10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
[Mark
one]
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 0-14690
 
WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
NEBRASKA
 
47-0648386
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
14507 FRONTIER ROAD
POST OFFICE BOX 45308
OMAHA, NEBRASKA
 
68145-0308
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(402) 895-6640
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
Non-accelerated filer
 
o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of October 30, 2015, 71,892,934 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

Table of Contents

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

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PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains historical information and forward-looking statements based on information currently available to our management. The forward-looking statements in this report, including those made in Item 2 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) of Part I, are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These safe harbor provisions encourage reporting companies to provide prospective information to investors. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of certain words, such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “project” and other similar terms and language. We believe the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on currently available information. However, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions, whether known or unknown, that could cause our actual results, business, financial condition and cash flows to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. A discussion of important factors relating to forward-looking statements is included in Item 1A (Risk Factors) of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”). Readers should not unduly rely on the forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q because such statements speak only to the date they were made. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we undertake no obligation or duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect subsequent events or circumstances or the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Item 1. Financial Statements.
The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and were also prepared without audit. The interim consolidated financial statements do not include all information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements; although in management’s opinion, the disclosures are adequate so that the information presented is not misleading.
Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, the information set forth in the accompanying consolidated condensed balance sheets is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the consolidated balance sheets from which it has been derived.
These interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in our 2014 Form 10-K.

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Table of Contents

WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
Operating revenues
$
534,448

 
$
551,961

 
$
1,564,746

 
$
1,586,103

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages and benefits
167,301

 
149,206

 
479,142

 
428,425

Fuel
50,855

 
86,820

 
160,996

 
270,026

Supplies and maintenance
50,283

 
48,527

 
144,328

 
140,268

Taxes and licenses
22,616

 
21,420

 
66,459

 
63,563

Insurance and claims
17,372

 
19,789

 
60,034

 
59,175

Depreciation
49,081

 
44,182

 
143,065

 
131,878

Rent and purchased transportation
122,006

 
133,893

 
360,706

 
373,778

Communications and utilities
3,786

 
3,689

 
11,301

 
10,597

Other
(1,652
)
 
2,745

 
(4,480
)
 
932

Total operating expenses
481,648

 
510,271

 
1,421,551

 
1,478,642

Operating income
52,800

 
41,690

 
143,195

 
107,461

Other expense (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
511

 
140

 
1,569

 
370

Interest income
(760
)
 
(614
)
 
(2,088
)
 
(1,929
)
Other
32

 
43

 
257

 
2

Total other income
(217
)
 
(431
)
 
(262
)
 
(1,557
)
Income before income taxes
53,017

 
42,121

 
143,457

 
109,018

Income taxes
20,941

 
16,151

 
56,391

 
43,077

Net income
$
32,076

 
$
25,970

 
$
87,066

 
$
65,941

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.45

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.21

 
$
0.91

Diluted
$
0.44

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.91

Dividends declared per share
$
0.060

 
$
0.050

 
$
0.160

 
$
0.150

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
71,890

 
71,837

 
71,967

 
72,198

Diluted
72,478

 
72,364

 
72,546

 
72,706

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)

Net income
$
32,076

 
$
25,970

 
$
87,066

 
$
65,941

Other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(2,044
)
 
(985
)
 
(3,578
)
 
(885
)
Change in fair value of interest rate swap
(605
)
 
(431
)
 
(368
)
 
(431
)
Other comprehensive loss
(2,649
)
 
(1,416
)
 
(3,946
)
 
(1,316
)
Comprehensive income
$
29,427

 
$
24,554

 
$
83,120

 
$
64,625

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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Table of Contents

WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands, except share amounts)
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
45,921

 
$
22,604

Accounts receivable, trade, less allowance of $9,710 and $10,017, respectively
250,878

 
266,727

Other receivables
20,463

 
20,316

Inventories and supplies
16,355

 
17,824

Prepaid taxes, licenses and permits
6,974

 
14,914

Current deferred income taxes
29,541

 
34,066

Income taxes receivable
1,765

 
23,435

Other current assets
28,936

 
26,458

Total current assets
400,833

 
426,344

Property and equipment
1,885,532

 
1,786,229

Less – accumulated depreciation
761,200

 
772,447

Property and equipment, net
1,124,332

 
1,013,782

Other non-current assets
46,807

 
40,336

Total assets
$
1,571,972

 
$
1,480,462

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
83,436

 
$
64,827

Insurance and claims accruals
61,298

 
73,814

Accrued payroll
37,057

 
28,121

Other current liabilities
28,095

 
19,768

Total current liabilities
209,886

 
186,530

Long-term debt, net of current portion
75,000

 
75,000

Other long-term liabilities
21,073

 
20,021

Insurance and claims accruals, net of current portion
129,895

 
123,445

Deferred income taxes
232,878

 
241,606

Commitments and contingencies

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 80,533,536 shares
 
 
 
issued; 71,892,934 and 72,038,368 shares outstanding, respectively
805

 
805

Paid-in capital
104,619

 
101,803

Retained earnings
990,638

 
915,085

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(13,321
)
 
(9,375
)
Treasury stock, at cost; 8,640,602 and 8,495,168 shares, respectively
(179,501
)
 
(174,458
)
Total stockholders’ equity
903,240

 
833,860

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,571,972

 
$
1,480,462

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
87,066

 
$
65,941

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
143,065

 
131,878

Deferred income taxes
(3,417
)
 
(16,206
)
Gain on disposal of property and equipment
(18,880
)
 
(14,267
)
Non-cash equity compensation
3,607

 
4,350

Insurance and claims accruals, net of current portion
6,450

 
(1,075
)
Other
5,288

 
(3,481
)
Changes in certain working capital items:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
15,849

 
(32,759
)
Other current assets
29,546

 
1,592

Accounts payable
10,163

 
24,356

Other current liabilities
4,035

 
4,882

Net cash provided by operating activities
282,772

 
165,211

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Additions to property and equipment
(337,475
)
 
(206,354
)
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment
86,366

 
59,515

Decrease in notes receivable
11,956

 
11,135

Other
—

 
(3,343
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(239,153
)
 
(139,047
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Repayments of long-term debt
—

 
(40,000
)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt
—

 
75,000

Dividends on common stock
(10,801
)
 
(10,853
)
Repurchases of common stock
(6,438
)
 
(30,587
)
Tax withholding related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards
(461
)
 
(96
)
Stock options exercised
846

 
4,169

Excess tax benefits from equity compensation
219

 
295

Payment of notes payable
(3,117
)
 
—

Net cash used in financing activities
(19,752
)
 
(2,072
)
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash
(550
)
 
(172
)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
23,317

 
23,920

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
22,604

 
23,678

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
45,921

 
$
47,598

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
Interest paid
$
1,578

 
$
304

Income taxes paid
34,201

 
59,070

Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Notes receivable issued upon sale of property and equipment
$
21,792

 
$
9,427

Issuance of notes payable
—

 
6,233

Change in fair value of interest rate swap

(368
)
 
(431
)
Property and equipment acquired included in accounts payable
10,513

 
460

Property and equipment disposed included in other receivables
—

 
351

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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Table of Contents

WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
 
(1)
Credit Facilities
As of September 30, 2015, we had unsecured committed credit facilities with three banks as well as a term commitment with one of these banks. We had with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a $100.0 million credit facility which will expire on July 12, 2020, and a $75.0 million term commitment with principal due and payable on September 15, 2019. On July 13, 2015, we amended our existing credit agreement, dated June 1, 2012, as previously amended, with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. This amendment lowered the maximum principal amount of the unsecured line of credit to $100.0 million from $175.0 million and extended the term of the credit agreement to July 12, 2020 from May 31, 2016. Also on July 13, 2015, we entered into a new credit agreement with U.S. Bank N.A. The new credit agreement is an unsecured line of credit of $75.0 million and expires on July 13, 2020. We also had a $75.0 million credit facility with BMO Harris Bank N.A., which will expire on March 5, 2020. Borrowings under these credit facilities and term note bear variable interest (0.8066% at September 30, 2015) based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), with interest on the term note effectively fixed at 2.5% with an interest rate swap agreement.
As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, our outstanding debt totaled $75.0 million. The $325.0 million of credit available under these facilities at September 30, 2015, is further reduced by $31.0 million in stand-by letters of credit under which we are obligated. Each of the debt agreements includes, among other things, financial covenants requiring us (i) not to exceed a maximum ratio of total debt to total capitalization and/or (ii) not to exceed a maximum ratio of total funded debt to earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (as such terms are defined in each credit facility). At September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with these covenants.
At September 30, 2015, the aggregate future maturities of long-term debt by year are as follows (in thousands):
2015
$
—

2016
—

2017
—

2018
—

2019
75,000

Total
$
75,000


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

(2)
Income Taxes
For the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015, there were no material changes to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits. We accrued interest expense of $52 thousand and $63 thousand during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, and $176 thousand and $185 thousand during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, excluding the reversal of accrued interest related to adjustments for the remeasurement of uncertain tax positions. Our total gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2015, is $8.4 million. If recognized, $5.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact our effective tax rate. Interest of $1.6 million has been reflected as a component of the total liability. We expect no other significant increases or decreases for uncertain tax positions during the next twelve months.
We file U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as income tax returns in various states and several foreign jurisdictions. The years 2011 through 2014 are open for examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), and various years are open for examination by state and foreign tax authorities. State and foreign jurisdictional statutes of limitations generally range from three to four years.
 
(3)
Commitments and Contingencies
As of September 30, 2015, we have committed to property and equipment purchases of approximately $106.9 million.
We are involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The majority of these claims relate to bodily injury, property damage, cargo and workers' compensation incurred in the transportation of freight, as well as certain class action litigation related to personnel and employment matters. We accrue for the uninsured portion of contingent losses from these and other pending claims when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss

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can be reasonably estimated. Based on the knowledge of the facts, management believes the resolution of claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and our view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
We are involved in class action litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska, alleging that we owe drivers for unpaid wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Nebraska Wage Payment and Collection Act and failed to pay minimum wage per hour for drivers in our student driver training program, related to short break time and sleeper berth time. The period covered by this class action suit dates back to 2008 through March 2014. In August 2015, the court denied our motion for summary judgment and granted the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, ruling in plaintiff's favor on both theories of liability (short breaks and sleeper berth time). As a result, we accrued $2.0 million during third quarter 2015 related to the short break matter. Based on the knowledge of the facts related to the sleeper berth matter, management does not currently believe a loss is probable, thus we have not accrued for the sleeper berth matter. We are currently unable to determine the possible loss or range of loss. We intend to vigorously defend the merits of these claims and to appeal any adverse verdict in this case.
We are also involved in certain class action litigation in which the plaintiffs allege claims for failure to provide meal and rest breaks, unpaid wages, unauthorized deductions and other items. Based on the knowledge of the facts, management does not currently believe the outcome of the litigation is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations. However, the final disposition of these matters and the impact of such final dispositions cannot be determined at this time. 

(4)
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding stock options and restricted stock awards. There are no differences in the numerators of our computations of basic and diluted earnings per share for any period presented.
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is shown below (in thousands, except per share amounts).
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
32,076

 
$
25,970

 
$
87,066

 
$
65,941

Weighted average common shares outstanding
71,890

 
71,837

 
71,967

 
72,198

Dilutive effect of stock-based awards
588

 
527

 
579

 
508

Shares used in computing diluted earnings per share
72,478

 
72,364

 
72,546

 
72,706

Basic earnings per share
$
0.45

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.21

 
$
0.91

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.44

 
$
0.36

 
$
1.20

 
$
0.91

There were no options to purchase shares of common stock that were outstanding during the periods indicated above that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option purchase price was greater than the average market price of the common shares during the period. Performance awards are excluded from the calculation of dilutive potential common shares until the threshold performance conditions have been satisfied.
 
(5)
Equity Compensation
The Werner Enterprises, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Plan (the "Equity Plan"), approved by the Company's shareholders, provides for grants to employees and non-employee directors of the Company in the form of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock and units ("restricted awards"), performance stock and units ("performance awards"), and stock appreciation rights. The Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors determines the terms of each award, including the type, recipients, number of shares subject to and vesting conditions of each award. No awards of stock appreciation rights have been issued under the Equity Plan to date. The maximum number of shares of common stock that may be awarded under the Equity Plan is 20,000,000 shares. The maximum aggregate number of shares that may be awarded to any one person in any one calendar year under the Equity Plan is 500,000. As of September 30, 2015, there were 7,354,911 shares available for granting additional awards.

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Equity compensation expense is included in salaries, wages and benefits within the Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2015, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested equity compensation awards was approximately $8.9 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.
The following table summarizes the equity compensation expense and related income tax benefit recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Stock options:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
17

 
$
30

 
$
51

 
$
90

Tax benefit
7

 
12

 
20

 
36

Stock option expense, net of tax
$
10

 
$
18

 
$
31

 
$
54

Restricted awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
(92
)
 
$
1,022

 
$
1,949

 
$
3,097

Tax benefit
(36
)
 
393

 
770

 
1,228

Restricted award expense, net of tax
$
(56
)
 
$
629

 
$
1,179

 
$
1,869

Performance awards:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pre-tax compensation expense
$
(60
)
 
$
468

 
$
1,648

 
$
1,185

Tax benefit
(24
)
 
179

 
651

 
468

Performance award expense, net of tax
$
(36
)
 
$
289

 
$
997

 
$
717

During the three-month period ended September 30, 2015, we recorded a $2.0 million reduction of compensation expense and a $0.8 million reduction of tax benefit resulting from our change in forfeiture estimates for certain restricted and performance awards primarily due to a previously disclosed executive resignation.
We do not have a formal policy for issuing shares upon an exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted and performance awards. Such shares are generally issued from treasury stock. From time to time, we repurchase shares of our common stock, the timing and amount of which depends on market and other factors. Historically, the shares acquired from such repurchases have provided us with sufficient quantities of stock to issue for equity compensation. Based on current treasury stock levels, we do not expect to repurchase additional shares specifically for equity compensation during 2015.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted at prices equal to the market value of the common stock on the date the option award is granted. Option awards currently outstanding become exercisable in installments from 24 to 72 months after the date of grant. The options are exercisable over a period not to exceed ten years, one day from the date of grant.
The following table summarizes stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 
Number of
Options
(in thousands)
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price ($)
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at beginning of period
248

 
$
18.18

 

 

Granted
—

 
—

 

 

Exercised
(48
)
 
17.46

 

 

Forfeited
(7
)
 
20.09

 

 

Expired
—

 
—

 

 

Outstanding at end of period
193

 
18.29

 
3.21
 
$
1,315

Exercisable at end of period
153

 
17.78

 
2.77
 
$
1,117

We did not grant any stock options during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The fair value of stock option grants is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

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Restricted Awards
Restricted stock entitles the holder to shares of common stock when the award vests. Restricted stock units entitle the holder to a combination of cash or stock equal to the value of common stock when the unit vests. The value of these shares may fluctuate according to market conditions and other factors. Restricted awards currently outstanding vest over periods ranging from 12 to 84 months from the grant date of the award. The restricted awards do not confer any voting or dividend rights to recipients until such shares vest and do not have any post-vesting sales restrictions.
The following table summarizes restricted award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 
Number of
Restricted
Awards (in
thousands)
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)
Nonvested at beginning of period
643

 
$
22.92

Granted
—

 
—

Vested
(10
)
 
23.02

Forfeited
(86
)
 
21.32

Nonvested at end of period
547

 
23.17

We did not grant any restricted awards during the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 nor did we grant any restricted awards during the three-month period ended September 30, 2014. We granted 10,000 shares of restricted awards during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. We estimate the fair value of restricted awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated future dividends because the awards are not entitled to receive dividends prior to vesting. Our estimate of future dividends is based on the most recent quarterly dividend rate at the time of grant, adjusted for any known future changes in the dividend rate. Cash settled restricted stock units are recorded as a liability within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are adjusted to fair value each reporting period. The present value of estimated future dividends for the 2014 grants was calculated using the following weighted-average assumptions:
Dividends per share (quarterly amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.05

Risk-free interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.5
%
The total fair value of previously granted restricted awards vested during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was $0.2 million and for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 was $0.3 million. We withheld shares based on the closing stock price on the vesting date to settle the employees' minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes. Total cash remitted for the employees' tax obligations to the relevant taxing authorities is reflected as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the shares withheld to satisfy the minimum tax withholding obligations are recorded as treasury stock.
Performance Awards
Performance awards entitle the recipient to shares of common stock upon attainment of performance objectives as pre-established by the Compensation Committee. If the performance objectives are achieved, performance awards currently outstanding vest, subject to continued employment, over periods ranging from 12 to 60 months from the grant date of the award. The performance awards do not confer any voting or dividend rights to recipients until such shares vest and do not have any post-vesting sales restrictions.
The following table summarizes performance award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015:

 
Number of
Performance
Awards (in
thousands)
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value ($)
Nonvested at beginning of period
183

 
$
25.06

Granted
202

 
28.79

Vested
(37
)
 
25.06

Forfeited
(83
)
 
27.18

Nonvested at end of period
265

 
27.23


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We did not grant any performance awards during the three-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively, and granted performance awards (in thousands) totaling 202 shares and 183 shares during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, respectively. The performance awards are earned based upon the level of attainment by the Company of specified performance objectives related to earnings per share for the fiscal year, as established by the Compensation Committee. The number of shares which are ultimately earned for the 2015 awards will range from 0 percent to 132 percent of the target number based on the level of attainment of the performance objectives and ranged from 0 percent to 133 percent for the 2014 awards. We estimate the fair value of performance awards based upon the market price of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, reduced by the present value of estimated future dividends because the awards are not entitled to receive dividends prior to vesting. Our estimate of future dividends is based on the most recent quarterly dividend rate at the time of grant, adjusted for any known future changes in the dividend rate.
The present value of estimated future dividends was calculated using the following assumptions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
Dividends per share (quarterly amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
0.05

 
$
0.05

Risk-free interest rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
1.6
%
 
1.5
%

During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, the Compensation Committee determined that the 2014 fiscal year performance objectives were achieved at the target level and 182,813 shares of common stock were earned, subject to time-based vesting. The vesting date fair value of the performance awards vested during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was $1.1 million. We withhold shares based on the closing stock price on the vesting date to settle the employees' minimum statutory obligation for the applicable income and other employment taxes. Total cash remitted for employees' tax obligations to the relevant taxing authorities is reflected as a financing activity within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the shares withheld to satisfy the minimum tax withholding obligations are recorded as treasury stock.

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

12
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The following table summarizes our segment information (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
$
417,861

 
$
428,619

 
$
1,225,439

 
$
1,261,194

Value Added Services
102,149

 
106,490

 
296,459

 
292,145

Other
14,087

 
16,868

 
41,996

 
33,115

Corporate
634

 
688

 
1,880

 
2,075

Subtotal
534,731

 
552,665

 
1,565,774

 
1,588,529

Inter-segment eliminations
(283
)
 
(704
)
 
(1,028
)
 
(2,426
)
Total
$
534,448

 
$
551,961

 
$
1,564,746

 
$
1,586,103

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
$
48,747

 
$
39,138

 
$
131,901

 
$
98,238

Value Added Services
5,021

 
1,022

 
12,474

 
5,132

Other
(1,354
)
 
404

 
(2,038
)
 
1,245

Corporate
386

 
1,126

 
858

 
2,846

Total
$
52,800

 
$
41,690

 
$
143,195

 
$
107,461


(7)
Derivative Financial Instrument

In the normal course of business we are subject to risk from adverse fluctuations in foreign exchange and interest rates and commodity prices. We manage our risks for interest rate changes through use of an interest rate swap. At September 30, 2015, we had one interest rate swap outstanding, which matures in September 2019, with a notional value of $75.0 million and a pre-tax fair value loss of $2.5 million. The counterparty to this contract is a major financial institution. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the counterparty. We do not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes and have no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.

Our objective in managing exposure to interest rate risk is to limit the impact on earnings and cash flow. The extent to which we use such instruments is dependent on our access to these contracts in the financial markets and our success using other methods.

Our outstanding derivative financial instrument is recognized as an other long-term liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The interest rate swap is accounted for as a cash flow hedging instrument. At inception, we formally designated and documented the financial instrument as a hedge of a specific underlying exposure, the risk management objective, and the manner in which effectiveness of the hedge will be assessed. We formally assess, both at inception and at each reporting period thereafter, whether the derivative financial instrument is effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the related underlying exposure. All changes in fair value of outstanding derivatives in cash flow hedges, except any ineffective portion, are recorded in other comprehensive income until earnings are impacted by the hedged transaction. Classification of the gain or loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income upon release from comprehensive income is the same as that of the underlying exposure. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the instruments is recognized immediately in earnings.

We will discontinue the use of hedge accounting prospectively when (i) the derivative instrument is no longer effective in offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows of the underlying hedged item; (ii) the derivative instrument expires, is sold, terminated or exercised; or (iii) designating the derivative instrument as a hedge is no longer appropriate.

Should we discontinue hedge accounting because it is no longer probable that an anticipated transaction will occur in the originally expected period, or within an additional two-month period thereafter, changes to fair value accumulated in other comprehensive income would be recognized immediately in earnings.

FASB ASC 815-10 requires companies to recognize the derivative instrument as an asset or a liability at fair value in the statement of financial position. Fair value of the derivative instrument is required to be measured under the FASB’s Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures guidance, which establishes a hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs

13
Table of Contents

classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy). Level 1 inputs use quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. The fair value of our interest rate swap is based on Level 2 inputs.
 

14
Table of Contents

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (the “MD&A”) summarizes the financial statements from management’s perspective with respect to our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and other factors that may affect actual results. The MD&A is organized in the following sections:
•
Overview
•
Results of Operations
•
Liquidity and Capital Resources
•
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
•
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
•
Regulations
•
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
•
Accounting Standards
The MD&A should be read in conjunction with our 2014 Form 10-K.
Overview:
We have two reportable segments, Truckload Transportation Services ("Truckload") and Value Added Services ("VAS"), and we operate in the truckload and logistics sectors of the transportation industry. In the truckload sector, we focus on transporting consumer nondurable products that generally ship more consistently throughout the year. In the logistics sector, besides managing transportation requirements for individual customers, we provide additional sources of truck capacity, alternative modes of transportation, a global delivery network and systems analysis to optimize transportation needs. Our success depends on our ability to efficiently and effectively manage our resources in the delivery of truckload transportation and logistics services to our customers. Resource requirements vary with customer demand, which may be subject to seasonal or general economic conditions. Our ability to adapt to changes in customer transportation requirements is essential to efficiently deploy resources and make capital investments in tractors and trailers (with respect to our Truckload segment) or obtain qualified third-party capacity at a reasonable price (with respect to our VAS segment). Although our business volume is not highly concentrated in certain customers or goods, we may also be affected by our customers’ financial failures or loss of customer business.
Revenues for our Truckload segment operating units (One-Way Truckload and Specialized Services) are typically generated on a per-mile basis and also include revenues such as stop charges, loading and unloading charges, equipment detention charges and equipment repositioning charges. To mitigate our risk to fuel price increases, we recover from our customers additional fuel surcharges that generally recoup a majority of the increased fuel costs; however, we cannot assure that current recovery levels will continue in future periods. Because fuel surcharge revenues fluctuate in response to changes in fuel costs, we identify them separately and exclude them from the statistical calculations to provide a more meaningful comparison between periods. The key statistics used to evaluate trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, are (i) average revenues per tractor per week, (ii) average percentage of empty miles (miles without trailer cargo), (iii) average trip length (in loaded miles) and (iv) average number of tractors in service. General economic conditions, seasonal trucking industry freight patterns and industry capacity are important factors that impact these statistics. Our Truckload segment also generates a small amount of revenues categorized as non-trucking revenues, related to shipments delivered to or from Mexico where the Truckload segment utilizes a third-party capacity provider. We exclude such revenues from the statistical calculations.
Our most significant resource requirements are company drivers, independent contractors, tractors and trailers. Independent contractors supply their own tractors and drivers and are responsible for their operating expenses. Our financial results are affected by company driver and independent contractor availability and the markets for new and used revenue equipment. We are self-insured for a significant portion of bodily injury, property damage and cargo claims; workers’ compensation claims; and associate health claims (supplemented by premium-based insurance coverage above certain dollar levels). For that reason, our financial results may also be affected by driver safety, medical costs, weather, legal and regulatory environments and insurance coverage costs to protect against catastrophic losses.
The operating ratio is a common industry measure used to evaluate our profitability and that of our Truckload segment operating fleets. The operating ratio consists of operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenues. The most significant variable expenses that impact the Truckload segment are driver salaries and benefits, fuel, fuel taxes (included in taxes and licenses expense), payments to independent contractors (included in rent and purchased transportation expense), supplies and maintenance and insurance and claims. As discussed further in the comparison of operating results for third quarter 2015 to third quarter 2014, several industry-wide issues have caused, and could continue to cause, costs to increase in future periods. These issues include shortages of drivers or independent contractors, changing fuel prices, higher new truck and trailer purchase prices and compliance with new or proposed regulations. Our main fixed costs include depreciation expense for tractors and trailers and equipment licensing fees (included in taxes and licenses expense). The Truckload segment requires substantial cash expenditures

15
Table of Contents

for tractor and trailer purchases. We fund these purchases with net cash from operations and financing available under our existing credit facilities, as management deems necessary.
We provide non-trucking services primarily through the four operating units within our VAS segment (Brokerage, Freight Management, Intermodal and Werner Global Logistics international). Unlike our Truckload segment, the VAS segment is less asset-intensive and is instead dependent upon qualified associates, information systems and qualified third-party capacity providers. The largest expense item related to the VAS segment is the cost of purchased transportation we pay to third-party capacity providers. This expense item is recorded as rent and purchased transportation expense. Other operating expenses consist primarily of salaries, wages and benefits. We evaluate the VAS segment's financial performance by reviewing the gross margin percentage (revenues less rent and purchased transportation expenses expressed as a percentage of revenues) and the operating income percentage. The gross margin percentage can be impacted by the rates charged to customers and the costs of securing third-party capacity. We have a mix of contracted long-term rates and variable rates for the cost of third-party capacity, and we cannot assure that our operating results will not be adversely impacted in the future if our ability to obtain qualified third-party capacity providers changes or the rates of such providers increase.

Results of Operations:
The following table sets forth the Consolidated Statements of Income in dollars and as a percentage of total operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease in the dollar amounts of those items compared to the prior year.  
 
 
Three Months Ended (3ME)
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended (9ME)
September 30,
 
Percentage Change in Dollar Amounts
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
3ME
9ME
(Amounts in thousands)
$
%
 
$
%
 
$
%
 
$
%
 
%
%
Operating revenues
$
534,448

100.0

 
$
551,961

100.0
 
$
1,564,746

100.0

 
$
1,586,103

100.0

 
(3.2
)%
(1.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Salaries, wages and benefits
167,301

31.3

 
149,206

27.0
 
479,142

30.6

 
428,425

27.0

 
12.1
 %
11.8
 %
Fuel
50,855

9.5

 
86,820

15.7
 
160,996

10.3

 
270,026

17.0

 
(41.4
)%
(40.4
)%
Supplies and maintenance
50,283

9.4

 
48,527

8.8
 
144,328

9.2

 
140,268

8.8

 
3.6
 %
2.9
 %
Taxes and licenses
22,616

4.2

 
21,420

3.9
 
66,459

4.3

 
63,563

4.0

 
5.6
 %
4.6
 %
Insurance and claims
17,372

3.3

 
19,789

3.6
 
60,034

3.8

 
59,175

3.7

 
(12.2
)%
1.5
 %
Depreciation
49,081

9.2

 
44,182

8.0
 
143,065

9.1

 
131,878

8.3

 
11.1
 %
8.5
 %
Rent and purchased transportation
122,006

22.8

 
133,893

24.2
 
360,706

23.1

 
373,778

23.6

 
(8.9
)%
(3.5
)%
Communications and utilities
3,786

0.7

 
3,689

0.7
 
11,301

0.7

 
10,597

0.7

 
2.6
 %
6.6
 %
Other
(1,652
)
(0.3
)
 
2,745

0.5
 
(4,480
)
(0.3
)
 
932

0.1

 
(160.2
)%
(580.7
)%
Total operating expenses
481,648

90.1

 
510,271

92.4
 
1,421,551

90.8

 
1,478,642

93.2

 
(5.6
)%
(3.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 


 


Operating income
52,800

9.9

 
41,690

7.6
 
143,195

9.2

 
107,461

6.8

 
26.6
 %
33.3
 %
Total other expense (income)
(217
)
—

 
(431
)
—
 
(262
)
—

 
(1,557
)
(0.1
)
 
49.7
 %
83.2
 %
Income before income taxes
53,017

9.9

 
42,121

7.6
 
143,457

9.2

 
109,018

6.9

 
25.9
 %
31.6
 %
Income taxes
20,941

3.9

 
16,151

2.9
 
56,391

3.6

 
43,077

2.7

 
29.7
 %
30.9
 %
Net income
$
32,076

6.0

 
$
25,970

4.7
 
$
87,066

5.6

 
$
65,941

4.2

 
23.5
 %
32.0
 %



16
Table of Contents

The following tables set forth the operating revenues, operating expenses and operating income for the Truckload segment, as well as certain statistical data regarding our Truckload segment operations for the periods indicated.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Truckload Transportation Services (amounts in thousands)
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge
$
360,124

 
 
 
$
334,520

 
 
 
$
1,042,309

 
 
 
$
978,067

 
 
Trucking fuel surcharge revenues
52,428

 
 
 
88,805

 
 
 
167,175

 
 
 
268,563

 
 
Non-trucking and other operating revenues
5,309

 
 
 
5,294

 
 
 
15,955

 
 
 
14,564

 
 
Operating revenues
417,861

 
100.0
 
428,619

 
100.0
 
1,225,439

 
100.0
 
1,261,194

 
100.0
Operating expenses
369,114

 
88.3
 
389,481

 
90.9
 
1,093,538

 
89.2
 
1,162,956

 
92.2
Operating income
$
48,747

 
11.7
 
$
39,138

 
9.1
 
$
131,901

 
10.8
 
$
98,238

 
7.8

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Truckload Transportation Services
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Operating ratio, net of fuel surcharge revenues (1)
86.7
%
 
88.5
%
 
 
 
87.5
%
 
90.1
%
 
 
Average revenues per tractor per week (2)
$
3,767

 
$
3,690

 
2.1
%
 
$
3,710

 
$
3,577

 
3.7
%
Average trip length in miles (loaded)
483

 
475

 
1.7
%
 
480

 
469

 
2.3
%
Average percentage of empty miles (3)
12.53
%
 
12.04
%
 
4.1
%
 
12.30
%
 
12.05
%
 
2.1
%
Average tractors in service
7,355

 
6,974

 
5.5
%
 
7,205

 
7,011

 
2.8
%
Total trailers (at quarter end)
22,495

 
22,005

 
 
 
22,495

 
22,005

 
 
Total tractors (at quarter end):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Company
6,710

 
6,395

 
 
 
6,710

 
6,395

 
 
     Independent contractor
705

 
665

 
 
 
705

 
665

 
 
          Total tractors
7,415

 
7,060

 
 
 
7,415

 
7,060

 
 

(1)
Calculated as if fuel surcharge revenues are excluded from total revenues and instead reported as a reduction of operating expenses, which provides a more consistent basis for comparing results of operations from period to period.
(2) 
Net of fuel surcharge revenues.
(3) 
“Empty” refers to miles without trailer cargo.

The following tables set forth the VAS segment’s revenues, rent and purchased transportation expense, gross margin, other operating expenses (primarily salaries, wages and benefits expense) and operating income, as well as certain statistical data regarding the VAS segment.
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Value Added Services (amounts in thousands)
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
 
$
 
%
Operating revenues
$
102,149

 
100.0
 
$
106,490

 
100.0
 
$
296,459

 
100.0
 
$
292,145

 
100.0
Rent and purchased transportation expense
86,085

 
84.3
 
93,762

 
88.0
 
251,406

 
84.8
 
253,525

 
86.8
Gross margin
16,064

 
15.7
 
12,728

 
12.0
 
45,053

 
15.2
 
38,620

 
13.2
Other operating expenses
11,043

 
10.8
 
11,706

 
11.0
 
32,579

 
11.0
 
33,488

 
11.4
Operating income
$
5,021

 
4.9
 
$
1,022

 
1.0
 
$
12,474

 
4.2
 
$
5,132

 
1.8
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
Value Added Services
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
% Change
Average tractors in service
60

 
50

 
20.0
 %

 
54

 
48

 
12.5
 %
Total trailers (at quarter end)
1,405

 
1,750

 
(19.7
)%

 
1,405

 
1,750

 
(19.7
)%
Total tractors (at quarter end)
70

 
55

 
27.3
 %

 
70

 
55

 
27.3
 %

17
Table of Contents

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues decreased 3.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of the prior year. When comparing third quarter 2015 to third quarter 2014, Truckload segment revenues decreased $10.8 million or 2.5%, and VAS revenues decreased $4.3 million or 4.1%. The significantly lower fuel prices in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 primarily caused a reduction in fuel surcharge revenues by $36 million in the Truckload segment and revenues by an estimated $7 million in the VAS segment. This had the effect of reducing total consolidated revenues by an estimated 8% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014.
Freight demand in third quarter 2015 and October 2015 was similar to historical standards and not as strong as the robust freight market during the same periods in 2014.
We believe constrained truck capacity combined with a gradually improving economy in the retail, consumer products and grocery products markets, which are the primary markets we serve, are contributing to freight demand trends. Truckload industry capacity is challenged by an extremely competitive driver recruiting market and heightened regulatory cost increases for safety and truck ownership. We expect this trend, which we believe is favorable to the Company, will continue. There are numerous pending and proposed federal safety initiatives that could further limit truckload and driver capacity in the next few years, including mandatory electronic logging devices (ELD’s), a national drug and alcohol driver database, increased minimum liability insurance requirements for carriers, more sophisticated drug screening procedures for drivers and mandatory truck speed limiter devices. We expect that the final rule for ELD’s will be issued in fourth quarter 2015.
Trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, increased 7.7% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 due to a 2.1% increase in average revenues per tractor per week, net of fuel surcharge, and a 5.5% increase in the average number of tractors in service. Our continued focus on securing driver friendly, highly productive freight and improved freight selection using our proprietary freight optimization system enabled us to essentially maintain our average miles per truck in a freight market that is not as strong as third quarter 2014. Our average miles per truck declined slightly by 0.7% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014.
We believe we are making continued progress implementing sustainable rate increases with our customers. These efforts are ongoing as we move forward and work to recoup the cost increases associated with more expensive equipment, a shrinking supply of qualified drivers and an increasingly challenging regulatory environment.
The average number of tractors in service in the Truckload segment increased 5.5% to 7,355 in third quarter 2015 from 6,974 in third quarter 2014. Following an ongoing and intense company-wide focus to improve our driver recruiting and retention, we ended third quarter 2015 with 7,415 trucks in the Truckload segment, a sequential improvement of 140 trucks compared to the end of second quarter 2015 and a year-over-year improvement of 355 trucks compared to the end of third quarter 2014. In mid-August 2014, we increased pay by varying percentage amounts for many drivers in certain fleets within our One-Way Truckload unit. After these driver pay changes, our driver and truck count increased from July 2014 levels. Additionally, over the last several quarters, we increased driver pay in multiple Dedicated fleets, most of which were funded by customer rate increases to ensure truck capacity. We cannot predict whether future driver shortages, if any, will adversely affect our ability to maintain our fleet size. If such a driver market shortage were to occur, it could result in a fleet size reduction, and our results of operations could be adversely affected.
Trucking fuel surcharge revenues represent collections from customers for the increase in fuel and fuel-related expenses, including the fuel component of our independent contractor cost (recorded as rent and purchased transportation expense) and fuel taxes (recorded in taxes and licenses expense), when diesel fuel prices rise. Conversely, when fuel prices decrease, fuel surcharge revenues decrease. These revenues decreased 41.0% to $52.4 million in third quarter 2015 from $88.8 million in third quarter 2014 due to lower average fuel prices in the 2015 quarter. To lessen the effect of fluctuating fuel prices on our margins, we collect fuel surcharge revenues from our customers for the cost of diesel fuel and taxes in excess of specified base fuel price levels according to terms in our customer contracts. Fuel surcharge rates generally adjust weekly based on an independent U.S. Department of Energy fuel price survey which is released every Monday. Our fuel surcharge programs are designed to (i) recoup higher fuel costs from customers when fuel prices rise and (ii) provide customers with the benefit of lower fuel costs when fuel prices decline. These programs generally enable us to recover a majority, but not all, of the fuel price increases. The remaining portion is generally not recoverable because it results from empty and out-of-route miles (which are not billable to customers) and truck idle time. Fuel prices that change rapidly in short time periods also impact our recovery because the surcharge rate in most programs only changes once per week.
VAS revenues are generated by its four operating units and exclude revenues for full truckload shipments transferred to the Truckload segment, which are recorded as trucking revenues by the Truckload segment. VAS also recorded revenue and brokered freight expense of $0.3 million in third quarter 2015 and $0.7 million in third quarter 2014 for Intermodal drayage movements

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performed by the Truckload segment (also recorded as trucking revenue by the Truckload segment), and these transactions between reporting segments are eliminated in consolidation. In third quarter 2015, VAS revenues decreased $4.3 million or 4.1%, and operating income dollars increased $4.0 million or 391.3%, compared to third quarter 2014. VAS revenue growth was reduced due in part to significantly lower fuel prices in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 which decreased VAS revenues. Adjusting for lower fuel prices that reduced operating revenues by an estimated $7 million, operating revenues would have increased 3%. The VAS gross margin percentage in third quarter 2015 of 15.7% improved year over year compared to the gross margin percentage of 12.0% in third quarter 2014. The VAS operating income percentage in third quarter 2015 of 4.9% improved from third quarter 2014 of 1.0%.
Operating Expenses
Our operating ratio (operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenues) was 90.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 92.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Expense items that impacted the overall operating ratio are described on the following pages. The tables on pages 16 and 17 show the Consolidated Statements of Income in dollars and as a percentage of total operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease in the dollar amounts of those items compared to the same quarter of the prior year, as well as the operating ratios, operating margins, and certain statistical information for our two reportable segments, Truckload and VAS.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $18.1 million or 12.1% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and increased 4.3% as a percentage of operating revenues to 31.3%. The higher dollar amount of salaries, wages and benefits expense was due primarily to higher driver salaries and payroll related fringe benefits, due to higher driver pay rates and more company trucks and miles in the 2015 third quarter. Additionally, in third quarter 2015, we accrued a total of $3.9 million of expense related to a class action suit involving an employment related claim and a separation agreement for an executive resignation previously disclosed in third quarter 2015. When evaluated on a per-mile basis, driver salaries, wages and benefits increased as well, which we primarily attribute to higher driver pay which increased 8% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014. In mid-August 2014, we increased pay by varying percentage amounts for many drivers within our One-Way Truckload unit. Additionally, over the last several quarters, we increased driver pay in multiple Dedicated fleets, most of which were funded by customer rate increases to ensure capacity. Non-driver salaries, excluding the separation agreement noted above, increased 1% on a per-mile basis. Non-driver salaries, wages and benefits in the non-trucking VAS segment decreased 4.0%.
We renewed our workers' compensation insurance coverage for the policy year beginning April 1, 2015. Our coverage levels are the same as the prior policy year. We continue to maintain a self-insurance retention of $1.0 million per claim. Our workers’ compensation insurance premiums for the policy year beginning April 2015 were similar to those for the previous policy year.
The driver recruiting market remained very challenging during third quarter 2015. Several difficult market factors persist including a declining number of, and increased competition for, driver training school graduates, a gradually declining national unemployment rate, aging truck driver demographics and increased truck safety regulations. We are unable to predict whether we will experience future driver shortages. If such a shortage were to occur and additional driver pay rate increases became necessary to attract and retain drivers, our results of operations would be negatively impacted to the extent that we could not obtain corresponding freight rate increases.
Fuel decreased $36.0 million or 41.4% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and decreased 6.2% as a percentage of operating revenues due primarily to lower average diesel fuel prices. Average diesel fuel prices were $1.25 per gallon lower in third quarter 2015 than in third quarter 2014.
We continue to employ measures to improve our fuel miles per gallon (“mpg”) such as (i) limiting truck engine idle time, (ii) optimizing the speed, weight and specifications of our equipment and (iii) implementing mpg-enhancing equipment changes to our fleet including new trucks with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) 2010 compliant engines, more aerodynamic truck features, idle reduction systems, trailer tire inflation systems, trailer skirts and automated manual transmissions to reduce our fuel gallons purchased. However, fuel savings from mpg improvement is offset by higher depreciation expense and the additional cost of diesel exhaust fluid (required in tractors with engines that meet the 2010 EPA emission standards). Although our fuel management programs require significant capital investment and research and development, we intend to continue these and other environmentally conscious initiatives, including our active participation as an EPA SmartWay Transport Partner. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a national voluntary program developed by the EPA and freight industry representatives to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution and promote cleaner, more efficient ground freight transportation.
For October 2015, the average diesel fuel price per gallon was approximately $1.03 lower than the average diesel fuel price per gallon in the same period of 2014 and approximately 82 cents lower than in fourth quarter 2014.
Shortages of fuel, increases in fuel prices and petroleum product rationing can have a materially adverse effect on our operations and profitability. We are unable to predict whether fuel price levels will increase or decrease in the future or the extent

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to which fuel surcharges will be collected from customers. As of September 30, 2015, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.
Supplies and maintenance increased $1.8 million or 3.6% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and increased 0.6% as a percentage of operating revenues. Increased driver advertising and other driver related expenses were primarily responsible for the increase in supplies and maintenance. Despite higher company driver miles in third quarter 2015, repairs and maintenance for our tractor and trailer fleet decreased slightly due to our younger fleet. The average age of our company truck fleet was 1.9 years at the end of third quarter 2015, 2.3 years at the end of third quarter of 2014 and 2.0 years at the end of second quarter 2015.
Taxes and licenses increased $1.2 million or 5.6% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and increased 0.3% as a percentage of operating revenues. The increase resulted from a higher truck count and driving more miles in third quarter 2015 than in third quarter 2014.
Insurance and claims decreased $2.4 million or 12.2% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and decreased 0.3% as a percentage of operating revenues. The decrease in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 was primarily the result of lower expense for new large dollar liability claims and favorable development on prior period small dollar claims during the 2015 quarter. The majority of our insurance and claims expense results from our claim experience and claim development under our self-insurance program; the remainder results from insurance premiums for claims in excess of our self-insured limits. We renewed our liability insurance policies on August 1, 2015 and continued to be responsible for the first $2.0 million per claim with an annual $8.0 million aggregate for claims between $2.0 million and $5.0 million and an annual aggregate of $5.0 million for claims in excess of $5.0 million and less than $10.0 million. We maintain liability insurance coverage with insurance carriers substantially in excess of the $10.0 million per claim. Our liability and cargo insurance premiums for the policy year that began August 1, 2015 are slightly lower than premiums for the previous policy year on a per-mile basis.
Depreciation expense increased $4.9 million or 11.1% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and increased 1.2% as a percentage of operating revenues. This increase was due primarily to the higher cost of new trucks purchased compared to the cost of used trucks that were sold over the past 12 months, as well as the growth in the number of company trucks. In addition, the purchase of new trailers over the past 12 months to replace older used trailers which were fully depreciated also contributed to the increase in depreciation expense.
Depreciation expense has been historically affected by a series of changes to engine emissions standards imposed by the EPA that became effective in October 2002, January 2007 and January 2010, resulting in increased truck purchase costs. Trucks with 2010-standard engines have a higher purchase price than trucks manufactured to meet the 2007 standards, but the 2010-standard engines are more fuel efficient. As of September 30, 2015, nearly all company trucks had engines that comply with the 2010 emissions standards.
Rent and purchased transportation expense decreased $11.9 million or 8.9% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and decreased 1.4 % as a percentage of operating revenues. Rent and purchased transportation expense consists mostly of payments to third-party capacity providers in the VAS segment and other non-trucking operations and payments to independent contractors in the Truckload segment. The payments to third-party capacity providers generally vary depending on changes in the volume of services generated by the VAS segment. VAS rent and purchased transportation expense decreased $7.7 million, primarily due to lower fuel prices, and as a percentage of VAS revenues decreased to 84.3% in third quarter 2015 from 88.0% in third quarter 2014. This improved gross margin percentage was due primarily to our on-going efforts to address customer pricing, contractual and operational issues with VAS.
Rent and purchased transportation for the Truckload segment decreased $4.3 million in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014. This decrease is due primarily to lower fuel prices that resulted in lower reimbursements to independent contractors for fuel. Independent contractor miles as a percentage of total miles were 11.7% in third quarter 2015 compared to 11.8% in third quarter 2014.
Challenging operating conditions continue to make independent contractor recruitment and retention difficult. Such conditions include inflationary cost increases that are the responsibility of independent contractors and a shortage of financing available to independent contractors for equipment purchases. We have historically been able to add company tractors and recruit additional company drivers to offset any decrease in the number of independent contractors. If a shortage of independent contractors and company drivers occurs, further increases in per-mile settlement rates (for independent contractors) and driver pay rates (for company drivers) may become necessary to attract and retain these drivers. This could negatively affect our results of operations to the extent that we would not be able to obtain corresponding freight rate increases.

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Communication and utilities increased $0.1 million or 2.6% in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and did not change as a percentage of operating revenues. This increase is primarily due to higher communications costs in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014.
Other operating expenses decreased $4.4 million in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2015 and decreased 0.8% as a percentage of operating revenues. Gains on sales of assets (primarily used trucks and trailers) are reflected as a reduction of other operating expenses and are reported net of sales-related expenses (which include costs to prepare the equipment for sale). Gains on sales of assets increased to $6.7 million in third quarter 2015, including a $0.7 million gain from the sale of real estate, from $4.5 million in third quarter 2014. In third quarter 2015, we sold more trucks and trailers than in third quarter 2014. We realized lower average gains per truck truck and higher average gains per trailer in the 2015 quarter.
Other Expense (Income)
Other expense (income) increased $0.2 million in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 and did not change as a percentage of operating revenues. Interest expense was higher in third quarter 2015 compared to third quarter 2014 because we had a higher amount of average debt outstanding. We entered into an interest rate swap agreement in September 2014 that effectively fixed our interest rate at 2.5% for five years on debt of $75 million.
Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate (income taxes expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes) increased to 39.5% for third quarter 2015 from 38.3% for third quarter 2014. The lower income tax rate for third quarter 2014 is attributed to certain refunds of prior year state income taxes.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Operating Revenues
Operating revenues decreased 1.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of the prior year. In the Truckload segment, trucking revenues, net of fuel surcharge, increased 6.6% in the 2015 year-to-date period compared to the 2014 year-to-date period due primarily to a 3.7% increase in average revenues per tractor per week and a 2.8% increase in the average number of tractors in service. Average revenues per total mile, net of fuel surcharge, increased 3.3% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, and average monthly miles per tractor increased by 0.4%. Truckload segment fuel surcharge revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 decreased $101.4 million or 37.8% when compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to lower average fuel prices in the 2015 period. VAS revenues increased 1.5%, from $292.1 million in the first nine months of 2014 to $296.5 million in the same 2015 period. VAS revenue growth was reduced due in part to significantly lower fuel prices in this first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 which decreased VAS revenues.
Operating Expenses
Our operating ratio (operating expenses expressed as a percentage of operating revenues) was 90.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 93.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Expense items that impacted the overall operating ratio are described on the following pages. The tables on pages 16 and 17 show the Consolidated Statements of Income in dollars and as a percentage of total operating revenues and the percentage increase or decrease in the dollar amounts of those items compared to the same period of the prior year, as well as the operating ratios, operating margins, and certain statistical information for our two reportable segments, Truckload and VAS.
Salaries, wages and benefits increased $50.7 million or 11.8% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 and increased 3.6% as a percentage of operating revenues to 30.6%. The higher dollar amount of salaries, wages and benefits expense was due primarily to higher driver and non-driver salaries and payroll related fringe benefits. When evaluated on a per-mile basis, driver and non-driver salaries, wages and benefits increased as well, which we primarily attribute to higher driver pay. Non-driver salaries, wages and benefits in the non-trucking VAS segment decreased 2.4%.
Fuel decreased $109.0 million or 40.4% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and decreased 6.7% as a percentage of operating revenues due primarily to lower average diesel fuel prices. Average diesel fuel prices were $1.23 per gallon lower in the first nine months of 2015 than in the same 2014 period.
Supplies and maintenance increased $4.1 million or 2.9% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and increased 0.4% as a percentage of operating revenues. Increased driver advertising, other driver related expenses and higher company driver miles in the first nine months of 2015 compared to same period in 2014 were primarily responsible for the increase in supplies and maintenance.

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Taxes and licenses increased $2.9 million or 4.6% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period and increased 0.3% as a percentage of operating revenues. The increase resulted from a higher company truck count, driving more miles in the year-to-date 2015 period and an increase in property taxes.
Insurance and claims increased $0.9 million or 1.5% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and increased 0.1% as a percentage of operating revenues due primarily to the higher costs related to large dollar liability claims.
Depreciation expense increased $11.2 million or 8.5% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period and increased 0.8% as a percentage of operating revenues due primarily to the higher cost of new trucks purchased compared to the cost of used trucks that were sold over the past 12 months, as well as the growth in the number of company trucks. In addition, the purchase of new trailers over the past 12 months to replace older used trailers which were fully depreciated also contributed to the increase in depreciation expense.
Rent and purchased transportation expense decreased $13.1 million or 3.5% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period and decreased 0.5% as a percentage of operating revenues due to reduced fuel prices. Rent and purchased transportation for the Truckload segment decreased $12.4 million in first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period. This decrease is due primarily to lower fuel prices that resulted in lower reimbursements to independent contractors for fuel and lower independent contractor miles in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, offset partially by a higher average settlement rate per mile. VAS rent and purchased transportation expense decreased $2.1 million and as a percentage of VAS revenues decreased to 84.8% in the 2015 period from the 86.8% in the 2014 period. The VAS gross margin percentage improved because of our on-going efforts to address customer pricing, contractual and operational issues with VAS.
Communication and utilities increased $0.7 million or 6.6% in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period and did not change as a percentage of operating revenues. This increase is primarily due to higher communication costs in the 2015 year-to-date period compared to the 2014 year-to-date period.
Other operating expenses decreased $5.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 and decreased 0.4% as a percentage of operating revenues. Gains on sales of assets (primarily used trucks and trailers) increased to $18.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $14.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In the 2015 year-to-date period, we sold more trucks and trailers and realized higher average gains per truck and trailer sold. The 2015 year-to-date period included a $0.7 million gain from the sale of real estate, and the 2014 year-to-date period also included a $1.6 million gain from the sale of real estate.
Other Expense (Income)
Other expense (income) increased $1.3 million in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same 2014 period and increased 0.1% as a percentage of operating revenues. Interest expense was higher in the first nine months of 2015 compared to first nine months of 2014 because we had a higher amount of average debt outstanding. We entered into an interest rate swap agreement in September 2014 that effectively fixed our interest rate at 2.5% for five years on debt of $75 million.
Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate (income taxes expressed as a percentage of income before income taxes) decreased to 39.3% for the first nine months of 2015 from 39.5% for the first nine months of 2014. The lower income tax rate for the first nine months of 2015 is attributed to lower projected non-deductible expenses and lower state income taxes, as well as certain state income tax refunds for prior periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources:
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we generated cash flow from operations of $282.8 million, a 71% increase ($117.6 million) in cash flows compared to the same nine-month period a year ago. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from a $61.5 million increase from general working capital activities (including $48.6 million related to accounts receivable due to the timing of customer payments and a $24.9 million decrease in income tax payments due primarily resulting from estimated income tax payments made in December 2014 that were higher than required due to tax regulation changes enacted after the payments were made) and a $21.1 million increase in net income. We were able to make net capital expenditures and pay dividends with the net cash provided by operating activities and existing cash balances.
Net cash used in investing activities increased to $239.2 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 from $139.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. Net property additions (primarily revenue equipment) were $251.1 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, compared to $146.8 million during the same period of 2014. This increase occurred as we continued to lower the average age of our company truck fleet during 2015. As of September 30,

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2015, we were committed to property and equipment purchases of approximately $106.9 million. We currently estimate net capital expenditures (primarily revenue equipment) in 2015 to be in the range of $300 million to $325 million, compared to net capital expenditures in 2014 of $212.3 million. We intend to fund these net capital expenditures through cash flow from operations and financing available under our existing credit facilities, as management deems necessary.
Net financing activities used $19.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and $2.1 million during the same period in 2014. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015, we made a $3.1 million note payment. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014, we repaid long-term debt totaling $40.0 million and borrowed $75.0 million of long-term debt. Our outstanding debt at September 30, 2015, was $75.0 million. We paid dividends of $10.8 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 and $10.9 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014. Financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, also included common stock repurchases of 225,000 shares at a cost of $6.4 million compared to 1,200,000 shares at a cost of $30.6 million in the 2014 period. From time to time, the Company has repurchased, and may continue to repurchase, shares of the Company’s common stock. The timing and amount of such purchases depend upon stock market conditions and other factors. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had purchased 3,287,291 shares pursuant to our current Board of Directors repurchase authorization and had 4,712,709 shares remaining available for repurchase.
Management believes our financial position at September 30, 2015 is strong. As of September 30, 2015, we had $45.9 million of cash and cash equivalents and $903.2 million of stockholders’ equity. Cash is invested primarily in government portfolio money market funds. As of September 30, 2015, we had a total of $325.0 million of credit pursuant to three credit facilities (see Note 1 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 1 of Part I of this Form 10-Q for information regarding our credit agreements as of September 30, 2015), of which we had borrowed $75.0 million. The remaining $250.0 million of credit available under these facilities is reduced by the $31.0 million in stand-by letters of credit under which we are obligated. These stand-by letters of credit are primarily required as security for insurance policies. Based on our strong financial position, management does not foresee any significant barriers to obtaining sufficient financing, if necessary.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments:
The following tables set forth our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of September 30, 2015.
Payments Due by Period
(Amounts in millions)
Total
 
Less than
1 year
 
1-3 years
 
3-5 years
 
More than
5 years
 
Period
Unknown
Contractual Obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrecognized tax benefits
$
8.4

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
8.4

Long-term debt including current maturities
75.0

 
—

 
—

 
75.0

 
—

 
—

Interest payments on debt
7.5

 
1.9

 
3.8

 
1.8

 
—

 
 
Property and equipment purchase commitments
106.9

 
106.9

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total contractual cash obligations
$
197.8

 
$
108.8

 
$
3.8

 
$
76.8

 
$
—

 
$
8.4

Other Commercial Commitments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unused lines of credit
$
219.0

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
219.0

 
$
—

 
$
—

Stand-by letters of credit
31.0

 
31.0

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Total commercial commitments
$
250.0

 
$
31.0

 
$
—

 
$
219.0

 
$
—

 
$
—

Total obligations
$
447.8

 
$
139.8

 
$
3.8

 
$
295.8

 
$
—

 
$
8.4

As of September 30, 2015, we had unsecured committed credit facilities with three banks as well as a term commitment with one of those banks. In July 2015, we added a credit facility with U.S. Bank N.A. and amended our prior agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. We now have with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. a $100 million credit facility which will expire on July 12, 2020 (prior to the recent amendment, it was a $175 million facility expiring May 31, 2016) and a $75 million term commitment with principal due and payable on September 15, 2019. We added in July a $75 million credit facility with U.S. Bank N.A. which will expire on July 13, 2020. We also have a $75 million credit facility with BMO Harris Bank, N.A., which will expire on March 5, 2020. Borrowings under the credit facilities and term note bear variable interest (0.8066% at September 30, 2015) based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), with interest on the term note effectively fixed at 2.5% with an interest rate swap agreement. Interest payments on debt are based on the debt balance and interest rate at September 30, 2015. The credit available under these facilities is further reduced by the amount of stand-by letters of credit under which we are obligated. The stand-by letters of credit are primarily required for insurance policies. The unused lines of credit are available to us in the event we need financing for the replacement of our fleet or for other significant capital expenditures. Management believes our financial position is strong, and we therefore expect that we could obtain additional financing, if necessary. Property and equipment purchase commitments relate to committed equipment expenditures, primarily for revenue equipment. As of September 30, 2015, we had

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recorded an $8.4 million liability for unrecognized tax benefits. We expect none of it to be settled within the next twelve months and are unable to reasonably determine when the $8.4 million categorized as “period unknown” will be settled.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:
We began leasing certain tractors under non-cancelable operating leases in May 2011, and those leases ended in second quarter 2015.
Regulations:
Item 1 of Part I of our 2014 Form 10-K includes a discussion of pending proposed regulations that may have an effect on our operations if they become adopted and effective as proposed. Except as described below, there have been no material changes in the status of these proposed regulations previously disclosed in the 2014 Form 10-K.
In September 2013, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”) withdrew its proposed rule regarding minimum requirements for entry level driver training programs and later formed the Entry-Level Driver Training Advisory Committee (“ELDTAC”) to conduct a negotiated rulemaking to implement entry-level driver training provisions. In June 2015, the ELDTAC reached a consensus and forwarded its recommendations to the FMCSA. The FMCSA has not yet taken action on the ELDTAC's recommendations. This rule could materially impact the number of potential new drivers entering the industry, and we currently cannot predict how the adoption of such rules would affect our driver recruitment and the overall driver market.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates:
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the (i) reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and (ii) reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis as events and circumstances change, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods considered reasonable in the particular circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates and may significantly impact our results of operations from period to period. It is also possible that materially different amounts would be reported if we used different estimates or assumptions.

Information regarding our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates can be found in our 2014 Form 10-K. The most critical accounting policies and estimates that require us to make significant judgments and estimates and affect our financial statements include the following:

•
Depreciation and impairment of tractors and trailers.
•
Estimates of accrued liabilities for insurance and claims for liability and physical damage losses and workers’ compensation.
•
Accounting for income taxes.
There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates from those discussed in our 2014 Form 10-K.
Accounting Standards:
In the descriptions under “New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted” and “Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Effective” that follow, references in quotations identify guidance and Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) relating to the topics and subtopics (and their descriptive titles, as appropriate) of the Accounting Standards Codification™ of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”).
New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
We did not adopt any new accounting standards during third quarter 2015.
Accounting Standards Updates Not Yet Effective
On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. In July 2015, the FASB voted to approve a one-year deferral of the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard and to permit early adoption but no earlier than the original effective date (annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016); such decisions were documented in the FASB's ASU No. 2015-14 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective

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Date." As a result of the deferral, the new standard will become effective for us beginning January 1, 2018, unless we choose to adopt early on January 1, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and have not yet selected a transition method.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-3, "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires debt issuance costs to be recorded as a direct reduction of the debt liability on the balance sheet rather than as an asset. The provisions of this update are effective as of January 1, 2016, and are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, "Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory," which requires inventory to be recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The provisions of this update are effective as of January 1, 2017, and are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other ASUs not effective until after September 30, 2015 are not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
Commodity Price Risk
The price and availability of diesel fuel are subject to fluctuations attributed to changes in the level of global oil production, refining capacity, seasonality, weather and other market factors. Historically, we have recovered a majority, but not all, of fuel price increases from customers in the form of fuel surcharges. We implemented customer fuel surcharge programs with most of our customers to offset much of the higher fuel cost per gallon. However, we do not recover all of the fuel cost increase through these surcharge programs. We cannot predict the extent to which fuel prices will increase or decrease in the future or the extent to which fuel surcharges could be collected. As of September 30, 2015, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We conduct business in several foreign countries, including Mexico, Canada, China and Australia. To date, most foreign revenues are denominated in U.S. Dollars, and we receive payment for foreign freight services primarily in U.S. Dollars to reduce direct foreign currency risk. Assets and liabilities maintained by a foreign subsidiary company in the local currency are subject to foreign exchange gains or losses. Foreign currency translation gains and losses primarily relate to changes in the value of revenue equipment owned by a subsidiary in Mexico, whose functional currency is the Peso. Foreign currency translation losses were $2.0 million for third quarter 2015 and $1.0 million for third quarter 2014 and were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Interest Rate Risk
We manage interest rate exposure through a mix of variable rate debt and interest rate swap agreements.We had $75.0 million of debt outstanding at September 30, 2015, for which the interest rate is effectively fixed at 2.5% through September 2019 with an interest rate swap agreement. Interest rates on our unused credit facilities are based on the LIBOR. Increases in interest rates could impact our annual interest expense on future borrowings. As of September 30, 2015, we had one effective interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $75.0 million to reduce our exposure to interest rate increases.

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


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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On October 15, 2007, we announced that on October 11, 2007 our Board of Directors approved an increase in the number of shares of our common stock that the Company is authorized to repurchase. Under this authorization, the Company is permitted to repurchase an additional 8,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2015, the Company had purchased 3,287,291 shares pursuant to this authorization and had 4,712,709 shares remaining available for repurchase. The Company may purchase shares from time to time depending on market, economic and other factors. The authorization will continue unless withdrawn by the Board of Directors.
No shares of common stock were repurchased during the third quarter 2015 by either the Company or any “affiliated purchaser,” as defined by Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act.


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Item 6. Exhibits.
 
Exhibit No.
  
Exhibit
  
Incorporated by Reference to:
3(i)
  
Restated Articles of Incorporation of Werner Enterprises, Inc.
  
Exhibit 3(i) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007
 
 
 
3(ii)
  
Revised and Restated By-Laws of Werner Enterprises, Inc.
  
Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 27, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
Severance Agreement and Release between the Registrant and Greg Werner
 
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
Named Executive Officer Compensation
 
Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Item 5.02 of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 24, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
11
 
Statement Re: Computation of Per Share Earnings
 
See Note 4 (Earnings Per Share) in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) under Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
 
 
 
31.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
31.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
32.1
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Furnished herewith
 
 
 
32.2
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002)
  
Furnished herewith
 
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.SCH
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.CAL
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.LAB
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101.DEF
  
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
Filed herewith
 


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
 
 
 
Date: November 2, 2015
By:
 
/s/ John J. Steele
 
 
 
John J. Steele
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
Date: November 2, 2015
By:
 
/s/ James L. Johnson
 
 
 
James L. Johnson
 
 
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting
Officer and Corporate Secretary

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