form10k_2010.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ý
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010
or
o  
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ________to________

Commission File No. 0-15057


P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
71-0633135
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

297 West Henri De Tonti Blvd, Tontitown, Arkansas 72770
 
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 
 (479) 361-9111
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code

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

Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
NASDAQ Global Market

 
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: None

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

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

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


 
 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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  o
 
No  o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer þ
 
       
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 

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

The aggregate market value of the common stock of the registrant held by non-affiliates of the registrant computed by reference to the average of the closing bid and asked prices of the common stock as of the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second quarter was $69,105,009. Solely for the purposes of this response, executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than five percent of the registrant’s common stock are considered the affiliates of the registrant at that date.

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, as of February 28, 2011: 9,387,005 shares of $.01 par value common stock.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in May 2011 are incorporated by reference in answer to Part III of this report. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (“this Report”) contains forward-looking statements, including statements about our operating and growth strategies, our expected financial position and operating results, industry trends, our capital expenditure and financing plans and similar matters. Such forward-looking statements are found throughout this Report, including under Item 1, Business, Item 1A, Risk Factors, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. In those and other portions of this Report, the words “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “project” and similar expressions, as they relate to us, our management, and our industry are intended to identify forward-looking statements. We have based these forward-looking statements largely on our current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends affecting our business. Actual results may differ materially. Some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that may cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements are described under the headings “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

All forward-looking statements attributable to us, or to persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this Report might not transpire.

 
 

 


P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.
FORM 10-K
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
PART I
Page
Item 1
1
Item 1A
8
Item 1B
13
Item 2
14
Item 3
14
Item 4
14
     
 
PART II
 
Item 5
 
15
Item 6
17
Item 7
 
18
Item 7A
32
Item 8
33
Item 9
 
60
Item 9A
60
Item 9B
62
     
 
PART III
 
Item 10
62
Item 11
62
Item 12
 
62
Item 13
63
Item 14
63
     
 
PART IV
 
Item 15
63
     
 
66
     
 
67


 
 

 

PART I

Item 1. Business.

Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “P.A.M.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us” mean P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

We are a truckload dry van carrier transporting general commodities throughout the continental United States, as well as in certain Canadian provinces. We also provide transportation services in Mexico under agreements with Mexican carriers. Our freight consists primarily of automotive parts, expedited goods, consumer goods, such as general retail store merchandise, and manufactured goods, such as heating and air conditioning units.

P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. is a holding company incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in June 1986 and conducts operations through the following wholly owned subsidiaries: P.A.M. Transport, Inc., T.T.X., LLC, P.A.M. Dedicated Services, LLC, P.A.M. Logistics Services, Inc., Choctaw Express, LLC, Choctaw Brokerage, Inc., Transcend Logistics, Inc., Decker Transport Co., LLC, East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC, S & L Logistics, Inc., P.A.M. International, Inc. and P.A.M. Canada, Inc. Our operating authorities are held by P.A.M. Transport, Inc., P.A.M. Dedicated Services, LLC, Choctaw Express, LLC, Choctaw Brokerage, Inc.,  T.T.X., LLC, Decker Transport Co., LLC, and East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC. Effective January 1, 2010, the operations of most of the Company’s operating subsidiaries were consolidated under the P.A.M. Transport, Inc. name in a effort to more clearly reflect the Company’s scope and available service offerings. Effective September 30, 2010, the Company sold the assets of East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC which effectively closed the Company’s New Jersey based brokerage office.

We are headquartered and maintain our primary terminal and maintenance facilities and our corporate and administrative offices in Tontitown, Arkansas, which is located in northwest Arkansas, a major center for the trucking industry and where the support services (including warranty repair services) for most major truck and trailer equipment manufacturers are readily available.

Effective as of the beginning of 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel taxes as a component of fuel expense rather than as a component of operating taxes and licenses as had been presented in reports prior to 2010. These reclassifications have had no effect on operating income, net income or earnings per share. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods shown.

Segment Financial Information

The Company's operations are all in the motor carrier segment and are aggregated into a single operating segment in accordance with the aggregation criteria under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).


 
1


Operations

Our operations can generally be classified into truckload services or brokerage and logistics services. Truckload services include those transportation services in which we utilize company owned trucks or owner-operator owned trucks for the pickup and delivery of freight. The brokerage and logistics services consists of services such as transportation scheduling, routing, mode selection, transloading and other value added services related to the transportation of freight which may or may not involve the use of company owned or owner-operator owned equipment. Both our truckload operations and our brokerage and logistics operations have similar economic characteristics and are impacted by virtually the same economic factors as discussed elsewhere in this Report. Truckload services operating revenues, before fuel surcharges represented 85.9%, 85.3%, and 89.6% of total operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The remaining operating revenues, before fuel surcharge for the same periods were generated by brokerage and logistics services, representing 14.1%, 14.7%, and 10.4%, respectively.

Approximately 65% of the Company's revenues are derived from domestic shipments while approximately 35% of our revenues are derived from freight originating from or destined to locations in Mexico or Canada.

Business and Growth Strategy

Our strategy focuses on the following elements:

Providing a Full Suite of Complimentary Truckload Transportation Solutions. Our objective is to provide our customers with a comprehensive solution to their truckload transportation needs. Our asset-based service offerings consist of dedicated, expedited, regional, automotive, and long-haul truckload services with non-asset based supply chain management, logistics , brokerage and intermodal solutions rounding out our service offerings. Our range of service offerings also include our complete range of asset-based and non-asset based services to Mexico and Canada.

Developing Customer Relationships within High Density Traffic Lanes. We strive to maximize utilization and increase revenue per truck while minimizing our time and empty miles between loads. In this regard, we seek to provide equipment to our customers in defined regions and disciplined traffic lanes. This strategy enables us to:

 
·
maintain more consistent equipment capacity;

 
·
provide a high level of service to our customers, including time-sensitive delivery schedules;

 
·
attract and retain drivers; and

 
·
maintain a sound safety record as drivers travel familiar routes.

Providing Superior and Flexible Customer Service. Our wide range of services includes expedited services, dedicated fleet services, logistics services, time-definite delivery, two-man driving teams, cross-docking and consolidation programs, specialized trailers, international services to Mexico and Canada, and Internet-based customer access to delivery status. These services allow us to quickly and reliably respond to the diverse needs of our customers, and provide an advantage in securing new business.

Many of our customers depend on us to make delivery on a time-definite basis, meaning that parts or raw materials are scheduled for delivery as they are needed on the manufacturer’s production line. The need for this service is a product of modern manufacturing and assembly methods that are designed to drastically decrease inventory levels and handling costs. Such requirements place a premium on the freight carrier’s delivery performance and reliability.

 
2

Employing Stringent Cost Controls. Throughout our organization, emphasis is placed on gaining efficiency in our processes with the primary goals of decreasing costs and improving customer satisfaction. Maintaining a high level of efficiency and prioritizing our focus on improvements allows us to minimize the number of non-driving personnel we employ and positively influence other overhead costs. Expenses are intensely scrutinized for opportunities for elimination, reduction or to further leverage our purchasing power to achieve more favorable pricing.

Industry

According to the American Trucking Association’s “American Trucking Trends 2009-2010” report, the trucking industry transported approximately 69% of the total volume of freight transported in the United States during 2008, which equates to 10.2 billion tons and $660 billion in revenue. The truckload industry is highly fragmented and is impacted by several economic and business factors, many of which are beyond the control of individual carriers. The state of the economy, coupled with equipment capacity levels, can impact freight rates. Volatility of various operating expenses, such as fuel and insurance, make the predictability of profit levels uncertain. Availability, attraction, retention and compensation for drivers also affect operating costs, as well as equipment utilization. In addition, the capital requirements for equipment, coupled with potential uncertainty of used equipment values, impact the ability of many carriers to expand their operations. The current operating environment is characterized by the following:

·
Intense competition for freight

·
Price increases by truck and trailer equipment manufacturers

·
Volatile fuel costs, generally trending higher

·
In recent years, many less profitable or undercapitalized carriers have been forced to consolidate or to exit the industry

Competition

The trucking industry is highly competitive and includes thousands of carriers, none of which dominates the market in which the Company operates. The Company's market share is less than 1% and we compete primarily with other irregular route medium- to long-haul truckload carriers, with private carriage conducted by our existing and potential customers, and, to a lesser extent, with the railroads. We compete on the basis of quality of service and delivery performance, as well as price. Many of the other irregular route long-haul truckload carriers have substantially greater financial resources, own more equipment or carry a larger total volume of freight as compared to the Company.

Marketing and Significant Customers

Our marketing emphasis is directed to that portion of the truckload market which is generally service-sensitive, as opposed to being solely price competitive. We seek to become a “core carrier” for our customers in order to maintain high utilization and capitalize on recurring revenue opportunities. Our marketing efforts are diversified and designed to gain access to dedicated, expedited, regional, automotive, and long-haul opportunities (including those in Mexico and Canada) and to expand supply chain solutions offerings.

Our marketing efforts are conducted by a sales staff of nine employees who are located in our major markets and supervised from our headquarters. These individuals work to improve profitability by maintaining an even flow of freight traffic (taking into account the balance between originations and destinations in a given geographical area) and high utilization, and minimizing movement of empty equipment.

 
3

Our five largest customers, for which we provide carrier services covering a number of geographic locations, accounted for approximately 52%, 42% and 49% of our total revenues in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. General Motors Corporation accounted for approximately 34%, 25% and 31% of our revenues in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

We also provide transportation services to other manufacturers who are suppliers for automobile manufacturers. Approximately 40%, 31% and 40% of our revenues were derived from transportation services provided to the automobile industry during 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

Revenue Equipment

At December 31, 2010, we operated a fleet of 1,768 trucks, which includes 28 owner-operator trucks, and 4,632 trailers, which includes 50 leased trailers. Our company-owned trucks are late model, well-maintained, premium trucks, which we believe help to attract and retain drivers, promote safe operations, minimize maintenance and repair costs, and improve customer service by minimizing service interruptions caused by breakdowns. We evaluate our equipment purchasing decisions based on factors such as initial cost, useful life, warranty terms, expected maintenance costs, fuel economy, driver comfort, customer needs, manufacturer support, and resale value.

We contract with owner-operators to provide greater flexibility in responding to fluctuations in consumer demand. Owner-operators provide their own trucks and are contractually responsible for all associated expenses, including financing costs, fuel, maintenance, insurance, and taxes, among other things. They are also responsible for maintaining compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Administration regulations.

During 1999, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed a three-phase strategy to reduce engine emissions from heavy-duty vehicles through a combination of advanced emissions control technologies and diesel fuel with a reduced sulfur content. Each phase and its effect on the Company’s operations, if known, are described below. The first phase (Phase I) mandated new engine emission standards for all model year 2004 heavy-duty trucks; however, through agreements with heavy-duty diesel engine manufacturers, the effective date was accelerated to October 1, 2002. Therefore, effective October 1, 2002, all newly manufactured truck engines had to comply with the new engine emission standards. All truck engines manufactured prior to October 1, 2002 were not subject to these new standards. As of December 31, 2010, the majority of our Company-owned truck fleet consisted of trucks with engines that comply with these emission standards. The Company has experienced a reduction in fuel efficiency and increased depreciation expense due to the higher cost of trucks with these new engines.

In the second phase (Phase II), effective January 1, 2007, the EPA mandated a new set of more stringent emission standards for vehicles powered by diesel fuel engines manufactured in 2007 through 2009. These new engines have been designed for and require the use of a more costly type of fuel known as ultra-low-sulfur-diesel (“ULSD”) which, according to EPA estimates, cost from $0.04 to $0.05 more per gallon due to increased refining costs. The EPA also mandated that refiners and importers nationwide ensure that at least 80% of the volume of the highway diesel fuel they produced or imported was ULSD-compliant by June 1, 2006. A majority of the Company’s current truck fleet can be fueled with either ULSD or low-sulfur diesel (“LSD”), but additional future purchases of trucks which contain 2007 or later diesel engines will require the use of ULSD fuel. As of December 31, 2010, 834 trucks in our Company-owned truck fleet consisted of trucks with engines that comply with the Phase II emission standards and require the use of ULSD. As compared to our current Company-owned truck fleet which contain primarily Phase I diesel engines, trucks powered by the Phase II compliant diesel engines had a significantly higher purchase price and as a result, our depreciation expense increased as we replaced older trucks with trucks powered by the Phase II diesel engines. We also expect that these Phase II diesel engines will result in higher maintenance costs. To the extent we are unable to offset these anticipated increased costs with rate increases charged to customers or offsetting cost savings in other areas, our results of operations will be adversely affected.
 
 
4

During the third phase (Phase III), which was effective in 2010, final emission standards became effective and LSD fuel was no longer available for highway use. The EPA required that by June 1, 2010 all diesel fuel imported or produced must be ULSD-compliant as it phased out LSD fuel availability by December 1, 2010. During 2011, the Company expects to take delivery of 450 new trucks, all of which will contain engines compliant with the Phase III emission standards. We are unable at this time to determine the increase in operating costs, if any, of trucks powered by the Phase III compliant engines. Trucks powered by the Phase III diesel engine are currently available for purchase at a significant price premium as compared to the Phase II powered trucks and as a result, the Company expects that our depreciation expense will increase as we replace older trucks with trucks powered by the Phase III diesel engines.

Technology

We have installed Qualcomm display units in all of our trucks. The Qualcomm system is a satellite-based global positioning and communications system that allows fleet managers to communicate directly with drivers. Drivers can provide location status and updates directly to our computer system which increases productivity and convenience. This system provides us with accurate estimated time of arrival information, which optimizes load selection and service levels to our customers. In order to optimize our truck-to-trailer ratio, we have also installed Qualcomm TrailerTracs™ tracking units in most of our trailers. The TrailerTracs system is a trailer tracking product that enables us to more efficiently track the location of trailers in our inventory.

Our information systems manage the data provided by the Qualcomm devices to provide us with real-time information regarding the location, status and load assignment of all of our equipment, which permits us to better meet delivery schedules, respond to customer inquiries and match equipment with the next available load. Our system also provides real-time information electronically to our customers regarding the status of freight shipments and anticipated arrival times. This system provides our customers flexibility and convenience by extending supply chain visibility through electronic data interchange, the Internet and e-mail.

Maintenance

We have a strictly enforced comprehensive preventive maintenance program for our trucks and trailers. Inspections and various levels of preventive maintenance are performed at set intervals on both trucks and trailers. A maintenance and safety inspection is performed on all vehicles each time they return to a terminal.

Our trucks carry full warranty coverage for at least three years or 350,000 miles. Extended warranties are negotiated with the truck manufacturer and manufacturers of major components, such as engine, transmission and differential manufacturers, for up to four years or 500,000 miles. Our trailers carry full warranties by the manufacturer and major component manufacturers for up to five years.


 
5


Employees

At December 31, 2010, we employed 2,658 persons, of whom 2,141 were drivers, 195 were maintenance personnel, 163 were employed in operations, 36 were employed in marketing, 64 were employed in safety and personnel, and 59 were employed in general administration and accounting. None of our employees are represented by a collective bargaining unit and we believe that our employee relations are good.

Drivers

At December 31, 2010, we utilized 2,141 company drivers in our operations. We also had 28 owner-operators under contract compensated on a per mile basis. Our drivers are compensated on the basis of miles driven, loading and unloading, extra stops and layovers in transit. Drivers can earn bonuses by recruiting other qualified drivers who become employed by us and both cash and non-cash prizes are awarded for consecutive periods of safe, accident-free driving. All of our drivers are recruited, screened, drug tested and trained and are subject to the control and supervision of our operations and safety departments. Our driver training program stresses the importance of safety and reliable, on-time delivery. Drivers are required to report to their driver managers daily and at the earliest possible moment when any condition en route occurs that might delay their scheduled delivery time.

In addition to strict application screening and drug testing, before being permitted to operate a vehicle our drivers must undergo classroom instruction on our policies and procedures, safety techniques as taught by the Smith System of Defensive Driving, and the proper operation of equipment, and must pass both written and road tests. Instruction in defensive driving and safety techniques continues after hiring, with seminars at several of our terminals. At December 31, 2010, we employed 48 persons on a full-time basis in our driver recruiting, training and safety instruction programs.

Intense competition in the trucking industry for qualified drivers has resulted in additional expense to recruit and retain an adequate supply of drivers, and has had a negative impact on the industry. Our operations have also been impacted and from time to time we have experienced under-utilization and increased expenses due to a shortage of qualified drivers. We place a high priority on the recruitment and retention of an adequate supply of qualified drivers.

Available Information

The Company maintains a website where additional information concerning its business can be found. The address of that website is www.pamtransport.com. The Company makes available free of charge on its Internet website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files or furnishes such materials to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Seasonality

Our revenues do not exhibit a significant seasonal pattern due primarily to our varied customer mix. Operating expenses can be somewhat higher in the winter months primarily due to decreased fuel efficiency and increased maintenance costs associated with inclement weather. In addition, the automobile plants for which we transport a large amount of freight typically utilize scheduled shutdowns in July and December and the volume of automotive freight we ship is reduced during such scheduled plant shutdowns.
 
 
6


Regulation

 
We are a common and contract motor carrier regulated by various United States federal and state, Canadian provincial, and Mexican federal agencies. These regulatory agencies have broad powers, generally governing matters such as authority to engage in motor carrier operations, motor carrier registration, driver hours-of-service (“HOS”), drug and alcohol testing of drivers, and safety, weight and dimensions of transportation equipment.  The primary regulatory agencies affecting the Company’s operations include the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Agency, and the Surface Transportation Board, which are all agencies within the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”). We believe that we are in compliance in all material respects with applicable regulatory requirements relating to our business and operate with a “satisfactory” rating (the highest of three grading categories) from the DOT. In addition, we are subject to compliance with cargo-security and transportation regulations issued by the Transportation Security Administration, a component department within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. To the extent that we conduct operations outside the United States, we are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from bribing foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining favorable treatment.

In 2004, the FMCSA issued updated rules related to driver HOS limits that became effective October 1, 2005 (the "2005 Rules"). In July 2007, a federal appeals court vacated certain provisions of the 2005 Rules relating to the expansion of the driving day from 10 hours to 11 hours, and the "34-hour restart," which allowed drivers to restart calculations of the weekly on-duty time limits after the driver had at least 34 consecutive hours off duty. The court indicated that, in addition to other reasons, it vacated these two provisions because the FMCSA failed to provide adequate data supporting its decision to increase the driving day and provide for the 34-hour restart. In November 2008, following the submission of additional data by FMCSA and a series of appeals and related court rulings, the FMCSA published its final rule, which retained the 11 hour driving day and the 34-hour restart provision. Safety advocacy groups have continued to challenge the final rule and in an effort to an end to litigation by these groups, the FMCSA agreed to propose new rules by July 26, 2011. During December 2010, the FMCSA released the proposed new rules for public comment which included provisions that would shorten allowable daily driving time from 11 hours to 10 hours and also require that drivers take two nights of rest during the 34 hour restart provision. These proposed changes were generally not well received by either safety advocacy groups, which viewed the changes as not restrictive enough, or by the trucking industry, which viewed the changes as too restrictive and overly complex. We are unable to predict the final outcome of any particular HOS rule proposals or how a court may rule on any challenges related to the proposals but expect that any significant changes to the driver HOS rules that, in effect, reduce available driving time or restrict scheduling flexibility would have a negative impact our current operations.

During January 2011, the FMCSA issued a proposed rule that would require interstate commercial trucks to install electronic on-board recorders (“EOBRs”) to monitor compliance with HOS regulations. Under this proposal, all motor carriers currently required to maintain records of duty status for HOS record keeping would be required to use EOBRs to monitor their drivers' compliance with HOS requirements. Motor carriers would be given three years after the effective date of the final rule to comply with these requirements. The rule also proposes that for commercial motor vehicles manufactured on and after June 4, 2012, motor carriers must install and use an electronic device that meets the requirements of EOBRs and HOS rules. The public comment  period extends 60 days from the date the proposal was issued. Management is currently evaluating the impact of any additional costs or operational changes necessary with regard to any EOBR device requirements.


 
7


During 2010, the FMCSA also implemented its “Compliance, Safety, Accountability” program (“CSA”), formerly known as “Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010” or “CSA 2010”. The stated goal under CSA is to achieve a greater reduction in large truck and bus crashes, injuries and fatalities, while maximizing the resources of the FMCSA and its state partners. Since the 1970s, federal and state enforcement agencies, in partnership with the motor carrier industry, have progressively reduced the commercial vehicle related fatality crash rate. Under CSA, the FMCSA will use a comprehensive measurement system of all safety-based violations found during roadside inspections, weighing such violations by their relationship to crash risk. CSA data analysis expands on the previous system utilized by the FMCSA and covers more behavioral areas specifically linked to crash risk such as unsafe or fatigued driving, driver fitness, controlled substances, crash history, vehicle maintenance, and improper loading. Safety performance information will be accumulated to assess the safety performance of both carriers and drivers. This expanded methodology for determining a carrier's DOT safety rating may have an adverse effect on our DOT safety rating. We currently have a satisfactory DOT rating, which is the highest available rating. A conditional or unsatisfactory DOT safety rating could adversely affect our business because some of our customer contracts may require a satisfactory DOT safety rating, and a conditional or unsatisfactory rating could negatively impact or restrict our operations.

Our motor carrier operations are also subject to environmental laws and regulations, including laws and regulations dealing with underground fuel storage tanks, the transportation of hazardous materials and other environmental matters, and our operations involve certain inherent environmental risks. We maintain two bulk fuel storage and fuel islands. Our operations involve the risks of fuel spillage or seepage, environmental damage, and hazardous waste disposal, among others. We have instituted programs to monitor and control environmental risks and assure compliance with applicable environmental laws. As part of our safety and risk management program, we periodically perform internal environmental reviews so that we can achieve environmental compliance and avoid environmental risk. We transport a minimum amount of environmentally hazardous substances and, to date, have experienced no significant claims for hazardous materials shipments. If we should fail to comply with applicable regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or penalties and to civil and criminal liability.

Company operations conducted in industrial areas, where truck terminals and other industrial activities are conducted, and where groundwater or other forms of environmental contamination have occurred, potentially expose us to claims that we contributed to the environmental contamination.

We believe we are currently in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations and that the cost of compliance has not materially affected results of operations.

In addition to environmental regulations directly affecting our business, we are also subject to the effects of new truck engine design requirements implemented by the EPA. See "Revenue Equipment" above.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Set forth below and elsewhere in this Report and in other documents we file with the SEC are risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results contemplated by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report.

Our business is subject to general economic and business factors that are largely beyond our control, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

These factors include significant increases or rapid fluctuations in fuel prices, excess capacity in the trucking industry, surpluses in the market for used equipment, interest rates, fuel taxes, license and registration fees, insurance premiums, self-insurance levels, and difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified drivers and independent contractors.

 
8

We are affected by recessionary economic cycles and downturns in customers’ business cycles, particularly in market segments and industries, such as the automotive industry, where we have a significant concentration of customers. Economic conditions may also adversely affect our customers and their ability to pay for our services.

We operate in a highly competitive and fragmented industry, and our business may suffer if we are unable to adequately address downward pricing pressures and other factors that may adversely affect our ability to compete with other carriers.

In addition, we cannot predict the effects on the economy or consumer confidence of actual or threatened armed conflicts or terrorist attacks, efforts to combat terrorism, military action against a foreign state or group located in a foreign state, or heightened security requirements. Enhanced security measures could impair our operating efficiency and productivity and result in higher operating costs.

Numerous competitive factors could impair our ability to operate at an acceptable profit. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

·
we compete with many other truckload carriers of varying sizes and, to a lesser extent, with less-than-truckload carriers and railroads, some of which have more equipment and greater capital resources than we do;

·
some of our competitors periodically reduce their freight rates to gain business, especially during times of reduced growth rates in the economy, which may limit our ability to maintain or increase freight rates, maintain our margins or maintain significant growth in our business;

·
many customers reduce the number of carriers they use by selecting so-called “core carriers” as approved service providers, and in some instances we may not be selected;

·
many customers periodically accept bids from multiple carriers for their shipping needs, and this process may depress freight rates or result in the loss of some of our business to competitors;

·
the trend toward consolidation in the trucking industry may create other large carriers with greater financial resources and other competitive advantages relating to their size and with whom we may have difficulty competing;

·
advances in technology require increased investments to remain competitive, and our customers may not be willing to accept higher freight rates to cover the cost of these investments;

·
competition from Internet-based and other logistics and freight brokerage companies may adversely affect our customer relationships and freight rates; and

·
economies of scale that may be passed on to smaller carriers by procurement aggregation providers may improve their ability to compete with us.


 
9


We are highly dependent on our major customers, the loss of one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A significant portion of our revenue is generated from our major customers. For 2010, our top five customers, based on revenue, accounted for approximately 52% of our revenue, and our largest customer, General Motors Corporation, accounted for approximately 34% of our revenue. We also provide transportation services to other manufacturers who are suppliers for automobile manufacturers. As a result, the concentration of our business within the automobile industry is greater than the concentration in a single customer. Approximately 40% of our revenues for 2010 were derived from transportation services provided to the automobile industry.

Generally, we do not have long-term contractual relationships with our major customers, and we cannot assure that our customer relationships will continue as presently in effect. A reduction in or termination of our services by our major customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results.

Ongoing insurance and claims expenses could significantly reduce our earnings.

Our future insurance and claims expenses might exceed historical levels, which could reduce our earnings. The Company is self insured for health and workers compensation insurance coverage up to certain limits. If medical costs continue to increase, or if the severity or number of claims increase, and if we are unable to offset the resulting increases in expenses with higher freight rates, our earnings could be materially and adversely affected.

We may be adversely impacted by fluctuations in the price and availability of diesel fuel.

Diesel fuel represents a significant operating expense for the Company and we do not currently hedge against the risk of diesel fuel price increases. An increase in diesel fuel prices or diesel fuel taxes, or any change in federal or state regulations that results in such an increase, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results to the extent we are unable to recoup such increases from customers in the form of increased freight rates or through fuel surcharges. Historically, we have been able to offset, to a certain extent, diesel fuel price increases through fuel surcharges to our customers but we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so in the future. We continuously monitor the components of our pricing, including base freight rates and fuel surcharges, and address individual account profitability issues with our customers when necessary. While we have historically been able to adjust our pricing to help offset changes to the cost of diesel fuel, through changes to base rates and/or fuel surcharges, we cannot be certain that we will be able to do so in the future.
 
We may be unable to successfully integrate businesses we acquire into our operations.

Integrating businesses we acquire may involve unanticipated delays, costs or other operational or financial problems. Successful integration of the businesses we acquire depends on a number of factors, including our ability to transition acquired companies to our management information systems. In integrating businesses we acquire, we may not achieve expected economies of scale or profitability or realize sufficient revenues to justify our investment. We also face the risk that an unexpected problem at one of the companies we acquire will require substantial time and attention from senior management, diverting management’s attention from other aspects of our business. We cannot be certain that our management and operational controls will be able to support us as we grow.
 
 
10


Difficulty in attracting drivers could affect our profitability and ability to grow.

Periodically, the transportation industry experiences difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified drivers, including independent contractors, resulting in intense competition for drivers. We have from time to time experienced under-utilization and increased expenses due to a shortage of qualified drivers. If we are unable to  attract drivers when needed or contract with independent contractors when needed, we could be required to further adjust our driver compensation packages or let trucks sit idle, which could adversely affect our growth and profitability.

If we are unable to retain our key employees, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be harmed.

We are highly dependent upon the services of our key employees and executive officers. The loss of any of their services could have a material adverse effect on our operations and future profitability. We must continue to develop and retain a core group of managers if we are to realize our goal of expanding our operations and continuing our growth. We cannot assure that we will be able to do so.

If our employees were to unionize, our operating costs would increase and our ability to compete would be impaired.

None of our employees are currently represented by a collective bargaining agreement. However, we can offer no assurance that our employees will not unionize in the future, particularly if legislation is passed that facilitates unionization.
 
Disruptions in the credit markets may adversely affect our business, including the availability and cost of short-term funds for liquidity requirements and our ability to meet long-term commitments, which could adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
 
 
If cash from operations are not sufficient, we may be required to rely on the capital and credit markets to meet our financial commitments and short-term liquidity needs. Disruptions in the capital and credit markets, as have been experienced during recent years, could adversely affect our ability to draw on our bank revolving credit facility. Our access to funds under the credit facility is dependent on the ability of banks to meet their funding commitments. A bank may not be able to meet their funding commitments if they experience shortages of capital and liquidity or if they experience excessive volumes of borrowing requests from other borrowers within a short period of time.
 
 
Longer term disruptions in the capital and credit markets as a result of uncertainty, changing or increased regulation, reduced alternatives, or failures of significant financial institutions could adversely affect our access to liquidity needed for our business. Any disruption could require us to take measures to conserve cash until the markets stabilize or until alternative credit arrangements or other funding for our business needs can be arranged.

We have significant ongoing capital requirements that could affect our liquidity and profitability if we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations or obtain sufficient financing on favorable terms.

The trucking industry is capital intensive. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash from operations in the future, we may have to limit our growth, enter into unfavorable financing arrangements, or operate our revenue equipment for longer periods, any of which could have a material adverse affect on our profitability.
 
 
11


Our operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, the violation of which could result in substantial fines or penalties.

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations dealing with the handling of hazardous materials, underground fuel storage tanks, and discharge and retention of storm-water. We operate in industrial areas, where truck terminals and other industrial activities are located, and where groundwater or other forms of environmental contamination could occur. We also maintain bulk fuel storage and fuel islands at two of our facilities. Our operations involve the risks of fuel spillage or seepage, environmental damage, and hazardous waste disposal, among others. If we are involved in a spill or other accident involving hazardous substances, or if we are found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations, it could have a materially adverse effect on our business and operating results. If we should fail to comply with applicable environmental regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or penalties and to civil and criminal liability.

In addition, as global warming issues become more prevalent, federal, state  and local governments as well as some of our customers, are beginning to respond to these issues. This increased focus on sustainability may result in new regulations and customer requirements that could negatively affect us as we may incur additional costs or be required to make changes to our operations in order to comply with any new regulations or customer requirements. Revenues could decrease if we are unable to meet regulatory or customer sustainability requirements. These additional costs, changes in operations, or loss of revenues could have a material adverse affect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and increased costs of compliance with, or liability for violation of, existing or future regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

The DOT and various state agencies exercise broad powers over our business, generally governing such activities as authorization to engage in motor carrier operations, safety, and financial reporting. We may also become subject to new or more restrictive regulations relating to fuel emissions, drivers’ hours in service, and ergonomics. Compliance with such regulations could substantially impair equipment productivity and increase our operating expenses.

The EPA adopted new emission control regulations, which required progressive reductions in exhaust emissions from diesel engines through 2010. In part to offset the costs of compliance with the new EPA engine design requirements, some manufacturers have increased new equipment prices and eliminated or sharply reduced the price of repurchase or trade-in commitments. If new equipment prices continue to increase, or if the price of repurchase commitments by equipment manufacturers were to decrease more than anticipated, we may be required to increase our depreciation and financing costs and/or retain some of our equipment longer, which may result in an increase in maintenance expenses. To the extent we are unable to offset any such increases in expenses with rate increases or cost savings, our results of operations would be adversely affected. If our fuel or maintenance expenses were to increase as a result of our use of the new, EPA-compliant engines, and we are unable to offset such increases with fuel surcharges or higher freight rates, our results of operations would be adversely affected. Further, our business and operations could be adversely impacted if we experience problems with the reliability of the new engines. Although we have not experienced any significant reliability issues with these engines to date, the expenses associated with the trucks containing these engines have been slightly elevated, primarily as a result of lower fuel efficiency and higher depreciation.
 
 
12


During 2010, the FMCSA implemented its “Compliance, Safety, Accountability” program (“CSA”), formerly known as “Comprehensive Safety Analysis 2010” or “CSA 2010”. CSA is a new enforcement and compliance initiative that provides for driver standards in addition to the carrier standards previously in place. Under CSA, the methodology for determining a carrier's DOT safety rating will be expanded to include the on-road safety performance of the carrier's drivers. As a result of these new regulations, including the expanded methodology for determining a carrier's DOT safety rating, there may be an adverse effect on our DOT safety rating. We currently have a satisfactory DOT rating, which is the highest available rating. A conditional or unsatisfactory DOT safety rating could adversely affect our business because some of our customer contracts may require a satisfactory DOT safety rating, and a conditional or unsatisfactory rating could negatively impact or restrict our operations.

During 2010, the FMCSA also proposed changes to the current HOS rules which, if become final as proposed, could have a material adverse affect on our profitability. The proposed changes include a shortening of allowable daily driving time from 11 hours to 10 hours and a requirement that drivers take two nights of rest during the 34-hour restart provision. Both of these provisions could have an adverse effect on the Company’s productivity and could add complexity to load scheduling.

During January 2011, the FMCSA issued a proposed rule that would require interstate commercial trucks to install electronic on-board recorders (“EOBRs”) to monitor compliance with HOS regulations. Under this proposal, all motor carriers currently required to maintain records of duty status for HOS record keeping would be required to use EOBRs to monitor their drivers' compliance with HOS requirements. Motor carriers would be given three years after the effective date of the final rule to comply with these requirements. The rule also proposes that for commercial motor vehicles manufactured on and after June 4, 2012, motor carriers must install and use an electronic device that meets the requirements of EOBRs and HOS rules. Management is currently evaluating the impact of any additional costs or operational changes necessary with regard to any EOBR device requirements.

We may incur additional operating expenses or liabilities as a result of potential future requirements to address climate change issues.

Regulations or legislation related to climate change that potentially imposes restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels such as those used in the Company’s trucks, could adversely affect our operations and financial results.  More specifically, legislative or regulatory actions related to climate change could adversely impact the Company by increasing our fuel costs and reducing fuel efficiency and could result in the creation of substantial additional capital expenditures and operating costs in the form of taxes, emissions allowances, or required equipment upgrades. Any of these factors could impair our operating efficiency and productivity and result in higher operating costs
 
 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.

None.

 
13


Item 2. Properties.

Our executive offices and primary terminal facilities, which we own, are located in Tontitown, Arkansas. These facilities are located on approximately 49.3 acres and consist of 114,403 square feet of office space and maintenance and storage facilities.

Our subsidiaries lease facilities in Effingham, Illinois; North Jackson, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Bath, Pennsylvania; El Paso, Texas; and Monterrey, Mexico. Our terminal facilities in Columbia, Mississippi; Irving and Laredo, Texas; North Little Rock, Arkansas; and Willard, Ohio are owned. The leased facilities are leased primarily on contractual terms typically ranging from one to five years. As of December 31, 2010, the following provides a summary of the ownership and types of activities conducted at each location:

 
Location
Own/
Lease
Dispatch
Office
Maintenance
Facility
Safety
Training
Tontitown, Arkansas
Own
Yes
Yes
Yes
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Own
No
Yes
No
Effingham, Illinois
Lease
No
Yes
No
Columbia, Mississippi
Own
No
No
No
North Jackson, Ohio
Lease
Yes
Yes
Yes
Willard, Ohio
Own
Yes
Yes
No
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Lease
No
Yes
No
Bath, Pennsylvania
Lease
No
Yes
No
El Paso, Texas
Lease
No
No
No
Irving, Texas
Own
Yes
Yes
Yes
Laredo, Texas
Own
Yes
Yes
Yes
Monterrey, Mexico
Lease
No
No
No

We also have access to trailer drop and relay stations in various other locations across the country. We lease certain of these facilities on a month-to-month basis from affiliates of our largest shareholder.

We believe that all of the properties that we own or lease are suitable for their purposes and adequate to meet our needs.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings.

The nature of our business routinely results in litigation, primarily involving claims for personal injuries and property damage incurred in the transportation of freight. We believe that all such routine litigation is adequately covered by insurance and that adverse results in one or more of those cases would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved).

 
 
14


PART II

Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.

Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol PTSI. The following table sets forth, for the quarters indicated, the range of the high and low sales prices per share for our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market.

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2010
   
High
   
Low
 
First Quarter
  $ 15.40     $ 9.25  
Second Quarter
    18.60       13.00  
Third Quarter
    16.35       10.76  
Fourth Quarter
    13.61       10.65  

Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009
   
High
   
Low
 
First Quarter
  $ 7.89     $ 2.71  
Second Quarter
    5.86       5.00  
Third Quarter
    8.87       5.47  
Fourth Quarter
    10.93       7.51  

As of February 28, 2011, there were approximately 136 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. The policy of our Board of Directors is to retain earnings for the expansion and development of our business and the payment of our debt service obligations. Future dividend policy and the payment of dividends, if any, will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of circumstances then existing, including our earnings, financial condition and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.

Repurchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The Company’s stock repurchase program was first announced on April 11, 2005. The repurchase program was subsequently extended and expanded several times, most recently in November 2010, when the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock during the twelve month period following the announcement. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2010 and as of December 31, 2010, the maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the repurchase program is 500,000.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

See Part III, Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” of this Annual Report for a presentation of compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance.
 
 
15


Performance Graph

Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock against the cumulative total return of the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Stock Market (U.S. companies) and the CRSP Total Return Index for the NASDAQ Trucking and Transportation Stocks for the period of five years commencing December 31, 2005 and ending December 31, 2010. The graph assumes that the value of the investment in our common stock and in each index was $100 on December 31, 2005 and that all dividends were reinvested.
 
 
 
16


Item 6. Selected Financial Data.

The following selected financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Report.

   
Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Statement of Operations Data:
                             
Operating revenues:
                             
   Operating revenues, before fuel surcharge
  $ 282,524     $ 260,774     $ 323,272     $ 351,701     $ 351,373  
   Fuel surcharge
    49,470       31,136       83,451       57,140       48,896  
Total operating revenues
    331,994       291,910       406,723       408,841       400,269  
                                         
Operating expenses:
                                       
   Salaries, wages and benefits
    109,728       101,833       123,961       135,606       127,539  
   Fuel expense (1)
    97,523       73,562       150,776       125,456       107,575  
   Rent and purchased transportation
    42,469       40,713       39,887       38,718       43,844  
   Depreciation and amortization
    27,035       37,742       37,477       38,759       33,929  
   Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -       15,413       -       -  
   Operating supplies
    30,105       26,572       30,514       30,845       25,682  
   Operating taxes and licenses (1)
    4,954       5,020       5,692       6,306       6,132  
   Insurance and claims
    12,820       12,579       16,018       17,591       16,389  
   Communications and utilities
    2,731       2,644       2,869       3,113       2,642  
   Other
    5,169       4,967       5,119       7,130       5,426  
   (Gain) loss on sale or disposal of property
    (337 )     931       952       (48 )     47  
Total operating expenses
    332,197       306,563       428,678       403,476       369,205  
Operating (loss) income
    (203 )     (14,653 )     (21,955 )     5,365       31,064  
Non-operating income (loss)
    852       (745 )     (4,996 )     1,707       448  
Interest expense
    (2,252 )     (2,373 )     (2,429 )     (2,453 )     (1,475 )
(Loss) income before income taxes
    (1,603 )     (17,771 )     (29,380 )     4,619       30,037  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (948 )     (6,924 )     (10,615 )     1,966       12,073  
Net (loss) income
  $ (655 )   $ (10,847 )   $ (18,765 )   $ 2,653     $ 17,964  
(Loss) earnings per common share:
                                       
Basic
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )   $ 0.26     $ 1.74  
Diluted
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )   $ 0.26     $ 1.74  
Average common shares outstanding – Basic
    9,415       9,411       9,683       10,238       10,296  
Average common shares outstanding – Diluted(2)
    9,415       9,411       9,683       10,239       10,302  
__________
(1)  
During 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel tax expense as a component of fuel expense rather than operating taxes and licenses expense. This reclassification has no effect on net operating income, net income or earnings per share. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods shown.

(2)  
Diluted income per share for 2007 and 2006 assumes the exercise of stock options to purchase an aggregate of 19,213 and 55,738 shares of common stock, respectively.

 
17


 
   
At December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Balance Sheet Data:
 
(in thousands)
 
Total assets
  $ 264,340     $ 260,656     $ 290,361     $ 319,904     $ 314,246  
Long-term debt, excluding current portion
    17,201       27,202       35,492       44,172       21,205  
Stockholders' equity
    147,948       147,127       155,477       179,377       185,028  
                                         
   
Year Ended December 31,
 
      2010       2009       2008       2007       2006  
Operating Data:
                                       
Operating ratio (1)
    100.1 %     105.6 %     106.8 %     98.5 %     91.2 %
Average number of truckloads per week
    6,054       6,275       7,559       7,849       7,200  
Average miles per trip
    625       556       598       647       659  
Total miles traveled (in thousands)
    192,139       177,872       221,450       246,801       229,810  
Average miles per truck
    110,236       102,816       111,114       118,483       123,156  
Average revenue, before fuel surcharge per truck per day
  $ 639     $ 591     $ 662     $ 695     $ 778  
Average revenue, before fuel surcharge per loaded mile
  $ 1.35     $ 1.36     $ 1.41     $ 1.38     $ 1.43  
Empty mile factor
    6.3 %     7.7 %     7.3 %     6.5 %     5.9 %
                                         
At end of period:
                                       
Total company-owned/leased trucks
    1,768 (2)     1,731 (3)     1,839 (4)     2,055 (5)     1,998 (6)
Average age of company-owned trucks (in years)
    3.24       2.60       1.90       1.75       1.55  
Total company-owned/leased trailers
    4,632 (7)     4,630       4,809       4,882       4,540  
Average age of company-owned trailers (in years)
    6.21       5.22       4.43       4.44       4.16  
Number of employees
    2,658       2,591       2,931       3,181       3,062  
__________
(1) Total operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge as a percentage of operating revenues, before fuel surcharge.
(2) Includes 28 owner operator trucks; (3) Includes 34 owner operator trucks; (4) Includes 33 owner operator trucks.
(5) Includes 55 owner operator trucks; (6) Includes 49 owner operator trucks; (7) Includes 50 leased trailers.

The Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends during any of the periods presented above.

 

Business Overview

The Company's administrative headquarters are in Tontitown, Arkansas. From this location we manage operations conducted through our wholly owned subsidiaries based in various locations around the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The operations of these subsidiaries can generally be classified into either truckload services or brokerage and logistics services. Truckload services include those transportation services in which we utilize company owned trucks or owner-operator owned trucks. Brokerage and logistics services consist of services such as transportation scheduling, routing, mode selection, transloading and other value added services related to the transportation of freight which may or may not involve the usage of company owned or owner-operator owned equipment. Both our truckload operations and our brokerage/logistics operations have similar economic characteristics and are impacted by virtually the same economic factors as discussed elsewhere in this Report. All of the Company's operations are in the motor carrier segment.

For both operations, substantially all of our revenue is generated by transporting freight for customers and is predominantly affected by the rates per mile received from our customers, equipment utilization, and our percentage of non-compensated miles. These aspects of our business are carefully managed and efforts are continuously underway to achieve favorable results. Truckload services revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, represented 85.9%, 85.3%, and 89.6% of total revenues, excluding fuel surcharges for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
 
 
18


The main factors that impact our profitability on the expense side are costs incurred in transporting freight for our customers. Currently, our most challenging costs include fuel, driver recruitment, training, wage and benefit costs, independent broker costs (which we record as purchased transportation), insurance, and maintenance and capital equipment costs.

In discussing our results of operations we use revenue, before fuel surcharge, (and fuel expense, net of surcharge), because management believes that eliminating the impact of this sometimes volatile source of revenue allows a more consistent basis for comparing our results of operations from period to period. During 2010, 2009 and 2008, approximately $49.5 million, $31.1 million and $83.5 million, respectively, of the Company's total revenue was generated from fuel surcharges. We also discuss certain changes in our expenses as a percentage of revenue, before fuel surcharge, rather than absolute dollar changes. We do this because we believe the high variable cost nature of certain expenses makes a comparison of changes in expenses as a percentage of revenue more meaningful than absolute dollar changes.

Results of Operations - Truckload Services
 
The following table sets forth, for truckload services, the percentage relationship of expense items to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, for the periods indicated. Fuel costs are shown net of fuel surcharges.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating revenues, before fuel surcharge
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses:
                       
   Salaries, wages and benefits
    44.4       44.8       42.1  
   Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge
    19.8       19.2       23.4  
   Rent and purchased transportation
    2.3       2.7       3.2  
   Depreciation and amortization
    11.1       17.0       12.9  
   Goodwill impairment
    0.0       0.0       2.9  
   Operating supplies and expenses
    12.4       11.9       10.5  
   Operating taxes and licenses
    2.0       2.3       2.0  
   Insurance and claims
    5.3       5.6       5.5  
   Communications and utilities
    1.1       1.1       1.0  
   Other
    2.0       2.1       1.7  
   Loss on sale or disposal of property
    0.1       0.4       0.3  
Total operating expenses
    100.5       107.1       105.5  
Operating loss
    (0.5 )     (7.1 )     (5.5 )
Non-operating income (loss)
    0.3       (0.3 )     (1.7 )
Interest expense
    (0.8 )     (1.1 )     (0.8 )
Loss before income taxes
    (1.0 )%     (8.5 )%     (8.0 )%

2010 Compared to 2009

For the year ended December 31, 2010, truckload services revenue, before fuel surcharges, increased 9.1% to $242.8 million as compared to $222.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase relates primarily an increase in the average number of miles traveled per unit each work day from 403 miles during 2009 to 434 miles during 2010. Also contributing to the increase in revenue was an increase in the average rate charged per total mile and a decrease in the number of non-compensated miles traveled with empty trailers. During 2010, the average rate charged to customers per total mile increased by $0.01 as compared to the average rate charged during 2009 and the number of non-compensated miles decreased by 1.6 million miles.
 
 
19


Salaries, wages and benefits decreased from 44.8% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 44.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, resulted primarily from the interaction of wages with fixed cost characteristics, such as general and administrative, maintenance, and operations wages, with higher revenues. Using a dollar-based comparison, salaries, wages and benefits increased from $99.7 million during 2009 to $107.9 million during 2010 as the number of driver compensated miles increased from 177.9 million miles during 2009 to 192.1 million miles during 2010. The Company also experienced a decrease in expenses associated with employee health and workers compensation benefits which decreased from $9.0 million during 2009 to $7.2 million during 2010.
 
Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge, increased from 19.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 19.8% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010 which, on a dollar basis, represented an increase from $42.6 million during 2009 to $48.1 million during 2010. The increase relates to both an increase in the number of gallons of fuel purchased resulting from more miles traveled and an increase in the average surcharge-adjusted price paid per gallon of fuel from $1.30 during 2009 to $1.35 paid per gallon during 2010. Fuel surcharge collections vary from period to period as they are generally based on changes in fuel prices from period to period so that during periods of rising fuel prices fuel surcharge collections increase while fuel surcharge collections decrease during periods of declining fuel prices. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel taxes paid on the purchase of fuel as a component of Fuel expense rather than as a component of Operating taxes and licenses. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods.
 
Rent and purchased transportation decreased from 2.7% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 to 2.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2010. The decrease relates primarily to a decrease in amounts paid to third party transportation service providers for intermodal services.

Depreciation and amortization decreased from 17.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 to 11.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2010. The percentage related to depreciation expense for 2009 was elevated due to a change in estimated residual values for a certain group of tractors. During the fourth quarter of 2009, management determined that a certain group of trucks, with guaranteed manufacturer trade-in residual values, would not be used as trade-ins for a newer model of the same make. Accordingly, the manufacturer guaranteed residual values associated with these trucks were no longer available. Management expected that these trucks would be sold on the open market and that the ultimate selling price would be significantly lower than the manufacturer guaranteed residual values. Therefore, the residual values of these trucks were reduced during the fourth quarter of 2009 to reflect this expectation. This reduction in residual values resulted in additional depreciation expense of $4.2 million during 2009. Also, during the fourth quarter of 2009, management performed an evaluation of the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives and residual values assigned to its remaining truck and trailer fleet. During this evaluation, and based on a decrease in anticipated future capital expenditures, management determined that the useful life of its tractor fleet should be extended to 5 years from 3 or 4 years and that the useful life of its trailer fleet should be extended to 12 years from 10 years. Residual values of trucks and trailers were also reduced accordingly to reflect the estimated value at the end of the extended period. Excluding the impact of the additional $4.2 million depreciation, depreciation and amortization, decreased from 15.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 to 11.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2010. Other than the decreases resulting from the changes mentioned above, also contributing to the percentage decrease was the percentage effect of higher revenues during 2010 as compared to 2009 with the fixed cost nature of depreciation expense. On a dollar basis, and excluding the additional $4.2 million depreciation discussed above, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from $33.5 million during 2009 to $26.9 million during 2010 as extending the expected useful life of trucks and trailers resulted in lower monthly depreciation expense albeit over a longer period of time.
 
 
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Operating supplies and expenses increased from 11.9% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 12.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The increase relates primarily to an increase in equipment maintenance and repair costs as the tractor and trailer fleet has aged as a result of delayed equipment replacements due to the current economic environment. To a lesser extent, an increase in driver recruiting costs, which consist primarily of payments to third-party driver training schools, also contributed to the increase for the periods compared. On a dollar basis, operating supplies and expenses increased from $26.5 million during 2009 to $30.1 million during 2010. The primary components of the increase were an increase in maintenance and repair costs of $3.5 million and an increase in driver recruiting costs of $1.2 million and were partially offset by a decrease in tolls and other miscellaneous operating costs.
 
Operating taxes and licenses decreased from 2.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 2.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The decrease, as a percentage of revenue, resulted from the interaction of expenses with fixed-cost characteristics, such as registration fees, with an increase in revenues for the periods compared. On a dollar basis, operating taxes and licenses, which consists primarily of equipment registration fees, decreased from $5.0 million during 2009 to $4.9 million during 2010. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel taxes paid on the purchase of fuel as a component of Fuel expense rather than as a component of Operating taxes and licenses. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods.
 
Insurance and claims expense decreased from 5.6% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 5.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The decrease, as a percentage of revenues, resulted primarily from the interaction of fixed-rate insurance premiums, such as physical damage premiums, with higher revenues. On a dollar basis, insurance and claims expense increased from $12.6 million during 2009 to $12.8 million during 2010. This dollar-based increase relates primarily to an increase in auto liability insurance premiums which are determined based on a negotiated rate-per-mile (“NRPM”) with the Company’s insurance carrier. During 2010, the number of miles used to calculate the premiums increased to 192.1 million miles as compared to 2009 miles of 177.9 million and, on a dollar basis, translated into an increase in auto liability insurance expense.

Other expenses decreased from 2.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 2.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The decrease relates primarily to a decrease in uncollectible revenue expense.

Loss on sale or disposal of property decreased from 0.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to 0.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The decrease relates primarily to a gain associated with the sale of the assets of East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC during the third quarter of 2010 which partially offset losses realized on the sale or disposal of revenue equipment.

The truckload services division operating ratio, which measures the ratio of operating expenses, net of fuel surcharges, to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, decreased to 100.5% for 2010 from 107.1% for 2009.

Non-operating income (loss) changed from a loss of 0.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 to a gain of 0.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2010. The components of this category consist primarily of dividends earned and gains or losses on the Company’s investments in marketable equity securities. The change relates primarily to a decrease in the amount of losses recognized between the periods on the Company’s investments in marketable equity securities due to write-downs to fair market value. Each period, management must determine if the Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are other-than-temporarily impaired and any such investment determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, must be written down to fair market value. The amount of these write-downs, as determined by the difference between the recorded cost of the investment and its respective quoted market price, were approximately $1.5 million during 2009 as compared to $0.1 million during 2010.
 
 
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2009 Compared to 2008

For the year ended December 31, 2009, truckload services revenue, before fuel surcharges, decreased 23.2% to $222.5 million as compared to $289.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The decrease relates primarily to a decrease in the average number of trucks utilized, a decrease in equipment utilization, and a decrease in the average rate charged to customers for the periods compared. During 2009, the number of trucks utilized decreased to an average count of 1,730 units compared to 1,993 units during 2008 as the Company has reduced its fleet size in response to current freight demand. During 2009, the Company also experienced a decrease in the average number of miles traveled per unit each work day from 454 miles during 2008 to 403 miles during 2009. Also contributing to the decrease in revenue was a decrease in the average rate charged per total mile. During 2009, the average rate charged to customers per total mile decreased by $0.06 as compared to the average rate charged during 2008.

Salaries, wages and benefits increased from 42.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 44.8% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009. The increase, as a percentage of revenues, resulted primarily from the fixed cost characteristics of wages which do not fluctuate with changes in revenue, such as general and administrative, maintenance, and operations wages. Using a dollar-based comparison, salaries, wages and benefits decreased from $121.9 million during 2008 to $99.7 million during 2009 as the number of driver compensated miles decreased from 221.4 million miles during 2008 to 177.9 million miles during 2009. Also reflected in the dollar-based decrease was the effect of an across-the-board 5% employee pay rate reduction program implemented in June 2009. The Company also experienced an increase in expenses associated with employee benefits as employee health and workers compensation costs increased from $7.2 million during 2008 to $9.0 million during 2009. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease in driver lease expense, a component of salaries, wages and benefits, which decreased from $6.2 million in 2008 to $4.4 million in 2009. This decrease was due to a decrease in the average number of owner operators under contract during the periods compared.
 
Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge, decreased from 23.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 19.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009 which, on a dollar basis, represented a decrease from $67.8 million during 2008 to $42.6 million during 2009. The decrease relates to both a decrease in the number of gallons of fuel purchased resulting from fewer miles traveled and a decrease in the average surcharge-adjusted price paid per gallon of fuel from $1.61 during 2008 to $1.30 paid per gallon during 2009. Fuel surcharge collections vary from period to period as they are generally based on changes in fuel prices from period to period so that during periods of rising fuel prices fuel surcharge collections increase while fuel surcharge collections decrease during periods of declining fuel prices. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel taxes paid on the purchase of fuel as a component of Fuel expense rather than as a component of Operating taxes and licenses. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods.
 
Rent and purchased transportation decreased from 3.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 2.7% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009. The decrease relates primarily to a decrease in amounts paid to third party transportation service providers for intermodal services.

Depreciation and amortization increased from 12.9% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 17.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009. The percentage change in depreciation expense was elevated due to a change in estimated residual values for a certain group of tractors. During the fourth quarter of 2009, management determined that a certain group of trucks, with guaranteed manufacturer trade-in residual values, would not be used as trade-ins for a newer model of the same make. Accordingly, the manufacturer guaranteed residual values associated with these trucks are no longer available. Management expects that these trucks will be sold on the open market and believes that the ultimate selling price will be significantly lower than the manufacturer guaranteed residual values. As such, the residual values of these trucks were reduced during the fourth quarter of 2009 to reflect this expectation which resulted in additional depreciation expense of $4.2 million during 2009. Excluding the impact of this additional depreciation, depreciation and amortization, increased from 12.9% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 15.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009. The increase, as a percentage of revenue, relates to the effect of lower revenues during 2009 as compared to 2008 and the fixed cost nature of depreciation expense. On a dollar basis, and excluding the additional depreciation discussed above, depreciation and amortization expense decreased from $37.5 million during 2008 to $33.5 million during 2009 as the average size of the Company-owned truck fleet decreased from 1,949 trucks during 2008 to 1,697 trucks during 2009.

 
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Goodwill impairment decreased from 2.9% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 0.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 as the Company has no recorded goodwill remaining. Goodwill impairment was recorded as a result of the Company’s 2008 annual test of goodwill impairment as required by GAAP. The impairment of our goodwill was triggered by the sustained decline of our market capitalization caused by a decrease in our stock price during 2008 and in the fourth quarter of 2008 we recognized an impairment expense which represented the entire balance of our recorded goodwill.

Operating supplies and expenses increased from 10.5% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 11.9% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009. The increase, as a percentage of revenue, relates primarily to the effect of lower revenues during 2009 as compared to 2008 and the fixed cost nature of routine equipment maintenance costs, driver layover payments, drop lot rentals, and new tire amortization. On a dollar basis, operating supplies and expenses decreased from $30.5 million during 2008 to $26.5 million during 2009 primarily due to a decrease in driver recruiting costs and equipment maintenance costs. Driver recruiting costs, which consist primarily of payments to third-party driver training schools, decreased from $5.7 million during 2008 to $3.4 million during 2009 due to the availability of experienced drivers and a reduction in driver turnover. Equipment maintenance costs decreased from $17.0 million during 2008 to $15.7 million during 2009, primarily as a result of maintaining a smaller Company-owned truck fleet which decreased from an average count of 1,949 trucks during 2008 to 1,697 during 2009.
 
Operating taxes and licenses increased from 2.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 2.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009. The increase, as a percentage of revenue, resulted from the interaction of expenses with fixed-cost characteristics, such as registration fees, with a decrease in revenues for the periods compared. However, on a dollar basis, operating taxes and licenses, which consists primarily of equipment registration fees, decreased from $5.7 million during 2008 to $5.0 million during 2009 as a result of a smaller fleet size being registered during 2009 as compared to fleet size registered during 2008. During the first quarter of 2010, the Company began to classify federal fuel taxes paid on the purchase of fuel as a component of Fuel expense rather than as a component of Operating taxes and licenses. The Company has made corresponding reclassifications to comparative periods.
 
Insurance and claims expense increased from 5.5% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 5.6% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009. On a dollar basis, insurance and claims expense decreased from $16.0 million during 2008 to $12.6 million during 2009. This dollar-based decrease relates primarily to a decrease in auto liability insurance premiums which are determined based on the NRPM with the Company’s insurance carrier. During 2009, the number of miles used to calculate the premiums decreased to 177.9 million miles as compared to 2008 miles of 221.4 million and translated into a decrease in auto liability insurance expense. During October 2009, the Company’s auto liability insurance policy was renewed at a rate which represented a 2.2% reduction in the NRPM and this lower rate-per-mile has also contributed to the dollar-based decrease for the periods compared.

Other expenses increased from 1.7% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 2.1% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009. The increase relates primarily to an increase in uncollectible revenue expense.
 
 
23


The truckload services division operating ratio, which measures the ratio of operating expenses, net of fuel surcharges, to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, increased to 107.1% for 2009 from 105.5% for 2008.

Non-operating expense decreased from 1.7% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2008 to 0.3% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, during 2009.  The decrease relates to a decrease in amounts expensed due to write-downs of the Company’s investments in marketable equity securities. Each period, management must determine if the Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are other-than-temporarily impaired. Any of these investments determined to be other-than-temporarily impaired, must be written down to fair market value. The amount of these write-downs, as determined by the difference between the recorded cost of the investment and its respective quoted market price, were approximately $5.2 million during 2008 as compared to $1.5 million during 2009.

Results of Operations - Logistics and Brokerage Services
 
The following table sets forth, for logistics and brokerage services, the percentage relationship of expense items to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, for the periods indicated. Brokerage service operations occur specifically in certain divisions; however, brokerage operations occur throughout the Company in similar operations having substantially similar economic characteristics. Rent and purchased transportation, which includes costs paid to third party carriers, are shown net of fuel surcharges.

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Operating revenues, before fuel surcharge
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Operating expenses:
                       
   Salaries, wages and benefits
    4.6       5.5       6.2  
   Fuel expense
    0.0       0.0       0.0  
   Rent and purchased transportation, net of fuel surcharge
    93.0       90.4       89.5  
   Depreciation and amortization
    0.0       0.0       0.0  
   Goodwill impairment
    0.0       0.0       20.6  
   Operating supplies and expenses
    0.0       0.0       0.0  
   Operating taxes and licenses
    0.0       0.0       0.0  
   Insurance and claims
    0.1       0.1       0.1  
   Communications and utilities
    0.3       0.2       0.3  
   Other
    0.7       0.9       1.0  
   Gain on sale or disposal of property
    (1.2 )     0.0       0.0  
Total operating expenses
    97.5       97.1       117.7  
Operating income (loss)
    2.5       2.9       (17.7 )
Non-operating income
    0.3       0.0       0.0  
Interest expense
    (0.6 )     (0.1 )     (0.2 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    2.2 %     2.8 %     (17.9 )%

2010 Compared to 2009

For the year ended December 31, 2010, logistics and brokerage services revenues, before fuel surcharges, increased 3.7% to $39.7 million as compared to $38.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the rates charged for loads brokered during 2010 as compared to 2009.

Salaries, wages and benefits decreased from 5.5% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 to 4.6% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2010. The decrease relates to the interaction between these expenses, which exhibit fixed cost characteristics, and an increase in revenue.

 
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Rent and purchased transportation increased from 90.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 to 93.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2010. The increase relates to an increase in amounts charged by third party logistics and brokerage service providers.

The logistics and brokerage services division operating ratio, which measures the ratio of operating expenses, net of fuel surcharges, to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, increased to 97.5% for 2010 from 97.1% for 2009.

2009 Compared to 2008

For the year ended December 31, 2009, logistics and brokerage services revenues, before fuel surcharges, increased 13.7% to $38.3 million as compared to $33.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily the result of an increase in the number of loads brokered during 2009 as compared to 2008.

Salaries, wages and benefits decreased from 6.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 5.5% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009. The decrease relates to the interaction between these expenses, which exhibit fixed cost characteristics, and an increase in revenue.

Rent and purchased transportation increased from 89.5% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 90.4% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009. The increase relates to an increase in amounts charged by third party logistics and brokerage service providers.

Goodwill impairment decreased from 20.6% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2008 to 0.0% of revenues, before fuel surcharges, in 2009 as the Company had no recorded goodwill remaining. Goodwill impairment was recorded during the Company’s 2008 annual test of goodwill impairment as required by GAAP. The impairment of our goodwill was triggered by the sustained decline of our market capitalization caused by a decrease in our stock price during 2008 and in the fourth quarter of 2008 we recognized an impairment expense which represented the entire balance of our recorded goodwill.

The logistics and brokerage services division operating ratio, which measures the ratio of operating expenses, net of fuel surcharges, to operating revenues, before fuel surcharges, decreased to 97.1% for 2009 from 117.7% for 2008.

Results of Operations - Combined Services
 
2010 Compared to 2009

Income tax benefit was approximately $0.9 million in 2010 resulting in an effective rate of 59.2%, as compared to an income tax benefit of approximately $6.9 million in 2009 resulting in an effective rate of 39.0%. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to the existence of partially non-deductible meal and incidental expense per-diem payments to company drivers as well as tax credits related to the Company’s purchase of qualified alternative motor fuel vehicles during 2010. Per-diem payments may cause a significant difference in the Company’s effective tax rate from period-to-period as the proportion of non-deductible expenses to pre-tax net income increases or decreases.
 
We determined, based on significant judgment, that a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets has not been necessary. Management evaluates the ability to realize its deferred tax assets based upon negative and positive evidence available and, based on the evidence available at this time, management concludes that it is "more likely than not" that we will be able to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets in the near future.
 
 
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As of December 31, 2010, there were no significant unrecognized tax benefits and an adjustment to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for uncertain tax positions was not required as management believes that the Company’s significant tax positions taken in income tax returns filed or to be filed are supported by clear and unambiguous income tax laws.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal income tax laws as well as the income tax laws of multiple state jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions in which we operate generally provide for a deficiency assessment statute of limitation period of three years and as a result, the Company’s tax years 2007 and forward remain open to examination in those jurisdictions. During 2010, the Company has not recognized or accrued any interest or penalties related to uncertain income tax positions and does not believe it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.

The combined net loss for all divisions was $0.7 million, or 0.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharge, for 2010 as compared to the combined net loss for all divisions of $10.8 million or 4.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharge, for 2009. The increase in income resulted in a decrease in the diluted loss per share from $1.15 for 2009 to a diluted loss per share of $0.07 for 2010.

2009 Compared to 2008

Income tax benefit was approximately $6.9 million in 2009 resulting in an effective rate of 39.0%, as compared to income tax benefit of approximately $10.6 million in 2008 resulting in an effective rate of 36.1%. The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate primarily due to the existence of partially non-deductible meal and incidental expense per-diem payments to company drivers as well as a one-time benefit due to non-taxable life insurance proceeds received during 2009. Per-diem payments may cause a significant difference in the Company’s effective tax rate from period-to-period as the proportion of non-deductible expenses to pre-tax net income increases or decreases.
 
We have determined, based on significant judgment, that a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets has not been necessary. Management evaluates the ability to realize its deferred tax assets based upon negative and positive evidence available and, based on the evidence available at this time, management concludes that it is "more likely than not" that we will be able to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets in the near future.
 
At December 31, 2009, there were no significant unrecognized tax benefits and an adjustment to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for uncertain tax positions was not required as management believes that the Company’s significant tax positions taken in income tax returns filed or to be filed are supported by clear and unambiguous income tax laws.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal income tax laws as well as the income tax laws of multiple state jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions in which we operate generally provide for a deficiency assessment statute of limitation period of three years and as a result, the Company’s tax years 2007 and forward remain open to examination in those jurisdictions. During 2009, the Company did not recognize or accrue any interest or penalties related to uncertain income tax positions and our unrecognized tax benefits did not significantly change during the twelve months following 2009.

The combined net loss for all divisions was $10.8 million, or 4.2% of revenues, before fuel surcharge, for 2009 as compared to the combined net loss for all divisions of $18.8 million or 5.8% of revenues, before fuel surcharge, for 2008. The increase in income resulted in a decrease in the diluted loss per share from $1.94 for 2008 to a diluted loss per share of $1.15 for 2009.
 
 
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Quarterly Results of Operations

The following table presents selected consolidated financial information for each of our last eight fiscal quarters through December 31, 2010. The information has been derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements that, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the quarterly information.

   
Quarter Ended
 
   
Mar. 31,
2010
   
June 30,
2010
   
Sept. 30,
2010
   
Dec. 31,
2010
   
Mar. 31,
2009
   
June 30,
2009
   
Sept. 30,
2009
   
Dec. 31,
2009
 
   
(unaudited)
 
   
(in thousands, except earnings per share data)
 
Operating revenues
  $ 81,847     $ 85,238     $ 86,706     $ 78,203     $ 65,818     $ 68,476     $ 76,743     $ 80,872  
Total operating expenses
    81,877       82,918       87,186       80,217       69,432       72,040       78,092       86,999  
Operating (loss) income
    (30 )     2,320       (480 )     (2,014 )     (3,614 )     (3,564 )     (1,349 )     (6,127 )
Net (loss) income
    (315 )     1,262       (491 )     (1,110 )     (3,346 )     (2,356 )     (1,230 )     (3,915 )
(Loss) earnings per common share:
                                                               
Basic
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.13     $ (0.05 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.36 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )
Diluted
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.13     $ (0.05 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.36 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our business has required, and will continue to require, a significant investment in new revenue equipment. Our primary sources of liquidity have been funds provided by operations, proceeds from the sales of revenue equipment, issuances of equity securities, and borrowings under our lines of credit and installment notes.

During 2010, we generated $15.0 million in cash from operating activities compared to $32.1 million and $40.6 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. Investing activities used $14.2 million in cash during 2010 compared to $2.4 million and $48.3 million in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The cash used for investing activities in all three years related primarily to the purchase of revenue equipment such as trucks and trailers or related equipment such as auxiliary power units. Financing activities provided $3.1 million in cash during 2010 compared to financing activities in 2009 which used $20.7 million and financing activities in 2008 which provided $8.1 million. See the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in Item 8 of this Report.

Our primary use of funds is for the purchase of revenue equipment. We typically use installment notes, our existing lines of credit on an interim basis, proceeds from the sale or trade of equipment, and cash flows from operations, to finance capital expenditures and repay long-term debt. During 2010 and 2009, we utilized cash on hand, installment notes, and our lines of credit to finance revenue equipment purchases of approximately $22.5 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

Occasionally we finance the acquisition of revenue equipment through installment notes with fixed interest rates and terms ranging from 12 to 48 months. At December 31, 2010, the Company’s subsidiaries had combined outstanding indebtedness under such installment notes of $40.6 million. These installment notes are payable in 36 monthly installments at a weighted average interest rate of 4.94%. At December 31, 2009, the Company’s subsidiaries had combined outstanding indebtedness under such installment notes of $37.5 million. These installment notes were payable in 36 monthly installments at a weighted average interest rate of 4.87%.

In order to maintain our truck and trailer fleet count it is often necessary to purchase replacement units and place them in service before trade units are removed from service. The timing of this process often requires the Company to pay for new units without any reduction in price for trade units. In this situation, the Company later receives payment for the trade units as they are delivered to the equipment vendor and have passed vendor inspection. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company received approximately $5.6 million and $7.1 million, respectively, for units delivered for trade.

 
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During 2010 we maintained a $30.0 million revolving line of credit. Amounts outstanding under the line bear interest at LIBOR (determined as of the first day of each month) plus 1.95% (2.21% at December 31, 2010), are secured by our trade accounts receivable and mature on May 31, 2012. At December 31, 2010, outstanding advances on the line were approximately $2.6 million, which consisted entirely of letters of credit, with availability to borrow $27.4 million.

Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2010 increased approximately $3.9 million as compared to December 31, 2009. In addition to an increase in general sales revenue for the periods compared, factors contributing to the increase in cash and cash equivalents also include an increase in long-term debt borrowings and a decrease in long-term debt repayments during 2010 as compared to 2009. Partially offsetting this increase was an increase in amounts paid for revenue equipment purchases during 2010.

Prepaid expenses and deposits at December 31, 2010 increased approximately $4.3 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The increase relates primarily to an increase in amounts prepaid for auto liability insurance premiums and annual equipment registration fees. In December 2010, a larger portion of the 2011 auto liability insurance premiums were paid in advance as compared to amounts prepaid during December 2009. Also, during December 2010, the 2011 equipment registration fees were paid in advance. There was not a corresponding prepayment for the 2010 registration fees made during December 2009. Prepaid expenses are subsequently amortized to expense over the relevant coverage period.

Marketable equity securities at December 31, 2010 increased approximately $3.4 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The increase was primarily related to changes in the market value of the investments, net of sales and other-than-temporary write-downs. These securities, combined with equity securities purchased in prior periods, have a combined cost basis of approximately $11.2 million and a combined fair market value of approximately $18.3 million. The Company has developed a strategy to invest in securities from which it expects to receive dividends that qualify for favorable tax treatment, as well as appreciate in value. The Company anticipates that increases in the market value of the investments combined with dividend payments will exceed interest rates paid on borrowings for the same period. During 2010 the Company had net unrealized pre-tax gains of approximately $2.1 million and received dividends of approximately $0.6 million. The holding term of these securities depends largely on the general economic environment, the equity markets, borrowing rates and the Company's cash requirements.

Revenue equipment, at December 31, 2010, which generally consists of trucks, trailers, and revenue equipment accessories such as Qualcomm™ satellite tracking units and auxiliary power units, decreased approximately $13.6 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The decrease is attributable to the net effect of disposing 414 trucks and 27 trailers during 2010 while only purchasing 212 trucks and 100 trailers during 2010.

Accounts payable at December 31, 2010 increased approximately $2.6 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The increase is primarily related to an increase in amounts accrued for the purchase of revenue equipment received which had not been paid for by the end of the period.
 
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities at December 31, 2010 decreased approximately $1.0 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The decrease is primarily related to a decrease in amounts reserved at the end of the period for workers compensation and health benefits claims reserves.

Current maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 2010 increased approximately $13.1 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The increase is related to an increase in installment note payments due within the next twelve months as a result of the maturity of certain installment note obligations with a balloon payment feature. Partially offsetting the increase was the effect of approximately $12.0 million in scheduled installment note payments made during 2010 against the principal portion of installment notes outstanding at December 31, 2009 and additional installment note agreements entered into during 2010.
 
 
28

Long-term debt at December 31, 2010 decreased approximately $10.0 million as compared to December 31, 2009. The decrease is primarily related to reclassification to the current maturities category of certain installment note obligations with a balloon payment feature maturing within the next twelve months. Partially offsetting the decrease were additional installment note agreements entered into during 2010 for approximately $15.0 million.

For 2011, we expect to purchase 450 new trucks and 300 new trailers while continuing to sell or trade older equipment, which we expect to result in net capital expenditures of approximately $43.7 million. Management believes we will be able to finance our near term needs for working capital over the next twelve months, as well as acquisitions of revenue equipment during such period, with cash balances, cash flows from operations, and borrowings believed to be available from financing sources. We will continue to have significant capital requirements over the long-term, which may require us to incur debt or seek additional equity capital. The availability of additional capital will depend upon prevailing market conditions, the market price of our common stock and several other factors over which we have limited control, as well as our financial condition and results of operations. Nevertheless, based on our anticipated future cash flows and sources of financing that we expect will be available to us, we do not expect that we will experience any significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments

The following table sets forth the Company's contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of December 31, 2010:

   
Payments due by period
(in thousands)
 
   
Total
   
Less than
1 year
   
1 to 3
Years
   
3 to 5
Years
   
More than
5 Years
 
                               
Long-term debt (1)
  $ 42,776     $ 24,954     $ 17,822     $ -     $ -  
Operating leases (2)
    2,433       702       1,074       657       -  
Lease residual value guarantees
    165       -       -       165       -  
Total
  $ 45,374     $ 25,656     $ 18,896     $ 822     $ -  
                                         
(1)  
Including interest.
(2)  
Represents equipment, building, facilities, and drop yard operating leases.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

During 2010, the Company entered into an operating lease for the lease of trailers. This lease included a requirement that we guarantee a portion of the residual value of the trailers at the end of the lease term up to a certain amount. As a result, we are subject to the risk that equipment values may decline below the amount of the guaranteed residual amount which would result in the Company being required to make cash payments for a limited deficiency amount. At December 31, 2010, the maximum amount of the potential deficiency obligation equates to $165,000. We currently anticipate that the value of the trailers at the end of the lease will be sufficient to cover the guaranteed portion of the expected residual value of the trailers and that a cash payment will not be required. To the extent the expected value at the end of the lease becomes lower than the amount of the residual value guaranteed, we would begin accruing for the difference over the remaining lease term.
 
 
29


The trailers held under operating leases are not carried on our balance sheet and respective lease payments are reflected in our consolidated statement of operations as a component of the caption “Rents and purchased transportation”. Rent expense related to the trailers under the operating lease agreement totaled $94,000 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Insurance

With respect to physical damage for trucks, cargo loss and auto liability, the Company maintains insurance coverage to protect it from certain business risks. These policies are with various carriers and have per occurrence deductibles of $2,500, $10,000 and $2,500 respectively. The Company maintains workers’ compensation coverage in Arkansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Florida with a $500,000 self-insured retention and a $500,000 per occurrence excess policy. The Company has elected to opt out of workers' compensation coverage in Texas and is providing coverage through the P.A.M. Texas Injury Plan. The Company has reserved for estimated losses to pay such claims as well as claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company has not experienced any adverse trends involving differences in claims experienced versus claims estimates for workers’ compensation claims. Letters of credit aggregating $1,401,000 and certificates of deposit totaling $300,000 are held by banks as security for workers’ compensation claims. The Company self insures for employee health claims with a stop loss of $275,000 per covered employee per year and estimates its liability for claims incurred but not reported.

Inflation

Inflation has an impact on most of our operating costs. Recently, the effect of inflation has been minimal.

Adoption of Accounting Policies

See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements - Recent Accounting Pronouncements.”

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company's significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The policies described below represent those that are broadly applicable to the Company's operations and involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions and estimates necessary in determining the related amounts.

Accounts Receivable. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers, third parties and vendors and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past.

Property and equipment. Management must use its judgment in the selection of estimated useful lives and salvage values for purposes of depreciating trucks and trailers which in some cases do not have guaranteed residual values. Estimates of salvage value at the expected date of trade-in or sale are based on the expected market values of equipment at the time of disposal which, in many cases include guaranteed residual values by the manufacturers.

The depreciation of property, plant and equipment over their estimated useful lives and the determination of any salvage value require management to make judgments about future events. The Company’s management periodically evaluates whether changes to estimated useful lives or salvage values are necessary to ensure these estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. This periodic evaluation may result in changes in the estimated lives and/or salvage values used by the Company to depreciate its assets, which can affect the amount of periodic depreciation expense recognized and, ultimately, the gain or loss on the disposal of the asset. During management’s most recent periodic evaluation, the estimated useful lives for certain revenue equipment were extended in response to planned capital expenditure levels. As a result of the revised estimates, management extended the estimated useful life of its tractors to 5 years from 3 or 4 years and reduced expected salvage values accordingly. Generally, an increase in useful lives for revenue equipment is accompanied by an increase in maintenance expenses.

 
30

Self Insurance. The Company is self-insured for health and workers' compensation benefits up to certain stop-loss limits. Such costs are accrued based on known claims and an estimate of incurred, but not reported (IBNR) claims. IBNR claims are estimated using historical lag information and other data either provided by outside claims administrators or developed internally. This estimation process is subjective, and to the extent that future actual results differ from original estimates, adjustments to recorded accruals may be necessary.

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized in full upon completion of delivery to the receiver's location. For freight in transit at the end of a reporting period, the Company recognizes revenue prorata based on relative transit time completed as a portion of the estimated total transit time. Expenses are recognized as incurred.
 
Prepaid Tires. Tires purchased with revenue equipment are capitalized as a cost of the related equipment. Replacement tires are included in prepaid expenses and deposits and are amortized over a 24-month period. Costs related to tire recapping are expensed when incurred.
 
Income Taxes. Significant management judgment is required to determine the provision for income taxes and to determine whether deferred income tax assets will be realized in full or in part. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. When it is more likely that all or some portion of specific deferred income tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance must be established for the amount of deferred income tax assets that are determined not to be realizable. A valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets has not been deemed to be necessary. Accordingly, if the facts or financial circumstances were to change, thereby impacting the likelihood of realizing the deferred income tax assets, judgment would need to be applied to determine the amount of valuation allowance required in any given period.
 
On January 1, 2007, the Company adopted authoritative guidance related to uncertain tax positions. This guidance requires a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates 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 is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately anticipate actual outcomes.
 
Business Combinations and Goodwill. Upon acquisition of an entity, the acquired assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value. Identification of intangible assets, if any, that meet certain recognition criteria is necessary. This identification and subsequent valuation requires significant judgments. The carrying value of goodwill, if any, is tested annually. As of December 31, 2010 the Company has no recorded goodwill.
 
Foreign Currency Transactions. The books and records of our branch office in Mexico are maintained in the Mexican peso, the local currency, and management has determined that the functional currency is the U.S dollar. Therefore, the books and records of the Mexico branch office are remeasured each period without the need for translation as the reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. The Company remeasures the monetary assets and liabilities of this branch office at the rate of exchange in effect at the end of the reporting period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using historical rates. Revenues and expenses are remeasured using weighted-average exchange rates for each period. Any resulting exchange gains or losses from the remeasurement process are included in non-operating income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

Our primary market risk exposures include equity price risk, interest rate risk, commodity price risk (the price paid to obtain diesel fuel for our trucks), and foreign currency exchange rate risk. The potential adverse impact of these risks are discussed below.

The following sensitivity analyses do not consider the effects that an adverse change may have on the overall economy nor do they consider additional actions we may take to mitigate our exposure to such changes. Actual results of changes in prices or rates may differ materially from the hypothetical results described below.

Equity Price Risk

We hold certain actively traded marketable equity securities which subjects the Company to fluctuations in the fair market value of its investment portfolio based on current market price. The recorded value of marketable equity securities increased to $18.3 million at December 31, 2010 from $14.9 million at December 31, 2009. The increase includes additional purchases, net of sales or write-downs, of approximately $1.3 million during 2010 and an increase in the fair market value of approximately $2.1 million during 2010. A 10% decrease in the market price of our marketable equity securities would cause a corresponding 10% decrease in the carrying amounts of these securities, or approximately $1.8 million. For additional information with respect to the marketable equity securities, see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Risk

Our line of credit bears interest at a floating rate equal to LIBOR plus a fixed percentage. Accordingly, changes in LIBOR, which are effected by changes in interest rates, will affect the interest rate on, and therefore our costs under, the line of credit. Assuming $1.0 million of variable rate debt was outstanding under our line of credit for a full fiscal year, a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in LIBOR would result in approximately $10,000 of additional interest expense.

Commodity Price Risk

Prices and availability of all petroleum products are subject to political, economic and market factors that are generally outside of our control. Accordingly, the price and availability of diesel fuel, as well as other petroleum products, can be unpredictable. 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. Based upon our 2010 fuel consumption, a 10% increase in the average annual price per gallon of diesel fuel would increase our annual fuel expenses by $9.8 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk related to the activities of our branch office located in Mexico. Currently, we do not hedge our exchange rate exposure through any currency forward contracts, currency options, or currency interest rate swaps as all of our revenues, and substantially all of our expenses and capital expenditures, are transacted in U.S. dollars. However, certain operating expenditures and capital purchases related to our Mexico branch office are incurred in or exposed to fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Mexican peso. Based on 2010 expenditures denominated in pesos, a 10% increase in the exchange rate would increase our annual operating expenses by $1,000.
 
 
32


Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

The following statements are filed with this report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Grant Thornton LLP
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years ended
December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


 
33


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Shareholders
P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and other comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 14, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 14, 2011

 
34


 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
             
             
ASSETS
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 13,774     $ 9,870  
Accounts receivable—net:
               
Trade
    48,193       45,911  
Other
    3,607       1,551  
Inventories
    832       750  
Prepaid expenses and deposits
    9,518       5,258  
Marketable equity securities
    18,273       14,921  
Income taxes refundable
    2,356       467  
Deferred income taxes—current
    -       1,401  
                 
Total current assets
    96,553       80,129  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
               
Land
    4,924       4,924  
Structures and improvements
    13,667       13,665  
Revenue equipment
    284,196       297,788  
Office furniture and equipment
    8,298       7,929  
                 
Total property and equipment
    311,085       324,306  
                 
Accumulated depreciation
    (145,708 )     (145,526 )
                 
Net property and equipment
    165,377       178,780  
                 
OTHER ASSETS:
               
Other
    2,410       1,747  
                 
Total other assets
    2,410       1,747  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 264,340     $ 260,656  
                 
                 
           
(Continued)
 
                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
35

 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2010 AND 2009
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
             
             
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
2010
   
2009
 
             
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
           
Accounts payable
  $ 17,092     $ 14,492  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    9,497       10,504  
Current maturities of long—term debt
    23,410       10,331  
Deferred income taxes—current
    1,146       -  
                 
Total current liabilities
    51,145       35,327  
                 
Long-term debt—less current portion
    17,201       27,202  
Deferred income taxes—less current portion
    48,046       51,000  
                 
Total liabilities
    116,392       113,529  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15)
               
                 
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares
 authorized; none issued
    -       -  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares
 authorized; 11,373,207 and 11,372,207 shares issued;
 9,414,607 and 9,413,607 shares outstanding at
 December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively
    114       114  
Additional paid-in capital
    77,837       77,704  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    4,406       3,063  
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,958,600 shares
    (29,127 )     (29,127 )
Retained earnings
    94,718       95,373  
                 
Total shareholders’ equity
    147,948       147,127  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  $ 264,340     $ 260,656  
                 
                 
           
(Concluded)
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
36

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                   
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
OPERATING REVENUES:
                 
Revenue, before fuel surcharge
  $ 282,524     $ 260,774     $ 323,272  
Fuel surcharge
    49,470       31,136       83,451  
                         
Total operating revenues
    331,994       291,910       406,723  
                         
OPERATING EXPENSES AND COSTS:
                       
Salaries, wages and benefits
    109,728       101,833       123,961  
Fuel expense
    97,523       73,562       150,776  
Rents and purchased transportation
    42,469       40,713       39,887  
Depreciation and amortization
    27,035       37,742       37,477  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -       15,413  
Operating supplies and expenses
    30,105       26,572       30,514  
Operating taxes and licenses
    4,954       5,020       5,692  
Insurance and claims
    12,820       12,579       16,018  
Communications and utilities
    2,731       2,644       2,869  
Other
    5,169       4,967       5,119  
(Gain) loss on disposition of equipment
    (337 )     931       952  
                         
Total operating expenses and costs
    332,197       306,563       428,678  
                         
OPERATING LOSS
    (203 )     (14,653 )     (21,955 )
                         
NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSE)
    852       (745 )     (4,996 )
INTEREST EXPENSE
    (2,252 )     (2,373 )     (2,429 )
                         
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (1,603 )     (17,771 )     (29,380 )
                         
FEDERAL & STATE INCOME TAX (BENEFIT) EXPENSE:
                       
Current
    195       180       314  
Deferred
    (1,143 )     (7,104 )     (10,929 )
                         
Total federal & state income tax (benefit) expense
    (948 )     (6,924 )     (10,615 )
                         
NET LOSS
  $ (655 )   $ (10,847 )   $ (18,765 )
                         
LOSS PER COMMON SHARE:
                       
Basic
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )
Diluted
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )
                         
AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                       
Basic
    9,415       9,411       9,683  
Diluted
    9,415       9,411       9,683  
                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 

 
37

 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008
(in thousands)
 
   
Common Stock
Shares / Amount
   
Additional Paid-In Capital
   
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
   
Treasury Stock
   
Retained Earnings
   
Total
 
                                                 
BALANCE— January 1, 2008
    9,838     $ 114     $ 77,557           $ 1,921     $ (25,200 )   $ 124,985     $ 179,377  
                                                               
Components of comprehensive income:
                                                             
Net loss
                          $ (18,765 )                     (18,765 )     (18,765 )
Other comprehensive gain:
                                                               
Realized loss on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(6)
                            11       11                       11  
Unrealized loss on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(1,072)
                            (1,321 )     (1,321 )                     (1,321 )
Total comprehensive loss
                          $ (20,075 )                                
Treasury stock repurchases
    (428 )                                     (3,927 )             (3,927 )
Share-based compensation
                    102                                       102  
                                                                 
BALANCE— December 31, 2008
    9,410       114       77,659               611       (29,127 )     106,220       155,477  
                                                                 
Components of comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net loss
                          $ (10,847 )                     (10,847 )     (10,847 )
Other comprehensive gain:
                                                               
Realized gain on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(9)
                            (13 )     (13 )                     (13 )
Unrealized gain on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(1,601)
                            2,465       2,465                       2,465  
Total comprehensive loss
                          $ (8,395 )                                
Exercise of stock options-shares
                                                               
issued including tax benefits
    4               16                                       16  
Share-based compensation
                    29                                       29  
                                                                 
BALANCE— December 31, 2009
    9,414       114       77,704               3,063       (29,127 )     95,373       147,127  
                                                                 
Components of comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net loss
                          $ (655 )                     (655 )     (655 )
Other comprehensive gain:
                                                               
Realized gain on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(125)
                            (189 )     (189 )                     (189 )
Unrealized gain on marketable
                                                               
securities, net of tax of $(866)
                            1,532       1,532                       1,532  
Total comprehensive income
                          $ 688                                  
Exercise of stock options-shares
                                                               
issued including tax benefits
    1               10                                       10  
Share-based compensation
                    123                                       123  
                                                                 
BALANCE— December 31, 2010
    9,415     $ 114     $ 77,837             $ 4,406     $ (29,127 )   $ 94,718     $ 147,948  
                                                                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 
 
38


 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009 AND 2008
(in thousands)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net loss
  $ (655 )   $ (10,847 )   $ (18,765 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation and amortization
    27,035       37,742       37,477  
Goodwill impairment charge
    -       -       15,413  
Bad debt expense
    274       837       295  
Stock compensation—net of excess tax benefits
    118       29       102  
Non-compete agreement amortization—net of payments
    -       -       (17 )
Provision for deferred income taxes
    (1,143 )     (7,104 )     (10,929 )
Reclassification of unrealized loss on marketable equity securities
    60       1,471       5,227  
(Gain) loss on sale of marketable equity securities
    (329 )     (189 )     656  
(Gain) loss on sale or disposal of equipment
    (337 )     931       952  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
Accounts receivable
    (2,232 )     (3,415 )     14,505  
Prepaid expenses, inventories, and other assets
    (5,005 )     3,217       5,639  
Income taxes refundable (payable)
    (1,883 )     7,639       2,574  
Trade accounts payable
    108       136       (11,007 )
Accrued expenses
    (1,007 )     1,691       (1,477 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    15,004       32,138       40,645  
                         
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Purchases of property and equipment
    (24,056 )     (12,261 )     (60,218 )
Proceeds from disposition of equipment
    11,614       9,460       11,398  
Changes in restricted cash
    (746 )     19       4,042  
Sales of marketable equity securities
    622       399       611  
Purchases of marketable equity securities
    (1,621 )     -       (4,154 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (14,187 )     (2,383 )     (48,321 )
                         
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Borrowings under line of credit
    378,347       322,365       546,144  
Repayments under line of credit
    (378,347 )     (326,109 )     (585,592 )
Borrowings of long-term debt
    15,048       6,736       53,470  
Repayments of long-term debt
    (11,970 )     (16,879 )     (8,839 )
Borrowings under margin account
    -       13,377       19,800  
Repayments under margin account
    -       (20,249 )     (12,929 )
Repurchases of common stock
    -       -       (3,927 )
Stock compensation excess tax benefits
    5       -       -  
Exercise of stock options
    4       16       -  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    3,087       (20,743 )     8,127  
                         
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    3,904       9,012       451  
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of year
    9,870       858       407  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of year
  $ 13,774     $ 9,870     $ 858  
                         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION—
                       
Cash paid during the period for:
                       
Interest
  $ 2,243     $ 2,410     $ 2,430  
Income taxes
  $ 2,296     $ 137     $ 303  
                         
NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES—
                       
Purchases of revenue equipment included in accounts payable
  $ 2,525     $ 38     $ 5,951  
                         
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                       

 
39


P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010, 2009, AND 2008
 

1.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Description of Business and Principles of Consolidation–P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, operates as a truckload transportation and logistics company.
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned operating subsidiaries: P.A.M. Transport, Inc., P.A.M. Dedicated Services, LLC, Choctaw Express, LLC, Allen Freight Services, LLC, Decker Transport Co., LLC, McNeill Express, Inc., T.T.X., LLC, Transcend Logistics, Inc., and East Coast Transport and Logistics, LLC. The following subsidiaries were inactive during all periods presented: P.A.M. International, Inc., P.A.M. Logistics Services, Inc., Choctaw Brokerage, Inc., P.A.M. Canada, Inc. and S & L Logistics, Inc. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
 
Use of Estimates–The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of any contingent assets and liabilities at the financial statement date and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The Company periodically reviews these estimates and assumptions. The Company's estimates were based on its historical experience and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents–The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
 
Restricted Cash– Restricted cash consists of cash proceeds from the sale of trucks and trailers under our like-kind exchange (“LKE”) tax program. See Note 11, “Federal and State Income Taxes,” for a discussion of the Company’s LKE tax program. We classify restricted cash as a current asset within “Accounts receivable-other” as the exchange process must be completed within 180 days in order to qualify for income tax deferral treatment. The changes in restricted cash balances are reflected as an investing activity in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as they relate to the sales and purchases of revenue equipment.
 
Bank Overdrafts–The Company classifies bank overdrafts in current liabilities as an accounts payable and does not offset other positive bank account balances located at the same or other financial institutions. Bank overdrafts generally represent checks written that have not yet cleared the Company’s bank accounts. The majority of the Company’s bank accounts are zero balance accounts that are funded at the time items clear against the account by drawings against a line of credit, therefore the outstanding checks represent bank overdrafts. Because the recipients of these checks have generally not yet received payment, the Company continues to classify bank overdrafts as accounts payable. Bank overdrafts are classified as changes in accounts payable in the cash flows from operating activities section of the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Bank overdrafts as of December 31, 2010 and 2009 were approximately $3,124,000 and $4,563,000, respectively.
 
 
40


Accounts Receivable Other–The components of accounts receivable other consist primarily of amounts representing company driver advances, owner operator advances and equipment manufacturer warranties. Advances receivable from company drivers as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, were approximately $360,000 and $275,000, respectively.
 
Accounts Receivable Allowance–An allowance is provided for accounts receivable based on historical collection experience. Additionally, management considers any accounts individually known to exhibit characteristics indicating a collection problem.
 
Marketable Equity Securities–Marketable equity securities are classified by the Company as either available for sale or trading. Securities classified as available for sale are carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income in the statements of stockholders’ equity. Securities classified as trading are carried at market value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in the statements of operations. Realized gains and losses are computed utilizing the specific identification method.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets–The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized if the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable, and it exceeds its fair value. For long-lived assets classified as held and used, if the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds the sum of the future net cash flows, it is not recoverable.
 
Property and Equipment–Property and equipment is recorded at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. For financial reporting purposes, the cost of such property is depreciated principally by the straight-line method. For tax reporting purposes, accelerated depreciation or applicable cost recovery methods are used. Depreciation is recognized over the estimated asset life, considering the estimated salvage value of the asset. Such salvage values are based on estimates using expected market values for used equipment and the estimated time of disposal which, in many cases include guaranteed residual values by the manufacturers. Gains and losses are reflected in the year of disposal. The following is a table reflecting estimated ranges of asset useful lives by major class of depreciable assets:
 
Asset Class
Estimated Asset Life
   
Service vehicles
3-5 years
Office furniture and equipment
3-7 years
Revenue equipment
3-12 years
Structure and improvements
5-40 years

The Company’s management periodically evaluates whether changes to estimated useful lives and/or salvage values are necessary to ensure its estimates accurately reflect the economic use of the assets. During management’s most recent periodic evaluation, the estimated useful lives for certain revenue equipment were extended in response to planned capital expenditure levels. As a result of the revised estimates, management extended the estimated useful life of its tractors to 5 years from 3 or 4 years and reduced expected salvage values accordingly.
 
During the fourth quarter of 2009, management determined that a certain group of trucks, with guaranteed manufacturer trade-in residual values, would not be used as trade-ins for a newer model of the same make. Accordingly, the manufacturer guaranteed residual values associated with these trucks are no longer available. Management expects that these trucks will be sold on the open market and believes that the ultimate selling price will be significantly lower than the manufacturer guaranteed residual values. As such, the residual values of these trucks were reduced during the fourth quarter of 2009 to reflect this expectation which resulted in additional depreciation expense of approximately $4,200,000 during 2009. This additional depreciation expense increased the Company’s 2009 reported net loss by approximately $2,600,000 ($0.27 per diluted share).
 
 
41

Prepaid Tires–Tires purchased with revenue equipment are capitalized as a cost of the related equipment. Replacement tires are included in prepaid expenses and deposits and are amortized over a 24-month period. Amounts paid for the recapping of tires are expensed when incurred.
 
Advertising Expense–Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled approximately $239,000, $125,000 and $307,000 for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively.
 
Repairs and Maintenance–Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
 
Goodwill–Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the value assigned to tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. The test for impairment of goodwill is performed on the Company as a whole, as we have determined that our reporting units can be aggregated. During 2008, all previously recorded goodwill had been fully impaired.
 
Self Insurance Liability–A liability is recognized for known health, workers’ compensation, cargo damage, property damage and auto liability damage. An estimate of the incurred but not reported claims for each type of liability is made based on historical claims made, estimated frequency of occurrence, and considering changing factors that contribute to the overall cost of insurance.
 
Income Taxes– The Company applies the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
 
The application of income tax law to multi-jurisdictional operations such as those performed by the Company, are inherently complex. Laws and regulations in this area are voluminous and often ambiguous. As such, we may be required to make subjective assumptions and judgments regarding our income tax exposures. Interpretations of and guidance surrounding income tax laws and regulations may change over time which could cause changes in our assumptions and judgments that could materially affect amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements.
 
We recognize the impact of tax positions in our financial statements. These tax positions must meet a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold to be recognized and tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are derecognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which that threshold is no longer met. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the consolidated statements of income as income tax expense.
 
Revenue Recognition–Revenue is recognized in full upon completion of delivery to the receiver’s location. For freight in transit at the end of a reporting period, the Company recognizes revenue pro rata based on relative transit miles completed as a portion of the estimated total transit miles. Expenses are recognized as incurred.
 
Share-Based Compensation–The Company estimates the fair value of stock option awards on the option grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model and recognizes compensation for stock option awards expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures are estimated at grant date based on historical experience. For additional information with respect to share-based compensation, see Note 12 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
 
42


Earnings Per Share–The Company computes basic earnings per share (“EPS”) by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS includes the potential dilution that could occur from stock-based awards and other stock-based commitments using the treasury stock or the as if converted methods, as applicable. The difference between the Company's weighted-average shares outstanding and diluted shares outstanding is due to the dilutive effect of stock options for all periods presented. See Note 13 for computation of diluted EPS.
 
Fair Value Measurements–Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value within the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. For additional information with respect to fair value measurements, see Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements.
 
Segment and Concentrations of Credit Risk–The Company operates in one reporting segment, motor carrier operations. The Company provides truckload transportation services as well as brokerage and logistics services to customers throughout the United States and portions of Canada and Mexico. Truckload transportation services revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, represented 85.9%, 85.3%, and 89.6% of total revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. Remaining revenues, excluding fuel surcharges, for each respective year were generated by brokerage and logistics services. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations and generally does not require collateral from its customers. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses. In view of the concentration of the Company’s revenues and accounts receivable among a limited number of customers within the automobile industry, the financial health of this industry is a factor in the Company’s overall evaluation of accounts receivable.
 
Subsequent Events–We have evaluated subsequent events for recognition and disclosure through the date these financial statements were filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
Foreign Currency Transactions– The functional currency of the Company’s foreign branch office in Mexico is the U.S. dollar. The Company remeasures the monetary assets and liabilities of this branch office, which are maintained in the local currency ledgers, at the rates of exchange in effect at the end of the reporting period. Revenues and expenses recorded in the local currency during the period are remeasured using average exchange rates for each period. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured using historical rates. Any resulting exchange gain or loss from the remeasurement process are included in non-operating income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements–In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASC Update No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASU 2010-06”), which updates ASC 820-10-20, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. ASU 2010-06 requires new disclosures for fair value measurements and provides clarification for existing disclosure requirements. More specifically, ASU 2010-06 will require (a) an entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and 2 fair value measurements from one measurement date to another and to describe the reasons for the transfers; and (b) information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements to be presented separately (i.e., the activity must be presented on a gross basis rather than net) in the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs). ASU 2010-06 clarifies existing disclosure requirements for the level of disaggregation used for classes of assets and liabilities measured at fair value and requires disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of ASU 2010-06 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow.

 
43


2.
TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
 
The Company's receivables result primarily from the sale of transportation and logistics services. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral for accounts receivable. Accounts receivable which consist of both billed and unbilled receivables are recorded at their invoiced amount and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than contractual payment terms are considered past due and are reviewed individually for collectibility. Accounts receivable balances consist of the following components as of December 31, 2010 and 2009:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
       
Billed
  $ 41,137     $ 42,573  
Unbilled
    9,474       5,998  
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (2,418 )     (2,660 )
                 
Total accounts receivable—net
  $ 48,193     $ 45,911  

 
An analysis of changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008 follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
 
       
 
       
Balance—beginning of year
  $ 2,660     $ 2,156     $ 1,891  
Provision for bad debts
    529       899       353  
Charge-offs
    (1,100 )     (395 )     (104 )
Recoveries
    329       -       16  
Balance—end of year
  $ 2,418     $ 2,660     $ 2,156  

 
3.
MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES
 
The Company’s investments in marketable securities are classified as either trading or available-for-sale and consist of equity securities. Management determines the appropriate classification of these securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation as of each balance sheet date.

Marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses, declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities, and increases or decreases in value on trading securities, if any, are included in the determination of net income. A quarterly evaluation is performed in order to judge whether declines in value below cost should be considered temporary and when losses are deemed to be other-than temporary. Several factors are considered in this evaluation process, including the severity and duration of the decline in value, the financial condition and near-term outlook for the specific issuer, and the Company’s ability to hold the securities. There were no securities in a cumulative loss position for twelve months or longer at December 31, 2010.

 
44

As of December 31, 2010, equity securities classified as available-for-sale and equity securities classified as trading had a cost basis of approximately $11,000,000 and $157,000, respectively, and fair market values of approximately $18,101,000 and $171,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company had net unrealized gains in market value on securities classified as available-for-sale of approximately $1,532,000, net of deferred income taxes. These securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $7,333,000 and gross unrealized losses of approximately $232,000. As of December 31, 2010, the total unrealized gain, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income was approximately $4,406,000. Also, during 2010, the Company recognized losses on trading securities of approximately $6,000, net of deferred income taxes.

For the year ending December 31, 2010, the Company sold certain securities which were held as available-for-sale and had a cost basis of approximately $308,000. The proceeds on these sales totaled approximately $622,000 which resulted in a realized gain of approximately $314,000. During 2009, the Company sold certain securities which were held as available-for-sale and had a cost basis of approximately $216,000. The proceeds on these sales totaled approximately $287,000 which resulted in a realized gain of approximately $71,000. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method and interest and dividends on securities are included in non-operating income.

For the year ending December 31, 2010, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $60,000 in non-operating income (expense) in its statement of operations. Based on the severity of declines in certain securities during 2010, and the fact that the Company has no evidence that indicates these securities will regain a value equal to or greater than their cost basis, their declines in value were determined to be other-than-temporary. These declines in value resulted primarily from our equity securities in the financial sector. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $1,500,000 in non-operating income (expense) in its statement of operations. These declines came primarily from our equity securities in the financial, pharmaceutical, and transportation sectors, which experienced significant declines during 2009 in their respective stock prices.

As of December 31, 2009, equity securities classified as available-for-sale and equity securities classified as trading had a cost basis of approximately $9,377,000 and $463,000, respectively, and fair market values of approximately $14,395,000 and $526,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company had net unrealized gains in market value on securities classified as available-for-sale of approximately $2,465,000, net of deferred income taxes. These securities had gross unrealized gains of approximately $5,159,000 and gross unrealized losses of approximately $140,000. As of December 31, 2009, the total unrealized gain, net of deferred income taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income was approximately $3,063,000. Also, during 2009, the Company recognized losses on trading securities of approximately $72,000, net of deferred income taxes.

During 2010, three securities were transferred from trading to available-for-sale at their fair market values at the time of transfer. There were no reclassifications of marketable securities during 2009.
 
 
45


The following table shows the Company’s investments’ approximate gross unrealized losses and fair value at December 31, 2010 and 2009. These investments consist of equity securities. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009 there were no investments that had been in a continuous unrealized loss position for twelve months or longer.

   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
         
Unrealized
         
Unrealized
 
 
 
Fair Value
   
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Losses
 
                         
Equity securities – Available for sale
  $ 1,745     $ 232     $ 756     $ 140  
Equity securities – Trading
    -       -       62       1  
                                 
Totals
  $ 1,745     $ 232     $ 818     $ 141  

 
The market value of the Company’s equity securities are periodically used as collateral against any outstanding margin account borrowings. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had no borrowings under its margin account.
 
4.
INTANGIBLE ASSETS
 
The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually in accordance with GAAP. The annual assessment completed in December 2008 indicated that goodwill was fully impaired. The impairment of goodwill recorded in 2008 was triggered by the sustained decline of our market capitalization caused by a decrease in our stock price during 2008.
 
Goodwill at December 31 is summarized as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Goodwill, beginning of year
  $ -     $ -     $ 15,413  
Goodwill acquired
    -       -       -  
Goodwill impairment
    -       -       (15,413 )
                         
Goodwill—end of year
  $ -     $ -     $ -  
 

 
46


5.
ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES
 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities at December 31 are summarized as follows:

   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
             
Payroll
  $ 1,433     $ 1,378  
Accrued vacation
    2,039       2,020  
Taxes—other than income
    2,024       2,264  
Interest
    94       85  
Driver escrows
    850       832  
Self-insurance claims
    3,057       3,925  
                 
Total accrued expenses and other liabilities
  $ 9,497     $ 10,504  

 
6.
CLAIMS LIABILITIES
 
With respect to physical damage for trucks, cargo loss and auto liability, the Company maintains insurance coverage to protect it from certain business risks. These policies are with various carriers and have per occurrence deductibles of $2,500, $10,000 and $2,500 respectively. The Company has elected to self-insure for physical damage to trailers. The Company maintains workers’ compensation coverage in Arkansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Florida with a $500,000 self-insured retention and a $500,000 per occurrence excess policy. The Company has elected to opt out of workers' compensation coverage in Texas and is providing coverage through the P.A.M. Texas Injury Plan. The Company has accrued for estimated losses to pay such claims as well as claims incurred but not yet reported. The Company has not experienced any adverse trends involving differences in claims experienced versus claims estimates for workers’ compensation claims. Letters of credit aggregating $1,401,000 and certificates of deposit totaling $300,000 are held by banks as security for workers’ compensation claims. The Company self insures for employee health claims with a stop loss of $275,000 per covered employee per year and estimates its liability for claims outstanding and claims incurred but not reported.
 
 
47


7.
LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt at December 31, consists of the following:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Line of credit with a bank—due May 31, 2012, and
           
collateralized by accounts receivable (1)
  $ -     $ -  
Equipment financing (2)
    40,611       37,389  
Note payable (3)
    -       144  
Total long-term debt
  $ 40,611     $ 37,533  
Less current maturities
    (23,410 )     (10,331 )
                 
Long-term debt—net of current maturities
  $ 17,201     $ 27,202  

(1)  
Line of credit agreement with a bank provides for maximum borrowings of $30.0 million and contains certain restrictive covenants that must be maintained by the Company on a consolidated basis. Borrowings on the line of credit are at an interest rate of LIBOR as of the first day of the month plus 1.95% (2.21% at December 31, 2010) and are secured by our trade accounts receivable. Monthly payments of interest are required under this agreement. Also, under the terms of the agreement the Company must have (a) a debt to equity ratio of no more than 2:1, and (b) maintain a tangible net worth of at least $135 million. The Company was in compliance with all provisions of the agreement throughout 2010.
 
(2)  
Equipment financings consist of installment obligations for revenue equipment purchases, payable in various monthly installments with various maturity dates through June 2013, at a weighted average interest rate of 4.94% as of December 31, 2010 and collateralized by revenue equipment.
 
(3)  
6.0% note to the former owner of an acquired entity with an original face amount of $4,974,612, paid in March 2010.
 
The Company has provided letters of credit to third parties totaling approximately $2,638,000 at December 31, 2010. The letters are held by these third parties to assist such parties in collection of any amounts due by the Company should the Company default in its commitments to the parties.
 
Scheduled annual maturities on long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2010, are:
 
   
(in thousands)
 
       
2011
  $ 23,410  
2012
    10,097  
2013
    7,104  
2014
    -  
2015
    -  
         
Total
  $ 40,611  
 
 
48


8.
CAPITAL STOCK
 
The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 40,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share. At December 31, 2010, there were 11,373,207 shares of our common stock issued and 9,414,607 shares outstanding. No shares of our preferred stock were issued or outstanding at December 31, 2010.
 
Common Stock
 
The holders of our common stock, subject to such rights as may be granted to any preferred stockholders, elect all directors and are entitled to one vote per share. All shares of common stock participate equally in dividends when and as declared by the Board of Directors and in net assets on liquidation. The shares of common stock have no preference, conversion, exchange, preemptive or cumulative voting rights.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Preferred stock may be issued from time to time by our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, in such series and with such preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications or other provisions, as may be fixed by the Board of Directors in the resolution authorizing their issuance. The issuance of preferred stock by the Board of Directors could adversely affect the rights of holders of shares of common stock; for example, the issuance of preferred stock could result in a class of securities outstanding that would have certain preferences with respect to dividends and in liquidation over the common stock, and that could result in a dilution of the voting rights, net income per share and net book value of the common stock. As of December 31, 2010, we have no agreements or understandings for the issuance of any shares of preferred stock.
 
Treasury Stock
 
In April 2005, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 600,000 shares of our common stock during the six month period ending October 11, 2005. These 600,000 shares were all repurchased by September 30, 2005. On September 6, 2005 our Board of Directors authorized an extension of the stock repurchase program until September 2006 and the repurchase of up to an additional 900,000 shares of our common stock. The Company repurchased 458,600 of these additional shares prior to December 31, 2005 and made no additional purchases during 2006.
 
In May 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 600,000 shares of our common stock during the twelve month period following the announcement. Subsequent to the date of the announcement and through the remainder of 2007, the Company repurchased 471,500 shares of its common stock. The remaining 128,500 shares authorized were repurchased during the first three months of 2008.
 
In June 2008, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 300,000 shares of our common stock during the twelve month period following the announcement. Subsequent to the date of the announcement and through the remainder of 2008, the Company repurchased 300,000 shares of its common stock.
 
In November 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of our common stock during the twelve month period following the announcement. As of December 31, 2010, no shares had been repurchased under this repurchase authorization.
 
The Company accounts for Treasury stock using the cost method and as of December 31, 2010, 1,958,600 shares were held in the treasury at an aggregate cost of approximately $29,127,000.
 
 
49

 
9.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) was comprised of net loss plus or minus market value adjustments related to marketable securities. The components of comprehensive income (loss) were as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                   
Net loss
  $ (655 )   $ (10,847 )   $ (18,765 )
                         
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                       
Reclassification adjustment for realized losses
                       
(gains) on marketable securities, included
                       
in net income (loss), net of income taxes
    (189 )     (13 )     11  
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized
                       
losses on marketable securities, included in
                       
net income (loss), net of income taxes
    37       941       3,214  
Change in fair value of marketable
                       
securities, net of income taxes
    1,495       1,524       (4,535 )
                         
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 688     $ (8,395 )   $ (20,075 )

 
10.
SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMERS AND INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION
 
In 2010, 2009, and 2008, one customer, who is in the automobile manufacturing industry, accounted for 34%, 25% and 31% of revenues, respectively. The Company also provides transportation services to other manufacturers who are suppliers for automobile manufacturers including suppliers for the Company’s largest customer. As a result, concentration of the Company’s business within the automobile industry is significant. Of the Company’s revenues for 2010, 2009, and 2008, 40%, 31%, and 40%, respectively, were derived from transportation services provided to the automobile manufacturing industry. Accounts receivable from the largest customer totaled approximately $18,203,000 and $18,585,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
 
50


11.
FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES
 
Under GAAP, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax reporting purposes.
 
Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31 are as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(in thousands)
 
   
Current
   
Long-Term
   
Current
   
Long-Term
 
                         
Deferred tax liabilities:
                       
Property and equipment
  $ -     $ 52,531     $ -     $ 52,646  
Unrealized gains on securities
    2,696       -       1,955       -  
Prepaid expenses and other
    3,284       -       1,988       -  
                                 
Total deferred tax liabilities
    5,980       52,531       3,943       52,646  
                                 
Deferred tax assets:
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    848       -       1,010       -  
Alternative minimum tax credit
    -       193       -       300  
QAFMV tax credit
    -       864       -       -  
Compensated absences
    679       -       617       -  
Self-insurance allowances
    580       -       844       -  
Share-based compensation
    -       386       -       339  
Goodwill
    -       199       -       658  
Marketable equity securities
    2,270       -       2,873       -  
Net operating loss carryover
    -       2,552       -       -  
Capital loss carryover
    457       -       -       -  
Non-competition agreement
    -       271       -       324  
Other
    -       20       -       25  
                                 
Total deferred tax assets
    4,834       4,485       5,344       1,646  
                                 
Net deferred tax liability (asset)
  $ 1,146     $ 48,046     $ (1,401 )   $ 51,000  

 
The reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the statutory Federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 is presented in the following table:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
   
Amount
   
Percent
 
                                     
Income tax at the
                                   
statutory federal rate
  $ (545 )     34.0     $ (6,042 )     34.0     $ (9,989 )     34.0  
Nontaxable income
    -       -       (341 )     1.9       -       -  
Nondeductible expense
    217       (13.5 )     225       (1.3 )     923       (3.1 )
QAFMV credit
    (570 )     35.6       -       -       -       -  
State income taxes—net
                                               
of federal benefit
    (50 )     3.1       (766 )     4.4       (1,549 )     5.2  
 
Total income tax benefit
  $ (948 )     59.2     $ (6,924 )     39.0     $ (10,615 )     36.1  
 
 
51

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following:
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Current:
                 
Federal
  $ -     $ -     $ (26 )
State
    195       180       340  
      195       180       314  
Deferred:
                       
Federal
    (970 )     (7,209 )     (8,865 )
State
    (173 )     105       (2,064 )
      (1,143 )     (7,104 )     (10,929 )
                         
Total income tax provision (benefit)
  $ (948 )   $ (6,924 )   $ (10,615 )

 
The Company has alternative minimum tax credits of approximately $190,000 at December 31, 2010, which have no expiration date under the current federal income tax laws and general business credits of approximately $860,000 which expire after the year 2030. The Company also has net operating loss carryovers for federal income purposes of approximately $6.7 million which expire after the year 2030.
 
The Company does not have any material accrued interest or penalties associated with any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company's policy is to account for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. There was no change in total gross unrecognized tax benefit liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal income tax laws as well as the income tax laws of multiple state jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates generally provide for a deficiency assessment statute of limitation period of three years and as a result, the Company’s tax years 2007 and forward remain open to examination in those jurisdictions.
 
 
During 2007, the Company contracted with a third-party qualified intermediary in order to implement a like-kind exchange tax program. Under the program, dispositions of eligible trucks or trailers and acquisitions of replacement trucks or trailers are made in a form whereby any associated tax gains related to the disposal are deferred. To qualify for like-kind exchange treatment, we exchange, through our qualified intermediary, eligible trucks or trailers being disposed with trucks or trailers being acquired that allows us to generally carryover the tax basis of the trucks or trailers sold. The program is expected to result in a significant deferral of federal and state income taxes. Under the program, the proceeds from the sale of eligible trucks or trailers carry a Company-imposed restriction for the acquisition of replacement trucks or trailers. These proceeds may be disqualified under the program at any time and at the Company’s sole discretion, however income tax deferral would not be available for any sale for which the Company disqualifies the related proceeds. At December 31, 2010, the Company had $758,000 of restricted cash held by the third-party qualified intermediary. At December 31, 2009, the Company had $12,000 of restricted cash held by the third-party qualified intermediary.
 

 
52


12.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
 
The Company maintains a stock option plan under which incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options may be granted. On March 2, 2006, the Company’s Board of Director’s adopted, and shareholders later approved, the 2006 Stock Option Plan (the “2006 Plan”). The 2006 Plan replaced the expired 1995 Stock Option Plan which had 263,500 options remaining which were never issued. Under the 2006 Plan 750,000 shares were reserved for the issuance of stock options to directors, officers, key employees and others. The option exercise price under the 2006 Plan is the fair market value of the stock on the date the option is granted. The fair market value is determined by the average of the highest and lowest sales prices for a share of the Company’s common stock, on its primary exchange, on the same date that the option is granted.
 
During 2010, nonqualified options for 130,000 shares were issued under the 2006 Plan at an option exercise price ranging from $11.22 to $14.32 per share and at December 31, 2010, 556,000 shares were available for granting future options.
 
Outstanding incentive stock options at December 31, 2010, must be exercised within either five or ten years from the date of grant and vest in increments of 20% each year. Outstanding nonqualified stock options at December 31, 2010, must be exercised within either five or ten years from the date of grant.
 
In November 2010, the Company granted to certain key employees, 50,000 nonqualified stock options and 64,000 performance-based variable nonqualified stock options. The exercise price for these awards was fixed at the grant date and was equal to the fair market value of the stock on that date. The nonqualified stock options vest in increments of 20% each year. The performance-based nonqualified stock options may be earned in four quarterly installments and one annual installment with vesting to occur in increments of 20% each year for any options earned. In order to meet the performance criteria, certain quarterly and annual “operating ratio” results must be achieved. The number of performance-based nonqualified options vesting each fiscal year will not be known until the date the quarterly performance criteria is measured. As of December 31, 2010, none of the options for shares have vested under this combined 114,000 share option grant.
 
The total fair value of options vested during 2010, 2009, and 2008 was approximately $118,000, $29,000, and $102,000, respectively. Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense, recognized in Salaries, wages and benefits was approximately $123,000 during 2010 and includes approximately $118,000 recognized as a result of the annual grant of 2,000 shares to each non-employee director during the first quarter of 2010. The Company recognized a total income tax benefit of approximately $74,000 related to stock-based compensation expense during 2010. The recognition of stock-based compensation expense increased diluted and basic loss per common share by approximately $0.01 during 2010. As of December 31, 2010, the Company had stock-based compensation plans with total unvested stock-based compensation expense, excluding stock-based compensation related to the performance-based variable nonqualified stock option grant, of approximately $312,000 which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining vesting period. As a result, the Company expects to recognize approximately $63,400 in additional compensation expense related to unvested option awards during each of the years 2011 through 2015. Stock-based compensation expense to be recognized as a result of the grant of performance-based variable nonqualified stock options will not be known until the date performance criteria is measured.
 
 
53


Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense, recognized in Salaries, wages and benefits was approximately $29,000 during 2009 as a result of the annual grant of 2,000 shares to each non-employee director during the first quarter of 2009. The Company recognized a total income tax benefit of approximately $11,000 related to stock-based compensation expense during 2009. The recognition of stock-based compensation expense did not have a recognizable impact on diluted or basic earnings per share. As of December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any stock-based compensation plans with unrecognized stock-based compensation expense.
 
Total pre-tax stock-based compensation expense, recognized in Salaries, wages and benefits was approximately $102,000 during 2008 and includes approximately $80,000 recognized as a result of the annual grant of 2,000 shares to each non-employee director during the first quarter of 2008. The Company recognized a total income tax benefit of approximately $29,000 related to stock-based compensation expense during 2008. The recognition of stock-based compensation expense decreased diluted and basic earnings per common share by approximately $0.01 during 2008. As of December 31, 2008, the Company did not have any stock-based compensation plans with unrecognized stock-based compensation expense.
 
Transactions in stock options under these plans are summarized as follows:
 
   
Shares
Under
Option
   
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
 
             
Outstanding—January 1, 2008:
    248,500     $ 22.81  
Granted
    16,000       14.98  
Canceled
    (10,000 )     22.68  
                 
Outstanding—December 31, 2008:
    254,500     $ 22.32  
Granted
    16,000       3.84  
Exercised
    (4,000 )     3.84  
Canceled
    (80,000 )     22.60  
                 
Outstanding—December 31, 2009:
    186,500     $ 21.02  
Granted
    130,000       11.60  
Exercised
    (1,000 )     3.84  
Canceled
    (64,000 )     22.45  
                 
Outstanding—December 31, 2010:
    251,500     $ 15.86  
                 
Options exercisable—December 31, 2010:
    137,500     $ 19.70  

 
The fair value of the Company’s employee stock options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option-pricing model using the following assumptions:
 
 
2010
2009
2008
       
Dividend yield
0%
0%
0%
Volatility range
57.35%—64.31%
58.07%
36.67%—38.54%
Risk-free rate range
1.80%—1.99%
1.57%
2.50%—4.38%
Expected life
4.3 years—6.5 years
4.4 years
4.3 years—5 years
Fair value of options (per share)
$6.34—$7.38
$1.84
$4.98—$8.89

 
54

The Company has never paid any cash dividends on its common stock and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The estimated volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock. The risk free rate for the periods within the expected life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected life of the options was calculated based on the historical exercise behavior.
 
Information related to the Company’s option activity as of December 31, 2010, and changes during the year then ended is presented below:
 
   
Shares Under Option
   
Weighted- Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term
   
Aggregate Intrinsic Value*
 
         
(per share)
   
(in years)
       
Outstanding at January 1, 2010
    186,500     $ 21.02              
Granted
    130,000       11.60              
Exercised
    (1,000 )     3.84              
Canceled/forfeited/expired
    (64,000 )     22.45              
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    251,500     $ 15.86       5.6     $ 81,180  
                                 
Fully vested and
exercisable at December 31, 2010
    137,500     $ 19.70       2.0     $ 81,180  
___________________________
                               
* The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option. The per share market value of our common stock, as determined by the closing price on December 31, 2010, was $11.22.
 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the years 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $6.47, $1.84, and $4.98 per share, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options either canceled, forfeited, or expired during the years 2010, 2009, and 2008 was $9.03, $9.17, and $9.33 per share, respectively.
 
The total intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, was approximately $2,000, $13,000, and $0, respectively.
 
A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested options as of December 31, 2010 and changes during the year ended December 31, 2010, is presented below:
 
   
Number of Options
   
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
 
             
Nonvested at January 1, 2010
    -     $ -  
Granted
    130,000       6.47  
Vested
    (16,000 )     7.38  
Nonvested at December 31, 2010
    114,000     $ 6.34  
 
 
55


The number, weighted average exercise price and weighted average remaining contractual life of options outstanding as of December 31, 2010 and the number and weighted average exercise price of options exercisable as of December 31, 2010 is as follows:
 
Exercise Price
 
Shares Under Outstanding Options
 
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term
 
Shares Under Exercisable Options
       
(in years)
   
$3.84
 
11,000
 
3.2
 
11,000
$11.22
 
114,000
 
10.0
 
-
$14.32
 
16,000
 
4.2
 
16,000
$14.98
 
16,000
 
2.2
 
16,000
$19.88
 
12,500
 
1.7
 
12,500
$22.92
 
14,000
 
1.2
 
14,000
$23.22
 
54,000
 
1.7
 
54,000
$26.73
 
14,000
 
0.4
 
14,000
   
251,500
 
5.6
 
137,500

Cash received from option exercises totaled approximately $4,000, $15,000, and $0 during the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. The Company issues new shares upon option exercise.
 
13.
LOSS PER SHARE
 
Basic loss per common share was computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted loss per common share was calculated as follows:
 
   
For the Year Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                   
Net loss
  $ (655 )   $ (10,847 )   $ (18,765 )
                         
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
    9,415       9,411       9,683  
Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents
    -       -       -  
                         
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    9,415       9,411       9,683  
                         
Basic loss per share
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )
                         
Diluted loss per share
  $ (0.07 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (1.94 )

Options to purchase 164,850, 175,837, and 253,484 shares of common stock were outstanding as of December 31, 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted loss per share because to do so would have an anti-dilutive effect.
 
14.
BENEFIT PLAN
 
The Company sponsors a benefit plan for the benefit of all eligible employees. The plan qualifies under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code thereby allowing eligible employees to make tax-deductible contributions to the plan. The plan provides for employer matching contributions of 50% of each participant’s voluntary contribution up to 3% of the participant’s compensation and vests at the rate of 20% each year until fully vested after five years. Total employer matching contributions to the plan totaled approximately $245,000, $270,000 and $305,000 in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
 
56

 
15.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceedings which management believes to be material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company. The Company maintains liability insurance against risks arising out of the normal course of its business.
 
The Company leases certain semi-trailers and premises under noncancelable operating lease agreements. Future minimum annual lease payments under these leases are as follows:
 
2011
  $ 701,458  
2012
    602,434  
2013
    471,874  
2014
    375,374  
2015
    281,532  
         
Total
  $ 2,432,672  

 
Total rental expense, net of amounts reimbursed for the years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008 was approximately $1,124,000, $1,201,000, and $2,243,000, respectively.
 
16.
FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, marketable equity securities, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, and borrowings.
 
The Company adopted guidance effective January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis. This guidance defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
 
 
Level 1:
 
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
       
 
Level 2:
 
Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable; or other inputs not directly observable, but derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.
       
 
Level 3:
 
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.
 

 
The Company utilizes the market approach to measure fair value for its financial assets and liabilities. The market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
 
At December 31, 2010, the following items are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
   
Total
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Marketable equity securities
  $ 18,273     $ 18,273       -       -  

 
57

 
The Company’s investments in marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
 
The carrying amount for the line of credit approximates fair value because the line of credit interest rate is adjusted frequently.
 
For long-term debt other than the lines of credit, the fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. The carrying values and estimated fair values of this other long-term debt at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are summarized as follows:
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Carrying Value
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
   
(in thousands)
 
                         
Long-term debt
  $ 40,611     $ 40,775     $ 37,533     $ 37,238  
 
The Company has not elected the fair value option for any of our financial instruments.
 
17.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
In the normal course of business, transactions for transportation and repair services, property leases and other services are conducted between the Company and companies affiliated with a major stockholder. The Company recognized approximately $5,800,000, $3,294,000, and $114,000 in operating revenue and approximately $830,000, $1,025,000, and $1,750,000 in operating expenses in 2010, 2009, and 2008, respectively. In addition, also in the normal course of business, the Company purchased a terminal in Laredo, TX from an affiliate of  a major stockholder for approximately $5,921,000, of which $4,500,000 was paid as of December 31, 2008 and approximately $1,421,000 was paid in February 2009, subsequent to the completion of an independent appraisal.
 
The Company purchased physical damage insurance through an unaffiliated insurance broker which was written by an insurance company affiliated with a major stockholder. Annual premiums were approximately $1,696,000, $1,895,000 and $2,232,000 for 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Beginning in 2009, the Company secured coverage for auto liability and general liability insurance under the same arrangement. Premiums paid for auto liability coverage during 2010 and 2009 were approximately $8,831,000 and $2,917,000, respectively. Premiums paid for general liability coverage during 2010 and 2009 were approximately $22,000 and $20,000, respectively.
 
Amounts owed to the Company by these affiliates were approximately $2,398,000 and $1,928,000 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Of the accounts receivable at December 31, 2010, approximately $339,000 represents prepaid insurance premiums, $237,000 represents revenue resulting from maintenance performed in the Company’s maintenance facilities and charges paid by the Company to third parties on behalf of their affiliate and charged back at the amount paid, $1,540,000 represents freight transportation, $238,000 represents property lease charges, $38,000 represents equipment rental charges, and $6,000 represents cross-border inspections. Amounts payable to affiliates at December 31, 2010 and 2009 were approximately $137,000 and $237,000 respectively.
 
 
58

 
18.
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
 
The tables below present quarterly financial information for 2010 and 2009:
 
   
2010
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Operating revenues
  $ 81,847     $ 85,238     $ 86,706     $ 78,203  
Operating expenses
    81,877       82,918       87,185       80,217  
                                 
Operating (loss) income
    (30 )     2,320       (479 )     (2,014 )
Non-operating income (expense)
    7       379       271       193  
Interest expense
    498       606       591       554  
Income tax (benefit) expense
    (206 )     831       (308 )     (1,265 )
                                 
Net (loss) income
  $ (315 )   $ 1,262     $ (491 )   $ (1,110 )
                                 
Net (loss) income per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.13     $ (0.05 )   $ (0.12 )
Diluted
  $ (0.03 )   $ 0.13     $ (0.05 )   $ (0.12 )
                                 
Average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    9,414       9,415       9,415       9,415  
Diluted
    9,414       9,415       9,415       9,415  

 
   
2009
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
   
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Operating revenues
  $ 65,818     $ 68,476     $ 76,743     $ 80,872  
Operating expenses
    69,432       72,040       78,092       86,999  
                                 
Operating loss
    (3,614 )     (3,564 )     (1,349 )     (6,127 )
Non-operating (expense) income
    (867 )     200       (160 )     82  
Interest expense
    664       629       563       517  
Income tax benefit
    (1,799 )     (1,637 )     (842 )     (2,647 )
                                 
Net loss
  $ (3,346 )   $ (2,356 )   $ (1,230 )   $ (3,915 )
                                 
Net loss per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ (0.36 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )
Diluted
  $ (0.36 )   $ (0.25 )   $ (0.13 )   $ (0.42 )
                                 
Average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    9,410       9,410       9,411       9,413  
Diluted
    9,410       9,410       9,411       9,413  
                                 
 
 
59


Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

Based on management’s evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting and make changes to our processes and systems to improve controls and increase efficiency, while ensuring that we maintain an effective internal control environment. Changes may include such activities as implementing new, more efficient systems, consolidating activities, and migrating processes.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last quarter of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2010. Management reviewed the results of its assessment with our Audit Committee. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report which is included below.
 
 
60


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Shareholders
P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries

We have audited P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. (a Delaware Corporation) and subsidiaries’ (collectively, the Company)  internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and other comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2010 and our report dated March 14, 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 14, 2011

 
61


Item 9B. Other Information.

None.

PART III

Portions of the information required by Part III of Form 10-K are, pursuant to General Instruction G (3) of Form 10-K, incorporated by reference from our definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 26, 2011. We will, within 120 days of the end of our fiscal year, file with the Securities and Exchange Commission a definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation 14A.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.

The information presented under the captions “Election of Directors”, “Executive Officers”, “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance”, “Corporate Governance – Code of Ethics”, “Corporate Governance – Director Nominating Process” and “Corporate Governance – Board Committees,” in the proxy statement is incorporated here by reference.

Item 11. Executive Compensation.

The information presented under the captions “Executive Compensation”, “Corporate Governance – Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, and “Compensation Committee Report” in the proxy statement is incorporated here by reference.

Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.

The information presented under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in the proxy statement is incorporated here by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table summarizes, as of December 31, 2010, information about compensation plans under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance:

 
Plan Category
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans
Equity Compensation Plans approved by Security Holders
251,500
$15.86
556,000
       
Equity Compensation Plans not approved by Security Holders
-0-
-0-
-0-
       
Total
251,500
$15.86
556,000
 
 
62


Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.

The information presented under the captions “Transactions with Related Persons” and “Corporate Governance – Director Independence” in the proxy statement is incorporated here by reference.

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.

The information presented under the caption “Independent Public Accountants – Principal Accountant Fees and Services” in the proxy statement is incorporated here by reference.

PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.

(a)
Financial Statements and Schedules.

(1)
Financial Statements: See Part II, Item 8 hereof.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Grant Thornton LLP
Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Years ended   December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31, 2010, 2009 and 2008
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(2)
Financial Statement Schedules.

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC are omitted as the requiredinformation is inapplicable, or because the information is presented in the consolidated financial statements or related notes.

(3)
Exhibits.

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Report. The exhibits which are denominated by an asterisk (*) were previously filed as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from either (i) the Form S-1 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 1986, Registration No. 33-7618, as amended on August 8, 1986, September 3, 1986 and September 10, 1986 (“1986 S-1”); (ii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (“6/30/94 10-Q”); (iii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (“6/30/95 10-Q”); (iv) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 (“9/30/96 10-Q”); (v) the Form S-8 Registration Statement filed on June 11, 1999 (“6/11/99 S-8”); (vi) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 (“3/31/02 10-Q”); (vii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (“9/30/04 10-Q”); (viii) Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2005 (“3/07/05 8-K”); (ix) Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2006 (“5/31/06 8-K”); (x) Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2006 (“7/28/06 8-K”); (xi) the Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2007 (“12/11/07 8-K”); (xii) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 10-K”); (xiii) Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2009 (“7/10/09 8-K”); or (xiv) Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2010 (“12/03/10 8-K”).


Exhibit #
 
Description of Exhibit 
*3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Exh. 3.1, 3/31/02 10-Q)
     
*3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (Exh. 3.2, 12/11/07 8-K)
     
*4.1
 
Specimen Stock Certificate (Exh. 4.1, 1986 S-1)
     
*4.2
 
Loan Agreement dated July 26, 1994 among First Tennessee Bank National Association, Registrant and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. together with Promissory Note (Exh. 4.1, 6/30/94 10-Q)
     
*4.2.1
 
Security Agreement dated July 26, 1994 between First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. (Exh. 4.2, 6/30/94 10-Q)
     
*4.3
 
First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated June 27, 1995 by and among P.A.M. Transport, Inc., First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., together with Promissory Note in the principal amount of $2,500,000 (Exh. 4.1.1, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.1
 
First Amendment to Security Agreement dated June 28, 1995 by and between P.A.M. Transport, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.2.2, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.2
 
Security Agreement dated June 27, 1995 by and between Choctaw Express, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.3, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.3
 
Guaranty Agreement of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. dated June 27, 1995 in favor of First Tennessee Bank National Association $10,000,000 line of credit (Exh. 4.1.4, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.4
 
Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by P.A.M. Transport, Inc., First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., together with Promissory Note in the principal amount of $5,000,000 (Exh. 4.1.1, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.1
 
Second Amendment to Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between P.A.M. Transport, Inc. and First Tennessee National Bank Association (Exh. 4.1.2, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.2
 
First Amendment to Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between Choctaw Express, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.3, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.3
 
Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between Allen Freight Services, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.4, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.5
 
Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 26, 1994 among First Tennessee Bank National Association, Registrant and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. together with Promissory Note (Exh. 4.6, 2007 10-K)
     
*10.1
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Daniel H. Cushman, dated June 29, 2009 (Exh. 10.2, 7/10/09 8-K)
     
*10.2
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W. Clif Lawson, dated June 1, 2006 (Exh. 10.2, 7/28/06 8-K)
     
*10.3
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Larry J. Goddard, dated June 1, 2006 (Exh. 10.3, 7/28/06 8-K)
     
*10.4
(1)
1995 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated (Exh. 4.1, 6/11/99 S-8)
     
*10.4.1
(1)
Amendment to 1995 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 3/07/05 8-K)
     
*10.4.2
(1)
2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 5/31/06 8-K)
     
*10.5
(1)
Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Exh. 10.1, 9/30/04 10-Q)

 
     
*10.6
(1)
Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Exh. 10.2, 9/30/04 10-Q)
     
*10.6.1
(1)
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Director stock options that are granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.2, 5/31/06 8-K)
     
*10.7
(1)
Incentive Compensation Plan (Exh. 10.3, 7/10/09 8-K)
     
*10.8
(1)
Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Manuel J. Moroun, dated December 6, 2007 (Exh. 10.10, 2007 10-K)
     
*10.9
(1)
Form of Stock Option Agreement based on performance schedule and granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 12/03/10 8-K)
     
*10.10
(1)
Form of Stock Option Agreement granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.2, 12/03/10 8-K)
     
  21.1
 
     
  23.1
 
     
  31.1
 
     
  31.2
 
     
  32.1
 
     
(1)  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 
 
65


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

   
P.A.M. TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, INC.
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Daniel H. Cushman
 
   
DANIEL H. CUSHMAN
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
   
(principal executive officer)
 
       
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
       
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Frederick P. Calderone
 
   
FREDERICK P. CALDERONE, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Frank L. Conner
 
   
FRANK L. CONNER, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Daniel H. Cushman
 
   
DANIEL H. CUSHMAN
 
   
President and Chief Executive Officer, Director
 
   
(principal executive officer)
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ W. Scott Davis
 
   
W. SCOTT DAVIS, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Christopher L. Ellis
 
   
CHRISTOPHER L. ELLIS, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Lance K. Stewart
 
   
LANCE K. STEWART
 
   
Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer,
 
   
Secretary and Treasurer
 
   
(principal financial and accounting officer)
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Manuel J. Moroun
 
   
MANUEL J. MOROUN, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Matthew T. Moroun
 
   
MATTHEW T. MOROUN, Director and Chairman of the Board
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Daniel C. Sullivan
 
   
DANIEL C. SULLIVAN, Director
 
       
Dated: March 14, 2011
By:
/s/ Charles F. Wilkins
 
   
CHARLES F. WILKINS, Director
 


EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with or incorporated by reference into this Report. The exhibits which are denominated by an asterisk (*) were previously filed as a part of, and are hereby incorporated by reference from either (i) the Form S-1 Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 1986, Registration No. 33-7618, as amended on August 8, 1986, September 3, 1986 and September 10, 1986 (“1986 S-1”); (ii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1994 (“6/30/94 10-Q”); (iii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (“6/30/95 10-Q”); (iv) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 (“9/30/96 10-Q”); (v) the Form S-8 Registration Statement filed on June 11, 1999 (“6/11/99 S-8”); (vi) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2002 (“3/31/02 10-Q”); (vii) the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (“9/30/04 10-Q”); (viii) Form 8-K filed on March 7, 2005 (“3/07/05 8-K”); (ix) Form 8-K filed on May 31, 2006 (“5/31/06 8-K”); (x) Form 8-K filed on July 28, 2006 (“7/28/06 8-K”); (xi) the Form 8-K filed on December 11, 2007 (“12/11/07 8-K”); (xii) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (“2007 10-K”); (xiii) Form 8-K filed on July 10, 2009 (“7/10/09 8-K”); or (xiv) Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2010 (“12/03/10 8-K”).

Exhibit #
 
Description of Exhibit 
*3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (Exh. 3.1, 3/31/02 10-Q)
     
*3.2
 
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant (Exh. 3.2, 12/11/07 8-K)
     
*4.1
 
Specimen Stock Certificate (Exh. 4.1, 1986 S-1)
     
*4.2
 
Loan Agreement dated July 26, 1994 among First Tennessee Bank National Association, Registrant and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. together with Promissory Note (Exh. 4.1, 6/30/94 10-Q)
     
*4.2.1
 
Security Agreement dated July 26, 1994 between First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. (Exh. 4.2, 6/30/94 10-Q)
     
*4.3
 
First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated June 27, 1995 by and among P.A.M. Transport, Inc., First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., together with Promissory Note in the principal amount of $2,500,000 (Exh. 4.1.1, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.1
 
First Amendment to Security Agreement dated June 28, 1995 by and between P.A.M. Transport, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.2.2, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.2
 
Security Agreement dated June 27, 1995 by and between Choctaw Express, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.3, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.3.3
 
Guaranty Agreement of P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc. dated June 27, 1995 in favor of First Tennessee Bank National Association $10,000,000 line of credit (Exh. 4.1.4, 6/30/95 10-Q)
     
*4.4
 
Second Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by P.A.M. Transport, Inc., First Tennessee Bank National Association and P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc., together with Promissory Note in the principal amount of $5,000,000 (Exh. 4.1.1, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.1
 
Second Amendment to Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between P.A.M. Transport, Inc. and First Tennessee National Bank Association (Exh. 4.1.2, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.2
 
First Amendment to Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between Choctaw Express, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.3, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.4.3
 
Security Agreement dated July 3, 1996 by and between Allen Freight Services, Inc. and First Tennessee Bank National Association (Exh. 4.1.4, 9/30/96 10-Q)
     
*4.5
 
Fourth Amendment to Loan Agreement dated July 26, 1994 among First Tennessee Bank National Association, Registrant and P.A.M. Transport, Inc. together with Promissory Note (Exh. 4.6, 2007 10-K)


     
*10.1
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Daniel H. Cushman, dated June 29, 2009 (Exh. 10.2, 7/10/09 8-K)
     
*10.2
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and W. Clif Lawson, dated June 1, 2006 (Exh. 10.2, 7/28/06 8-K)
     
*10.3
(1)
Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Larry J. Goddard, dated June 1, 2006 (Exh. 10.3, 7/28/06 8-K)
     
*10.4
(1)
1995 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated (Exh. 4.1, 6/11/99 S-8)
     
*10.4.1
(1)
Amendment to 1995 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 3/07/05 8-K)
     
*10.4.2
(1)
2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 5/31/06 8-K)
     
*10.5
(1)
Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Exh. 10.1, 9/30/04 10-Q)
     
*10.6
(1)
Director Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Exh. 10.2, 9/30/04 10-Q)
     
*10.6.1
(1)
Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Director stock options that are granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.2, 5/31/06 8-K)
     
*10.7
(1)
Incentive Compensation Plan (Exh. 10.3, 7/10/09 8-K)
     
*10.8
(1)
Consulting Agreement between the Registrant and Manuel J. Moroun, dated December 6, 2007 (Exh. 10.10, 2007 10-K)
     
*10.9
(1)
Form of Stock Option Agreement based on performance schedule and granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.1, 12/03/10 8-K)
     
*10.10
(1)
Form of Stock Option Agreement granted under the 2006 Stock Option Plan (Exh. 10.2, 12/03/10 8-K)
     
  21.1
 
     
  23.1
 
     
  31.1
 
     
  31.2
 
     
  32.1
 
     
(1)  Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.


 
 
 
 
68