied in the analysis performed at June 30, 2009 was consistent with the methodology applied in prior years, but was based on updated assumptions, as appropriate. As a result of our analysis we concluded a total impairment charge to goodwill of $146.2 million was necessary at June 30, 2009, of which $144.3 million was related to our trucking segment eliminating 100% of the carrying amount, and $1.9 million was related to our container services segment. As of September 30, 2009, our goodwill assets were $27.3 million.

Our annual analysis for potential impairment of goodwill requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis and involves a two-step process. In the first step, we determine whether there is an indication of impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, based on the first step, we determine that there is an indication of goodwill impairment, the Company will measure any identified goodwill impairment. In the first step, we determine the fair value for our reporting units using a combination of two valuation approaches: the market approach and the income approach. The market approach uses a guideline company methodology which is based upon a comparison of us to similar publicly-traded companies within our industry. We derive a market value of invested capital or business enterprise value for each comparable company by multiplying the price per share of common stock of the publicly traded companies by their total common shares outstanding and adding each company’s current level of debt. We calculate a business enterprise multiple based on revenue and earnings from each company and then apply those multiples to each reporting unit’s revenue and earnings to conclude a reporting unit business enterprise value. Assumptions regarding the selection of comparable companies are made based on, among other factors, capital structure, operating environment and industry. As the comparable companies were typically larger and more diversified than our reporting units, multiples were adjusted prior to application to our reporting units’ revenues and earnings to reflect differences in margins, long-term growth prospects and market capitalization.

The income approach uses a discounted debt-free cash flow analysis to measure fair value by estimating the present value of future economic benefits. To perform the discounted debt-free cash flow analysis, we develop a pro forma analysis of each reporting unit to estimate future available debt-free cash flow and discount estimated debt-free cash flow using an estimated industry weighted average cost of capital based on the same comparable companies used in the market approach. Per the FASB’s guidance, the weighted average cost of capital is based on inputs (e.g., capital structure, risk, etc.) from a market participant’s perspective and not necessarily from the reporting unit’s or QDI’s perspective. Future cash flow is projected based on assumptions for our economic growth, industry expansion, future operations and the discount rate, all of which require significant judgments by management.

After computing a separate business enterprise value under the income approach and market approach, we apply a weighting to them to derive the business enterprise value of the reporting unit. The income approach and market approach were both weighted 50% in the analysis performed June 30, 2009. The weightings are evaluated each time a goodwill impairment assessment is performed and give consideration to the relative reliability of each approach at that time. Based on these weightings, we conclude a business enterprise value for each reporting unit. We then add debt-free liabilities of the reporting unit to the concluded business enterprise value to derive an implied fair value of the reporting unit. The implied fair value is compared to the reporting unit’s carrying value of

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

total assets. Upon completion of the June 30, 2009 analysis in step one, we determined that the carrying amount of our trucking reporting unit exceeded its fair value and the carrying amount of our container services reporting unit was nearly breakeven with its fair value, requiring a step two analysis to be performed for both reporting units.

In step two of the goodwill impairment test, the amount of impairment loss is determined by comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. This involves testing the definite-lived assets in accordance with FASB guidance on accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, using undiscounted cash flows. Then a fair value allocation is performed for each reporting unit based on the business enterprise value obtained in step one. From that we determine the actual goodwill impairment for each reporting unit based on the goodwill residual amount. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to the excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. After a goodwill impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill will be its new accounting basis. Upon completion of step two of the analysis as of June 30, 2009, an impairment charge was determined.

In order to determine the implied fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, in accordance with generally accepted and recognized valuation standards, we utilize the relief from royalty method pursuant to which those assets are valued by reference to the amount of royalty income they would generate if licensed in an arm’s length transaction. Under the relief from royalty method, similar to the discounted cash flow method, estimated net revenues expected to be generated by the asset during its life are multiplied by a benchmark royalty rate and then discounted by the estimated weighted average cost of capital associated with the asset. The resulting capitalized royalty stream is an indication of the value of owning the asset. Based upon management’s review of the value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets in our container services segment during the June 30 analysis, we determined that the carrying value of the Boasso tradename exceeded its implied fair value by $2.4 million at June 30, 2009.

We evaluate at least quarterly whether indicators of impairment exist by reviewing our market capitalization. Our quarterly evaluation at September 30, 2009 demonstrated no new or additional indicators of impairment.

Intangible assets at September 30, 2009 were as follows (in thousands):

 

     Gross
value
   Accumulated
amortization
    Impairment
charge
    Reclass to
assets held-for-

sale
    Net book
value
   Average lives
(in years)

Tradename

   $ 9,800    $ —        $ (2,400   $ —        $ 7,400    Indefinite

Customer relationships

     11,998      (1,783     —          (52     10,163    11

Non-compete agreements

     3,053      (1,618     —          (139     1,296    2 – 4
                                        
   $ 24,851    $ (3,401   $ (2,400   $ (191   $ 18,859   
                                        

Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 was $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Remaining intangible assets will be amortized to expense as follows (in thousands):

 

 

2009 remaining

   $ 398

2010

     1,543

2011

     1,368

2012

     1,205

2013 and after

     6,945
      

Total

   $ 11,459
      

3. Comprehensive (Loss) Income

Comprehensive income (loss) is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008    2009     2008  

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,426      $ 717    $ (185,103   $ (850

Other comprehensive income (loss):

         

Amortization of prior service costs

     312        112      936        241   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

     (103     53      (98     113   
                               

Comprehensive income (loss)

   $ 1,635      $ 882    $ (184,265   $ (496
                               

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

4. Income (loss) Per Share

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted income (loss) per share computations is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
     September 30, 2009    September 30, 2008
     Net income
(numerator)
   Shares
(denominator)
   Per-share
amount
   Net income
(numerator)
   Shares
(denominator)
   Per-share
amount

Basic income available to common shareholders:

                 

Net income

   $ 1,426    19,458    $ 0.07    $ 717    19,387    $ 0.04

Effect of dilutive securities:

                 

Stock options

      —            28   

Unvested restricted stock

      195          141   
                                     

Diluted income available to common shareholders:

                 

Net income

   $ 1,426    19,653    $ 0.07    $ 717    19,556    $ 0.04
                                     

 

     Nine months ended  
     September 30, 2009     September 30, 2008  
     Net loss
(numerator)
    Shares
(denominator)
   Per-share
amount
    Net loss
(numerator)
    Shares
(denominator)
   Per-share
amount
 

Basic loss available to common shareholders:

              

Net loss

   $ (185,103   19,373    $ (9.55   $ (850   19,377    $ (0.04

Effect of dilutive securities:

              

Stock options

     —          —     

Unvested restricted stock

     —          —     
                                          

Diluted loss available to common shareholders:

              

Net loss

   $ (185,103   19,373    $ (9.55   $ (850   19,377    $ (0.04
                                          

There is no effect of our stock options and restricted stock in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 due to a net loss in the respective periods.

The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because such inclusion would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Stock options

   1,687    2,041    1,687    2,069

Unvested restricted stock

   —      —      195    141

5. Stock-Based Compensation

We maintain performance incentive plans under which stock options, restricted shares and stock units may be granted to employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors. As of September 30, 2009, we had two active stock-based compensation plans.

We recognize expense for stock-based compensation based upon estimated grant date fair value. We apply the Black-Scholes valuation model in determining the fair value of share-based payments to employees. The resulting compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period, which is generally the awards’ vesting term. Compensation expense is recognized only for those awards expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated based on our historical experience and future expectations. All stock-based compensation expense is classified within “Compensation” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. None of the stock-based compensation was capitalized during the nine months ended as of September 30, 2009.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The fair value of options granted during the first nine months of 2009 and 2008 was based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The expected term of the options represents the estimated period of time until exercise, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior. For 2009, expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock, which began trading on November 13, 2003. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant with an equivalent remaining term. The Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not currently plan to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future. The Black-Scholes model was used with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

     2009     2008  

Risk free rate

   1.57   3.21

Expected life

   5 years      5 years   

Volatility

   78.7   67.3

Expected dividend

   nil      nil   

The following options and restricted shares were issued during the three months ended:

 

     Options
Issued
   Restricted
Shares
Issued

March 31, 2009

   456,280    95,557

June 30, 2009

   —      —  

September 30, 2009

   —      —  

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
   Nine months ended
September 30,
     2009    2008    2009    2008

Stock options

   $ 68    $ 319    $ 274    $ 868

Restricted stock

     40      89      146      267
                           
   $ 108    $ 408    $ 420    $ 1,135
                           

The following table summarizes unrecognized stock-based compensation and the weighted average period over which such stock-based compensation is expected to be recognized as of September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

          Remaining
years

Stock options

   $ 1,887    4

Restricted stock

     343    4
         
   $ 2,230   
         

These amounts do not include the cost of any additional awards that may be granted in future periods nor any changes in our forfeiture rate. No options were exercised during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

6. Employee Benefit Plans

We maintain two noncontributory defined benefit plans resulting from a prior acquisition that cover certain full-time salaried employees and certain other employees under a collective bargaining agreement. Retirement benefits for employees covered by the salaried plan are based on years of service and compensation levels. The monthly benefit for employees under the collective bargaining agreement plan is based on years of service multiplied by a monthly benefit factor. Pension costs are funded in accordance with the provisions of the applicable law.

We use a December 31st measurement date for both of our plans.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The components of estimated net periodic pension cost are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Service cost

   $ 51      $ 54      $ 152      $ 160   

Interest cost

     688        682        2,064        2,047   

Amortization of prior service cost

     23        23        70        70   

Amortization of loss

     288        88        865        265   

Expected return on plan assets

     (509     (800     (1,528     (2,401
                                

Net periodic pension cost

   $ 541      $ 47      $ 1,623      $ 141   
                                

We contributed $0.7 million to our pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. We expect to contribute an additional $0.3 million during the remainder of 2009.

7. Restructuring

During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we committed to a plan of restructure resulting in the termination of approximately 130 non-driver positions and the consolidation or closure of underperforming company terminals. We continued our restructuring plan throughout 2008 which resulted in a restructuring charge of $5.3 million, of which the majority related to our trucking segment. Our restructuring plan is continuing in 2009 and expected to conclude in 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded charges of $2.1 million related to employee termination benefits and other related exit activities and terminated approximately 130 additional non-driver positions. As of September 30, 2009, approximately $0.4 million was accrued related to the restructuring charges, which are expected to be paid through 2010.

We account for restructuring costs associated with one-time termination benefits, costs associated with lease and contract terminations and other related exit activities in accordance with FASB guidance on accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we had the following activity in our restructuring accruals:

 

     Balance at
December 31,
2008
   Additions    Payments     Reductions    Balance at
September 30,
2009

Restructuring costs

   $ 786    $ 2,105    $ (2,482   $ —      $ 409

8. Segment Reporting

Reportable Segments

We have two reportable business segments for financial reporting purposes that are distinguished primarily on the basis of services offered:

 

   

Trucking, which consists of truckload transportation of bulk chemicals, and

 

   

Container Services, specifically ISO tank container transportation and depot services.

Segment revenues and operating income include the allocation of fuel surcharge to the trucking segment. The operating income reported in our segments excludes amounts reported in Other operating income, such as gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment, restructuring costs, impairment charge, corporate and other unallocated amounts. Corporate and unallocated amounts include depreciation and amortization and other gains and losses. Although these amounts are excluded from the business segment results, they are included in reported consolidated earnings. Included in Other revenue are revenues from our tank wash services and other value-added services. We have not provided specific asset information by segment, as it is not regularly provided to our chief operating decision maker for review.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Summarized segment data and a reconciliation to (loss) income before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

Operating revenues:

        

Trucking

   $ 123,053      $ 174,222      $ 347,671      $ 523,998   

Container Services

     20,248        22,660        58,027        66,930   

Other revenue

     19,504        17,859        56,625        56,276   
                                

Total

     162,805        214,741        462,323        647,204   
                                

Operating income (loss):

        

Trucking

     9,803        12,165        25,492        30,282   

Container Services

     2,754        3,125        8,044        7,202   

Other operating income

     1,013        513        3,565        4,330   
                                

Total segment operating income

     13,570        15,803        37,101        41,814   

Depreciation and amortization expense

     5,055        5,207        15,694        15,435   

Impairment charge (1)

     —          —          148,630        —     

Other expense

     619        833        2,119        1,243   
                                

Total

     7,896        9,763        (129,342     25,136   

Interest expense

     6,462        8,455        19,980        26,246   

Interest income

     (25     (128     (211     (333

Other (income) expense

     (8     15        (959     171   
                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ 1,467      $ 1,421      $ (148,152   $ (948
                                

 

(1) Includes an impairment charge of $144.3 million related to our trucking segment and an impairment charge of $4.3 million related to our container services segment

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Geographic Segments

Our operations are located primarily in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Inter-area sales are not significant to the total revenue of any geographic area. Information about our operations in different geographic areas for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended September 30, 2009  
     U. S.     International    Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ 152,301      $ 10,504    $ 162,805   

Operating income

     7,060        836      7,896   
     Three months ended September 30, 2008  
     U. S.     International    Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ 200,883      $ 13,858    $ 214,741   

Operating income

     9,134        629      9,763   
     Nine months ended September 30, 2009  
     U. S.     International    Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ 433,592      $ 28,731    $ 462,323   

Operating (loss) income

     (132,284     2,942      (129,342
     As of September 30, 2009  

Long-term identifiable assets (1)

   $ 147,198      $ 8,390    $ 155,588   
     Nine months ended September 30, 2008  
     U. S.     International    Consolidated  

Total operating revenues

   $ 604,752      $ 42,452    $ 647,204   

Operating income

     21,373        3,763      25,136   
     As of December 31, 2008  

Long-term identifiable assets (1)

   $ 164,068      $ 7,322    $ 171,390   

 

(1) Includes property and equipment, assets-held-for-sale and intangible assets

9. Income Taxes

At December 31, 2008, we had approximately $2.0 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits. Of this total, $1.3 million (net of federal benefit on state tax issues) represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in any future periods.

Included in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2008, was $0.3 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could significantly change during the next twelve months due to expiration of the statute of limitations.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the change in unrecognized tax benefits was a decrease of $0.1 million. The change was due to an expiration of the statute of limitations on a state tax reserve. Our total gross unrecognized tax benefit at September 30, 2009 was $1.9 million.

Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. We had $1.3 million (net of federal tax benefit) accrued for interest and $0.5 million accrued for penalties at December 31, 2008. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties at September 30, 2009 was $1.1 million.

We are subject to the income tax jurisdictions of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. We believe we are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2005, to international examinations for years before 2003 and with few exceptions, to state examinations before 2004.

The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were approximately 2.8% and 49.5%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were approximately (24.9%) and 10.3%,

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

respectively. The difference in the effective tax rate for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009 differs from previous periods due to the impairment of deductible and non-deductible goodwill and the resulting recognition of a deferred income tax benefit related to the deductible portion, net of a 100% valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets that we have determined are no longer more likely than not to be realized.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental Matters

It is our policy to comply with all applicable environmental, safety, and health laws. Our activities involve the handling, transportation and storage of bulk chemicals, both liquid and dry, many of which are classified as hazardous materials or hazardous substances. Our terminal operations engage in the generation, storage, discharge and disposal of wastewater that may contain hazardous substances, the inventory and use of cleaning materials that may contain hazardous substances and the control and discharge of storm-water from industrial sites. In addition, we may store diesel fuel, materials containing oil and other hazardous products at our terminals. As such, we and others who operate in our industry are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulation by U.S. federal, state and local agencies as well as foreign governmental authorities. Environmental laws and regulations are complex, and address emissions to the air, discharge onto land or water, and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials. These laws change frequently and generally require us to obtain and maintain various licenses and permits. Environmental laws have tended to become more stringent over time, and most provide for substantial fines and potential criminal sanctions for violations. Some of these laws and regulations are subject to varying and conflicting interpretations. Under certain of these laws, we could also be subject to allegations of liability for the activities of our affiliates or owner-operators.

We are potentially subject to strict, joint and several liability for investigating and rectifying the consequences of spills and other releases of such substances. From time to time, we have incurred remedial costs and regulatory penalties with respect to chemical or wastewater spills and releases at our facilities and on the road, and, notwithstanding the existence of our environmental management program, we cannot assure that such obligations will not be incurred in the future, predict with certainty the extent of future liabilities and costs under environmental, health, and safety laws, or assure that such liabilities will not result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flow. We have established reserves for remediation expenses at known contamination sites when it is probable that such efforts will be required of us and the related expenses can be reasonably estimated.

We have also incurred in the past, and expect to incur in the future, capital and other expenditures related to environmental compliance for current and planned operations. Such expenditures are generally included in our overall capital and operating budgets and are not accounted for separately. However, we do not anticipate that compliance with existing environmental laws in conducting current and planned operations will have a material adverse effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Reserves

Our policy is to accrue remediation expenses when it is probable that such efforts will be required and the related expenses can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of costs for future environmental compliance and remediation may be adversely affected by such factors as changes in environmental laws and regulatory requirements, the availability and application of technology, the identification of currently unknown potential remediation sites and the allocation of costs among the potentially responsible parties under the applicable statutes. The recorded liabilities are adjusted periodically as remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. As of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, we had reserves in the amount of $11.3 million and $10.9 million, respectively, for all environmental matters discussed below.

The balances presented include both long term and current environmental reserves. We expect these environmental obligations to be paid over the next five years. Additions to the environmental liability reserves are classified on the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the “Selling and administrative” category.

Property Contamination Liabilities

We have been named as (or are alleged to be) a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (“CERCLA”) and similar state laws at approximately 24 sites. At two of the 24 sites, we will be participating in the initial studies to determine site remediation objectives. Since our overall liability cannot be estimated at this time, we have set reserves for only the initial remedial investigation phase. At 18 of the 24 sites, we are one of many parties with alleged liability and are negotiating with Federal, State or private parties on the scope of our obligations, if any. At four of the 18 sites, we have explicitly denied any liability and since there has been no subsequent demand for payment we have not established a reserve for these matters. We have estimated future expenditures for these off-site multi-party environmental matters to be in the range of $2.5 million to $3.8 million.

At six sites, we are the only responsible party and are in the process of conducting investigations and/or remediation projects. Four of these projects relate to operations conducted by Chemical Leaman Corporation and its subsidiaries (“CLC”) prior to our

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

acquisition of and merger with CLC in 1998. These four sites are: (1) Bridgeport, New Jersey; (2) William Dick, Pennsylvania; (3) Tonawanda, New York; and (4) Scary Creek, West Virginia. The remaining two investigations and potential remediation were triggered by the New Jersey Industrial Site Remediation Act (“ISRA”), which requires such investigations and remediation following the sale of industrial facilities. Each of these sites is discussed in more detail below. We have estimated future expenditures for these four properties to be in the range of $8.8 million to $16.7 million.

Bridgeport, New Jersey

QDI is required under the terms of two federal consent decrees to perform remediation at this operating truck terminal and tank wash site. CLC entered into consent orders with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) in May 1991 for the treatment of groundwater and in October 1998 for the removal of contamination in the wetlands. In addition, we were required to assess the removal of contaminated soils.

The groundwater treatment remedy negotiated with USEPA calls for a treatment facility for in place treatment of groundwater contamination and a local discharge. Treatment facility construction was completed in early 2007. Plant start-up procedures issues are on-going. Wetlands contamination has been remediated with localized restoration completed. Monitoring of the restored wetlands is continuing. In regard to contaminated soils, USEPA has recently finalized a feasibility study and issued a record of decision for the limited areas that show contamination and warrant additional investigation or work. We have estimated expenditures to be in the range of $5.6 million to $8.5 million.

William Dick, Pennsylvania

CLC entered into a consent order with the Pennsylvania DEP and USEPA in October 1995 obligating it to provide a replacement water supply to area residents, treat contaminated groundwater, and perform remediation of contaminated soils at this former wastewater disposal site. The replacement water supply is complete. We completed construction of a treatment facility with local discharge for groundwater treatment in the fourth quarter of 2007. Plant start-up issues are on-going. The agencies have approved a contaminated soils remedy, which requires both thermal treatment of contaminated soils and treatment of residuals via soil vapor extraction. The remedy expanded to include off-site shipment of contaminated soils. Soil treatment was completed in September 2007. Site sampling has been conducted and the results indicate that the soil clean-up objectives have not been fully achieved. Negotiations are on-going with USEPA over further remedial actions that may be needed at the site. We have estimated expenditures to be in the range of $1.0 million to $3.4 million.

Other Properties

Scary Creek, West Virginia: CLC received a clean up notice from the State environmental authority in August 1994. The State and we have agreed that remediation can be conducted under the State’s voluntary clean-up program (instead of the state superfund enforcement program). We are currently completing the originally planned remedial investigation and the additional site investigation work.

Tonawanda, New York: CLC entered into a consent order with the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on June 22, 1999 obligating it to perform soil and groundwater remediation at this former truck terminal and tank wash site. We have completed a remedial investigation and a feasibility study. The State issued a record of decision in May 2006. The site is currently in Remedial Design phase.

ISRA New Jersey Facilities: We are obliged to conduct investigations and remediation at two current or former New Jersey tank wash and terminal sites pursuant to the state’s Industrial Sites Remediation Act, which requires such remediation following the sale of facilities after 1983. These sites are in the process of remedial investigation with projections set in contemplation of limited soil remediation expense for contaminated areas. The former owner of a third site has agreed to take responsibility for it so we are not currently taking action under ISRA for the site.

We have estimated future expenditures for Scary Creek, Tonawanda and ISRA to be in the range of $2.2 million to $4.8 million.

Other Legal Matters

We are from time to time involved in routine litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. We believe that no such routine litigation currently pending against us, if adversely determined, would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

11. Subsequent Events

Subsequent events have been evaluated and disclosed herein relating to events that have occurred from September 30, 2009 through the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, November 6, 2009.

Exchange Offers

On August 28, 2009, we commenced exchange and tender offers to exchange new notes and cash consideration for any and all of our 2012 Notes and our 9% Notes. These offers were completed on October 15, 2009. We received approximately $134.5 million of our 2012 Notes in exchange for new 10% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Senior Notes”). We received approximately $83.6 million of our 9% Notes in exchange for the issuance of approximately $80.7 million aggregate principal amount of 11.75% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due 2013, (the “2013 PIK Notes”), and approximately 1.75 million warrants as well as the payment of approximately $1.8 million in cash. The warrants are exercisable to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, during the period beginning on the six-month anniversary of the closing date and ending on November 1, 2013.

The 2013 Senior Notes and 2013 PIK Notes are our subsidiary issuers’ unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis, jointly and severally, by QDI, our other subsidiary guarantors, and certain of our future U.S. restricted subsidiaries.

Interest is payable on the 2013 Senior Notes at 10% per annum, semiannually, to holders of record at the close of business on May 15 and November 15 immediately preceding the interest payment dates on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2010. We may redeem the 2013 Senior Notes, in whole or part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2013 Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Subject to certain conditions, we are required to redeem $6.0 million in principal amount of the 2013 Senior Notes on each June 1 and December 1, commencing December 1, 2010. Additionally, beginning after 2011, subject to certain conditions, the 2013 Senior Notes may be subject to mandatory redemption based on the amount of excess cash flow we generate.

Interest is payable on the 2013 PIK Notes at 11.75% per annum, payable 9% in cash and 2.75% in the form of additional 2013 PIK Notes, quarterly, to holders of record at the close of business on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2010. We may redeem the 2013 PIK Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to October 15, 2010, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” After October 15, 2010, we may redeem the 2013 PIK Notes, in whole or part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. At any time (which may be more than once) prior to October 15, 2010, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes at a redemption price equal to 111.75% of the face amount thereof with the net proceeds of one or more equity offerings so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes issued on the closing date remains outstanding afterwards.

The indentures governing the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes also contain covenants that limit our ability to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; (ii) pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of their capital stock or make other restricted payments; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell certain assets; (v) create or permit to exist dividend and/or payment restrictions affecting their restricted subsidiaries; (vi) create liens on certain assets to secure debt; (vii) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets; (viii) enter into certain transactions with their affiliates; and (ix) designate their subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The indentures also provide for events of default, which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding notes to be due and payable immediately.

We have agreed pursuant to registration rights agreements to file registration statements within 120 days relating to an offer to exchange the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes for debt securities which are substantially identical in all material respects to the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes, respectively, and to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statements to be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission within 180 days, and to consummate the exchange offer within 220 days, from October 15, 2009. If we fail to satisfy these obligations, we will be required to pay additional interest.

 

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Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Asset Sale

On October 10, 2009, we sold substantially all of the operating assets of our Quala Systems, Inc. (“QSI”) tank wash subsidiary for $13.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in cash and the remaining $3.0 million in a subordinated note. The subordinated note is a five year non-amortizing note which matures on December 31, 2014. The principal is payable in a lump sum at maturity. Interest is payable quarterly at 7% per annum commencing December 31, 2009. In connection with the sale, QSI entered into various agreements with the purchaser, which is not affiliated with us, including long-term leases of real estate used in the tank wash business and various operating agreements. The assets held-for-sale of $4.9 million includes $4.3 million of equipment, $0.4 million of inventory, and $0.2 of intangibles. The QSI business that was sold generated approximately $21.0 million of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from tank wash and related operations. We expect to record a pre-tax gain on the sale in the fourth quarter between $7.5 million and $8.0 million.

 

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QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Quality Distribution, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

12. Guarantor Subsidiaries

The 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 and the Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012 issued by QD LLC and QD Capital are unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis pursuant to guarantees by all of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries, and by QDI. Each of our direct and indirect subsidiaries, including QD LLC, is 100% owned. All non-domestic subsidiaries including Levy Transport, Ltd. are non-guarantor subsidiaries. QD Capital has no material assets or operations.

QD LLC conducts substantially all of its business through and derives virtually all of its income from its subsidiaries. Therefore, its ability to make required principal and interest payments with respect to its indebtedness depends on the earnings of subsidiaries and its ability to receive funds from its subsidiaries through dividend and other payments. The subsidiary guarantors are wholly owned subsidiaries of QD LLC and have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes and the Senior Floating Rate Notes on a joint and several basis.

We have not presented separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning subsidiary guarantors because management has determined such information is not material to the holders of the above-mentioned notes.

The following condensed consolidating financial information for QDI, QD LLC, QD Capital (which has no assets or operations), non-guarantor subsidiaries and combined guarantor subsidiaries presents:

 

   

Condensed consolidating balance sheets at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 and condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008 and the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for each of the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008.

 

   

Elimination entries necessary to consolidate the parent company and all its subsidiaries.

 

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Consolidating Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC &
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Operating revenues:

            

Transportation

   $ —        $ —        $ 120,444      $ —        $ —        $ 120,444   

Other service revenue

     —          —          26,741        52        —          26,793   

Fuel surcharge

     —          —          15,568        —          —          15,568   
                                                

Total operating revenues

     —          —          162,753        52        —          162,805   

Operating expenses:

            

Purchased transportation

     —          —          102,393        —          —          102,393   

Compensation

     —          —          19,040        —          —          19,040   

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

     —          —          16,129        —          —          16,129   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          —          5,055        —          —          5,055   

Selling and administrative

     —          176        5,411        5        —          5,592   

Insurance costs

     —          —          3,076        5        —          3,081   

Taxes and licenses

     —          —          1,023        —          —          1,023   

Communication and utilities

     —          —          1,977        —          —          1,977   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     —          —          279        —          —          279   

Restructuring costs

     —          —          340        —          —          340   
                                                

Operating (loss) income

     —          (176     8,030        42        —          7,896   

Interest expense (income), non-related party, net

     —          5,836        613        (12     —          6,437   

Interest (income) expense, related party, net

     —          (5,836     5,945        (109     —          —     

Other (income) expense

     (3     —          (22     17        —          (8
                                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     3        (176     1,494        146        —          1,467   

Provision for income taxes

     —          —          15        26        —          41   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     1,423        1,599        —          —          (3,022     —     
                                                

Net income (loss)

   $ 1,426      $ 1,423      $ 1,479      $ 120      $ (3,022   $ 1,426   
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidating Statements of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI    QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Operating revenues:

             

Transportation

   $ —      $ —        $ 144,774      $ —        $ —        $ 144,774   

Other service revenue

     —        —          25,422        72        —          25,494   

Fuel surcharge

     —        —          44,473        —          —          44,473   
                                               

Total operating revenues

     —        —          214,669        72        —          214,741   

Operating expenses:

             

Purchased transportation

     —        —          124,800        —          —          124,800   

Compensation

     —        —          27,519        —          —          27,519   

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

     —        —          30,031        —          —          30,031   

Depreciation and amortization

     —        —          5,229        (22     —          5,207   

Selling and administrative

     —        69        8,616        14        —          8,699   

Insurance costs

     —        —          3,193        9        —          3,202   

Taxes and licenses

     —        —          1,582        1        —          1,583   

Communication and utilities

     —        —          3,104        —          —          3,104   

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

     —        —          (842     (25     —          (867

Restructuring costs

     —        —          1,700        —          —          1,700   
                                               

Operating (loss) income

     —        (69     9,737        95        —          9,763   

Interest expense (income), non-related party, net

     —        8,024        332        (29     —          8,327   

Interest (income) expense, related party, net

     —        (1,500     1,630        (130     —          —     

Other expense

     —        —          31        (16     —          15   
                                               

(Loss) income before taxes

     —        (6,593     7,744        270        —          1,421   

Provision for income taxes

     —        —          650        54        —          704   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

     717      7,310        —          —          (8,027     —     
                                               

Net income

   $ 717    $ 717      $ 7,094      $ 216      $ (8,027   $ 717   
                                               

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidating Statements of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC &
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations    Consolidated  

Operating revenues:

             

Transportation

   $ —        $ —        $ 343,554      $ —        $ —      $ 343,554   

Other service revenue

     —          —          80,090        151        —        80,241   

Fuel surcharge

     —          —          38,528        —          —        38,528   
                                               

Total operating revenues

     —          —          462,172        151        —        462,323   

Operating expenses:

             

Purchased transportation

     —          —          273,269        —          —        273,269   

Compensation

     —          —          61,791        —          —        61,791   

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

     —          —          49,591        —          —        49,591   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          —          15,694        —          —        15,694   

Selling and administrative

     —          208        19,386        20           19,614   

Insurance costs

     —          —          11,061        15        —        11,076   

Taxes and licenses

     —          —          3,096        —          —        3,096   

Communication and utilities

     —          —          6,785        —          —        6,785   

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     —          —          14        —          —        14   

Impairment charge

     —          —          148,630        —          —        148,630   

Restructuring costs

     —          —          2,105        —          —        2,105   
                                               

Operating (loss) income

     —          (208     (129,250     116        —        (129,342

Interest expense (income), non-related party, net

     —          17,926        1,879        (36     —        19,769   

Interest (income) expense, related party, net

     —          (17,926     18,241        (315     —        —     

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —          (675     —          —          —        (675

Other (income) expense

     (3     —          (286     5        —        (284
                                               

Income (loss) before income taxes

     3        467        (149,084     462        —        (148,152

Provision for income taxes

     —          —          36,831        120        —        36,951   

Equity in loss of subsidiaries

     (185,106     (185,573     —          —          370,679      —     
                                               

Net (loss) income

   $ (185,103   $ (185,106   $ (185,915   $ 342      $ 370,679    $ (185,103
                                               

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidating Statements of Operations

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Operating revenues:

            

Transportation

   $ —        $ —        $ 445,798      $ —        $ —        $ 445,798   

Other service revenue

     —          —          78,582        334        —          78,916   

Fuel surcharge

     —          —          122,490        —          —          122,490   
                                                

Total operating revenues

     —          —          646,870        334        —          647,204   

Operating expenses:

            

Purchased transportation

     —          —          376,378        —          —          376,378   

Compensation

     —          —          83,518        —          —          83,518   

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

     —          —          93,199        —          —          93,199   

Depreciation and amortization

     —          —          15,457        (22     —          15,435   

Selling and administrative

     —          181        26,287        47          26,515   

Insurance costs

     —          —          11,599        30        —          11,629   

Taxes and licenses

     —          —          4,041        1        —          4,042   

Communication and utilities

     —          —          10,109        —          —          10,109   

Gain on disposal of property and equipment

     —          —          (2,807     (25     —          (2,832

Restructuring costs

     —          —          4,075        —          —          4,075   
                                                

Operating (loss) income

     —          (181     25,014        303        —          25,136   

Interest (income) expense, non-related party, net

     (21     24,698        1,314        (78     —          25,913   

Interest (income) expense, related party, net

     —          (4,608     4,997        (389     —          —     

Other expense (income)

     —          —          222        (51     —          171   
                                                

Income (loss) before taxes

     21        (20,271     18,481        821        —          (948

(Benefit from) provision for income taxes

     —          —          (360     262        —          (98

Equity in (loss) earnings of subsidiaries

     (871     19,400        —          —          (18,529     —     
                                                

Net (loss) income

   $ (850   $ (871   $ 18,841      $ 559      $ (18,529   $ (850
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidating Balance Sheet

September 30, 2009

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

            

Current Assets:

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ —        $ 574      $ 2,257      $ —        $ 2,831   

Accounts receivable, net

     74        —          80,578        76        —          80,728   

Prepaid expenses

     —          96        6,286        —          —          6,382   

Deferred tax asset, net

     —          —          6,774        —          —          6,774   

Other

     15        —          5,718        39        —          5,772   
                                                

Total current assets

     89        96        99,930        2,372        —          102,487   

Property and equipment, net

     —          —          131,802        —          —          131,802   

Assets held-for-sale

     —          —          4,927        —          —          4,927   

Goodwill

     —          —          27,289        —          —          27,289   

Intangibles, net

     —          —          18,859        —          —          18,859   

Investment in subsidiaries

     (155,269     450,936        21,234        —          (316,901     —     

Non-current deferred tax asset, net

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Other assets

     —          7,370        833        —          —          8,203   
                                                

Total assets

   $ (155,180   $ 458,402      $ 304,874      $ 2,372      $ (316,901   $ 293,567   
                                                

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY

  

Current Liabilities:

            

Current maturities of indebtedness

   $ —        $ —        $ 3,538      $ —        $ —        $ 3,538   

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     —          —          6,063        —          —          6,063   

Accounts payable

     —          —          9,646        —          —          9,646   

Intercompany

     (1,348     301,448        (272,967     (5,899     (21,234     —     

Affiliates and independent owner-operators payable

     —          —          11,052        —          —          11,052   

Accrued expenses

     —          4,983        17,939        15        —          22,937   

Environmental liabilities

     —          —          4,563        —          —          4,563   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     —          —          9,074        —          —          9,074   

Income tax payable

     —          —          —          —          —          —     
                                                

Total current liabilities

     (1,348     306,431        (211,092     (5,884     (21,234     66,873   

Long-term indebtedness, less current maturities

     —          307,240        9,307        —          —          316,547   

Capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     —          —          12,862        —          —          12,862   

Environmental liabilities

     —          —          6,695        —          —          6,695   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     —          —          11,152        —          —          11,152   

Other non-current liabilities

     (1,007     —          30,580        857        —          30,430   
                                                

Total liabilities

     (2,355     613,671        (140,496     (5,027     (21,234     444,559   

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

     —          —          1,833        —          —          1,833   

Shareholders’ (deficit) equity:

            

Common Stock

     363,365        354,963        493,866        7,629        (856,458     363,365   

Treasury stock

     (1,580     —          —          —          —          (1,580

Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings

     (299,137     (295,470     (26,088     757        320,801        (299,137

Stock recapitalization

     (189,589     (189,589     —          (55     189,644        (189,589

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (25,650     (25,648     (24,241     (932     50,346        (25,650

Stock subscriptions receivable

     (234     —          —          —          —          (234
                                                

Total shareholders’ (deficit) equity

     (152,825     (155,269     443,537        7,399        (295,667     (152,825
                                                

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ (deficit) equity

   $ (155,180   $ 458,402      $ 304,874      $ 2,372      $ (316,901   $ 293,567   
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

Consolidating Balance Sheet

December 31, 2008

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

ASSETS

            

Current Assets:

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —        $ —        $ 4,725      $ 2,062      $ —        $ 6,787   

Accounts receivable, net

     71        —          81,470        71        —          81,612   

Prepaid expenses

     —          96        12,811        15        —          12,922   

Deferred tax asset, net

     —          —          14,707        —          —          14,707   

Other

     (9     —          7,888        71        —          7,950   
                                                

Total current assets

     62        96        121,601        2,219        —          123,978   

Property and equipment, net

     —          —          148,692        —          —          148,692   

Goodwill

     —          —          173,519        —          —          173,519   

Intangibles, net

     —          —          22,698        —          —          22,698   

Investment in subsidiaries

     28,523        635,195        21,234        —          (684,952     —     

Non-current deferred tax asset, net

     1,007        —          21,629          —          22,636   

Other assets

     —          9,496        1,084        —          —          10,580   
                                                

Total assets

   $ 29,592      $ 644,787      $ 510,457      $ 2,219      $ (684,952   $ 502,103   
                                                

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

  

Current Liabilities:

            

Current maturities of indebtedness

   $ —        $ 2,500      $ 5,861      $ —        $ —        $ 8,361   

Current maturities of capital lease obligations

     —          —          7,994        —          —          7,994   

Accounts payable

     —          —          16,126        —          —          16,126   

Intercompany

     (1,428     289,974        (261,748     (5,564     (21,234     —     

Affiliates and independent owner-operators payable

     —          —          7,649        —          —          7,649   

Accrued expenses

     —          4,375        20,970        12        —          25,357   

Environmental liabilities

     —          —          4,819        —          —          4,819   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     —          —          8,705        —          —          8,705   
                                                

Total current liabilities

     (1,428     296,849        (189,624     (5,552     (21,234     79,011   

Long-term indebtedness, less current maturities

     —          319,415        10,994        —          —          330,409   

Capital lease obligations, less current maturities

     —          —          15,822        —          —          15,822   

Environmental liabilities

     —          —          6,035        —          —          6,035   

Accrued loss and damage claims

     —          —          12,815        —          —          12,815   

Other non-current liabilities

     —          —          24,383        775        —          25,158   
                                                

Total liabilities

     (1,428     616,264        (119,575     (4,777     (21,234     469,250   

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

     —          —          1,833        —          —          1,833   

Shareholders’ equity (deficit):

            

Common Stock

     362,945        354,963        493,866        7,629        (856,458     362,945   

Treasury stock

     (1,580     —          —          —          —          (1,580

Accumulated (deficit) retained earnings

     (114,034     (110,364     159,827        415        (49,878     (114,034

Stock recapitalization

     (189,589     (189,589     —          (55     189,644        (189,589

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (26,488     (26,487     (25,494     (993     52,974        (26,488

Stock subscriptions receivable

     (234     —          —          —            (234
                                                

Total shareholders’ equity (deficit)

     31,020        28,523        628,199        6,996        (663,718     31,020   
                                                

Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interest and shareholders’ equity (deficit)

   $ 29,592      $ 644,787      $ 510,457      $ 2,219      $ (684,952   $ 502,103   
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities:

            

Net (loss) income

   $ (185,103   $ (185,106   $ (185,915   $ 342      $ 370,679      $ (185,103

Adjustments for non-cash charges

     185,106        170,032        222,154        (315     (370,679     206,298   

Net changes in assets and liabilities

     (1,034     2,734        6,026        292        —          8,018   

Intercompany activity

     1,031        12,340        (13,247     (124     —          —     
                                                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     —          —          29,018        195        —          29,213   
                                                

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Capital expenditures

     —          —          (7,125     —          —          (7,125

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     —          —          6,495        —          —          6,495   
                                                

Net cash used in investing activities

     —          —          (630     —          —          (630
                                                

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —          —          —          —          —          —     

Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

     —          (2,825     (10,256     —          —          (13,081

Proceeds from revolver

     —          28,600        —          —          —          28,600   

Payments on revolver

     —          (40,600     —          —          —          (40,600

Other

     —          (109     (7,384     —          —          (7,493

Intercompany activity

     —          14,934        (14,934     —          —          —     
                                                

Net cash used in financing activities

     —          —          (32,574     —          —          (32,574
                                                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     —          —          35        —          —          35   
                                                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —          —          (4,151     195        —          (3,956

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —          —          4,725        2,062        —          6,787   
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —        $ —        $ 574      $ 2,257      $ —        $ 2,831   
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Unaudited - (In 000’s)

 

     QDI     QD LLC and
QD Capital
    Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

Cash flows from operating activities:

            

Net (loss) income

   $ (850   $ (871   $ 18,841      $ 559      $ (18,529   $ (850

Adjustments for non-cash charges

     850        (1,439     (482     (435     18,529        17,023   

Net changes in assets and liabilities

     (15     4566        (10,280     221        —          (5,508

Intercompany activity

     15        (2,256     2,426        (185     —          —     
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

     —          —          10,505        160        —          10,665   
                                                

Cash flows from investing activities:

            

Capital expenditures

     —          —          (14,967     —          —          (14,967

Acquisition of businesses and assets

     —          —          (1,397     —          —          (1,397

Boasso purchase adjustment

     —          —          1,318        —          —          1,318   

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     —          —          4,620        (22     —          4,598   
                                                

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

     —          —          (10,426     (22     —          (10,448
                                                

Cash flows from financing activities:

            

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

     —          —          1,049        —          —          1,049   

Principal payments on long-term debt

     —          —          (3,316     —          —          (3,316

Principal payments on capital lease obligations

     —          —          (1,949     —          —          (1,949

Proceeds from revolver

     —          110,700        —          —          —          110,700   

Payments on revolver

     —          (89,830     —          —          —          (89,830

Deferred financing fees

     —          (623     —          —          —          (623

Other

     —          (109     (2,393     —          —          (2,502

Intercompany activity

     —          (20,138     20,138        —          —          —     
                                                

Net cash provided by financing activities

     —          —          13,529        —          —          13,529   
                                                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     —          —          (14     —          —          (14
                                                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     —          —          13,594        138        —          13,732   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     —          —          7,339        2,372        —          9,711   
                                                

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —        $ —        $ 20,933      $ 2,510      $ —        $ 23,443   
                                                

 

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Table of Contents

ITEM 2 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this report. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from results discussed in the forward-looking statements, see “Forward-Looking Statements and Certain Considerations” contained in this Item 2.

OVERVIEW

We operate the largest for-hire chemical bulk tank truck network in North America based on bulk service revenues. The bulk tank truck market in North America includes all products shipped by bulk tank truck carriers and consists primarily of liquid and dry bulk chemicals (including plastics) and bulk dry and liquid food-grade products. We primarily transport a broad range of chemical products and provide our customers with logistics and other value-added services. We are a core carrier for many of the Fortune 500 companies engaged in chemical processing including BASF, Dow, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Georgia-Pacific, Honeywell, Proctor & Gamble, Sunoco and Unilever, and we provide services to most of the top 100 chemical producers with U.S. operations.

Our revenue is principally a function of the volume of shipments by the bulk chemical industry, the number of miles driven per load, our market share, and the allocation of shipments between tank truck transportation and other modes of transportation such as rail. The volume of shipments of chemical products is, in turn, affected by many other industries and end use markets, including consumer and industrial products, paints and coatings, paper and packaging, agriculture and food products, and tends to vary with changing economic conditions. Economic conditions and differences among the laws and currencies of nations may impact the volume of shipments imported into the United States. Additionally, we provide leasing, logistics and transloading services.

Our bulk service network consists primarily of independently owned third-party affiliate terminals, company-operated terminals and independent owner-operator drivers. Affiliates are independent companies we contract with to operate trucking terminals exclusively on our behalf in defined markets. The affiliates provide the capital necessary to service their contracted business and are also responsible for most of the operating costs associated with servicing the contracted business. Owner-operators are generally individual drivers who own or lease their tractors and agree to drive exclusively for us and our affiliate partners. We believe the use of affiliates and independent owner-operators provides the following key competitive advantages to us in the marketplace:

 

   

Locally owned and operated affiliate terminals can provide superior, tailored customer service.

 

   

Affiliates and independent owner-operators are paid a fixed, contractual percentage of revenue for each load they transport creating a variable cost structure that mitigates against cyclical downturns.

 

   

Reliance on affiliates and independent owner-operators creates an asset-light business model that generally reduces our capital investment.

In the first quarter of 2009, we began consolidating certain company-operated terminals and transitioning other company-operated terminals to affiliates. These actions have progressed throughout 2009 and have resulted in a larger portion of our revenue being generated by affiliates. We believe these actions will reduce certain fixed costs, provide a more variable cost structure and position us with a financially flexible business platform.

We believe the most significant factors relevant to our future business growth are the ability to (i) obtain additional business from existing customers, (ii) add new customers and (iii) recruit and retain drivers. While many of our customers source some of their logistics needs with rail, we expect our customers to continue to outsource a greater proportion of their logistics needs to full service tank truck carriers. As a result of our leading market position, strong customer relationships and flexible business model, we believe we are well-positioned to benefit from customers seeking consolidation of their shipping relationships and those opting to outsource a greater portion of their logistics needs to third-party tank truck carriers.

Acquired in December 2007, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Boasso America Corporation (“Boasso”), is the leading North America provider of ISO (International Organization of Standardization) tank container transportation and depot services with eight terminals located in the eastern half of the United States. The increase in global sourcing of bulk chemicals has shifted significant chemical manufacturing activity away from the United States, resulting in increased demand for ISO tank containers. As a result, ISO tank container services remain a critical component in the overall chemical supply chain.

On August 28, 2009, we commenced exchange and tender offers to exchange new notes and cash consideration for any and all of our 2012 Notes and our 9% Notes. These offers were completed on October 15, 2009. We received approximately $134.5 million of our 2012 Notes in exchange for new 2013 Senior Notes. We received approximately $83.6 million of our 9% Notes for approximately $80.7 million aggregate principal amount of new 2013 PIK Notes, issued approximately 1.75 million warrants and retired approximately $2.9 million of our 9% Notes. The warrants are exercisable to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, during the period beginning on the six-month anniversary of the closing date and ending on November 1, 2013.

 

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On October 10, 2009, we sold substantially all of the operating assets of our Quala Systems, Inc. (“QSI”) tank wash subsidiary for $13.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in cash and the remaining $3.0 million in a subordinated note. The subordinated note is a five year non-amortizing note which matures on December 31, 2014. The principal is payable in a lump sum at maturity. Interest is payable quarterly at 7% per annum commencing December 31, 2009. In connection with the sale, QSI entered into various agreements with the purchaser, which is not affiliated with us, including long-term leases of real estate used in the tank wash business and various operating agreements. The assets held-for-sale of $4.9 million includes $4.3 million of equipment, $0.4 million of inventory, and $0.2 of intangibles. The QSI business that was sold generated approximately $21.0 million of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from tank wash and related operations. We expect to record a pre-tax gain on the sale in the fourth quarter between $7.5 million and $8.0 million.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. We believe the following are the more critical accounting policies that impact the financial statements, some of which are based on management’s best estimates available at the time of preparation. Actual future experience may differ from these estimates.

Property and equipment—Property and equipment expenditures, including tractor and trailer rebuilds that extend the useful lives of such equipment, are capitalized and recorded at cost. For financial statement purposes, these assets are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets to an estimated salvage value.

The asset lives used are presented in the following table:

 

     Average Lives
(in years)

Buildings and improvements

   10 -25

Tractors and terminal equipment

   5 - 7

Trailers

   15 -20

Furniture and fixtures

   3 - 5

Other equipment

   3 - 10

Tractor and trailer rebuilds, which are recurring in nature and extend the lives of the related assets, are capitalized and depreciated over the period of extension, generally 3 to 10 years, based on the type and extent of these rebuilds. Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense as incurred. Management estimates the useful lives of these assets based on historical trends and the age of the assets when placed in service. Any changes in the actual lives could result in material changes in the net book value of these assets. Additionally, we estimate the salvage values of these assets based on historical sales or disposals, and any changes in the actual salvage values could also affect the net book value of these assets.

Furthermore, we evaluate the recoverability of our long-lived assets whenever adverse events or changes in the business climate indicate that the expected undiscounted future cash flows from the related assets may be less than previously anticipated. If the net book value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset, the carrying amount would be reduced to the present value of its expected future cash flows and an impairment loss would be recognized. This analysis requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions in projecting future cash flows, and changes in facts and circumstances could result in material changes in the amount of any write-offs for impairment.

Assets held-for-sale—We determined that there were a group of assets that we intended to sell related to our tank wash business. These assets had a net book value of $4.9 million as of September 30, 2009. As described above, we completed the sale of these assets on October 10, 2009.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets—We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the second quarter with a measurement date of June 30, and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise, in accordance with FASB’s guidance on goodwill and other intangible assets. At June 30, 2009, we evaluated goodwill for impairment by determining the fair value for each reporting unit: our trucking segment and our container services segment. These reporting units contain goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets as a result of previous business acquisitions. As a result of our analysis, we concluded a total impairment charge to goodwill of $146.2 million was necessary at June 30, 2009, of which $144.3 million was related to our trucking segment, eliminating 100% of the carrying amount of goodwill, and $1.9 million was related to our container services segment. As of September 30, 2009, our goodwill assets were $27.3 million.

 

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Goodwill

We evaluate at least quarterly whether indicators of impairment exist by reviewing our market capitalization. The result of our quarterly evaluation at September 30, 2009 demonstrated that no new or additional indicators of impairment existed. Under the FASB guidance, evaluating the potential impairment of goodwill is a two-step process that requires significant judgment at many points during the analysis. In the first step, we determine whether there is an indication of impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, based on the first step, we determine that there is an indication of goodwill impairment, we assess the impairment in step two in accordance with the guidance.

In the first step, we determine the fair value for our reporting units using a combination of two valuation approaches: the market approach and the income approach. The market approach uses a guideline company methodology which is based upon a comparison of us to similar publicly-traded companies within our industry. We derive a market value of invested capital or business enterprise value for each comparable company by multiplying the price per share of common stock of the publicly traded companies by their total common shares outstanding and adding each company’s current level of debt. We calculate a business enterprise multiple based on revenue and earnings from each company and then apply those multiples to each reporting unit’s revenue and earnings to conclude a reporting unit business enterprise value. Assumptions regarding the selection of comparable companies are made based on, among other factors, capital structure, operating environment and industry. As the comparable companies were typically larger and more diversified than our reporting units, multiples were adjusted prior to application to our reporting units’ revenues and earnings to reflect differences in margins, long-term growth prospects and market capitalization.

The income approach uses a discounted debt-free cash flow analysis to measure fair value by estimating the present value of future economic benefits. To perform the discounted debt-free cash flow analysis, we develop a pro forma analysis of each reporting unit to estimate future available debt-free cash flow, discounting estimated debt-free cash flow by using an estimated industry weighted average cost of capital based on the same comparable companies used in the market approach. Per the FASB’s guidance, the weighted average cost of capital is based on inputs (e.g., capital structure, risk, etc.) from a market participant’s perspective and not necessarily from the reporting unit or QDI’s perspective. Future cash flow is projected based on assumptions for our economic growth, industry expansion, future operations and the discount rate, all of which require significant judgments by management.

After computing a separate business enterprise value under the income approach and market approach, we apply a weighting to them to derive the business enterprise value of the reporting unit. The income approach and market approach were both weighted 50% in the analysis performed at June 30, 2009. The weightings are evaluated each time a goodwill impairment assessment is performed and give consideration to the relative reliability of each approach at that time. Given that the business enterprise value derived from the market approach supported what was calculated in the income approach, we believed that both approaches should be equally weighted. Based on these weightings, we conclude a business enterprise value for each reporting unit. We then add debt-free liabilities of the reporting unit to the concluded business enterprise value to derive an implied fair value of the reporting unit. The implied fair value is compared to the reporting unit’s carrying value of total assets. Upon completion of the June 30, 2009 analysis in step one, we determined that the carrying amount of our trucking reporting unit exceeded its fair value and the carrying amount of our container services reporting unit was nearly breakeven with its fair value, requiring a step two analysis to be performed for both reporting units.

In step two of the goodwill impairment test, the amount of impairment loss is determined by comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. This involves testing the definite-lived assets in accordance with FASB guidance on accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, using undiscounted cash flows. Then a fair value allocation is performed for each reporting unit based on the business enterprise value obtained in step one. From that we determine the actual goodwill impairment for each reporting unit based on the goodwill residual amount. If the carrying amount of reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss must be recognized in an amount equal to the excess. The loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. After a goodwill impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of goodwill will be its new accounting basis. Upon completion of step two of the analysis as of June 30, 2009, an impairment charge was determined.

Intangible assets

In order to determine the implied fair value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we utilize the relief from royalty method, pursuant to which those assets are valued by reference to the amount of royalty income they would generate if licensed in an arm’s length transaction. Under the relief from royalty method, similar to the discounted cash flow method, estimated net revenues expected to be generated by the asset during its life are multiplied by a benchmark royalty rate and then discounted by the estimated weighted average cost of capital associated with the asset. The resulting capitalized royalty stream is an indication of the value of owning the asset. Based upon management’s review of the value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets in our container services segment during the June 30 analysis, we determined that the carrying value of the Boasso trade name exceeded its implied fair value by $2.4 million at June 30, 2009.

 

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We evaluate at least quarterly whether indicators of impairment exist by reviewing our market capitalization. The result of our quarterly evaluation at September 30, 2009 demonstrated that no new or additional indicators of impairment existed. If there are changes to the methods used to allocate carrying values, if management’s estimates of future operating results change, if there are changes in the identified reporting units or if there are changes to other significant assumptions, the estimated carrying values for each reporting unit and the estimated fair value of our goodwill could change significantly and could result in future impairment charges which could materially impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Deferred Tax Asset—In accordance with FASB guidance, we use the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and, in particular, any valuation allowance that is recorded or released against our deferred tax assets.

We continue to evaluate quarterly the positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of net deferred tax assets. The carrying value of our net deferred tax assets is based on our belief that it is more likely than not that we will generate sufficient future taxable income to realize these deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance has been established for 100% of our net deferred tax asset as we no longer believe it meets the “more likely than not” criteria. Our judgments regarding future taxable income may change due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws or other factors. If any of the assumptions and related estimates change in the future, it may increase or decrease the valuation allowance and related income tax expense in the same period.

At December 31, 2008 we had an estimated $98.0 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards, $2.3 million in alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards and $2.9 million in foreign tax credit carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire in the years 2018 through 2027, while the alternative minimum tax credits may be carried forward indefinitely and the foreign tax credits may be carried forward for 10 years.

Uncertain Income Tax Positions—In accordance with FASB guidance, we account for uncertainty in income taxes, using a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as we have to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. We re-evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition and measurement would result in recognition of a tax benefit and/or an additional charge to the tax provision.

Environmental liabilities—We have reserved for potential environmental liabilities based on the best estimates of potential clean-up and remediation for known environmental sites. We employ a staff of environmental professionals to administer all phases of our environmental programs and use outside experts where needed. These professionals develop estimates of potential liabilities at these sites based on projected and known remediation costs. These cost projections are determined through previous experiences with other sites and through bids from third-party contractors. Management believes current reserves are reasonable based on current information.

Accident claims reserves—We currently maintain liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage claims, covering all employees, owner-operators and affiliates, and workers’ compensation insurance coverage on our employees and company drivers. This insurance includes deductibles of $2.0 million per incident for bodily injury and property damage and $1.0 million for workers’ compensation for periods after March 31, 2008. From September 15, 2002 to March 30, 2008, our insurance deductible was $5.0 million per incident for bodily injury and property damage. As such, we are subject to liability as a self-insurer to the extent of these deductibles under the policy. We are self-insured for damage to the equipment we own or lease, for cargo losses and for non-trucking pollution legal liability. As of September 30, 2009, we have $33.6 million in an outstanding letter of credit to our insurance administrator to guarantee the self-insurance portion of our liability. If we fail to meet certain terms of our agreement, the insurance administrator may draw down the letter of credit. In developing liability reserves, we rely on professional third party claims administrators, insurance company estimates and the judgment of our own safety department personnel, and independent professional actuaries and attorneys. The most significant assumptions used in the estimation process include determining the trends in loss costs, the expected consistency in the frequency and severity of claims incurred but not yet reported to prior-year claims, and expected costs to settle unpaid claims. Management believes reserves are reasonable given known information, but as each case develops, estimates may change to reflect the effect of new information.

Revenue recognition—Transportation revenues, including fuel surcharges and related costs, are recognized on the date the freight is delivered. Other service revenues, consisting primarily of lease revenues from affiliates, owner-operators and third parties, are recognized ratably over the lease period. Tank wash revenues are recognized when the wash is completed. Service revenues on insurance policies are recorded as a contractual percentage of premiums received ratably over the period that the insurance covers. We have recognized all revenues on a gross basis as the principal and primary obligor with risk of loss in relation to our responsibility for completion of services as contracted by our customers.

 

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Allowance for uncollectible receivables—The allowance for all potentially uncollectible receivables is based on a combination of historical data, cash payment trends, specific customer issues, write-off trends, general economic conditions and other factors. These factors are continuously monitored by our management to arrive at the estimate for the amount of accounts receivable that may be ultimately uncollectible. The receivables analyzed include trade receivables, as well as loans and advances made to owner-operators and affiliates. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, an additional allowance could be required.

Stock compensation plans—Stock compensation is determined by the assumptions required under FASB guidance on share-based payment. The fair values of stock option grants are based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at market value on the date of grant, and related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock was $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and was $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2009, there was approximately $2.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested portion of our stock-based awards. The recognition period for the remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation cost is approximately four years. For further discussion on stock-based compensation, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report.

Pension plans—We maintain two noncontributory defined-benefit plans resulting from a prior acquisition that cover certain full-time salaried employees and certain other employees under a collective bargaining agreement. Both plans are frozen and, as such, no future benefits accrue. We record annual amounts relating to these plans based on calculations specified by GAAP, which include various actuarial assumptions such as discount rates (6.00% to 6.25%) and assumed rates of return (7.50% to 8.00%), depending on the pension plan. Material changes in pension costs may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions. Future annual amounts could be impacted by changes in the discount rate, changes in the expected long-term rate of return, changes in the level of contributions to the plans and other factors.

The discount rate is based on a model portfolio of AA-rated bonds with a maturity matched to the estimated payouts of future pension benefits. The expected return on plan assets is based on our expectation of the long-term rates of return on each asset class based on the current asset mix of the funds, considering the historical returns earned on the types of assets in the funds, plus an assumption of future inflation. The current investment policy target asset allocation differs between our two plans, but it is between 50% to 67% for equities and 33% to 50% for bonds. The current inflation assumption is 3.00%. We review our actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when appropriate. The effects of the modifications are amortized over future periods.

Assumed discount rates and expected return on plan assets have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the pension plans. At December 31, 2008, our projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) was $45.6 million. Our projected 2009 net periodic pension expense is $2.2 million. A 1.0% decrease in our assumed discount rate would increase our PBO to $50.3 million and increase our 2009 net periodic pension expense less than $0.1 million. A 1.0% increase in our assumed discount rate would decrease our PBO to $41.8 million and decrease our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $2.1 million. A 1.0% decrease in our assumed rate of return would not change our PBO but would increase our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $2.4 million. A 1.0% increase in our assumed rate of return would not change our PBO but would decrease our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $1.9 million.

Restructuring—We account for restructuring costs associated with one-time termination benefits, costs associated with lease and contract terminations and other related exit activities in accordance with the FASB guidance on accounting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities. We have made estimates of the costs to be incurred as part of our restructuring plan. During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we committed to a plan of restructure resulting in the termination of non-driver positions and the consolidation or closure of underperforming company terminals. We continued our plan of restructure throughout 2008, which resulted in a restructuring charge of $5.3 million, of which the majority related to our trucking segment. The total restructuring charge for 2008 represents $2.0 million of severance costs, $0.6 million in contract termination costs and $2.7 million related to other exit costs. Our restructuring plan is continuing in 2009 and expected to conclude in 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a charge of $2.1 million related to employee termination benefits and other related exit activities. As of September 30, 2009, approximately $0.4 million was accrued related to the restructuring charges, which are expected to be paid through 2010.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Refer to Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—New Accounting Pronouncements” and Fair Value Measurements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of recent accounting pronouncements and for additional discussion surrounding the adoption of accounting standards.

 

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Results of Operations

The following table presents certain condensed consolidated financial information, as a percentage of revenue, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008:

 

     Three months ended
September 30,
    Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

OPERATING REVENUES:

        

Transportation

   74.0   67.4   74.3   68.9

Other service revenue

   16.4   11.9   17.4   12.2

Fuel surcharge

   9.6   20.7   8.3   18.9
                        

Total operating revenues

   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Purchased transportation

   62.9   58.1   59.1   58.2

Compensation

   11.7   12.8   13.4   13.0

Fuel, supplies and maintenance

   9.9   13.9   10.7   14.4

Depreciation and amortization

   3.1   2.4   3.4   2.4

Selling and administrative

   3.4   4.1   4.2   4.1

Insurance costs

   1.9   1.4   2.4   1.8

Taxes and licenses

   0.6   0.7   0.6   0.6

Communication and utilities

   1.3   1.4   1.4   1.6

Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment

   0.2   (0.4 )%    0.0   (0.4 )% 

Impairment of goodwill and intangibles

   0.0   0.0   32.1   0.0

Restructuring costs

   0.2   0.8   0.5   0.6
                        

Total operating expenses

   95.2   95.2   127.8   96.3
                        

Operating income (loss)

   4.8   4.8   (27.8 )%    3.7
                        

Interest expense

   4.0   3.9   4.3   4.1

Interest income

   0.0   (0.1 )%    0.0   (0.1 )% 

Gain on extinguishment of debt

   0.0   0.0   (0.1 )%    0.0

Other (income) expense

   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.0
                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

   0.8   1.0   (32.0 )%    (0.3 )% 

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

   0.0   0.2   8.0   0.0
                        

Net income (loss)

   0.8   0.8   (40.0 )%    (0.3 )% 
                        

The following table shows the approximate number of terminals, drivers, tractors and trailers that we managed (including affiliates and owner-operators) as of September 30:

 

     2009    2008

Terminals (1)

   139    157

Drivers

   2,735    3,244

Tractors

   2,975    3,485

Trailers

   7,204    7,562

 

(1) excludes transload facilities

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, total revenues were $162.8 million, a decrease of $51.9 million, or 24.2%, from revenues of $214.7 million for the same period in 2008. Transportation revenue decreased $24.3 million, or 16.8%, primarily due to a decrease in linehaul revenue due to continued weakness in the economy. We had a 16.3% decrease in the total number of miles driven and a 20.6% decrease in loads from the prior-year quarter.

Other service revenue increased $1.3 million, or 5.1%. This increase was primarily due to a $2.0 million of increased rental income from the conversion of certain company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals, offset by reductions in tank wash revenue of $0.9 million. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased $28.9 million, or 65.0%, due to the decrease in linehaul revenue and the reduction in fuel prices.

 

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Purchased transportation decreased $22.4 million, or 18.0%, due primarily to the decrease in linehaul revenue, miles driven and loads. Total purchased transportation as a percentage of transportation revenue and fuel surcharge revenue increased to 75.3% for the current quarter versus 65.9% for the prior-year quarter due primarily to the conversion of certain company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals. Our affiliates generated 76.8% of our transportation revenue and fuel surcharge revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2009, compared to 50.8% for the comparable prior-year period. We pay our affiliates a greater percentage of transportation revenues generated by them than is paid to Company owner-operators, so our purchased transportation costs will change as revenues generated by affiliates change as a percentage of total transportation revenue.

In 2009, we began consolidating certain company-operated terminals and transitioning other company-operated terminals to affiliates. We expect these actions to continue throughout 2009 and to result in a larger portion of our revenue being generated by affiliates. We believe these actions will reduce certain fixed costs and provide a more variable cost structure in our weakened economy.

Compensation expense decreased $8.5 million, or 30.8%, primarily due to $8.2 million of reduced expense from corporate headcount reductions, terminal consolidations, and conversions of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals, offset by a $0.5 million increase in pension expense. In addition, we had a reduction in compensation expense of $0.8 million for our subsidiary, QSI, due to tank wash closures.

Fuel, supplies and maintenance decreased $13.9 million, or 46.3%, due to lower fuel costs of $8.5 million, lower repairs and maintenance expense of $4.5 million and lower equipment rent expense of $0.6 million due to the shift of revenue from company-operated terminals to affiliates. In addition, tank wash operations had a decrease of $0.3 million due to terminal closures and reduced demand.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $3.1 million, or 35.7%, primarily due to a $1.1 million reduction in building rent expense and other expenses related to closed or converted terminals. In addition, we had a decrease of $1.8 million in professional fees and $0.3 million in travel-related costs.

Insurance costs decreased $0.1 million, or 3.8%, due primarily to a reduction in the number and severity of accidents that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Communication and utilities expense decreased $1.1 million, or 36.3%, primarily due to reduced expense from terminal consolidations and conversions of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals.

We incurred a loss on disposal of assets of $0.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as compared to a gain of $0.9 million in the comparable prior-year period. The loss in 2009 resulted primarily from the disposal of equipment. In the prior year, the gain resulted primarily from the sale of equipment.

In the third quarter of 2009, we incurred additional restructuring costs of $0.3 million primarily due to the continuation of our restructuring plan which began during the second quarter of 2008. These costs consist of employee termination benefits and other related exit activities.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, we generated operating income of $7.9 million compared to operating income of $9.8 million for the same period in 2008 as a result of the above items.

Interest expense decreased $2.0 million, or 23.6%, in the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to the decrease in interest rates on our revolving credit facility and Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012 (“2012 Notes”). In addition, the outstanding principal amount of our 9% Notes was lower due to our note repurchases during 2009 and 2008, and the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility was lower.

The provision for income taxes was less than $0.1 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to $0.7 million for the same period in 2008. The effective tax rates for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were approximately 2.8% and 49.5%, respectively. This change in income taxes was primarily due to the recording of a deferred tax valuation allowance.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, our net income was $1.4 million, compared to net income of $0.7 million for the same period last year.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total revenues were $462.3 million, a decrease of $184.9 million, or 28.6%, from revenues of $647.2 million for the same period in 2008. Transportation revenue decreased $102.2 million, or 22.9%, primarily due to a decrease in linehaul revenue due to a general weakening of the economy. We had a 23.0% decrease in the total number of miles driven and a 25.4% decrease in loads from the prior-year nine months.

 

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Other service revenue increased $1.3 million, or 1.7%. This increase was primarily due to a $1.3 million increase in container service revenues generated from expanded terminal operations and an increase of rental income from the conversion of certain company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals, offset by reductions in tank wash revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased $84.0 million, or 68.5%, due to the decrease in linehaul revenue and the reduction in fuel prices

Purchased transportation decreased $103.1 million, or 27.4%, due primarily to the decrease in linehaul revenue, miles driven and loads. Total purchased transportation as a percentage of transportation revenue and fuel surcharge revenue increased to 71.5% for the current nine months versus 66.2% for the prior-year nine months due primarily to the conversion of certain company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals. Our affiliates generated 68.0% of our transportation revenue and fuel surcharge revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to 50.4% for the comparable prior-year period. We pay our affiliates a greater percentage of transportation revenues generated by them than is paid to Company owner-operators, so our purchased transportation costs will change as revenues generated by affiliates change as a percentage of total transportation revenue.

In 2009, we began consolidating certain company-operated terminals and transitioning other company operated terminals to affiliates. We expect these actions to continue throughout 2009, and to result in a larger portion of our revenue being generated by affiliates. We believe these actions will reduce certain fixed costs and provide a more variable cost structure in our weakened economy.

Compensation expense decreased $21.7 million, or 26.0%, primarily due to $20.4 million of reduced expense from corporate headcount reductions, terminal consolidations, and conversions of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals offset by a $1.6 million increase in pension expense. In addition, we had a reduction in compensation expense of $2.9 million for QSI due to tank wash closures.

Fuel, supplies and maintenance decreased $43.6 million, or 46.8%, due to lower fuel costs of $23.5 million, lower repairs and maintenance expense of $13.4 million, and lower equipment rent expense of $4.7 million due to the shift of revenue from company-operated terminals to affiliates. In addition, tank wash operations had a decrease of $2.0 million due to terminal closures and reduced demand.

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $6.9 million, or 26.0%, primarily due to a $3.8 million reduction in building rent expense and other expenses related to closed or converted terminals. In addition, we had a decrease of $2.4 million in professional fees and $1.1 million in travel-related costs offset by an increase in our bad debt reserve of $0.8 million.

Insurance costs decreased $0.6 million, or 4.8%, due primarily to a reduction in the number and severity of accidents that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Communication and utilities expense decreased $3.3 million, or 32.9%, primarily due to reduced expense from terminal consolidations and conversions of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals.

We incurred a loss on disposal of assets of less than $0.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to a gain of $2.8 million in the comparable prior-year period. The loss in 2009 resulted primarily from the disposal of equipment. In the prior year, the gain resulted primarily from the sale of land not used in our business.

We recorded a non-cash impairment charge to goodwill and intangibles totaling $148.6 million as a result of our impairment analysis, which is performed at least annually every June 30 on both our trucking and container services segments. We recorded a charge of $144.3 million for the impairment of goodwill in our trucking segment. We also recorded a charge of $1.9 million for the impairment of goodwill in our container services segment and a charge of $2.4 million for the impairment of the trade name in our container services segment. Further information regarding our impairment analysis is included in Goodwill and Intangible Assets in our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we incurred additional restructuring costs of $2.1 million primarily due to the continuation of our restructuring plan which began during the second quarter of 2008. These costs consist of employee termination benefits and other related exit activities.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we incurred an operating loss of $129.3 million compared to operating income of $25.1 million for the same period in 2008 as a result of the above items.

Interest expense decreased $6.3 million, or 23.9%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, primarily due to the decrease in interest rates on our revolving credit facility and 2012 Notes. In addition, the outstanding principal amount of our 9% Notes was lower due to our note repurchases during 2009 and 2008, and the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility was lower.

 

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Gain on debt extinguishment of $0.7 million resulted from the repurchase of $1.0 million of our 9% Notes.

The provision for income taxes was $37.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to a benefit from income taxes of $0.1 million for the same period in 2008. The effective tax rates for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 were approximately (24.9%) and 10.3%, respectively. This change in income taxes was due to the recording of a deferred tax valuation allowance.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, our net loss was $185.1 million, compared to a net loss of $0.9 million for the same period last year.

Segment Operating Results

We have two reportable business segments for financial reporting purposes that are distinguished primarily on the basis of services offered:

 

   

Trucking, which consists of truckload transportation of bulk chemicals, and

 

   

Container Services, specifically ISO tank container transportation and depot services.

Segment revenues and operating income include the allocation of fuel surcharge to the trucking segment. The operating income reported in our segments excludes amounts reported in Other operating income, such as gains and losses on disposal of property and equipment, restructuring costs, impairment charge, corporate and other unallocated amounts. Corporate and unallocated amounts include depreciation and amortization and other gains and losses. Although these amounts are excluded from the business segment results, they are included in reported consolidated earnings. Included in Other revenues are revenues from our tank wash services and other value-added services. We have not provided specific asset information by segment, as it is not regularly provided to our chief operating decision maker for review.

Summarized segment operating results are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended September 30,     Change  
     2009    % of
Total
    2008    % of
Total
    $     %  

Operating revenue:

              

Trucking

   123,053    75.6   174,222    81.1   (51,169   (29.4 )% 

Container Services

   20,248    12.4   22,660    10.6   (2,412   (10.6 )% 

Other revenue

   19,504    12.0   17,859    8.3   1,645      9.2
                          

Total

   162,805    100.0   214,741    100.0    
                          

Operating income:

              

Trucking

   9,803    72.2   12,165    77.0   (2,362   (19.4 )% 

Container Services

   2,754    20.3   3,125    19.8   (371   (11.9 )% 

Other operating income

   1,013    7.5   513    3.2   500      97.5
                          

Total

   13,570    100.0   15,803    100.0    
                          

 

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     Nine months ended September 30,     Change  
     2009    % of
Total
    2008    % of
Total
    $     %  

Operating revenue:

              

Trucking

   347,671    75.2   523,998    81.0   (176,327   (33.7 )% 

Container Services

   58,027    12.6   66,930    10.3   (8,903   (13.3 )% 

Other revenue

   56,625    12.2   56,276    8.7   349      0.6
                          

Total

   462,323    100.0   647,204    100.0    
                          

Operating income:

              

Trucking

   25,492    68.7   30,282    72.4   (4,790   (15.8 )% 

Container Services

   8,044    21.7   7,202    17.2   842      11.7

Other operating income

   3,565    9.6   4,330    10.4   (765   (17.7 )% 
                          

Total

   37,101    100.0   41,814    100.0    
                          

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

Operating revenue:

Trucking – revenues decreased $51.2 million, or 29.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease of $26.8 million of fuel surcharge and a decrease of $24.4 million in linehaul revenue.

Container Services – revenues decreased $2.4 million, or 10.6%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease of $2.1 million of fuel surcharge and a decrease of $0.3 million in linehaul revenue.

Other revenue – revenues increased $1.6 million, or 9.2%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due primarily to an increase in rental income partially offset by reduced tank wash revenue.

Operating income:

Trucking – operating income decreased $2.4 million, or 19.4%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease in linehaul revenue offset by cost savings initiatives and conversion of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals.

Container Services – operating income decreased $0.4 million, or 11.9%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to reduced revenues.

Other operating income – operating income increased $0.5 million, or 97.5%, for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 primarily due to increased rental income partially offset by reduced tank wash revenue.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

Operating revenue:

Trucking – revenues decreased $176.3 million, or 33.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease of $98.1 million in linehaul revenue and a decrease of $78.2 million of fuel surcharge.

Container Services – revenues decreased $8.9 million, or 13.3%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease of $5.8 million in fuel surcharge and a decrease of $3.1 million of linehaul revenue.

Other revenue – revenues increased $0.3 million, or 0.6%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due primarily to an increase in rental income partially offset by a decrease in our tank wash revenue.

Operating income:

Trucking – operating income decreased $4.8 million, or 15.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to a decrease in linehaul revenue offset by cost savings initiatives and conversion of company-operated terminals to affiliate terminals.

Container Services – operating income increased $0.8 million, or 11.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008 due to expanded terminal operations.

 

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Other operating income – operating income decreased $0.8 million, or 17.7%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to the same period for 2008, primarily due to reduced tank wash revenue.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We believe that our liquidity, asset-light business model, and streamlined operations will enable us to weather a continued economic downturn. Although miles driven were lower in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2009 than in the prior-year period, we still generated positive cash flow from operations during the first nine months of 2009. We reduced the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt and capital lease obligations (including current maturities) by $23.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Additionally, at September 30, 2009, we had $52.1 million of borrowing availability under our asset-based loan facility (the “ABL Facility”).

The following summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 as reported in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):

 

     Nine months ended
September 30,
 
     2009     2008  

Net cash provided by operating activities

   $ 29,213      $ 10,665   

Net cash used in investing activities

     (630     (10,448

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (32,574     13,529   

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

     35        (14
                

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (3,956     13,732   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     6,787        9,711   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 2,831      $ 23,443   
                

Historically, our primary source of liquidity has been cash flow from operations and borrowing availability under our ABL Facility. Our primary cash needs consist of working capital, capital expenditures and debt service including our ABL Facility, our 9% Notes and our 2012 Notes. We are focusing on: (i) stabilizing our top line, (ii) increasing our borrowing availability, (iii) simplifying our business, and (iv) improving our earnings. We incur capital expenditures for the purpose of purchasing tractors and trailers to meet our strategic needs during the year, and maintaining and improving our infrastructure. In addition, we may from time to time repurchase or redeem our outstanding securities.

During the first quarter of 2009 and fourth quarter of 2008, we repurchased $25.2 million in aggregate principal amount of the 9% Notes for an aggregate purchase price of $8.0 million. On October 15, 2009, we completed exchange and tender offers to exchange new notes and cash consideration for any and all of our 2012 Notes and our 9% Notes. Following the completion, $0.5 million in principal amount of our 2012 Notes and $16.0 million in principal amount of our 9% Notes remain outstanding. We may from time to time repurchase or redeem additional amounts of our outstanding securities. Any repurchases or redemptions would depend upon prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors we consider important. Future repurchases or redemptions may materially impact our liquidity, future tax liability and results of operations.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $29.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to $10.7 million provided in the comparable 2008 period. The $18.5 million increase in cash provided by operating activities was due in part to the increased collections of outstanding accounts receivable and fewer loss and damage claims paid in the 2009 period.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $0.6 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to $10.4 million used in the comparable 2008 period. The $9.8 million change resulted from a decrease in capital expenditures, decrease in business assets purchased, and increase in proceeds from the sale of assets not used in our business in 2009.

Net cash used in financing activities was $32.6 million during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2009, compared to $13.5 million provided in the comparable 2008 period. The cash was primarily utilized to repay $12.0 million of borrowings under our ABL Facility, $13.5 million to pay down other debt and capital lease obligations, and repurchase $1.0 million in principal amount of our 9% Notes. In the 2008 period, we had increased borrowings of $20.9 million on our ABL Facility that were used to pay accrued loss and damage claims, to purchase equipment and to pay down debt and capital lease obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K.

 

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Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following is a schedule of our long-term contractual commitments, including the current portion of our long-term indebtedness at September 30, 2009, over the periods we expected them to be paid at September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Total    Remainder
of 2009
   Years 2010 &
2011
   Years 2012 &
2013
   Year 2014
and after

Operating leases (1)

   $ 52,957    $ 4,592    $ 27,875    $ 12,017    $ 8,473

Total indebtedness (2)

     322,605      1,005      105,186      214,335      2,079

Capital leases

     18,925      1,844      9,576      6,950      555

Interest on indebtedness (3)

     41,204      5,115      30,283      5,511      295
                                  

Total

   $ 435,691    $ 12,556    $ 172,920    $ 238,813    $ 11,402
                                  

 

(1) These obligations represent the minimum rental commitments under all non-cancelable operating leases including the guaranteed residual values at the end of the leases.
(2) Includes an unamortized original issue discount of $2.5 million.
(3) Amounts presented for interest payments assume that all long-term debt obligations outstanding as of September 30, 2009 will remain outstanding until maturity, and interest rates on variable-rate debt in effect as of September 30, 2009 will remain in effect until maturity.

The completion of our exchange and tender offers on October 15, 2009, has changed our long-term indebtedness principal and interest payment expectations as follows:

 

     Total    Remainder
of 2009
   Years 2010 &
2011
   Years 2012 &
2013
   Year 2014
and after

Total indebtedness (1)

   $ 329,097    $ 1,005    $ 21,456    $ 304,557    $ 2,079

Interest on indebtedness (2)

     106,353      6,880      55,961      43,217      295

 

(1) Includes an unamortized original issue discount of $9.2 million.
(2) Amounts presented for interest payments assume that all long-term debt obligations outstanding as of October 15, 2009 will remain outstanding until maturity, and interest rates on variable-rate debt in effect as of October 15, 2009 will remain in effect until maturity.

Other Liabilities and Obligations

We have $11.3 million of environmental liabilities, $18.8 million of pension plan obligations and $20.2 million of other insurance claim obligations. We expect to pay these various obligations over the next 10 years. We also have $40.0 million in outstanding letters of credit. We are required to provide letters of credit to our insurance administrator to cover the payment of claims. The outstanding letter of credit as of September 30, 2009 for our insurance administrator totaled $33.6 million, a decrease of $6.5 million from the prior quarter. If we fail to meet certain terms of our agreement, the insurance administrator may draw down the letters of credit. As of September 30, 2009, our FIN 48 liability is $1.9 million and represents total gross unrecognized tax benefits that may be paid in future periods. In addition, we have accrued $1.1 million of interest and penalties that may be paid in future periods.

Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     September 30,
2009
    December 31,
2008
 

Capital lease obligations

   $ 18,925      $ 23,816   

ABL Facility

     75,000        87,000   

Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012

     135,000        135,000   

9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010

     99,761        100,761   

Boasso Note

     —          2,500   

Other Notes

     12,844        16,855   
                

Long-term debt, including current maturities

     341,530        365,932   

Discount on Senior Floating Rate Notes

     (2,520     (3,346
                
     339,010        362,586   

Less current maturities of long-term debt (including capital lease obligations)

     (9,601     (16,355
                

Long-term debt, less current maturities

   $ 329,409      $ 346,231   
                

 

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The completion of our exchange and tender offers on October 15, 2009, changed our outstanding notes as follows (in thousands):

 

     October 15,
2009

Senior Floating Rate Notes due 2012

   $ 501

9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010

     16,031

10% Senior Notes due 2013

     134,499

11.75% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due 2013

     80,742

The ABL Facility

The ABL Facility which was effective December 18, 2007, consists of a current asset-based revolving facility in an initial amount of $195.0 million (the “current asset tranche”) and a fixed asset-based revolving facility in an initial amount of $30.0 million (the “fixed asset tranche”), with the total commitments under the fixed asset tranche to be reduced, and the total commitments under the current asset tranche correspondingly increased, by $5.0 million on each at December 18, 2009 and 2010. Borrowings of revolving loans under the ABL Facility are allocated pro rata to the current asset tranche and the fixed asset tranche based on the then-current, current asset borrowing base and the then-current fixed asset borrowing base. The ABL Facility matures June 18, 2013. The maturity date of the ABL Facility may be accelerated if we default on our obligations under the ABL Facility. The maturity date of the ABL Facility is also advanced to a date 91 days prior to the maturity date of the 2012 Notes or the 9% Notes (and replacement indebtedness) if the aggregate principal amount of the notes maturing in the 91-day period exceeds $50.0 million.

The ABL Facility includes borrowing capacity of up to $150.0 million for letters of credit, which are allocated pro rata between the two tranches based on the then-current borrowing base for each tranche (or, to the current asset tranche, if the credit extensions under the fixed asset tranche are repaid and the commitments thereunder are terminated prior to the termination of the ABL Facility, and up to $10.0 million for swingline borrowings on same-day notice, which are allocated under the current asset tranche. The proceeds of the ABL Facility were used, together with the proceeds from an additional private offering of $50 million of Senior Floating Rate Notes (described below under “Senior Floating Rate Notes”), to repay a portion of our previous credit facility and to finance a portion of the Boasso acquisition. The ABL Facility contains a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0 to 1.0 which only needs to be met if borrowing availability is less than $20 million. At September 30, 2009, we had $52.1 million of borrowing availability under the ABL Facility.

Borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, either a base rate or LIBOR. The applicable margin for borrowings under the current asset tranche at September 30, 2009 was 1.00% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.00% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The applicable margin for borrowings under the fixed asset tranche at September 30, 2009 was 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The applicable margin for such borrowings will be reduced or increased based on aggregate borrowing base availability under the ABL Facility over the life of the ABL Facility. The base rate for the ABL Facility is the higher of the prime rate and the federal funds overnight rate plus 0.50%. We are also required to pay a fee for utilized commitments under the ABL Facility at a rate equal to 0.25% per annum. The ABL Facility is required to be prepaid only to the extent that the aggregate amount of outstanding borrowings, unreimbursed letters of credit drawings and undrawn letters of credit under the relevant tranche exceeds the lesser of the applicable commitments and the applicable borrowing base in effect at such time for such tranche. The borrowing base for the current asset tranche consists of eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible truck and trailer fleet, and the borrowing base for the fixed asset tranche consists of eligible real property and certain eligible equipment. We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under the ABL Facility at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR loans. The interest rate on the ABL Facility at September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 2.3% and 5.3%, respectively.

All obligations under the ABL Facility are guaranteed by QDI and each of our wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries (other than our immaterial subsidiaries). Obligations under the current asset tranche and the guarantees of those obligations (as well as cash management obligations and any interest hedging or other swap agreements), are secured by a first-priority lien on certain assets of QD LLC and the guarantors, including eligible accounts receivable, eligible inventory and eligible truck and trailer fleet (“current asset tranche priority collateral”), and a second-priority lien on all other assets of QD LLC and the guarantors, including eligible real property and certain eligible equipment (“fixed asset tranche priority collateral”). Obligations under the fixed asset tranche, and the guarantees of those obligations, are secured by a first-priority lien on fixed asset tranche priority collateral and a second-priority lien on current asset tranche priority collateral.

We incurred $6.9 million in debt issuance costs relating to the ABL Facility. We are amortizing these costs over the term of the ABL Facility.

 

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Senior Floating Rate Notes

On August 28, 2009, we commenced exchange and tender offers to exchange new notes and cash consideration for any and all of our 2012 Notes. These offers were completed on October 15, 2009. Refer to Note 11, “Subsequent Events” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

On January 28, 2005, we consummated the private offering of $85 million in Senior Floating Rate Notes by QD LLC and QD Capital. These are guaranteed by QDI and domestic subsidiaries at 98% of the face value of the notes. On December 18, 2007, we consummated a private offering of $50 million in Senior Floating Rate Notes by QD LLC and QD Capital. These are guaranteed by QDI and domestic subsidiaries at 93% of the face value of the notes (combined “the 2012 Notes”). The 2012 Notes, due January 15, 2012, pay interest quarterly on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. Interest accrues at a floating rate per annum, reset quarterly, equal to LIBOR plus 4.5%. The net proceeds of the $85 million offering were used to repay approximately $70 million of a previous term loan and to make a distribution to QDI, which in turn used such proceeds to redeem all $7.5 million principal amount of previous outstanding Series B Notes. The balance was used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of $5.8 million of indebtedness under the revolving credit portion of our previous credit facility. The previous credit facility was amended to incorporate this reduction in the term-loan portion of the facility and to modify the covenants. The net proceeds of the $50 million offering were used to repay a portion of our previous credit facility and to finance a portion of the Boasso acquisition. The interest rate on the $135 million of 2012 Notes at September 30, 2009 and 2008 was 5.0% and 7.3%, respectively.

We incurred $2.5 million in debt issuance costs relating to the $85 million of the 2012 Notes and $2.3 million related to the $50 million of the 2012 Notes. We are amortizing these costs over the term of the notes.

We may redeem the 2012 Notes, in whole or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice at the redemption price of 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption.

9% Senior Subordinated Notes

On August 28, 2009, we commenced exchange and tender offers to exchange new notes and cash consideration for any and all of our 9% Notes. These offers were completed on October 15, 2009. Refer to Note 11, “Subsequent Events” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The 9% Notes are unsecured obligations, due November 2010, guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by us and all of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries. The guarantees are full, unconditional, joint and several obligations of the guarantors.

As of September 30, 2009, we have repurchased $25.2 million in principal amount of 9% Notes. The repurchase of these 9% Notes for approximately $8.0 million plus accrued interest of $0.2 million resulted in a pre-tax gain on extinguishment of debt of $0.7 million in the first quarter of 2009 and $16.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2008.

We incurred $5.5 million in debt issuance costs relating to the issuance of the 9% Notes. During 2009 and 2008, we wrote off approximately $0.3 million in debt issuance costs relating to the repurchase of the 9% Notes. We are amortizing the remaining costs over the remaining term of the 9% Notes.

We may redeem the 9% Notes, in whole or in part from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice at the redemption price of 102.25% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, if redeemed during the twelve-month period commencing on November 15, 2008, and at the redemption price of 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, if redeemed on or after November 15, 2009, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the date of redemption.

Boasso Note

Included in our aggregate purchase price for Boasso was a $2.5 million 7% promissory note with a maturity on December 18, 2008 for the benefit of a former Boasso shareholder. The shareholder had the right to demand payment on December 18, 2008, or convert the note into shares of our common stock following the first anniversary of the acquisition at the election of the holder at a price of $4.47 per share (the closing price of the shares reported on NASDAQ on the day before the acquisition). The holder of the note exercised his right to demand payment on December 18, 2008, and received payment of cash in full including unpaid interest in January 2009.

Collateral, Guarantees and Covenants

The ABL Facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions, our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to sell assets; incur additional indebtedness; prepay other indebtedness (including the notes); pay dividends and distributions or repurchase our capital stock; create liens on assets; make investments; make certain acquisitions; engage in mergers or consolidations; engage in certain transactions with affiliates; amend certain charter documents and material agreements governing subordinated indebtedness, including the 9% Notes and the 2012 Notes; change the business conducted by it and its subsidiaries; and enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries. The ABL Facility also contains certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default.

 

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At September 30, 2009, QD LLC had the ability to incur additional indebtedness, subject to limitations described above and those imposed by the indentures governing the 9% Notes and the 2012 Notes. Under the indentures governing the 9% Notes and 2012 Notes, in addition to specified permitted indebtedness, QD LLC was permitted to incur additional indebtedness so long as, on a pro forma basis, QD LLC’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the respective indentures for the QD LLC Notes) to consolidated fixed charges) was 2.00 to 1.0 or less.

We were in compliance with all covenants in our indebtedness at September 30, 2009.

Debt Retirement

The following is a schedule of our indebtedness at September 30, 2009 over the periods we were required to pay such indebtedness as of September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Remainder
of 2009
   2010    2011    2012    2013 and
after
   Total

Capital lease obligations

   $ 1,844    $ 5,299    $ 4,277    $ 4,720    $ 2,785    $ 18,925

ABL Facility (1)

     —        —        —        —        75,000      75,000

9% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2010

     —        99,761      —        —        —        99,761

Senior Floating Rate Notes, due 2012 (2)

     —        —        —        135,000      —        135,000

Other Notes

     1,005      3,114      2,311      2,104      4,310      12,844
                                         

Total

   $ 2,849    $ 108,174    $ 6,588    $ 141,824    $ 82,095    $ 341,530
                                         

 

(1) The maturity date of the ABL Facility may be accelerated if we default on our obligations under the ABL Facility. The maturity date of the ABL Facility is also advanced to a date 91 days prior to the maturity date of the 2012 Notes or the 9% Notes (and replacement indebtedness) if the aggregate principal amount of the notes maturing in the 91-day period exceeds $50.0 million.
(2) Amounts include the remaining unamortized original issue discount of $2.5 million relating to the 2012 Notes.

The following is a schedule of our debt issuance costs at September 30, 2009 (in thousands):

 

     Issuance
Costs
   Accumulated
Amortization
    Balance

ABL Facility

   $ 6,862    $ (2,256   $ 4,606

9% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2010

     5,213      (4,543     670

Senior Floating Rate Notes, due 2012

     4,796      (2,702     2,094
                     

Total

   $ 16,871    $ (9,501   $ 7,370
                     

Amortization expense of deferred issuance costs was $2.1 million and $2.2 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. We are amortizing these costs over the term of the debt instruments.

The completion of our exchange and tender offers on October 15, 2009 changed our outstanding indebtedness over the periods we are required to pay such indebtedness as follows:

 

     Remainder
of 2009
   2010    2011    2012    2013 and
after
   Total

Capital lease obligations

   $ 1,844    $ 5,299    $ 4,277    $ 4,720    $ 2,785    $ 18,925

ABL Facility

     —        —        —        —        75,000      75,000

9% Senior Subordinated Notes, due 2010

     —        16,031      —        —        —        16,031

Senior Floating Rate Notes, due 2012 (1)

     —        —        —        501      —        501

10% Senior Notes, due 2013

     —        —        —        —        134,499      134,499

11.75% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes, due 2013

     —        —        —        —        90,222      90,222

Other Notes

     1,005      3,114      2,311      2,104      4,310      12,844
                                         

Total

   $ 2,849    $ 24,444    $ 6,588    $ 7,325    $ 306,816    $ 348,022
                                         

 

(1) Amounts do not include the remaining unamortized original issue discount of $9.2 million.

 

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Liquidity

We believe that, based on current operations and anticipated growth, our cash flow from operations, together with available sources of liquidity, including borrowings under the revolver, will be sufficient to fund anticipated capital expenditures, make required payments of principal and interest on our debt, including obligations under our credit agreement, and satisfy other long-term contractual commitments for the next 12 months.

However, for periods extending beyond 12 months, if our operating cash flow and borrowings under the revolving portions of the ABL Facility are not sufficient to satisfy our capital expenditures, debt service and other long-term contractual commitments, we would be required to seek alternative financing. These alternatives would likely include the sale of a portion or all of our assets or operations, or the sale of additional debt or equity securities. If these alternatives were not available in a timely manner or on satisfactory terms, or were not permitted under our existing agreements, we might default on some or all of our obligations.

Other Issues

While uncertainties relating to environmental, labor and other regulatory matters exist within the trucking industry, management is not aware of any trends or events likely to have a material adverse effect on liquidity or the accompanying financial statements. Our credit rating is affected by many factors, including our financial results, operating cash flows and total indebtedness.

As a holding company with no significant assets other than ownership of 100% of QD LLC’s membership units, QDI also depends upon QD LLC’s cash flows to service our debt. QD LLC’s ability to make distributions to QDI is restricted by the covenants contained in the revolving portion of our ABL Facility and the indentures governing the 9% Notes and 2012 Notes. However, Apollo, as our controlling shareholder, may have an interest in pursuing reorganizations, restructurings or other transactions involving us that, in their judgment, could enhance their equity investment even though those transactions might involve increasing QD LLC’s leverage or impairing QD LLC’s creditworthiness in order to decrease QDI’s leverage. While the restrictions in the revolving portion of our ABL Facility cover a wide variety of arrangements that have traditionally been used to effect highly leveraged transactions, the ABL Facility and the indentures may not afford the holders of our debt protection in all circumstances from the adverse aspects of a highly leveraged transaction, reorganization, restructuring, merger or similar transaction.

Subsequent Developments

As noted above we completed on October 15, 2009 exchange and tender offers for our 2012 Notes and our 9% Notes. We received approximately $134.5 million of our 2012 Notes in exchange for 2013 Senior Notes. We received approximately $83.6 million of our 9% Notes in exchange for the issuance of approximately $80.7 million aggregate principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes and approximately 1.75 million warrants as well as the payment of approximately $1.8 million in cash. The warrants are exercisable to purchase shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share, during the period beginning on the six-month anniversary of the closing date and ending on November 1, 2013. The 2013 Senior Notes and 2013 PIK Notes are our subsidiary issuers’ unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis, jointly and severally, by QDI, our other subsidiary guarantors, and certain of our future U.S. restricted subsidiaries.

Interest is payable on the 2013 Senior Notes at 10% per annum, semiannually, to holders of record at the close of business on May 15 and November 15 immediately preceding the interest payment dates on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2010. We may redeem the 2013 Senior Notes, in whole or part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2013 Senior Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. Subject to certain conditions, we are required to redeem $6.0 million in principal amount of the 2013 Senior Notes on each June 1 and December 1, commencing December 1, 2010. Additionally, beginning after 2011, subject to certain conditions, the 2013 Senior Notes may be subject to mandatory redemption based on the amount of excess cash flow we generate.

Interest is payable on the 2013 PIK Notes at 11.75% per annum, payable 9% in cash and 2.75% in the form of additional 2013 PIK Notes, quarterly, to holders of record at the close of business on January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15 immediately preceding the interest payment date on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on February 1, 2010. We may redeem the 2013 PIK Notes, in whole or part, at any time prior to October 15, 2010, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date and a “make-whole premium.” After October 15, 2010, we may redeem the 2013 PIK Notes, in whole or part, at any time at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. At any time (which may be more than once) prior to October 15, 2010, we may redeem up to 35% of the principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes at a redemption price equal to 111.75% of the face amount thereof with the net proceeds of one or more equity offerings so long as at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2013 PIK Notes issued on the closing date remains outstanding afterwards.

Upon the completion of the exchange and tender offers , we amended the 2012 Notes and the 9% Notes to eliminate or waive substantially all of the restrictive covenants, to eliminate certain events of default, to modify covenants regarding mergers and consolidations and modify or eliminate certain other provisions contained in the indentures governing the 2012 Notes and the 9% Notes. The indentures governing the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes also contain covenants that limit our ability to, among other things: (i) incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares; (ii) pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of their capital stock or make other restricted payments; (iii) make certain investments; (iv) sell certain assets; (v) create or permit to exist dividend and/or payment restrictions affecting their restricted subsidiaries; (vi) create liens on certain assets to secure debt; (vii) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets; (viii) enter into certain transactions with their affiliates; and (ix) designate their subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. In particular, under the indenture governing the 2013 Senior Notes, in addition to specified permitted indebtedness, QD LLC may incur additional indebtedness so long as, on a pro forma basis, QD LLC’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges (each as defined in the indenture for the 2013 Senior Notes)) is greater than (i) 2.1 to 1.0 on or prior to June 18, 2010, and (ii) 2.2 to 1.0, after June 18, 2010. Under the indenture governing the 2013 PIK Notes, in addition to specified permitted indebtedness, QD LLC may incur additional indebtedness so long as, on a pro forma basis, QD LLC’s consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio (the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges (each as defined in the indenture for the 2013 PIK Notes)) is greater than 2.0 to 1.0. The indentures also provide for events of default, which, if any of them occurs, would permit or require the principal, premium, if any, interest and any other monetary obligations on all the then outstanding notes to be due and payable immediately.

We have agreed pursuant to registration rights agreements to file registration statements within 120 days relating to an offer to exchange the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes for debt securities which are substantially identical in all material respects to the 2013 Senior Notes and the 2013 PIK Notes, respectively, and to use our commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statements to be declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission within 180 days, and to consummate the exchange offer within 220 days, from October 15, 2009. If we fail to satisfy these obligations, we will be required to pay additional interest.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS

This report, along with other documents that are publicly disseminated by us, contains or might contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements included in this report and in any subsequent filings made by us with the SEC other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These statements represent our reasonable judgment on the future based on various factors and using numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include: (i) projections of revenue, earnings, capital structure and other financial items, (ii) statements of our plans and objectives, (iii) statements of expected future economic performance, and (iv) assumptions underlying statements regarding us or our business. Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “scheduled to” or the negatives of those terms, or other variations of those terms or comparable language, or by discussions of strategy or other intentions. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statements include the following risks and other factors discussed under the Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as well as those discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These factors include:

 

   

the effect of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and on the industries in which we operate in particular,

 

   

turmoil in the credit and capital markets,

 

   

access to available and reasonable financing on a timely basis,

 

   

availability and price of diesel fuel,

 

   

adverse weather conditions,

 

   

competitive rate fluctuations,

 

   

our substantial leverage and restrictions contained in our debt arrangements and interest rate fluctuations in our floating rate indebtedness,

 

   

the cyclical nature of the transportation industry due to various economic factors such as excess capacity in the industry, the availability of qualified drivers, changes in fuel and insurance prices, interest rate fluctuations, and downturns in customers’ business cycles and shipping requirements,

 

   

changes in demand for our services due to the cyclical nature of our customers’ businesses,

 

   

potential disruption at U.S. ports of entry,

 

   

our dependence on affiliates and owner-operators and our ability to attract and retain drivers,

 

   

changes in the future, or our inability to comply with, governmental regulations and legislative changes affecting the transportation industry,

 

   

our material exposure to both historical and changing environmental regulations and the increasing costs relating to environmental compliance including those relating to the control of greenhouse gas emissions, such as market-based (cap-and-trade) mechanisms,

 

   

our liability as a self-insurer to the extent of our deductibles, as well as our ability or inability to reduce our claims exposure through insurance due to changing conditions and pricing in the insurance marketplace,

 

   

the cost of complying with existing and future anti-terrorism security measures enacted by federal, state and municipal authorities,

 

   

the potential loss of our ability to use net operating losses to offset future income,

 

   

increased unionization, which could increase our operating costs or constrain operating flexibility,

 

   

changes in senior management,

 

   

our ability to successfully manage workforce restructurings,

 

   

our ability to effectively manage terminal operations that are converted from Company-operated to affiliate,

 

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our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses, and

 

   

interests of Apollo Management, our largest shareholder, which may conflict with your interests.

In addition, there may be other factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to be materially different from the results referenced in the forward-looking statements. For example, the cost estimates and expected cost savings for our recent reduction in workforce were determined based upon the operating information and upon certain assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. The estimates are subject to a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding the number of employees accepting severance arrangements, which depend upon the actions of persons other than us or other factors beyond our control.

All forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON COMPANY WEBSITE

Our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports may be viewed or downloaded electronically or as paper copies from our website: www.qualitydistribution.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our recent press releases are also available to be viewed or downloaded electronically at www.qualitydistribution.com. We will also provide electronic or paper copies of our SEC filings free of charge on request. We regularly post or otherwise make available information on the Investor Relations section of our website that may be important to investors. Any information on or linked from our website is not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

ITEM 3 — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are subject to market risks from (i) interest rates due to our variable interest rate indebtedness, (ii) foreign currency fluctuations due to our international operations and (iii) increased commodity prices due to the diesel consumption necessary for our operations. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we did not hold derivative instruments or engage in other hedging transactions to reduce our exposure to such risks.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our variable-rate borrowings under the ABL Facility and the 2012 Notes. With regard to the ABL Facility, at QD LLC’s option, the applicable margin for borrowings under the current asset tranche at September 30, 2009 is 1.00% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.00% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The applicable margin for borrowings under the fixed asset tranche at September 30, 2009 is 1.25% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.25% with respect to LIBOR borrowings. The applicable margin for such borrowings will be reduced or increased based on aggregate borrowing base availability under the ABL Facility over the life of the ABL Facility. The base rate under the ABL Facility is equal to the higher of the prime rate and the federal funds overnight rate plus 0.50%. The base rate for our 2012 Notes is LIBOR plus 4.50%.

 

     Balance at
September 30, 2009
($ in 000s)
   Interest Rate at
September 30,
2009
    Effect of 1%
Increase

($ in 000s)

ABL Facility

   $ 75,000    2.28   $ 750

Senior Floating Rate Notes - $135M

     135,000    5.01     1,350
               

Total

   $ 210,000      $ 2,100
               

At September 30, 2009, a 1% point increase in the current per annum interest rate for each would result in $2.1 million of additional interest expense during the next year. The foregoing calculation assumes an instantaneous one percentage point increase in the rates of all of our indebtedness and that the principal amount of each is the amount outstanding as of September 30, 2009. The calculation therefore does not account for the differences in the market rates upon which the interest rates of our indebtedness are based, our various options to elect the lower of two different interest rates under our borrowings or other possible actions, such as prepayment, that we might take in response to any rate increase. On October 15, 2009, we exchanged $134.5 million of the Senior Floating Rate Notes with variable interest rate for fixed rate 2013 Notes.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Operating in international markets involves exposure to the possibility of volatile movements in foreign exchange rates. The currencies in each of the countries in which we operate affect:

 

   

the results of our international operations reported in U.S. dollars; and

 

   

the value of the net assets of our international operations reported in U.S. dollars.

These exposures may impact future earnings or cash flows. Revenue from foreign locations (Canada and Mexico) represented approximately 6.2% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 6.6% of our consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The economic impact of foreign exchange rate movements is complex because such changes are often linked to variability in real growth, inflation, interest rates, governmental actions and other factors. These changes, if material, could cause us to adjust our financing and operating strategies. Therefore, isolating the effect of changes in currency does not accurately portray the effect of these other important economic factors. As foreign exchange rates change, translation of the income statements of our international subsidiaries into U.S. dollars affects year-over-year comparability of operating results. While we may hedge specific transaction risks, we generally do not hedge translation risks because we believe there is no long-term economic benefit in doing so.

 

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Assets and liabilities for our Canadian operations are matched in the local currency, which reduces the need for dollar conversion. Our Mexican operations use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Any foreign currency impact on translating assets and liabilities into dollars is included as a component of shareholders’ equity. Our revenue results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were negatively impacted by a $4.3 million foreign currency movement, primarily due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the United States dollar.

Changes in foreign exchange rates that had the largest impact on translating our international operating profits for the first nine months of 2009 related to the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar. We estimate that a 1% adverse change in the Canadian dollar foreign exchange rate would have decreased our revenues by approximately $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, assuming no changes other than the exchange rate itself. Our intercompany loans are subject to fluctuations in exchange rates primarily between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar. Based on the outstanding balance of our intercompany loans at September 30, 2009, a change of 1% in the exchange rate for the Canadian dollar would cause a change in our foreign exchange result of less than $0.1 million.

Commodity Price Risk

The price and availability of diesel fuel are subject to fluctuations due to changes in the level of global oil production, seasonality, weather, global politics and other market factors. Historically, we have been able to recover a majority of fuel price increases from our customers in the form of fuel surcharges. The price and availability of diesel fuel can be unpredictable as well as the extent to which fuel surcharges can be collected to offset such increases. In the nine months ended September  30, 2009 and 2008, a majority of fuel costs were covered through fuel surcharges.

ITEM 4 — Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b), management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on their evaluation, management concluded our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) were effective as of September 30, 2009 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and were effective as of September 30, 2009 to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the quarter ended September 30, 2009 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 — Legal Proceedings

Other than reported in “Item 3 - Legal Proceedings” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, “Note 18. Commitments and Contingencies” to our audited consolidated financial statements contained in such Form 10-K and “Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies” to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this report, we are not currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings other than routine matters incidental to our business, and no material developments have occurred in any proceedings described in such Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A — Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 included under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in addition to the other information set forth in this report. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing our Company.

Our expected future higher interest expense could limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from making debt service payments.

Our 2013 Senior Notes and 2013 PIK Notes carry higher rates of interest and higher cash rates of interest than the rates of the 2012 Notes and 9% Notes for which they were exchanged. Our higher interest expense may reduce our future profitability.

Our future higher interest expense could have other important consequences with respect to our ability to manage our business successfully, including the following:

 

   

it may make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness, and any failure to comply with the obligations of any of our debt instruments, including restrictive covenants and borrowing conditions, could result in an event of default under the ABL Facility, the indentures governing our senior notes, and our other indebtedness;

 

   

using a portion of our cash flow to pay interest on our indebtedness will reduce the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other business activities;

 

   

it increases our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

it limits our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

 

   

it may make us more vulnerable to further downturns in our business or the economy; and

 

   

it limits our ability to exploit business opportunities.

If fuel prices increase significantly, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

We are subject to risk with respect to purchases of fuel. Prices and availability of petroleum products are subject to political, economic and market factors that are generally outside our control. Political events in the Middle East, Venezuela, and elsewhere, as well as hurricanes and other weather-related events and current and future market-based (cap-and-trade) greenhouse gas emissions control mechanisms, also may cause the price of fuel to increase. Because our operations are dependent upon diesel fuel, significant increases in diesel fuel costs could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition if we are unable to pass increased costs on to customers through rate increases or fuel surcharges. Historically, we have recovered the majority of the increases in fuel prices from customers through fuel surcharges. Fuel surcharges that can be collected may not always fully offset the increase in the cost of diesel fuel. To the extent fuel surcharges are insufficient to offset our fuel costs, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

 

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In addition, risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial may also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2 — Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

ITEM 3 — Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

ITEM 4 — Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None

ITEM 5 — Other Information

None

ITEM 6 — Exhibits

 

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Exhibit
No.

 

Description

  4.1

  Second Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ 9% senior subordinated notes due 2010, dated as of August 27, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein, QD Risk and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2009.

  4.2

  Second Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ senior floating rate notes due 2012, Series A, dated as of August 27, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein, QD Risk and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2009.

  4.3

  Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ senior floating rate notes due 2012, Series B, dated as of August 27, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein, QD Risk and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2009.

  4.4

  Third Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ senior floating rate notes due 2012, Series A, dated as of September 29, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(a) to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2009.

  4.5

  Second Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ senior floating rate notes due 2012, Series B, dated as of September 29, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1(b) to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 30, 2009.

  4.6

  Third Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the Issuers’ 9% senior subordinated notes due 2010, dated as of October 14, 2009, by the Issuers, the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 14, 2009.

  4.7

  Indenture with respect to the 10% Senior Notes due 2013, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and among Quality Distribution, LLC, QD Capital Corporation, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2009.

  4.8

  Registration Rights Agreement with respect to the 10% Senior Notes due 2013, dated as October 15, 2009, by and among Quality Distribution, LLC, QD Capital Corporation, the guarantors named therein, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Moelis & Company LLC, as dealer managers. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2009.

  4.9

  Indenture with respect to the 11.75% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due 2013, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and among Quality Distribution, LLC, QD Capital Corporation, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2009.

  4.10

  Indenture with respect to the 11.75% Senior Subordinated PIK Notes due 2013, dated as of October 15, 2009, by and among Quality Distribution, LLC, QD Capital Corporation, the guarantors named therein, and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2009.

  4.11

  Warrant Agreement, dated as October 15, 2009, by and between Quality Distribution, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as warrant agent. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 16, 2009.

 

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Exhibit
No.

 

Description

  31.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  31.2

  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

  32.1

  Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant To 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC.
November 6, 2009    

/S/    GARY R. ENZOR        

    GARY R. ENZOR,
    PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
    (PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)
November 6, 2009    

/S/    STEPHEN R. ATTWOOD        

    STEPHEN R. ATTWOOD,
    SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
    (PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING OFFICER)

 

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