UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

 

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

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 201426, 2015

Or

 

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

For the transition period from                  to                

Commission File Number: 0-21238

 

Landstar System, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 06-1313069

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

13410 Sutton Park Drive South 32224
Jacksonville, Florida (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices) 

(904) 398-9400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value The NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

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

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files):    Yes  þ    No  ¨

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

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

 

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

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

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $2,819,920,000$2,905,285,000 (based on the per share closing price on June 28, 2014,26, 2015, the last business day of the Company’s second fiscal quarter, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market). In making this calculation, the registrant has assumed, without admitting for any purpose, that all directors and executive officers of the registrant, and no other persons, are affiliates.

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), outstanding as of the close of business on January 23, 201522, 2016 was 44,794,486.42,419,537.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the following document are incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K as indicated herein:

 

Document

  

Part of 10-K

Into Which
Incorporated

 

Proxy Statement relating to Landstar System, Inc.’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on May 19, 201517, 2016

   Part III  

 

 

 


LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

20142015 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

      Page 
   PART I    
Item 1.  

Business

   3  
Item 1A.  

Risk Factors

   1011  
Item 1B.  

Unresolved Staff Comments

   1516  
Item 2.  

Properties

   1516  
Item 3.  

Legal Proceedings

   1516  
Item 4.  

Mine Safety Disclosures

   1516  
  PART II  
Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   1617  
Item 6.  

Selected Financial Data

   1920  
Item 7.  

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

   2021  
Item 7A.  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

33
Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

   34  
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data36
Item 9.  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

   6062  
Item 9A.  

Controls and Procedures

   6062  
Item 9B.  

Other Information

   6365  
  PART III  
Item 10.  

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   6466  
Item 11.  

Executive Compensation

   6466  
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters   6466  
Item 13.  

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

   6466  
Item 14.  

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

   6466  
  PART IV  
Item 15.  

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

   6567  

Signatures

   6870  

 

EX – 31.1 Section 302 CEO Certification

EX – 31.2 Section 302 CFO Certification

EX – 32.1 Section 906 CEO Certification

EX – 32.2 Section 906 CFO Certification

PART I

 

Item 1.Business

General

Landstar System, Inc. was incorporated in January 1991 under the laws of the State of Delaware. It acquired all of the capital stock of its predecessor, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (“LSHI”) on March 28, 1991. Landstar System, Inc. has been a publicly held company since its initial public offering in March 1993. LSHI owns directly or indirectly all of the common stock of Landstar Ranger, Inc. (“Landstar Ranger”), Landstar Inway, Inc. (“Landstar Inway”), Landstar Ligon, Inc. (“Landstar Ligon”), Landstar Gemini, Inc. (“Landstar Gemini”), Landstar Transportation Logistics, Inc. (“Landstar Transportation Logistics”), Landstar Global Logistics, Inc. (“Landstar Global Logistics”), Landstar Express America, Inc. (“Landstar Express America”), Landstar Canada Holdings, Inc. (“LCHI”), Landstar Canada, Inc. (“Landstar Canada”), Landstar Contractor Financing, Inc. (“LCFI”), Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. (“RMCS”) and Signature Insurance Company (“Signature”). Landstar Ranger, Landstar Inway, Landstar Ligon, Landstar Gemini, Landstar Transportation Logistics, Landstar Global Logistics, Landstar Express America and Landstar Canada are collectively herein referred to as Landstar’s “Operating Subsidiaries.” Landstar System, Inc., LSHI, LCFI, RMCS, LCHI, Signature and the Operating Subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as “Landstar” or the “Company,” unless the context otherwise requires. The Company’s principal executive offices are located at 13410 Sutton Park Drive South, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 and its telephone number is (904) 398-9400. The Company makes available free of charge through its website its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, proxy and current reports on Form 8-K as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s website is www.landstar.com. You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 E. Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reading Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains the Company’s current and periodic reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically with the SEC.

On December 28, 2013, the Company completed the sale of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC (collectively, “LSCS”), to XPO Logistics, Inc. (“XPO”). The gain on the sale of LSCS and the operating results of LSCS for fiscal year 2013 and prior periods have been reclassified in the consolidated financial statements to discontinued operations.

Description of Business

Landstar is ana worldwide asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions. The Company offers services to its customers across multiple transportation modes, with the ability to arrange for individual shipments of freight to enterprise-wide solutions to manage all of a customer’s transportation needs. Landstar provides services principally throughout the United States and to a lesser extent in Canada, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries around the world. The Company’s services emphasize safety, information coordination and customer service and are delivered through a network of independent commission sales agents and third party capacity providers linked together by a series of technological applications which are provided and coordinated by the Company. The nature of the Company’s business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue.

Landstar markets its integrated transportation management solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport customers’ freight. Landstar’s independent commission sales agents enter into contractual arrangements with the Company and are responsible for locating freight, making that freight available to Landstar’s capacity providers and coordinating the transportation of the freight with customers and capacity providers. The Company’s third party capacity

providers consist of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”), unrelated trucking companies who provide truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (the “Truck Brokerage Carriers”), air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and railroads. Through this network of agents and capacity providers linked together by Landstar’s information technology systems, Landstar operates an integrated transportation management solutions business primarily throughout North America with revenue of $3.2$3.3 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company reports the results of two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment.

Transportation Logistics Segment

The transportation logistics segment provides a wide range of integrated transportation management solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border, project cargo and customs brokerage. Industries serviced by the transportation logistics segment include automotive products, building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics, ammunition and explosives and military equipment. In addition, the transportation logistics segment provides transportation services to other transportation companies, including third party logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Each of the independent commission sales agents has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment. Billings for freight transportation services are typically charged to customers on a per shipment basis for the physical transportation of freight and are referred to as transportation revenue. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for the amount of revenue from external customers, measure of profit and total assets attributable to the transportation logistics segment for the last three fiscal years.

Truck Services.    The transportation logistics segment’s truck transportation services include a full array of truckload transportation for a wide range of commodities much of which are transported over irregular or non-repetitive routes, and, to a lesser degree, less-than-truckload transportation services. A significant portion of the Company’s truckload services are delivered in the spot market over irregular or non-repetitive routes, while approximately 30% of the Company’s fiscal year 2015 truck transportation revenue was provided on more routine, regular routes utilizing Landstar provided trailing equipment. The Company utilizes a broad assortment of equipment, including dry and specialty vans of various sizes, unsided/platform trailers (including flatbeds, drop decks and light specialty trailers), temperature-controlled vans and containers. Available truck transportation services also include short-to-long haul movement of containers by truck and expedited ground and dedicated power-only truck capacity. During fiscal year 2014,2015, revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers was 48%46% and 46%47%, respectively, of consolidated revenue. Also, during fiscal year 2014,2015, truck transportation revenue hauled via van equipment and unsided/platform trailing equipment was 60%61% and 37%36%, respectively, of truck transportation revenue and less-than-truckload revenue was 3% of truck transportation revenue. The Company’s truck services contributed 93% of consolidated revenue in fiscal year 2015, 94% of consolidated revenue in fiscal year 2014 and 93% of consolidated revenue in both fiscal years 2013 and 2012.year 2013.

Rail Intermodal Services.The transportation logistics segment has contracts with Class 1 domestic and Canadian railroads, certain short-line railroads and most major asset-based intermodal equipment providers, including agreements with stacktrain operators and container and trailing equipment companies. In addition, the transportation logistics segment has contracts with a vast network of local trucking companies that handle pick-up and delivery of rail freight. These contracts provide the transportation logistics segment the ability to transport freight via rail throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The transportation logistics segment’s rail intermodal service capabilities include trailer on flat car, container on flat car, box car and railcar. The transportation logistics segment’s rail intermodal services contributed 3% of consolidated revenue in each of fiscal years 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012.2013.

Air and Ocean Services.The transportation logistics segment provides domestic and international air services and ocean services to its customers. The Company executes international freight transportation as an International Air Transport Association (IATA) certified Indirect Air Carrier (IAC), a Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) licensed non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) and as a licensed freight

forwarder. Through its network of independent commission sales agents, relationships within a global network of foreign freight forwarders and contracts with a number of airlines and ocean lines, the transportation logistics segment provides efficient and cost effective door-to-door transportation to most points in the world for a vast array of cargo types such as over-sized break bulk, consolidations, full container loads and refrigerated freight. The transportation logistics segment’s air and ocean services contributed 3% of consolidated revenue in fiscal year 2015, 2% of consolidated revenue in fiscal year 2014 and 3% of consolidated revenue in both fiscal years 2013 and 2012.year 2013.

Insurance Segment

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature, a wholly owned offshore insurance subsidiary, and RMCS. This segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstar’s Operating Subsidiaries. In addition, it reinsures certain risks of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and provides certain property and casualty insurance directly to certain of Landstar’s Operating Subsidiaries. Revenue at the insurance segment represents reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk of loss is ultimately borne by Signature. Revenue at the insurance segment represented approximately 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in each of fiscal years 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012.2013. See “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for the amount of revenue from external customers, measure of profit and total assets attributable to the insurance segment for the last three fiscal years.

Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations

Management believes the following factors are particularly significant to the Company’s operations:

Agent Network

The Company’s primary day-to-day contact with its customers is through its network of independent commission sales agents and, to a lesser extent, through employees of the Company. The typical Landstar independent commission sales agent maintains a relationship with a number of shippers and services these shippers utilizing the Company’s information technology systems and the various modes of transportation made available through the Company’s network of third party capacity providers. The Company provides assistance to the agents in developing additional relationships with shippers and enhancing agent and Company relationships with larger shippers through the Company’s field employees, located throughout the United States and Canada. The Operating Subsidiaries provide programs to support the agents’ operations and provide guidance on establishing pricing parameters for freight hauled by the various modes of transportation available to the agents. It is important to note that the Operating Subsidiaries, and not the Company’s agents, contract directly with customers and generally assume the related credit risk and potential liability for freight losses or damages when the Company is providing transportation services as a motor carrier.

Management believes the Company has more independent commission sales agents than any other asset-light integrated transportation management solutions company.company in the United States. Landstar’s vast network of independent commission sales agent locations provides the Company regular contact with shippers at the local level and the capability to be highly responsive to shippers’ changing needs. The Company’s large fleet of available capacity provides the agent network the resources needed to service both large and small shippers. Through its agent network, the Company offers smaller shippers a level of service comparable to that typically enjoyed only by larger customers. Examples include the ability to provide transportation services on short notice, multiple pick-up and delivery points, electronic data interchange capability and access to specialized equipment. In addition, a number of the Company’s agents specialize in certain types of freight and transportation services (such as oversized or heavy loads and/or rail, air and international freight transportation). Each independent commission sales agent has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment.

The independent commission sales agents use a variety of proprietary and third party information technology applications provided by the Company to service the requirements of shippers. For truckload services, the Company’s independent commission sales agents use Landstar proprietary software which enables

agents to enter available freight, dispatch capacity and process most administrative procedures and then communicate that information to Landstar and its capacity providers via the internet. The Company’s web-based available truck information system provides a listing of available truck capacity to the Company’s independent commission sales agents. For modes of transportation other than truckload, the independent commission sales agents utilize both proprietary and third party information technology applications provided by the Company.

Commissions to agents are based on contractually agreed-upon percentages of revenue or net revenue, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, or net revenue less a contractually agreed upon percentage of revenue retained by Landstar. Commissions to agents as a percentage of consolidated revenue will vary directly with fluctuations in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated by the various modes of transportation and reinsurance premiums and with changes in net revenue margin, defined as net revenue divided by revenue, on services provided by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads, air cargo carriers and ocean cargo carriers. Commissions to agents are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

The Company had 525512 and 478525 agents who each generated at least $1 million in Landstar revenue during 2014fiscal years 2015 and 2013,2014, respectively, (the “Million Dollar Agents”). Landstar revenue from the Million Dollar Agents in the aggregate represented 92% of consolidated revenue in 2014both fiscal years 2015 and 91% of consolidated revenue in 2013.2014. Annually, the Company has experienced very few terminations of its Million Dollar Agents, whether such terminations are initiated by the agent or the Company. Annual terminations of Million Dollar Agents are typically 3% or less of the total number of Million Dollar Agents. Management believes that the majority of the Million Dollar Agents choose to represent the Company exclusively.

Third Party Capacity

The Company relies exclusively on independent third parties for its hauling capacity other than for trailing equipment owned or leased by the Company and utilized primarily by the BCO Independent Contractors. These third party transportation capacity providers consist of BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers, air and ocean cargo carriers and railroads. Landstar’s use of capacity provided by third parties allows it to maintain a lower level of capital investment, resulting in lower fixed costs. During 2014,fiscal year 2015, revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers and railroads represented approximately 48%46%, 46%47% and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Historically, annual revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors has exceeded annual revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers. In fiscal year 2015, for the first time in the Company’s history, revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers exceeded revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors. Collectively, revenue hauled by air and ocean cargo carriers represented approximately 2%3% of the Company’s consolidated revenue during 2014.fiscal year 2015. Historically, the gross profit margin (defined as gross profit, which is defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents, divided by revenue) generated from freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors has been greater than that from freight hauled by other third party capacity providers. However, the Company’s insurance and claims costs and other operating costs are incurred primarily in support of BCO Independent Contractor capacity. In addition, as further described in the “Corporate Services” section that follows, the Company incurs significantly higher selling, general and administrative costs in support of BCO Independent Contractor capacity as compared to the other modes of transportation. Purchased transportation costs are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

BCO Independent Contractors.    Management believes the Company has the largest fleet of truckload BCO Independent Contractors in the United States. BCO Independent Contractors provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements. Each BCO Independent Contractor operates under the motor carrier operating authority issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to Landstar’s Operating Subsidiary to which such BCO Independent Contractor provides services and has leased his or her equipment.

The Company’s network of BCO Independent Contractors provides marketing, operating, safety, recruiting retention and financialretention advantages to the Company.

The Company’s BCO Independent Contractors are compensated primarily based on a contractually agreed-upon percentage of revenue generated by delivered loads they haul. This percentage generally ranges from 62% to 73% where the BCO Independent Contractor provides only a tractor and 72% to 77% where the BCO

Independent Contractor provides both a tractor and trailing equipment. The BCO Independent Contractor must pay substantially all of the expenses of operating his/her equipment, including driver wages and benefits, fuel, physical damage insurance, maintenance, highway use taxes and debt service, if applicable. The Company passes 100% of fuel surcharges billed to customers for freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors to its BCO Independent Contractors. During 2014,fiscal year 2015, the Company billed customers $279.3$174.7 million in fuel surcharges and passed 100% of such fuel surcharges to the BCO Independent Contractors. These fuel surcharges are excluded from revenue.revenue and the cost of purchased transportation.

The Company maintains internet-based applications for mobile and desktop devices through which BCO Independent Contractors can view a comprehensive listing of the Company’s available freight, allowing them to consider rate, size, origin and destination when planning trips. The Landstar Contractors’ Advantage Purchasing Program (LCAPP) leverages Landstar’s purchasing power to provide discounts to eligible BCO Independent Contractors when they purchase equipment, fuel, tires and other items. In addition, LCFI provides a source of funds at competitive interest rates to the BCO Independent Contractors to purchase primarily trailing equipment.

The number of trucks provided to the Company by BCO Independent Contractors was 9,500 at December 26, 2015, compared to 8,932 at December 27, 2014, compared to 8,432 at December 28, 2013.2014. At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, 98% of the trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors were provided by BCO Independent Contractors who provided five or fewer trucks to the Company. The number of trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors fluctuates daily as a result of truck recruiting and truck terminations. More trucks were recruited in fiscal year 20142015 than in fiscal year 2013 and2014 but trucks terminated were lowerhigher in fiscal year 2015 than in fiscal year 2014, than in fiscal year 2013, resulting in aan overall net gain of 500568 trucks during fiscal year 2014.2015. Landstar’s BCO Independent Contractor truck turnover was approximately 25% in fiscal year 2015 compared to 22% in fiscal year 2014 compared to 27% in fiscal year 2013.2014. Approximately 37%42% of 20142015 turnover was attributable to BCO Independent Contractors who had been with the Company for less than one year. Management believes that factors that have historically favorably impacted turnover include the Company’s extensive agent network, available freight, the Company’s programs to reduce the operating costs of its BCO Independent Contractors and Landstar’s reputation for quality, service, reliability and financial strength.

Truck Brokerage Carriers.    At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company maintained a database of over 38,00044,000 approved Truck Brokerage Carriers who provide truck capacity to the Company. Truck Brokerage Carriers provide truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements and each operates under its own DOT-issued motor carrier operating authority. Truck Brokerage Carriers are paid either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or, to a lesser extent, a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate per load. The Company recruits, approves, establishes contracts with and tracks safety ratings and service records of these third party trucking companies. In addition to providing additional capacity to the Company, the use of Truck Brokerage Carriers enables the Company to pursue different types and quality of freight such as temperature-controlled, short-haul traffic and less-than-truckload and, in certain instances, lower-priced freight that generally would not be handled by the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors.

The Company maintains an internet site through which Truck Brokerage Carriers can view a listing of the Company’s freight that is available to them to be hauled. The Landstar Savings Plus Program leverages Landstar’s purchasing power to provide discounts to eligible Truck Brokerage Carriers when they purchase fuel and equipment and provides the Truck Brokerage Carriers with an electronic payment option.

Railroads and Air and Ocean Cargo Carriers.    The Company has contracts with Class 1 domestic and Canadian railroads, certain short-line railroads and domestic and international airlines and ocean lines. These

relationships allow the Company to pursue the freight best serviced by these forms of transportation capacity. Railroads are paid either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate per load. Air cargo carriers are generally paid a negotiated rate for each load hauled. Ocean cargo carriers are generally paid contractually agreed-upon fixed rates per load. The Company also contracts with other third party capacity providers, such as air charter service providers, when required by specific customer needs.

Trailing Equipment

The Company offers its customers a large and diverse fleet of trailing equipment. The following table illustrates the mix of the trailing equipment as of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, either provided by the BCO Independent Contractors or owned or leased by the Company and made available primarily to BCO Independent Contractors. In general, Truck Brokerage Carriers utilize their own trailing equipment when providing transportation services on behalf of Landstar. Truck Brokerage Carrier trailing equipment is not included in the following table:

 

Trailers by Type

    

Vans

   10,39311,423  

Unsided/platform, including flatbeds, step decks, drop decks and low boys

   3,2423,220  

Temperature-controlled

   97118  
  

 

 

 

Total

   13,73214,761  
  

 

 

 

Specialized services offered by the Company include those provided by a large fleet of flatbed trailers and multi-axle trailers capable of hauling extremely heavy or oversized loads. Management believes the Company, along with its network of capacity providers, offers the largest fleet of heavy/specialized trailing equipment in the United States.

At December 27, 2014, 8,95326, 2015, 10,363 of the trailers available to the BCO Independent Contractors were owned by the Company and 852360 were leased. In addition, at December 27, 2014, 3,92726, 2015, 4,038 trailers were provided by the BCO Independent Contractors. Approximately 30% of Landstar’s truck transportation revenue was hauled on Landstar provided trailing equipment during fiscal year 2015.

Customers

The Company’s customer base is highly diversified and dispersed across many industries, commodities and geographic regions. The Company’s top 100 customers accounted for approximately 42%44% and 41%42%, respectively, of consolidated revenue during fiscal years 20142015 and 2013.2014. Management believes that the Company’s overall size, technological applications, geographic coverage, access to equipment and diverse service capability offer the Company significant competitive marketing and operating advantages. These advantages allow the Company to meet the needs of even the largest shippers. Larger shippers often consider reducing the number of authorized carriers they use in favor of a small number of “core carriers,” such as the Company, whose size and diverse service capabilities enable these core carriers to satisfy most of the shippers’ transportation needs. The Company’s national account customers include the United States Department of Defense and many of the companies included in the Fortune 500. Large shippers are also using third party logistics providers (“3PLs”) to outsource the management and coordination of their transportation needs. 3PLs and other transportation companies also utilize the Company’s available transportation capacity to satisfy their obligations to their shippers. There were 10ten transportation service providers, including 3PLs, included in the Company’s top 25 customers for the fiscal year 2014.2015. Management believes the Company’s network of agents and third party capacity providers allows it to efficiently attract and service smaller shippers which may not be as desirable to other large transportation providers (see above under “Agent Network”). No customer accounted for more than 3%4% of the Company’s 20142015 revenue.

Technology

Management believes leadership in the development and application of information technology systems is an ongoing part of providing high quality service. Landstar focuses on providing integrated transportation management solutions which emphasize customer service and information coordination among its independent commission sales agents, customers and capacity providers. The Company continues to focus on identifying, purchasing or developing and implementing software applications which are designed to improve its operational and administrative efficiency, assist its independent commission sales agents in efficiently sourcing capacity and pricing

transportation services, assist customers in meeting their transportation needs and assist its third party capacity providers in identifying desirable freight. Landstar intends to continue to improve its systems and technologies to meet the total needs of its agents, customers and third party capacity providers.

The Company’s information technology systems used in connection with its operations are located in Jacksonville, Florida and, to a lesser extent, in Rockford, Illinois. In addition, the Company utilizes several third party data centers throughout the U.S. Landstar relies, in the regular course of its business, on the proper operation of its information technology systems.

Corporate Services

The Company provides many administrative support services to its network of independent commission sales agents, third party capacity providers and customers. Management believes that the technological applications purchased or developed and maintained by the Company and its administrative support services provide operational and financial advantages to its independent commission sales agents, third party capacity providers and customers. These, in turn, enhance the operational and financial efficiency of all aspects of the network.

Administrative support services that provide operational and financial advantages to the network include customer contract administration, customer credit review and approvals, sales administration and pricing, customer billing, accounts receivable collections, third party capacity payment,settlement, safety and operator and equipment compliance management, insurance claims handling, coordination of vendor discount programs and third party capacity quality programs. Marketing and advertising strategies are also provided by the Company. The Company’s practices of accepting customer credit risk and paying its agents and carriers promptly provides a significant competitive advantage to the Company.Company in comparison to less capitalized competitors.

Competition

Landstar competes primarily in the transportation and logistics services industry with truckload carriers, third party logistics companies, intermodal transportation and logistics service providers, railroads, less-than-truckload carriers and other asset-light transportation and logistics service providers. The transportation and logistics services industry is extremely competitive and fragmented.

Management believes that competition for freight transported by the Company is based on service, efficiency and freight rates, which are influenced significantly by the economic environment, particularly the amount of available transportation capacity and freight demand. Management believes that Landstar’s overall size and availability of a wide range of equipment, together with its geographically dispersed local independent agent network and wide range of service offerings, present the Company with significant competitive advantages over many transportation and logistics service providers.

Self-Insured Claims

Potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. For commercial trucking claims, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. The

Company also retains liability of up to $1,000,000 for each general liability claim, up to $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers who transport freight on behalf of the Company is reduced by various factors including the extent to which such carriers maintain their own insurance coverage. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, cargo claims or workers’ compensation claims or the material unfavorable development of existing claims could have a material adverse effect on Landstar’s cost of insurance and claims and its results of operations.

Regulation

Certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are considered motor carriers and/or brokers authorized to arrange for transportation services by motor carriers which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the “FMCSA”) and by various state agencies. The FMCSA has broad regulatory powers with respect to activities such as motor carrier operations, practices, periodic financial reporting and insurance. Subject to federal and state regulatory authorities or regulation, the Company’s capacity providers may transport most types of freight to and from any point in the United States over any route selected.

Interstate motor carrier operations are subject to safety requirements prescribed by the FMCSA. Each driver, whether a BCO Independent Contractor or Truck Brokerage Carrier, is required to have a commercial driver’s license and may be subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing. The FMCSA’s commercial driver’s license and drug and alcohol testing requirements have not adversely affected the Company’s ability to source the capacity necessary to meet its customers’ transportation needs.

In addition, certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are licensed as ocean transportation intermediaries by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission as non-vessel-operating common carriers and/or as ocean freight forwarders. The Company’s air transportation activities in the United States are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation as an indirect air carrier. One of the Operating Subsidiaries is licensed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. Customs”) as a customs broker. The Company is also subject to regulations and requirements relating to safety and security promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through U.S. Customs and the Transportation Security Administration, the Canada Border Services Agency and various state and local agencies and port authorities.

The transportation industry is subject to possible other regulatory and legislative changes (such as the possibility of more stringent environmental, climate change and/or safety/security regulations, or limits on vehicle weight and size)size and a mandate to implement electronic logging devices) that may affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for motor carrier services or the cost of providing truckload or other transportation or logistics services.

In addition, because the U.S. government is one of the Company’s customers, the Company must comply with and is affected by laws and regulations relating to doing business with the federal government.

Seasonality

Landstar’s operations are subject to seasonal trends common to the trucking industry. Results of operations for the quarter ending in March are typically lower than for the quarters ending in June, September and December.

Employees

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 1,2111,223 individuals. Approximately 7six Landstar Ranger drivers (out of a Company total of 8,9329,500 drivers for BCO Independent Contractors) are members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. The Company considers relations with its employees to be good.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

Increased severity or frequency of accidents and other claims or a material unfavorable development of existing claims.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Self-Insured Claims,” potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. For commercial trucking claims, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. The Company also retains liability of up to $1,000,000 for each general liability claim, up to $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers who transport freight on behalf of the Company is reduced by various factors including the extent to which such carriers maintain their own insurance coverage. A material

increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, cargo claims or workers’ compensation claims or the material unfavorable development of existing claims could have a material adverse effect on Landstar’s cost of insurance and claims and its results of operations.

Dependence on third party insurance companies.    The Company is dependent on a limited number of third party insurance companies to provide insurance coverage in excess of its self-insured retention amounts. Historically, the Company has maintained insurance coverage for commercial trucking claims in excess of specific per occurrence limits, up to various maximum amounts, with a limited number of third party insurance companies. In an attempt to manage the cost of insurance and claims, the Company has historically increased or decreased the level of its financial exposure to commercial trucking claims on a per occurrence basis by increasing or decreasing its level of self-insured retention based on the estimated cost differential between proposed premiums from third party insurance companies and historical losses experienced by the Company at various levels of self-insured retention. To the extent that the third party insurance companies propose increases to their premiums for coverage of commercial trucking claims, the Company may pay such increased premiums or increase its financial exposure on an aggregate or per occurrence basis, including by increasing the amount of its self-insured retention. However, to the extent the third party insurance companies propose reduced premiums for coverage of commercial trucking claims, the Company may reduce its financial exposure on an aggregate or per occurrence basis, including by decreasing the amount of its self-insured retention. In addition, no assurance can be given that insurance coverage from third party insurers for claims in excess of its current $5 million self-insured retention will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms.

Dependence on independent commission sales agents.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Agent Network,” the Company markets its services primarily through independent commission sales agents. During 2014, 525fiscal year 2015, 512 agents generated revenue for Landstar of at least $1 million each (the “Million Dollar Agents”), or in the aggregate approximately 92% of Landstar’s consolidated revenue. Landstar competes with motor carriers and other third parties for the services of these independent commission sales agents. Landstar has historically experienced very limited agent turnover in the number of its Million Dollar Agents. There can be no assurances, however, that Landstar will continue to experience very limited turnover of its Million Dollar Agents in the future. Landstar’s contracts with its agents, including its Million Dollar Agents, are typically terminable without cause upon 10 to 30 days’ notice by either party and generally contain significant but not unqualified non-compete provisions limiting the ability of a former agent to compete with Landstar for a specified period of time post- termination,post-termination, and other restrictive covenants. The loss of some of the Company’s Million Dollar Agents and/or a significant decrease in revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and revenue.

Dependence on third party capacity providers.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Transportation Capacity,” Landstar does not own trucks or other transportation equipment (other than trailing equipment) and relies on third party capacity providers, including BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers, to transport freight for its customers. The Company competes with motor carriers and other third parties for the services of

BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers. The market for qualified truck owner-operators and other third party truck capacity providers is very competitive among motor carriers and no assurances can be given that the Company will be able to maintain or expand the number of BCO Independent Contractors or other third party truck capacity providers. Additionally, the Company’s third party capacity providers other than BCO Independent Contractors can be expected, under certain circumstances, to charge higher prices to cover increased operating expenses, such as any increases in the cost of fuel, and the Company’s operating income may decline without a corresponding increase in price to the customer. A significant decrease in available capacity provided by either the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors or other third party capacity providers, or increased rates charged by other third party capacity providers that cannot be passed through to the customers, could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and revenue.

Decreased demand for transportation services.    The transportation industry historically has experienced cyclical financial results as a result of slowdowns in economic activity, the business cycles of customers, and

other economic factors beyond Landstar’s control. If a slowdown in economic activity or a downturn in the Company’s customers’ business cycles cause a reduction in the volume of freight shipped by those customers, the Company’s operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Substantial industry competition.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Competition,” Landstar competes primarily in the transportation and logistics services industry. This industry is extremely competitive and fragmented. Landstar competes primarily with truckload carriers, intermodal transportation service providers, railroads, less-than-truckload carriers, third party logistics companies and other asset-light transportation and logistics service providers. Management believes that competition for the freight transported by the Company is based on service, efficiency and freight rates, which are influenced significantly by the economic environment, particularly the amount of available transportation capacity and freight demand. Historically, competition has created downward pressure on freight rates. In addition, many large shippers are using third party logistics providers (“3PLs”) other than the Company to outsource the management and coordination of their transportation needs rather than directly arranging for transportation services with carriers. As noted above, there were 10ten transportation service providers, including 3PLs, included in the Company’s top 25 customers for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014.26, 2015. Usage by large shippers of 3PLs often provides carriers, such as the Company, with a less direct relationship with the shipper and, as a result, may increase pressure on freight rates while making it more difficult for the Company to compete primarily based on service and efficiency. A decrease in freight rates could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its revenue and operating income.

Status of independent contractors.    From time to time, variousIn recent years, the topic of the classification of individuals as employees or independent contractors has gained increased attention among federal and state regulators as well as the plaintiffs’ bar. Various legislative or regulatory proposals arehave been introduced at the federal orand state levels to changethat may affect the classification status of individuals as independent contractors’ classification tocontractors or employees for either employment tax purposes (withholding, social security, Medicare and unemployment taxes) or other benefits available to employees. Currently,employees (most notably, workers’ compensation benefits). Recently, certain states (most prominently, California) have seen significant increased activity by tax and other regulators and numerous class action lawsuits filed against transportation companies that engage independent contractors.

There are many different tests and standards that may apply to the determination of whether a relationship is that of an independent contractor or one of employment. For example, different standards may be applied by the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations Board, state unemployment agencies, state departments of labor, state taxing authorities, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, state discrimination or disability benefit administrators and state workers compensation boards, among others. For federal tax purposes, most individuals are classified as employees or independent contractors for employment tax purposes based on a multi-factor “common-law” analysis rather than any definition found in the Internal Revenue Code or Internal Revenue Service regulations. In addition, under Section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978, a taxpayer that

meets certain criteria may treat an individual as an independent contractor for employment tax purposes if the taxpayer has been audited without being told to treat similarly situated workers as employees, if the taxpayer has received a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or a court decision affirming the taxpayer’s treatment of the individual as an independent contractor, or if the taxpayer is following a long-standing recognized practice.

The Company classifies its BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents as independent contractors for all purposes, including employment tax and employee benefits. There can be no assurance that legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory (including tax) authorities will not introduce proposals or assert interpretations of existing rules and regulations that would change the employee/independent contractor classification of BCO Independent Contractors or independent commission sales agents doing business with the Company. Although management believes that there are no proposals currently pending that would significantly change the employee/independent contractor classification of BCO Independent Contractors or independent commission sales agents currently doing business with the Company, potential changes, if any, with respect to these BCO Independent Contractor and independent commission sales agent classifications could have a material adverse effect on Landstar’s operating model. Moreover,Further, the costs associated with any such potential changes could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition if Landstar were unable to pass through to its customers an increase in price corresponding to such increased costs. Moreover, class action litigation in this area against other transportation companies has resulted in significant damage awards and/or monetary settlements for workers who have been allegedly misclassified as independent contractors and the legal and other related expenses associated with litigating these cases can be substantial.

Regulatory and legislative changes.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Regulation,” certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are motor carriers and/or property brokers authorized to arrange for transportation services by motor carriers which are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and by various state agencies. Certain of the Operating Subsidiaries are licensed as ocean transportation intermediaries by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission as non-vessel-operating common carriers and/or as ocean freight

forwarders. The Company’s air transportation activities in the United States are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation as an indirect air carrier. One of the Company’s subsidiaries is licensed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through the Bureau of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“U.S. Customs”) as a customs broker. The Company is also subject to regulations and requirements relating to safety and security promulgated by, among others, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security through U.S. Customs and the Transportation Security Administration, the Canada Border Services Agency and various state and local agencies and port authorities. The transportation industry is subject to possible regulatory and legislative changes (such as increasingly stringent environmental, climate change and/or safety/security regulations or limits on vehicle weight and size)size and a mandate to implement electronic logging devices) that may affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by changing the demand for common or contract carrier services or the cost of providing truckload or other transportation or logistics services.

In particular, the FMCSA is consistently proposing regulatory changes that affect the operation of commercial motor carriers across the United States. The FMSCA has established the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) motor carrier oversight program. The Company believes the intent of this program is to improve regulatory oversight of motor carriers and commercial drivers using a safety measurement system methodology that is fundamentally different from the methodology that the FMCSA has historically relied upon. Under CSA, the FMCSA monitors seven Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories, or BASICs, under which a motor carrier may be evaluated. Since the introduction of CSA in December 2010, the FMCSA has considered and implemented changes to the methodologies used to determine carrier scores within a BASIC as well as to the BASICs, themselves. The FMCSA has also established threshold scores for each BASIC. In the event a motor carrier has one or more BASIC scores that exceeds the applicable threshold, the motor carrier has an increased risk of auditroadside inspection and/or compliance review by FMSCA. BASIC scores in excess of applicable thresholds may also adversely affect a motor carrier’s overall safety rating andand/or its relationships with shippers. The FMSCA has also recently implemented

customers. On December 4, 2015, President Obama signed into law the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, or the “FAST Act.” Among other items, the FAST Act requires the FMCSA to engage the National Research Council to conduct a study of CSA and the Safety Measurement System (SMS) utilized by the CSA program. As a result of the FAST Act, the FMCSA announced that the BASIC scores have been removed from public view and are expected to remain hidden from public view while changes to CSA are considered. In addition, the hours of service regulations which govern the work hours of commercial drivers remain under review by FMCSA and FMCSA has a number of other proposals that it has announced are in process, including a rule which maywould mandate the use of electronic logging devices in certain over-the-road commercial motor vehicles. It is difficult to predict which and in what form CSA or any other FMCSA regulations may be implemented, modified or enforced and what impact any such regulation may have on motor carrier operations or the aggregate number of trucks that provide hauling capacity to the Company.

In addition, recent focus on climate change and related environmental matters has led to efforts by federal, state and local governmental agencies to support legislation and regulations to limit the amount of carbon emissions, including emissions created by diesel engines utilized in tractors operated by the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers. Moreover, federal, state and local governmental agencies may also focus on regulation in relation to trailing equipment specifications in an effort to achieve, among other things, lower carbon emissions. For example, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB”) has implemented regulations that restrict the ability of certain tractors and trailers from operating in California. The Company currently is in a multi-year process of replacing its entire fleet of van trailing equipment to remain CARB-compliant.maintain CARB-compliant trailer operations. Further, CARB has established regulations that impose emission standards on nearly all diesel-fueled trucks with gross vehicle weight ratings in excess of 14,000 lbs. that operate in California. No assurances can be given with respect to the extent BCO Independent Contractors will choose to become CARB-compliant by purchasing a new or used CARB-compliant tractor, replacing the engine in their existing tractor with a CARB-compliant engine or performing an exhaust retrofit of their existing tractor by installing a particulate matter filter. Accordingly, many of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors may choose not to haul loads that would require travel within California, which could affect the ability of the Company to service customer freight needs for freight originating from, delivering to or traveling through California. Moreover, increased regulation on tractor or trailing equipment specifications, including emissions created by diesel engines, could create substantial costs on the Company and the Company’s third party capacity providers and, in turn, increase the cost of purchased transportation to the Company. An increase in the costs to purchase, lease or maintain tractor or trailing equipment or in purchased transportation cost caused by new regulations without a corresponding increase in price to the customer could adversely affect Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition.

Disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems.systems; cyber incidents.    As noted above in Item 1, “Business — Factors Significant to the Company’s Operations — Technology,” the Company’s information technology systems used in connection with its operations are located in Jacksonville, Florida and to a lesser extent in Rockford, Illinois. In addition, the Company utilizes several third party data centers throughout the U.S. Landstar relies in the regular course of its business on the proper operation of its information technology systems to link its extensive network of customers, agents and third party capacity providers, including its BCO Independent Contractors. Although the Company has redundant systems for its critical operations, any significant disruption or failure of its technology systems or those of third party data centers on which it relies could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations and impose significant costs on the Company. Moreover, it is critical that the data processed by the Company’s information technology systems remain confidential, as it often includes confidential, proprietary and/or competitively sensitive information regarding our customers, agents and third party capacity providers, employee records and key financial and operational results and statistics. Cyber incidents that impact the security, availability, reliability, speed, accuracy or other proper functioning of these systems, including outages, computer viruses, break-ins and similar disruptions, could have a significant impact on our operations. Accordingly, cyber security and the continued development and enhancement of the controls and processes designed to protect our systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or

unauthorized access remain a priority for us. Although we believe that we have robust information security procedures and other safeguards in place, as cyber threats continue to evolve, we may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance our information security measures and/or to investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. A significant cyber incident, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware, or other damage, could interrupt or delay our operations, damage our reputation, cause a loss of customers, agents or third party capacity providers, expose us to a risk of loss or litigation, and/or cause us to incur significant time and expense to remedy such an event, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Dependence on key vendors.    As described above under “Dependence on third party insurance companies” and “Disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems,systems; cyber incidents,” the Company is dependent on certain vendors, including third party insurance companies, third party data center providers, third party information technology application providers and third party payment disbursement providers. Any inability to negotiate satisfactory terms with one of these key vendors or any other significant disruption to or termination of a relationship with one of these key vendors could disrupt the Company’s operations and impose significant costs on the Company.

Potential changes in fuel taxes.    From time to time, various legislative proposals are introduced to increase federal, state, or local taxes, including taxes on motor fuels. The Company cannot predict whether, or in what form, any increase in such taxes applicable to the transportation services provided by the Company will be enacted and, if enacted, whether or not the Company’s Truck Brokerage Carriers would attempt to pass the increase on to the Company or if the Company will be able to reflect this potential increased cost of capacity, if any, in prices to customers. Any such increase in fuel taxes, without a corresponding increase in price to the customer, could have a material adverse effect on Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, competition from other transportation service companies including those that provide non-trucking modes of transportation and intermodal transportation would likely increase if state or federal taxes on fuel were to increase without a corresponding increase in taxes imposed upon other modes of transportation.

Catastrophic loss of a Company facilityfacility.    .    The Company faces the risk of a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of its facilities located in Jacksonville, Florida and Rockford, Illinois due to hurricanes, flooding, tornados, other weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist attacks or otherwise. The Company’s corporate headquarters and approximately two-thirds of the Company’s employees are located in its Jacksonville, Florida facility. In particular, a significant hurricane or similar catastrophic event that impacts the Jacksonville, Florida metropolitan area could significantly disrupt the Company’s operations and impose significant costs on the Company.

The Company cannot predict the effect on its business of threatened or real terrorist attacks. It is possible that such threats could result in the catastrophic loss or disruption in use of facilities, roadways, railroads, borders or ports where the Company operates. Also, anti-terrorism security measures could slow freight movements and negatively affect consumer confidence, the overall economy and the transportation industry. Such events could adversely affect Landstar, including its results of operations and financial condition.

Although the Company maintains insurance covering its facilities, including business interruption insurance, the Company’s insurance may not be adequate to cover all losses that may be incurred in the event of a catastrophic loss of one of the Company’s facilities. In addition, such insurance, including business interruption insurance, could in the future become more expensive and difficult to maintain and may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

Intellectual property.    The Company uses both internally developed and purchased technology in conducting its business. Whether internally developed or purchased, it is possible that the use of these technologies could be claimed to infringe upon or violate the intellectual property rights of third parties. In the event that a claim is made against the Company by a third party for the infringement of intellectual property

rights, any settlement or adverse judgment against the Company either in the form of increased costs of licensing or a cease and desist order in using the technology could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and its results of operations.

Unclaimed property.    The Company is subject to federal and state laws relating to abandoned and unclaimed property. States routinely audit the records of companies to assess compliance with such laws. The

Company is currently undergoing a multi-state unclaimed property audit, the timing and outcome of which cannot be predicted. The Company may incur significant professional fees in connection with the audit. If the Company is found to be in noncompliance with applicable unclaimed property laws or the manner in which such laws are interpreted or applied, states may determine that they are entitled to the remittance by the Company of significant amounts of unclaimed or abandoned property and further may seek to impose other significant costs on the Company, including penalties and interest.

 

Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

 

Item 2.Properties

The Company owns or leases various properties in the U.S. for the Company’s operations and administrative staff that support its independent commission sales agents, BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers. The transportation logistics segment’s primary facilities are located in Jacksonville, Florida and Rockford, Illinois. In addition, the Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville, Florida and Rockford, Illinois facilities are owned by the Company. Management believes that Landstar’s owned and leased properties are adequate for its current needs and that leased properties can be retained or replaced at an acceptable cost.

 

Item 3.Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Many of these claims are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

 

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

 

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

The Common Stock of the Company is listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “LSTR.” The following table sets forth the high and low reported sale prices for the Common Stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and the per share value of dividends declared for the periods indicated.

 

  2014 Market Price   2013 Market Price   Dividends Declared   2015 Market Price   2014 Market Price   Dividends Declared 

Fiscal Period

  High   Low   High   Low   2014   2013   2012   High   Low   High   Low   2015   2014   2013 

First Quarter

  $61.92    $56.00    $59.97    $51.45    $0.060    $    $0.055    $74.88    $63.11    $61.92    $56.00    $0.070    $0.060    $  

Second Quarter

   65.79     58.29     57.45     50.39     0.060          0.055     69.12     60.51     65.79     58.29     0.070     0.060       

Third Quarter

   73.95     63.32     57.94     51.47     0.070          0.060     73.60     63.71     73.95     63.32     0.080     0.070       

Fourth Quarter

   81.80     67.93     58.84     53.56     1.070     0.350     0.560     67.44     53.99     81.80     67.93     0.080     1.070     0.350  

The reported last sale price per share of the Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on January 23, 201522, 2016 was $66.23$57.73 per share. As of such date, Landstar had 44,794,48642,419,537 shares of Common Stock outstanding and had 7182 stockholders of record of its Common Stock. However, the Company estimates that it has a significantly greater number of stockholders because a substantial number of the Company’s shares are held by brokers or dealers for their customers in street name.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company

The Company did not purchase any sharesfollowing table provides information regarding the Company’s purchases of its Common Stock during the period from September 28, 201427, 2015 to December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter. quarter:

Fiscal Period

  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
   Average Price Paid
Per Share
   Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Programs
   Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Programs
 

September 26, 2015

         2,587,969  

Sept. 27,2015 - Oct. 24, 2015

       $          2,587,969  

Oct. 25,2015 - Nov. 21, 2015

   778,563     62.29     778,563     1,809,406  

Nov. 22,2015 - Dec. 26, 2015

                  1,809,406  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

Total

   778,563    $62.29     778,563    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

On December 11, 2013,May 19, 2015, the Landstar System, Inc. announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors authorized the Company to increase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that the Company is authorized to purchase from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions under a previously announced purchase program to 3,000,000 shares. As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company has authorization to purchase 1,827,7821,809,406 shares of its Common Stock under this program. No specific expiration date has been assigned to the December 11, 2013May 19, 2015 authorization.

Dividends

During 2014,fiscal year 2015, Landstar paid dividends as follows:

 

Dividend Amount per Share

  Declaration Date   Record Date   Payment Date 

$0.351.00

   December 10, 2013December 27, 20133, 2014     January 16, 2014

$0.06

January 29, 201412, 2015     February 18, 2014March 14, 2014

$0.06

April 23, 2014May 8, 2014May 30, 2014January 26, 2015  

$0.07

   July 22, 2014January 27, 2015     August 11, 2014February 16, 2015     August 29, 2014March 13, 2015  

$0.07

   April 22, 2015May 7, 2015May 29, 2015

$0.08

July 22, 2015August 10, 2015August 28, 2015

$0.08

October 2, 201421, 2015     November 11, 201410, 2015     December 5, 20144, 2015  

The Company did not pay cash dividends during fiscal year 2013.

Dividends payable of $0.35$1.00 per share, or of $15,921,000$44,794,000 in the aggregate, was included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2013. On December 4, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share payable on January 26, 2015, to stockholders of record of its Common Stock

as of January 12, 2015. Dividends payable of $44,794,000 in the aggregate related to this special dividend are included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014. On January 29, 2015,26, 2016, the Company announced the declaration of a quarterly dividend of $0.07$0.08 per share payable on March 13, 2015,11, 2016, to stockholders of record on February 16, 2015.15, 2016. It is currently the intention of the Board of Directors to pay a quarterly dividend going forward.

On June 29, 2012, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders on the Company’s capital stock in the event there is a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement, under certain circumstances, limits the amount of such cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders to the extent that, after giving effect to any payment made to effect such cash dividend or other distribution, the Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, would exceed 2.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The Company maintains twoa stock compensation plansplan for members of its Board of Directors and two employee equity incentive plans. The following table presents information related to securities authorized for issuance under these plans at December 27, 2014:26, 2015:

 

Plan Category

  Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
   Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans
   Number of Securities
to be Issued Upon
Exercise of
Outstanding Options
   Weighted-average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
   Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under
Equity Compensation
Plans
 

Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders

   773,839    $46.92     4,821,563     637,221    $47.24     4,402,492  

Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders

   0     0     0     0     0     0  

Under the 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2011 EIP”), the issuance of (i) a non-vested share of Landstar Common Stock issued in the form of restricted stock and (ii) a share of Landstar Common Stock issued upon the vesting of a previously granted restricted stock unit each counts as the issuance of two securities against the number of securities available for future issuance. Included in the number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans were 95,53194,334 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2013 Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan.

Financial Model Shareholder Returns

The following graph illustrates the return that would have been realized, assuming reinvestment of dividends, by an investor who invested $100 in each of the Company’s Common Stock, the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the Dow Jones Transportation Stock Index for the period commencing December 26, 200925, 2010 through December 27, 2014.26, 2015.

 

Item 6.Selected Financial Data

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  Fiscal Years   Fiscal Years 

Income Statement Data:

  2014   2013   2012   2011   2010   2015   2014   2013   2012   2011 

Revenue

  $3,184,790    $2,664,780    $2,770,799    $2,628,374    $2,380,112    $3,321,091    $3,184,790    $2,664,780    $2,770,799    $2,628,374  

Investment income

   1,381     1,475     1,563     1,705     1,558     1,396     1,381     1,475     1,563     1,705  

Costs and expenses:

                    

Purchased transportation

   2,461,143     2,046,927     2,130,323     2,007,666     1,824,308     2,551,343     2,461,143     2,046,927     2,130,323     2,007,666  

Commissions to agents

   250,780     211,355     218,122     209,917     181,354     270,260     250,780     211,355     218,122     209,917  

Other operating costs, net of gains/losses on asset dispositions

   25,771     21,568     22,582     28,285     26,744  

Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions

   31,618     25,771     21,568     22,582     28,285  

Insurance and claims

   46,280     50,438     37,289     42,638     49,156     48,754     46,280     50,438     37,289     42,638  

Selling, general and administrative

   150,250     131,710     138,094     136,841     132,839     149,704     150,250     131,710     138,094     136,841  

Depreciation and amortization

   27,575     27,667     25,213     23,905     23,165     29,102     27,575     27,667     25,213     23,905  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   2,961,799     2,489,665     2,571,623     2,449,252     2,237,566     3,080,781     2,961,799     2,489,665     2,571,623     2,449,252  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   224,372     176,590     200,739     180,827     144,104     241,706     224,372     176,590     200,739     180,827  

Interest and debt expense

   3,177     3,211     3,110     3,109     3,624     2,949     3,177     3,211     3,110     3,109  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   221,195     173,379     197,629     177,718     140,480     238,757     221,195     173,379     197,629     177,718  

Income taxes

   82,386     64,457     71,063     66,175     51,223     91,068     82,386     64,457     71,063     66,175  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   138,809     108,922     126,566     111,543     89,257     147,689     138,809     108,922     126,566     111,543  

Discontinued operations:

                    

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        4,058     3,215     1,464     (1,743

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

             4,058     3,215     1,464  

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        33,029                              33,029            
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        37,087     3,215     1,464     (1,743

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

             37,087     3,215     1,464  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $138,809    $146,009    $129,781    $113,007    $87,514    $147,689    $138,809    $146,009    $129,781    $113,007  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per common share:

                    

Income from continuing operations

  $3.09    $2.37    $2.71    $2.35    $1.80    $3.38    $3.09    $2.37    $2.71    $2.35  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $    $0.81    $0.07    $0.03    $(0.03

Income from discontinued operations

  $    $    $0.81    $0.07    $0.03  

Earnings per common share

  $3.09    $3.17    $2.78    $2.38    $1.77    $3.38    $3.09    $3.17    $2.78    $2.38  

Diluted earnings per share:

                    

Income from continuing operations

  $3.07    $2.36    $2.70    $2.35    $1.80    $3.37    $3.07    $2.36    $2.70    $2.35  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

  $    $0.80    $0.07    $0.03    $(0.03

Income from discontinued operations

  $    $    $0.80    $0.07    $0.03  

Diluted earnings per share

  $3.07    $3.16    $2.77    $2.38    $1.77    $3.37    $3.07    $3.16    $2.77    $2.38  

Dividends per common share

  $1.26    $0.35    $0.73    $0.21    $0.19    $0.30    $1.26    $0.35    $0.73    $0.21  

Balance Sheet Data:

  Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 29,
2012
   Dec. 31,
2011
   Dec. 25,
2010
   Dec. 26,
2015
   Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 29,
2012
   Dec. 31,
2011
 

Total assets

  $1,044,212    $970,696    $879,421    $808,449    $683,882    $998,070    $1,044,212    $970,696    $879,421    $808,449  

Long-term debt, including current maturities

   111,321     101,505     114,141     132,342     121,611     124,292     111,321     101,505     114,141     132,342  

Shareholders’ equity

   488,261     454,481     379,454     300,577     250,967     466,237     488,261     454,481     379,454     300,577  

The information above for fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 has been adjusted for the completion of the sale of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., including its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC (collectively, “LSCS”), to XPO Logistics, Inc. and the treatment of LSCS as a discontinued operation effective December 28, 2013.

 

Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this document that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar’s business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intention,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; decreased demand for transportation services; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems; dependence on key vendors; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; catastrophic loss of a Company facility; intellectual property; unclaimed property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in this and Landstar’s other SEC filings from time to time and described in Item 1A of this Form 10-K under the heading “Risk Factors.” These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Introduction

Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (together, referred to herein as “Landstar” or the “Company”), is ana worldwide asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions. The Company offers services to its customers across multiple transportation modes, with the ability to arrange for individual shipments of freight to enterprise-wide solutions to manage all of a customer’s transportation needs. Landstar provides services principally throughout the United States and to a lesser extent in Canada, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries around the world. The Company’s services emphasize safety, information coordination and customer service and are delivered through a network of independent commission sales agents and third party capacity providers linked together by a series of technological applications which are provided and coordinated by the Company. The nature of the Company’s business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue.

Landstar markets its integrated transportation management solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport customers’ freight. Landstar’s independent commission sales agents enter into contractual arrangements with the Company and are responsible for locating freight, making that freight available to Landstar’s capacity providers and coordinating the transportation of the freight with customers and capacity providers. The Company’s third party capacity providers consist of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease

arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”), unrelated trucking companies who provide truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (the “Truck Brokerage Carriers”), air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and railroads. Through this network of agents and capacity providers linked together by Landstar’s information technology systems, Landstar operates an integrated transportation management solutions business primarily throughout North America with revenue of $3.2$3.3 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company reports the results of two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment.

The transportation logistics segment provides a wide range of integrated transportation management solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border, project cargo and customs brokerage. Industries serviced by the transportation logistics segment include automotive products, building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics, ammunition and explosives and military equipment. In addition, the transportation logistics segment provides transportation services to other transportation companies, including third party logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Each of the independent commission sales agents has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment. Billings for freight transportation services are typically charged to customers on a per shipment basis for the physical transportation of freight and are referred to as transportation revenue. During 2014,fiscal year 2015, revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers and railroads represented approximately 48%46%, 46%47% and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Collectively, revenue hauled by air and ocean cargo carriers represented approximately 2%3% of the Company’s consolidated revenue during 2014.fiscal year 2015.

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature Insurance Company, a wholly owned offshore insurance subsidiary (“Signature”), and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. This segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstar’s Operating Subsidiaries. In addition, it reinsures certain risks of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and provides certain property and casualty insurance directly to certain of Landstar’s Operating Subsidiaries. Revenue at the insurance segment represents reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk is ultimately borne by Signature. Revenue at the insurance segment represented approximately 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for 2014.fiscal year 2015.

On December 28, 2013, the Company completed the sale of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC (collectively, “LSCS”), to XPO Logistics, Inc. LSCS was previously reported as a unit of the transportation logistics segment. The gain on the sale of LSCS and the operating results of LSCS for the fiscal year 2013 and prior periods have been reclassified in the consolidated financial statements to discontinued operations.

Changes in Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management believes the Company’s success principally depends on its ability to generate freight through its network of independent commission sales agents and to safely and efficiently deliver that freight utilizing third party capacity providers. Management believes the most significant factors to the Company’s success include increasing revenue, sourcing capacity and controlling costs, including insurance and claims.

While customer demand, which is subject to overall economic conditions, ultimately drives increases or decreases in revenue, the Company primarily relies on its independent commission sales agents to establish customer relationships and generate revenue opportunities. Management’s emphasis with respect to revenue growth is on revenue generated by independent commission sales agents who on an annual basis generate $1 million or more of Landstar revenue (“Million Dollar Agents”). Management believes future revenue growth is primarily dependent on its ability to increase both the revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents and the

number of Million Dollar Agents through a combination of recruiting new agents and increasing the revenue

opportunities generated by existing independent commission sales agents. The following table shows the number of Million Dollar Agents, the average revenue generated by these agents and the percent of consolidated revenue generated by these agents during the past three fiscal years:

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014 2013 2012   2015 2014 2013 

Number of Million Dollar Agents

   525    478    504     512    525    478  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Average revenue generated per Million Dollar Agent

  $5,609,000   $5,081,000   $4,999,000    $5,998,000   $5,609,000   $5,081,000  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Percent of consolidated revenue from continuing operations generated by Million Dollar Agents

   92  91  91   92  92  91
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

The change in the number of Million Dollar Agents on a year-over-year basis is influenced by many factors and is not solely the result of terminations of contractual relationships between agents and the Company, whether such terminations are initiated by the agent or the Company. Such other factors include consolidations among agencies or retirement or similar transition actions. The change in the number of Million Dollar Agents on a year-over-year basis may also be affected by agents that remain with the Company yet experienced lower year-over-year revenue that resulted in such agent moving below the Million Dollar Agent category. In general, the number of agents in the million dollar category who terminate in a given year has been 3% or less of the total number of Million Dollar Agents. The number of Landstar agents who generated between $250,000 and $999,999 of revenue increased by 21, or 7.4%, from 284 during fiscal 2014 to 305 during fiscal 2015. In addition, revenue from accounts formerly handled by terminated Million Dollar Agents is often retained by the Company as the customer may choose to transfer its account to an existing Landstar agent.

Management monitors business activity by tracking the number of loads (volume) and revenue per load by mode of transportation. Revenue per load can be influenced by many factors other than a change in price. Those factors include the average length of haul, freight type, special handling and equipment requirements, fuel costs and delivery time requirements. For shipments involving two or more modes of transportation, revenue is generally classified by the mode of transportation having the highest cost for the load. The following table summarizes this information by trailer type for truck transportation and by mode for all others for the past three fiscal years:

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014   2013   2012   2015   2014   2013 

Revenue from continuing operations generated through (in thousands):

            

Truck transportation

            

Truckload:

            

Van equipment

  $1,814,195    $1,464,558    $1,463,671    $1,894,221    $1,814,195    $1,464,558  

Unsided/platform equipment

   1,093,999     932,176     1,047,262     1,109,356     1,093,999     932,176  

Less-than-truckload

   80,384     71,769     71,989     80,687     80,384     71,769  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total truck transportation

   2,988,578     2,468,503     2,582,922     3,084,264     2,988,578     2,468,503  

Rail intermodal

   81,220     73,820     73,932     105,347     81,220     73,820  

Ocean and air cargo carriers

   74,952     85,681     77,898     86,664     74,952     85,681  

Other(1)

   40,040     36,776     36,047     44,816     40,040     36,776  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $3,184,790    $2,664,780    $2,770,799    $3,321,091    $3,184,790    $2,664,780  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Number of loads:

      

Truck transportation

      

Truckload:

      

Van equipment

   1,038,517     935,530     938,159  

Unsided/platform equipment

   444,852     418,982     442,327  

Less-than-truckload

   96,541     101,498     106,834  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total truck transportation

   1,579,910     1,456,010     1,487,320  

Rail intermodal

   31,640     29,450     29,810  

Ocean and air cargo carriers

   16,260     16,660     15,390  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 
   1,627,810     1,502,120     1,532,520  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Revenue on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors included in total truck transportation

  $1,522,513    $1,514,254    $1,327,458  

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2015 2014 2013 

Number of loads:

    

Truck transportation

    

Truckload:

    

Van equipment

   1,102,654    1,038,517    935,530  

Unsided/platform equipment

   485,993    444,852    418,982  

Less-than-truckload

   112,363    96,541    101,498  
  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total truck transportation

   1,701,010    1,579,910    1,456,010  

Rail intermodal

   45,060    31,640    29,450  

Ocean and air cargo carriers

   18,060    16,260    16,660  
  

 

  

 

  

 

 
   1,764,130    1,627,810    1,502,120  
  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors included in total truck transportation

   826,600    818,480    790,690  
  2014 2013 2012 

Revenue per load:

        

Truck transportation

        

Truckload:

        

Van equipment

  $1,747   $1,565   $1,560    $1,718   $1,747   $1,565  

Unsided/platform equipment

   2,459    2,225    2,368     2,283    2,459    2,225  

Less-than-truckload

   833    707    674     718    833    707  

Total truck transportation

   1,892    1,695    1,737     1,813    1,892    1,695  

Rail intermodal

   2,567    2,507    2,480     2,338    2,567    2,507  

Ocean and air cargo carriers

   4,610    5,143    5,062     4,799    4,610    5,143  

Revenue per load on loads hauled via BCO Independent Contractors

  $1,842   $1,850   $1,679  

Revenue by capacity type (as a % of total revenue):

        

Truck capacity providers

        

BCO independent contractors

   48  50  50

Truck brokerage carriers

   46  43  43

BCO Independent Contractors

   46  48  50

Truck Brokerage Carriers

   47  46  43

Rail intermodal

   3  3  3   3  3  3

Ocean and air cargo carriers

   2  3  3   3  2  3

Other

   1  1  1   1  1  1

 

(1)Includes primarily premium revenue generated by the insurance segment.

Also critical to the Company’s success is its ability to secure capacity, particularly truck capacity, at rates that allow the Company to profitably transport customers’ freight. The following table summarizes available truck capacity providers as of the end of the three most recent fiscal years:

 

  Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 29,
2012
   Dec. 26,
2015
   Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
 

BCO Independent Contractors

   8,372     7,927     8,010     8,907     8,372     7,927  

Truck Brokerage Carriers:

            

Approved and active(1)

   26,222     21,183     20,922     29,728     26,222     21,183  

Other approved

   12,135     10,933     10,623     14,715     12,135     10,933  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
   38,357     32,116     31,545     44,443     38,357     32,116  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total available truck capacity providers

   46,729     40,043     39,555     53,350     46,729     40,043  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Number of trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors

   8,932     8,432     8,523  

Trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors

   9,500     8,932     8,432  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Active refers to Truck Brokerage Carriers who moved at least one load in the 180 days immediately preceding the fiscal year end.

The Company incurs costs that are directly related to the transportation of freight that include purchased transportation and commissions to agents. The Company incurs indirect costs associated with the transportation of freight that include other operating costs and insurance and claims. In addition, the Company incurs selling, general and administrative costs essential to administering its business operations. Management continually monitors all components of the costs incurred by the Company and establishes annual cost budgets which, in general, are used to benchmark costs incurred on a monthly basis.

Purchased transportation represents the amount a BCO Independent Contractor or other third party capacity provider is paid to haul freight. The amount of purchased transportation paid to a BCO Independent Contractor is primarily based on a contractually agreed-upon percentage of revenue generated by delivered loads the BCO Independent Contractor hauled. Purchased transportation paid to a Truck Brokerage Carrier is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or, to a lesser extent, a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate per load. Purchased transportation paid to railroads is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate. Purchased transportation paid to air cargo carriers is generally based on a

negotiated rate for each load hauled and purchased transportation paid to ocean cargo carriers is generally based on contractually agreed-upon fixed rates. Purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue for truck brokerage, rail intermodal and ocean cargo services is normally higher than that of BCO Independent Contractor and air cargo services. Purchased transportation is the largest component of costs and expenses and, on a consolidated basis, increases or decreases as a percentage of consolidated revenue in proportion to changes in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated through BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers and external revenue from the insurance segment, consisting of reinsurance premiums. Purchased transportation as a percent of revenue also increases or decreases in relation to the availability of truck brokerage capacity and with changes in the price of fuel on revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers. Purchased transportation costs are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

Commissions to agents are based on contractually agreed-upon percentages of revenue or net revenue, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, or net revenue less a contractually agreed upon percentage of revenue retained by Landstar. Commissions to agents as a percentage of consolidated revenue will vary directly with fluctuations in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated by the various modes of transportation and reinsurance premiums and with changes in net revenue margin, defined as net revenue divided by revenue, on services provided by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads, air cargo carriers and ocean cargo carriers. Commissions to agents are recognized upon the completion of freight delivery.

The Company defines gross profit as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents. Gross profit divided by revenue is referred to as gross profit margin. The Company’s operating margin is defined as operating income divided by gross profit.

In general, gross profit margin on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors represents a fixed percentage of revenue due to the nature of the contracts that pay a fixed percentage of revenue to both the BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents. For revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers, gross profit margin is either fixed or variable as a percent of revenue, depending on the contract with each individual independent commission sales agent. Under certain contracts with independent commission sales agents, the Company retains a fixed percentage of revenue and the agent retains the amount remaining less the cost of purchased transportation (the “retention contracts”). Gross profit margin on revenue hauled by railroads, air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and Truck Brokerage Carriers, other than those under retention contracts, is variable in nature as the Company’s contracts with independent commission sales agents provide commissions to agents at a contractually agreed upon percentage of net revenue for these types of loads. Approximately 56%55% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in 2014fiscal year 2015 was generated under contracts that have a fixed gross profit margin while 44%45% was under contracts that have a variable gross profit margin.

Maintenance costs for Company-provided trailing equipment and BCO Independent Contractor recruiting costs are the largest components of other operating costs. Also included in other operating costs are trailer rental

costs, the provision for uncollectible advances and other receivables due from BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents and gains/losses, if any, on sales of Company-owned trailing equipment.

With respect to insurance and claims cost, potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. For commercial trucking claims, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. The Company also retains liability of up to $1,000,000 for each general liability claim, up to $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers who transport freight on behalf of the Company is reduced by various factors including the extent to which such carriers maintain their own insurance coverage. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, cargo claims or workers’ compensation claims or the material unfavorable development of existing claims could have a material adverse effect on Landstar’s cost of insurance and claims and its results of operations.

During the 20142015 fiscal year, employee compensation and benefits accounted for overapproximately seventy percent of the Company’s selling, general and administrative costs.

Depreciation and amortization primarily relate to depreciation of trailing equipment and information technology hardware and software.

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of purchased transportation and commissions to agents, both being direct costs, to revenue and indirect costs as a percentage of gross profit for the periods indicated:

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014 2013 2012   2015 2014 2013 

Revenue

   100.0  100.0  100.0   100.0  100.0  100.0

Purchased transportation

   77.3    76.8    76.9     76.8    77.3    76.8  

Commissions to agents

   7.9    7.9    7.9     8.1    7.9    7.9  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit margin

   14.8  15.3  15.2   15.0  14.8  15.3
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Gross profit

   100.0  100.0  100.0   100.0  100.0  100.0

Investment income

   0.3    0.4    0.4     0.3    0.3    0.4  

Indirect costs and expenses:

        

Other operating costs, net of gains on asset dispositions

   5.4    5.3    5.3  

Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions

   6.3    5.4    5.3  

Insurance and claims

   9.8    12.4    8.8     9.8    9.8    12.4  

Selling, general and administrative

   31.8    32.4    32.7     30.0    31.8    32.4  

Depreciation and amortization

   5.8    6.8    6.0     5.8    5.8    6.8  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   52.8    56.9    52.8     51.9    52.8    56.9  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Operating margin

   47.4  43.4  47.5   48.4  47.4  43.4
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Management believes that a discussion of indirect costs as a percentage of gross profit is useful and meaningful to potential investors for the following principal reasons: (1) disclosure of these relative measures (i.e., each indirect operating cost line item as a percentage of gross profit) allows investors to better understand the underlying trends in Landstar’sthe Company’s results of operations; (2) due to the generally fixed nature of these indirect costs (other than insurance and claims costs), these relative measures are meaningful to investors’ evaluations of the Company’s management of its indirect costs attributable to operations; (3) management considers this financial information in its decision-making, such as budgeting for infrastructure, trailing equipment and selling, general and administrative costs; and (4) this information facilitates comparisons by investors of Landstar’sthe Company’s results to the results of other non-asset or asset-light companies in the transportation and logistics services industry who report “net revenue” in Management Discussion and Analysis, which

represents revenue less the cost of purchased transportation. The difference between Landstar’sthe Company’s use of the term “gross profit” and the use of the term “net revenue” by other companies in the transportation and logistics services industry is due to the direct cost of commissions to agents under the Landstar business model, whereas other companies in this industry generally have no commissions to agents.

Also, as previously mentioned, the Company reports two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment. External revenue at the insurance segment, representing reinsurance premiums, has historically been relatively consistent on a year-over-year basis at less than 2% of consolidated revenue and generally corresponds directly with the number of trucks provided by BCO Independent Contractors. The discussion of indirect cost line items in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations considers the Company’s costs on a consolidated basis rather than on a segment basis. Management believes this presentation format is the most appropriate to assist users of the financial statements in understanding the Company’s business for the following reasons: (1) the insurance segment has no other operating costs; (2) discussion of insurance and claims at either segment without reference to the other may

create confusion amongst investors and potential investors due to intercompany arrangements and specific deductible programs that affect comparability of financial results by segment between various fiscal periods but that have no effect on the Company from a consolidated reporting perspective; (3) selling, general and administrative costs of the insurance segment comprise less than 10% of consolidated selling, general and administrative costs and have historically been relatively consistent on a year-over-year basis; and (4) the insurance segment has no depreciation and amortization.

Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2015 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2014

Revenue for fiscal year 2015 was $3,321,091,000, an increase of $136,301,000, or 4%, compared to fiscal year 2014. Transportation revenue increased $131,264,000, or 4%. The increase in transportation revenue was primarily attributable to an approximately 8% increase in the number of loads hauled, partially offset by decreased revenue per load of approximately 4%. Reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk of loss is ultimately borne by Signature, were $44,414,000 and $39,377,000 for fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in revenue from reinsurance premiums was primarily attributable to the net increase in the number of BCO Independent Contractors in fiscal year 2015.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers (together, the “third party truck capacity providers”) for fiscal year 2015, was $3,084,264,000, or 93% of total revenue, an increase of $95,686,000, or 3%, compared to fiscal year 2014. The number of loads hauled by third party truck capacity providers in fiscal year 2015 increased approximately 8% compared to fiscal year 2014, while revenue per load decreased approximately 4% compared to fiscal year 2014. The increase in the number of loads hauled via truck compared to fiscal year 2014 was due to an increase in demand for the Company’s drop and hook services using the Company’s van trailers, an increase in loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment, driven by demand from one shipper for a specific project in the automotive sector and increased market share from new agents. The decrease in revenue per load on loads hauled via truck was primarily attributable to the impact of lower diesel fuel costs on loads hauled via Truck Brokerage Carriers and a decrease in the number of loads hauled via heavy specialized equipment as a percentage of total truck loads, which typically have a higher revenue per load. The number of loads hauled via van equipment increased 6% while revenue per load on loads hauled via van equipment decreased 2% compared to fiscal year 2014. Demand for Landstar’s van transportation services was broad-based across many customers and geographic regions, with particular strength for drop and hook services. The decrease in van revenue per load was primarily due to the impact of lower diesel fuel costs on loads hauled via Truck Brokerage Carriers. The number of loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment increased 9% while revenue per load on loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment decreased 7% compared to fiscal year 2014. The increase in the number of loads hauled via unsided/platform equipment was driven by one shipper for a specific project in the automotive sector during fiscal year 2015. The decrease in unsided/platform revenue per load of 7% was due to a decreased average length of haul in fiscal year 2015, primarily driven by

increased loadings from a project for an existing automotive customer, which had a comparatively lower average length of haul, a decrease in the percentage of unsided/platform revenue contributed by heavy specialized equipment, which tends to have a higher revenue per load and the impact of lower diesel fuel costs on loads hauled via Truck Brokerage Carriers. The increase in the number of LTL loads of 16% compared to fiscal year 2014 was primarily due to increased loadings at one specific customer and increased market share as more of the Company’s independent commission agents participate in this service offering. The decrease in LTL revenue per load of 14% compared to fiscal year 2014 was primarily due to increased loadings at one specific customer, which had a comparatively low revenue per load. Fuel surcharges on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue identified separately in billings to customers and included as a component of Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue were $84,266,000 and $121,656,000 in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Not all customers require separately identified fuel surcharges and, therefore, the fuel surcharges separately identified do not necessarily represent the overall impact of changes in fuel prices on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue and revenue per load. Fuel surcharges billed to customers on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors are excluded from revenue.

Transportation revenue hauled by rail intermodal, air cargo and ocean cargo carriers (collectively, the “multimode capacity providers”) for fiscal year 2015, was $192,011,000, or 6% of total revenue, an increase of $35,839,000, or 23%, compared to fiscal year 2014. The number of loads hauled by multimode capacity providers in fiscal year 2015 increased approximately 32% compared to fiscal year 2014, while revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers decreased approximately 7% over the same period. The increase in loads hauled by multimode capacity providers was primarily due to increased rail intermodal loads. The decrease in revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers was primarily due to decreased revenue per load on rail intermodal loads and an increase in rail intermodal loads as a percentage of multimode loads, as rail intermodal loads generally generate a lower revenue per load compared to loads hauled by ocean or air carriers. Also, revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers is influenced by many factors, including revenue mix among the various modes of transportation used, length of haul, complexity of freight, density of freight lanes, fuel costs and availability of capacity.

Purchased transportation was 76.8% and 77.3% of revenue in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to a decreased rate of purchased transportation paid to Truck Brokerage Carriers, primarily due to the impact of lower diesel fuel costs. Commissions to agents were 8.1% and 7.9% of revenue in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in commissions to agents as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to an increased net revenue margin on revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers.

Investment income was $1,396,000 and $1,381,000 in fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Other operating costs increased $5,847,000 in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 and represented 6.3% of gross profit in fiscal year 2015 compared to 5.4% in fiscal year 2014. The increase in other operating costs compared to the prior year was primarily due to increased trailing equipment maintenance and rental costs, as the Company increased its number of owned trailers in response to customer demand and retained older van trailing equipment that tends to have higher maintenance costs than new trailing equipment, and decreased gains on sales of used trailing equipment. The increase in other operating costs as a percentage of gross profit was primarily caused by the increase in trailing equipment and rental costs and decreased gains on sale of used trailing equipment, partially offset by the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2015.

Insurance and claims increased $2,474,000 in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 and represented 9.8% of gross profit in both fiscal years 2015 and 2014. The increase in insurance and claims compared to prior year was due to increased frequency in the number of insurance claims in fiscal year 2015, partially offset by decreased net unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates from $6,664,000 in fiscal year 2014 to $4,852,000 in fiscal year 2015.

Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $546,000 in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 and represented 30.0% of gross profit in fiscal year 2015 compared to 31.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2014. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs compared to prior year was due to a $17,793,000

provision for incentive compensation in fiscal year 2014 compared to a $6,638,000 provision in fiscal year 2015, partially offset by increased employee wages and benefits and an increased provision for customer bad debt, primarily related to one customer. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of gross profit was also due to the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2015.

Depreciation and amortization increased $1,527,000 in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 and represented 5.8% of gross profit in both fiscal years 2015 and 2014. The increase in depreciation and amortization costs were primarily due to depreciation on new trailing equipment that replaced older, fully depreciated trailing equipment.

Interest and debt expense in fiscal year 2015 was $228,000 lower than fiscal year 2014. The decrease in interest and debt expense was primarily due to lower average borrowing rates on capital lease obligations.

The provisions for income taxes for both fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were based on estimated annual effective income tax rates of approximately 38.2% adjusted for discrete events, such as benefits resulting from disqualifying dispositions of the Company’s Common Stock by employees who obtained the stock through exercises of incentive stock options. The effective income tax rates for fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were 38.1% and 37.2%, respectively, which was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock-based compensation. The increase in the effective income tax rate compared to prior year is primarily attributable to benefits related to certain tax matters recognized in the 2014 period.

Net income was $147,689,000, or $3.38 per common share ($3.37 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2015. Net income was $138,809,000, or $3.09 per common share ($3.07 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2014.

Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2014 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013

Revenue for fiscal year 2014 was $3,184,790,000 an increase of $520,010,000, or 20%, compared to fiscal year 2013. Transportation revenue increased $517,188,000, or 20%. The increase in transportation revenue was primarily attributable to approximately an 8% increase in the number of loads hauled and increased revenue per load of approximately 10%. Reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk of loss is ultimately borne by Signature, were $39,377,000 and $36,555,000 for fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in revenue from reinsurance premiums was primarily attributable to the net increase in the number of BCO Independent Contractors in fiscal year 2014.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers (together, the “third party truck capacity providers”) for fiscal year 2014, was $2,988,578,000, or 94% of total revenue, an increase of $520,075,000, or 21%, compared to fiscal year 2013. The number of loads hauled by third party truck capacity providers in fiscal year 2014 increased approximately 9% compared to fiscal year 2013, and revenue per load increased approximately 12% compared to fiscal year 2013. The increase in the number of loads hauled via third party truck capacity providers compared to fiscal year 2013 was due to a broad-based increase in underlying demand for truck transportation services and increased market share from new agents. The increase in revenue per load on loads hauled via truck was primarily attributable to increased demand and a tight truck capacity environment. The increase in the number of loads hauled by van equipment of 11% and the increase in the number of loads hauled by unsided/platform equipment of 6% compared to fiscal year 2013 were primarily due to a broad based increase in demand for transportation services in the domestic marketplace and increased market share from new agents. The increase in revenue per load for loads hauled by van equipment of 12% and the increase in revenue per load hauled by unsided/platform equipment of 11% compared to fiscal year 2013 was due to increased demand and tightened capacity. The decrease in the number of LTL loads of 5% compared to fiscal year 2013 was primarily due to the loss of one specific customer. The increase in LTL revenue per load of 18% compared to fiscal year 2013 was primarily due to the loss of one specific customer. Fuel surcharges on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue

identified separately in billings to customers and included as a component of Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue were $121,656,000 and $110,722,000 in fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. Fuel surcharges billed to customers on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors are excluded from revenue.

Transportation revenue hauled by rail intermodal, air cargo and ocean cargo carriers (collectively, the “multimode capacity providers”) for fiscal year 2014, was $156,172,000, or 5% of total revenue, a decrease of $3,329,000, or 2%, compared to fiscal year 2013. The number of loads hauled by multimode capacity providers in fiscal year 2014 increased approximately 4% compared to fiscal year 2013, while revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers decreased approximately 6% over the same period. The increase in loads hauled by multimode capacity providers was primarily due to increased rail intermodal loads. The decrease in revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers was primarily due to decreased project cargo loads hauled by ocean cargo carriers, which typically have a higher revenue per load amount compared to other types of multimode shipments. Also, revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers is influenced by many factors, including revenue mix among the various modes of transportation used, length of haul, complexity of freight, density of freight lanes, fuel costs and availability of capacity.

Purchased transportation was 77.3% and 76.8% of revenue in fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to an increased rate of

purchased transportation paid to Truck Brokerage Carriers as the availability of truck capacity tightened in fiscal year 2014, and an increase in the percentage of revenue hauled by Truck Brokerage Carriers, which typically has a higher rate of purchased transportation than revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors. Commissions to agents were 7.9% of revenue in both fiscal years 2014 and 2013.

Investment income was $1,381,000 and $1,475,000 in fiscal years 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to lower average rates of return on investments held by the Company during fiscal year 2014.

Other operating costs increased $4,203,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 and represented 5.4% of gross profit in fiscal year 2014 compared to 5.3% in fiscal year 2013. The increase in other operating costs compared to the prior year was primarily due to increased trailing equipment costs, an increased provision for contractor bad debt and lower gains on sales of used trailing equipment. The increase in other operating costs as a percent of gross profit was caused by the increase in operating costs, partially offset by the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2014.

Insurance and claims decreased $4,158,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 and represented 9.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2014 compared to 12.4% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013. The decrease in insurance and claims compared to prior year was due to net unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates of $6,664,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to $10,909,000 in fiscal year 2013. The decrease in insurance and claims as a percentage of gross profit was also due to the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2014.

Selling, general and administrative costs increased $18,540,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 and represented 31.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2014 compared to 32.4% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013. The increase in selling, general and administrative costs compared to prior year was due to a $17,793,000 provision for incentive compensation in fiscal year 2014 compared to a $6,145,000 provision in fiscal year 2013, increased stock-based compensation expense and an increased provision for customer bad debt in fiscal year 2014. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of gross profit, however, was primarily due to the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2014, which more than offset the effect of the increase in selling, general and administrative costs.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $92,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 and represented 5.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2014 compared to 6.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013. The

decrease in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of gross profit was primarily due to the effect of increased gross profit in fiscal year 2014.

Interest and debt expense in fiscal year 2014 was $34,000 lower than fiscal year 2013.

The provisions for income taxes for both fiscal years 2014 and 2013 were based on estimated effective income tax rates of approximately 38.2%, adjusted for discrete events, such as benefits resulting from disqualifying dispositions of the Company’s Common Stock by employees who obtained the stock through exercises of incentive stock options. The effective income tax rate on income from continuing operations for both fiscal years 2014 and 2013 was 37.2%, which was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock-based compensation, partially offset by recognition of benefits related to certain tax matters.

Net income was $138,809,000, or $3.09 per common share ($3.07 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2014. Income from continuing operations was $108,922,000, or $2.37 per common share ($2.36 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2013. Net income was $146,009,000, or $3.17 per common share ($3.16 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2013.

Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013 Compared to Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2012

Revenue for fiscal year 2013 was $2,664,780,000, a decrease of $106,019,000, or 4%, compared to fiscal year 2012. Transportation revenue decreased $106,713,000, or 4%. The decrease in transportation revenue was primarily attributable to a 2% decrease in each of the number of loads hauled and revenue per load. Reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk of loss is ultimately borne by Signature, were $36,555,000 and $35,861,000 for fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Truck transportation revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers for fiscal year 2013, was $2,468,503,000, or 93% of total revenue, a decrease of $114,419,000, or 4%, compared to fiscal year 2012. The number of loads hauled and revenue per load from loads hauled by third party truck capacity providers in fiscal year 2013 each decreased approximately 2% compared to fiscal year 2012. The decrease in the number of loads hauled by third party truck capacity providers compared to fiscal 2012 was primarily due to general softness in demand for transportation services provided via unsided/platform equipment and, to a lesser extent, transportation services provided via van equipment. The decrease in revenue per load on revenue hauled by third party truck capacity providers was due to a decrease in the number of loads hauled on unsided/platform equipment, which typically has a higher revenue per load, and a decrease in revenue per load on loads hauled on unsided/platform equipment. Fuel surcharges on Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue identified separately in billings to customers and included as a component of Truck Brokerage Carrier revenue were $110,722,000 and $114,426,000 in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Fuel surcharges billed to customers on revenue hauled by BCO Independent Contractors are excluded from revenue.

Transportation revenue hauled by rail intermodal, air cargo and ocean cargo carriers for fiscal year 2013, was $159,501,000, or 6% of total revenue, an increase of $7,671,000, or 5%, compared to fiscal year 2012. The number of loads hauled by multimode capacity providers in fiscal year 2013 increased approximately 2% compared to fiscal year 2012, and revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers increased approximately 3% over the same period. Revenue per load on revenue hauled by multimode capacity providers is influenced by many factors, including revenue mix among the various modes of transportation used, length of haul, complexity of freight, density of freight lanes, fuel costs and availability of capacity.

Purchased transportation was 76.8% and 76.9% of revenue in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue was primarily attributable to an increase in the percentage of revenue contributed by the insurance segment, which has no transportation costs. Commissions to agents were 7.9% of revenue in both fiscal years 2013 and 2012.

Investment income was $1,475,000 and $1,563,000 in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to lower average rates of return on investments held by the Company during fiscal year 2013.

Other operating costs decreased $1,014,000 in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 and represented 5.3% of gross profit in both fiscal years 2013 and 2012. The decrease in other operating costs compared to prior year was primarily due to decreased trailing equipment maintenance costs, partially offset by an increased provision for contractor bad debt.

Insurance and claims costs increased $13,149,000 in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 and represented 12.4% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013 compared to 8.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2012. The increase in insurance and claims costs compared to prior year was due to net unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates of $10,909,000, which primarily related to three claims, in fiscal year 2013 compared to $11,000 of net unfavorable development of prior years’ claims in fiscal year 2012. The increase in insurance and claims as a percentage of gross profit compared to prior year was due to increased net unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012.

Selling, general and administrative costs decreased $6,384,000 in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 and represented 32.4% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013 and 32.7% of gross profit in fiscal year 2012. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs was primarily attributable to a decreased provision for bonuses under the Company’s incentive compensation plan, a decrease in the provision for customer bad debt, and decreased stock-based compensation expense. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs as a percentage of gross profit was caused by the decrease in selling, general and administrative costs, partially offset by the effect of decreased gross profit in fiscal year 2013.

Depreciation and amortization increased $2,454,000 in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 and represented 6.8% of gross profit in fiscal year 2013 and 6.0% of gross profit in fiscal year 2012. The increase in depreciation and amortization was primarily due to depreciation on new trailing equipment that replaced older, fully depreciated trailing equipment in fiscal year 2013. The increase in depreciation and amortization as a percentage of gross profit was also due to the effect of decreased gross profit in fiscal year 2013.

Interest and debt expense in fiscal year 2013 was $101,000 higher than fiscal year 2012. The increase in interest and debt expense was primarily attributable to higher average capital lease obligations related to financing the purchase of trailing equipment during 2013, partially offset by decreased average borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facility.

The provisions for income taxes for both fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were based on estimated combined effective income tax rates of 38.2%, adjusted for discrete events, such as benefits resulting from disqualifying dispositions of the Company’s Common Stock by employees who obtained the stock through exercises of incentive stock options and benefits relating to uncertain tax positions for which the applicable statute of limitations expired. The effective income tax rates on income from continuing operations for fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were 37.2% and 36.0%, respectively, which were higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the meals and entertainment exclusion and non-deductible stock-based compensation, partially offset by recognition of benefits related to certain tax matters. The increase in the effective income tax rate in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012 was primarily due to decreased benefits relating to uncertain tax positions recognized in fiscal year 2013 compared to fiscal year 2012.

Income from continuing operations was $108,922,000, or $2.37 per common share ($2.36 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2013. Income from continuing operations was $126,566,000, or $2.71 per common share ($2.70 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2012.

Income from discontinued operations of $37,087,000, or $0.81 per common share ($0.80 per diluted share) in fiscal year 2013 included a gain on sale of $33,029,000, or $0.72 per common share ($0.71 per diluted share), net of income taxes of $19,145,000, and income from operations of $4,058,000, or $0.09 per common share ($0.09 per diluted share), net of income taxes of $2,615,000. Income from discontinued operations was $3,215,000, or $0.07 per common share ($0.07 per diluted share), net of income taxes of $1,905,000, in fiscal year 2012.

Net income was $146,009,000, or $3.17 per common share ($3.16 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2013. Net income was $129,781,000, or $2.78 per common share ($2.77 per diluted share), in fiscal year 2012.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Working capital and the ratio of current assets to current liabilities were $293,133,000 and 1.8 to 1, respectively, at December 26, 2015, compared with $321,877,000 and 1.8 to 1, respectively, at December 27, 2014, compared withand $306,808,000 and 1.8 to 1, respectively, at December 28, 2013, and $247,605,000 and 1.7 to 1, respectively, at December 29, 2012.2013. Landstar has historically operated with current ratios within the range of 1.5 to 1 to 2.0 to 1. Cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations was $216,022,000, $101,869,000, and $152,645,000 in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and $120,331,0002013, respectively. The increase in cash flow provided by operating activities for fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 2013 and 2012, respectively.was primarily attributable to the timing of collections of trade receivables. The decrease in cash flow provided by operating activities of continuing operations for fiscal year 2014 compared to fiscal year 2013 was

primarily attributable to the increase in trade receivables since the beginning of the fiscal year 2014 generally driven by the significant growth in revenue in fiscal year 2014.

The increaseCompany declared and paid $0.30 per share, or $13,088,000 in the aggregate, in cash flow provided by operating activitiesdividends during fiscal year 2015 and, during such period, also paid $44,794,000 of continuing operations for 2013 compared to 2012 was primarily attributable todividends payable which were declared during fiscal year 2014 and included in current liabilities in the timing of payments.

consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014. The Company declared and paid $0.26 per share, or $11,685,000 in the aggregate, in cash dividends during fiscal year 2014 and, during such period, also paid $15,921,000 of dividends payable which were declared during fiscal year 2013 and included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2013. In addition, on December 4, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share, or $44,794,000 in the aggregate, payable on January 26, 2015, to stockholders of record as of January 12, 2015. Dividends payable of $44,794,000 related to this special dividend was included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014. The Company did not pay any cash dividends during fiscal year 2013. The Company paid $0.73 per share, or $33,981,000 in the aggregate, in cash dividends during 2012. During 2014,fiscal year 2015, the Company purchased 939,8722,497,748 shares of its Common Stock at a total cost of $56,393,000.$161,152,000. During 2013fiscal years 2014 and 2012,2013, the Company purchased 1,116,673939,872 and 524,6741,116,673 shares of its Common Stock at a total cost of $59,496,000$56,393,000 and $25,826,000,$59,496,000, respectively. The Company has used cash provided by operating activities and borrowings on the Company’s revolving credit facilities to fund the purchases. Since January 1997, the Company has purchased approximately $1,167,000,000$1,328,000,000 of its Common Stock under programs authorized by the Board of Directors of the Company in open market and private block transactions. As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company may purchase up to an additional 1,827,7821,809,406 shares of its Common Stock under its authorized stock purchase program. Long-term debt, including current maturities, was $124,292,000 at December 26, 2015, compared to $111,321,000 at December 27, 2014 compared toand $101,505,000 at December 28, 2013 and $114,141,000 at December 29, 2012.2013.

Shareholders’ equity was $488,261,000,$466,237,000, or 81%79% of total capitalization (defined as long-term debt including current maturities plus equity), at December 26, 2015, compared to $488,261,000, or 81% of total capitalization, at December 27, 2014 compared toand $454,481,000, or 82% of total capitalization, at December 28, 2013 and $379,454,000, or 77% of total capitalization, at December 29, 2012.2013. The increasedecrease in equity in fiscal year 2015 compared to fiscal year 2014 over 2013 was primarily a result of net income, partially offset bythe purchases of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and dividends declared by the Company.Company in fiscal year 2015, partially offset by net income. The

increase in equity in 2013fiscal year 2014 over 2012fiscal year 2013 was primarily a result of net income, including the gain on the sale of discontinued operations, partially offset by purchases of shares of the Company’s Common Stock and dividends declared by the Company.

On June 29, 2012, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which matures on June 29, 2017, provides $225,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $75,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that limit, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Company is required to, among other things, maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and maintain a Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, below a specified maximum. The Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders on the Company’s capital stock to the extent there is a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement under certain circumstances limits the amount of such cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders to the extent that, after giving effect to any payment made to effect such cash dividend or other distribution, the Leverage Ratio would exceed 2.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement provides for an event of default in the event that, among other things, a person or group acquires 25% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or obtains power to elect a majority of the Company’s directors. None of these covenants are presently considered by management to be materially restrictive to the Company’s operations, capital resources or liquidity. The Company is currently in compliance with all of the debt covenants under the Credit Agreement.

At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company had no borrowings outstanding and $33,042,000$32,757,000 of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement. At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, there was $191,958,000$192,243,000 available for future borrowings under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company has $63,761,000$57,610,000 in letters of credit

outstanding as collateral for insurance claims that are secured by investments totaling $70,846,000$64,011,000 at December 27, 2014.26, 2015. Investments, all of which are carried at fair value, include primarily investment-grade bonds and U.S. Treasury obligations having maturities of up to five years. Fair value of investments is based primarily on quoted market prices. See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on measurement of fair value of investments.

Historically, the Company has generated sufficient operating cash flow to meet its debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions, complete or execute share purchases of its Common Stock under authorized share purchase programs, pay dividends and meet working capital needs. As an asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions, the Company’s annual capital requirements for operating property are generally for trailing equipment and information technology hardware and software. In addition, a significant portion of the trailing equipment used by the Company is provided by third party capacity providers, thereby reducing the Company’s capital requirements. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 2013 and 2012,2013, the Company’s continuing operations purchased $4,804,000, $10,539,000 $6,373,000 and $5,388,000,$6,373,000, respectively, of operating property and acquired $49,491,000, $47,232,000 $49,138,000 and $43,077,000,$49,138,000, respectively, of trailing equipment by entering into capital leases. Landstar anticipates acquiring approximately $73,000,000$64,000,000 in operating property, primarily new trailing equipment to replace older trailing equipment and information technology equipment, during fiscal year 20152016 either by purchase or lease financing. TheIn addition, the Company does not currently anticipate any other significanthas entered into an agreement for the purchase and improvement of a parcel of land in Laredo, Texas for approximately $5,000,000 and anticipates capital requirements in 2015.of approximately $15,000,000 for construction of a freight staging and transload facility on the land.

Management believes that cash flow from operations combined with the Company’s borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement will be adequate to meet Landstar’s debt service requirements, fund continued growth, both internal and through acquisitions, pay dividends, complete the authorized share purchase program and meet working capital needs.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company’s obligations and commitments to make future payments under contracts, such as debt and lease agreements, were as follows (in thousands):

 

  Payments Due By Period 

Contractual Obligation

  Total   Less Than
1 Year
   1-3
Years
   3-5
Years
   More Than
5 Years
   Total   Less Than
1 Year
   1-3
Years
   3-5
Years
 

Capital lease obligations

  $115,897    $37,234    $58,709    $19,954         $129,578    $44,912    $59,350    $25,316  

Operating lease obligations

   1,815     916     730     169          1,391     907     416     68  

Purchase obligations

   9,161     3,000     5,027     866     268     72,659     69,286     2,833     540  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  $126,873    $41,150    $64,466    $20,989    $268    $203,628    $115,105    $62,599    $25,924  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Capital lease obligations above include $4,576,000$5,286,000 of imputed interest. Purchase obligations at December 26, 2015 are primarily commitments for trailing equipment additions during fiscal 2016. At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company has gross unrecognized tax benefits of $2,620,000.$2,704,000. This amount is excluded from the table above as the Company cannot reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities. At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company has insurance claims liabilities of $46,002,000.$41,234,000. This amount is excluded from the table above as the Company cannot reasonably estimate the period of cash settlement on these liabilities. The short-term portion of the insurance claims liability is reported on the consolidated balance sheets primarily on an actuarially determined basis.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases as disclosed in the table of Contractual Obligations and Commitments above, that have or are reasonably likely to

have a current or future material effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Many of these claims are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The allowance for doubtful accounts for both trade and other receivables represents management’s estimate of the amount of outstanding receivables that will not be collected. Historically, management’s estimates for uncollectible receivables have been materially correct. Although management believes the amount of the allowance for both trade and other receivables at December 27, 201426, 2015 is appropriate, a prolonged period of low or no economic growth may adversely affect the collection of these receivables. In addition, liquidity concerns and/or unanticipated bankruptcy proceedings at any of the Company’s larger customers in which the Company is carrying a significant receivable could result in an increase in the provision for uncollectible receivables and have a significant impact on the Company’s results of operations in a given quarter or year. However, it is not expected that an uncollectible accounts receivable resulting from an individual customer would have a significant impact on the Company’s financial condition. Conversely, a more robust economic environment or the recovery of a previously provided for uncollectible receivable from an individual customer may result in the realization of some portion of the estimated uncollectible receivables.

Landstar provides for the estimated costs of self-insured claims primarily on an actuarial basis. The amount recorded for the estimated liability for claims incurred is based upon the facts and circumstances known on the applicable balance sheet date. The ultimate resolution of these claims may be for an amount greater or less than the amount estimated by management. The Company continually revises its existing claim estimates as new or revised information becomes available on the status of each claim. Historically, the Company has experienced both favorable and unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates. During fiscal yearyears 2015, 2014 and 2013, insurance and claims costs included $4,852,000, $6,664,000 of net unfavorable adjustments to prior years’ claims estimates. During fiscal years 2013 and 2012, insurance and claims costs included $10,909,000 and $11,000 of net unfavorable adjustments to prior years’ claims estimates, respectively. The unfavorable development of prior years’ claims in the 2015 fiscal year primarily related to a single claim for which the Company incurred a pre-tax charge of $4,500,000. The majority of the unfavorable development of prior years’ claims in the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years related to four claims. It is reasonably likely that the ultimate outcome of settling all outstanding claims will be more or less than the estimated claims reserve at December 27, 2014.26, 2015.

The Company utilizes certain income tax planning strategies to reduce its overall cost of income taxes. If the Company were to be subject to an audit, it is possible that certain strategies might be disallowed resulting in an increased liability for income taxes. Certain of these tax planning strategies result in a level of uncertainty as to whether the related tax positions taken by the Company would result in a recognizable benefit. The Company has provided for its estimated exposure attributable to such tax positions due to the corresponding level of uncertainty with respect to the amount of income tax benefit that may ultimately be realized. Management believes that the provision for liabilities resulting from the uncertainty in certain income tax positions is appropriate. To date, the Company has not experienced an examination by governmental revenue authorities that would lead management to believe that the Company’s past provisions for exposures related to the uncertainty of such income tax positions are not appropriate.

Significant variances from management’s estimates for the amount of uncollectible receivables, the ultimate resolution of self-insured claims and the provision for uncertainty in income tax positions could each be expected

to positively or negatively affect Landstar’s earnings in a given quarter or year. However, management believes that the ultimate resolution of these items, given a range of reasonably likely outcomes, will not significantly affect the long-term financial condition of Landstar or its ability to fund its continuing operations.

Effects of Inflation

Management does not believe inflation has had a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of Landstar in the past five years. However, inflation in excess of historical trends might have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations in the future.

Seasonality

Landstar’s operations are subject to seasonal trends common to the trucking industry. Results of operations for the quarter ending in March are typically lower than for the quarters ending June, September and December.

 

Item 7a.7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures aboutAbout Market Risk

The Company is exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of its financing activities, primarily its borrowings on its revolving credit facility, and investing activities with respect to investments held by the insurance segment.

On June 29, 2012, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which matures on June 29, 2017, provides $225,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $75,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees.

Depending upon the specific type of borrowing, borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on either (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate, (c) the rate at the time offered to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the Eurodollar market or (d) the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a margin that is determined based on the level of the Company’s Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. As of December 26, 2015 and during all of fiscal year 2015, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of December 27, 2014 and during all of the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of December 28, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 1.42%. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the average outstanding balance under the Credit Agreement was approximately $10,824,000. The Credit Agreement maturity date is June 29, 2017.

Long-term investments, all of which are available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, include primarily investment-grade bonds and U.S. Treasury obligations having maturities of up to five years. Assuming that the long-term portion of investments remains at $66,462,000,$59,261,000, the balance at December 27, 2014,26, 2015, a hypothetical increase or decrease in interest rates of 100 basis points would not have a material impact on future earnings on an annualized basis. Short-term investments consist of short-term investment-grade instruments and the current maturities of investment-grade corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury obligations. Accordingly, any future interest rate risk on these short-term investments would not be material to the Company’s operating results.

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s Canadian operation are translated from their functional currency to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transactional gains and losses arising from receivable and payable balances, including intercompany balances, in the normal course of business that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the operation are recorded in the statements of income when they occur. The assets held at the Company’s Canadian subsidiary at December 27, 201426, 2015 were, as translated to U.S. dollars, approximately 1.5%less than 2% of total consolidated assets. Accordingly, any translation gain or loss related to the Canadian operation would not be material.

Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  Dec. 27,
2014
 Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 26,
2015
 Dec. 27,
2014
 
ASSETSASSETS  ASSETS  

Current Assets

      

Cash and cash equivalents

  $163,944   $180,302    $114,520   $163,944  

Short-term investments

   37,007    34,939     48,823    37,007  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $4,338 and $3,773

   492,642    378,732  

Other receivables, including advances to independent contractors, less allowance of $4,189 and $4,253

   15,132    73,903  

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance of $4,327 and $4,338

   462,699    492,642  

Other receivables, including advances to independent contractors, less allowance of $4,143 and $4,189

   18,472    15,132  

Deferred income taxes and other current assets

   23,603    14,592     18,156    23,603  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total current assets

   732,328    682,468     662,670    732,328  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Operating property, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $160,681 and $157,985

   202,203    177,329  

Operating property, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $182,591 and $160,681

   225,927    202,203  

Goodwill

   31,134    31,134     31,134    31,134  

Other assets

   78,547    79,765     78,339    78,547  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total assets

  $1,044,212   $970,696    $998,070   $1,044,212  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY  

Current Liabilities

      

Cash overdraft

  $34,629   $27,780    $35,609   $34,629  

Accounts payable

   220,077    157,796     223,709    220,077  

Current maturities of long-term debt

   35,064    27,567     42,499    35,064  

Insurance claims

   24,233    92,280     19,757    24,233  

Dividends payable

   44,794    15,921         44,794  

Other current liabilities

   51,654    54,316     47,963    51,654  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total current liabilities

   410,451    375,660     369,537    410,451  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Long-term debt, excluding current maturities

   76,257    73,938     81,793    76,257  

Insurance claims

   21,769    24,171     21,477    21,769  

Deferred income taxes and other noncurrent liabilities

   47,474    42,446     59,026    47,474  

Shareholders’ Equity

      

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000 shares, issued 67,268,817 and 67,017,858 shares

   673    670  

Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 160,000,000 shares, issued 67,391,616 and 67,268,817 shares

   674    673  

Additional paid-in capital

   189,012    179,807     195,841    189,012  

Retained earnings

   1,255,374    1,173,044     1,389,975    1,255,374  

Cost of 22,474,331 and 21,528,693 shares of common stock in treasury

   (955,613  (899,028

Cost of 24,972,079 and 22,474,331 shares of common stock in treasury

   (1,116,765  (955,613

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (1,185  (12   (3,488  (1,185
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

   488,261    454,481     466,237    488,261  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

  $1,044,212   $970,696    $998,070   $1,044,212  
  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

  Fiscal Years Ended   Fiscal Years Ended 
  Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 29,
2012
   Dec. 26,
2015
   Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
 

Revenue

  $3,184,790    $2,664,780    $2,770,799    $3,321,091    $3,184,790    $2,664,780  

Investment income

   1,381     1,475     1,563     1,396     1,381     1,475  

Costs and expenses:

            

Purchased transportation

   2,461,143     2,046,927     2,130,323     2,551,343     2,461,143     2,046,927  

Commissions to agents

   250,780     211,355     218,122     270,260     250,780     211,355  

Other operating costs, net of gains on asset dispositions

   25,771     21,568     22,582  

Other operating costs, net of gains on asset sales/dispositions

   31,618     25,771     21,568  

Insurance and claims

   46,280     50,438     37,289     48,754     46,280     50,438  

Selling, general and administrative

   150,250     131,710     138,094     149,704     150,250     131,710  

Depreciation and amortization

   27,575     27,667     25,213     29,102     27,575     27,667  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   2,961,799     2,489,665     2,571,623     3,080,781     2,961,799     2,489,665  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

   224,372     176,590     200,739     241,706     224,372     176,590  

Interest and debt expense

   3,177     3,211     3,110     2,949     3,177     3,211  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

   221,195     173,379     197,629     238,757     221,195     173,379  

Income taxes

   82,386     64,457     71,063     91,068     82,386     64,457  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   138,809     108,922     126,566     147,689     138,809     108,922  

Discontinued operations:

            

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        4,058     3,215               4,058  

Gain on sale of discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        33,029                    33,029  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

        37,087     3,215               37,087  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $138,809    $146,009    $129,781    $147,689    $138,809    $146,009  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per common share:

            

Income from continuing operations

  $3.09    $2.37    $2.71    $3.38    $3.09    $2.37  

Income from discontinued operations

        0.81     0.07               0.81  

Earnings per common share

   3.09     3.17     2.78     3.38     3.09     3.17  

Diluted earnings per share:

            

Income from continuing operations

  $3.07    $2.36    $2.70    $3.37    $3.07    $2.36  

Income from discontinued operations

        0.80     0.07               0.80  

Diluted earnings per share

   3.07     3.16     2.77     3.37     3.07     3.16  

Average number of shares outstanding:

            

Earnings per common share

   44,956,000     46,039,000     46,698,000     43,664,000     44,956,000     46,039,000  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted earnings per share

   45,169,000     46,210,000     46,877,000     43,813,000     45,169,000     46,210,000  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Dividends per common share

  $1.26    $0.35    $0.73    $0.30    $1.26    $0.35  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

 

   Fiscal Years Ended 
   Dec. 27,
2014
  Dec. 28,
2013
  Dec. 29,
2012
 

Net income

  $138,809   $146,009   $129,781  

Other comprehensive (loss) income:

    

Unrealized holding (losses) gains on available-for-sale investments, net of tax benefit (expense) of $76, $365 and ($221)

   (139  (664  400  

Foreign currency translation (losses) gains

   (1,034  (718  243  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income

   (1,173  (1,382  643  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

  $137,636   $144,627   $130,424  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 
   Fiscal Years Ended 
   Dec. 26,
2015
  Dec. 27,
2014
  Dec. 28,
2013
 

Net income

  $147,689   $138,809   $146,009  

Other comprehensive loss:

    

Unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale investments, net of tax benefit of $109, $76 and $365

   (199  (139  (664

Foreign currency translation losses

   (2,104  (1,034  (718
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss

   (2,303  (1,173  (1,382
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

  $145,386   $137,636   $144,627  
  

 

 

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

 

  Fiscal Years Ended   Fiscal Years Ended 
  Dec. 27,
2014
 Dec. 28,
2013
 Dec. 29,
2012
   Dec. 26,
2015
 Dec. 27,
2014
 Dec. 28,
2013
 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

        

Net income

  $138,809   $146,009   $129,781    $147,689   $138,809   $146,009  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations:

        

Discontinued operations

       (37,087  (3,215           (37,087

Depreciation and amortization of operating property

   27,575    27,667    25,213     29,102    27,575    27,667  

Non-cash interest charges

   218    219    218     218    218    219  

Provisions for losses on trade and other accounts receivable

   5,315    3,755    4,886     5,890    5,315    3,755  

Gains on sales/disposals of operating property

   (2,143  (3,352  (2,815   (216  (2,143  (3,352

Deferred income taxes, net

   5,434    4,700    4,261     6,792    5,434    4,700  

Stock-based compensation

   6,797    4,911    6,149     6,925    6,797    4,911  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of discontinued operations:

        

Increase in trade and other accounts receivable

   (60,454  (28,584  (35,140

(Increase) decrease in other assets

   (9,046  (1,214  2,547  

Decrease (increase) in trade and other accounts receivable

   20,713    (60,454  (28,584

Increase in other assets

   (1,177  (9,046  (1,214

Increase in accounts payable

   62,281    8,881    13,018     3,632    62,281    8,881  

Decrease in other liabilities

   (2,468  (3,308  (6,857

Increase (decrease) in other liabilities

   1,222    (2,468  (3,308

(Decrease) increase in insurance claims

   (70,449  30,048    (17,715   (4,768  (70,449  30,048  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   101,869    152,645    120,331     216,022    101,869    152,645  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

        

Sales and maturities of investments

   34,701    38,777    33,028     38,684    34,701    38,777  

Purchases of investments

   (36,473  (50,613  (56,897   (44,238  (36,473  (50,613

Purchases of operating property

   (10,539  (6,373  (5,388   (4,804  (10,539  (6,373

Proceeds from sales of operating property

   7,465    9,711    9,730     1,685    7,465    9,711  

Proceeds from sale of discontinued operations

       74,505                 74,505  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

NET CASH (USED) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   (4,846  66,007    (19,527   (8,673  (4,846  66,007  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

        

Increase (decrease) in cash overdraft

   6,849    2,617    (339

Increase in cash overdraft

   980    6,849    2,617  

Dividends paid

   (27,606      (33,981   (57,882  (27,606    

Proceeds from exercises of stock options

   3,760    2,323    4,383     1,459    3,760    2,323  

Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued related to stock-based compensation plans

   (4,041  (1,766  (3,023   (2,225  (4,041  (1,766

Excess tax effect on stock option exercises

   2,500    349    751  

Borrowings on revolving credit facility

           60,000  

Excess tax benefits from stock-based awards

   671    2,500    349  

Purchases of common stock

   (56,393  (59,496  (25,826   (161,152  (56,393  (59,496

Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations

   (37,416  (61,774  (121,278   (36,520  (37,416  (61,774
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

NET CASH USED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS

   (112,347  (117,747  (119,313   (254,669  (112,347  (117,747
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash flows from discontinued operations:

        

Operating activities of discontinued operations

       9,368    5,253             9,368  

Investing activities of discontinued operations

       (168  (1,684           (168

Financing activities of discontinued operations

       (3,369  8,081             (3,369
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

       5,831    11,650             5,831  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

   (1,034  (718  243     (2,104  (1,034  (718
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (16,358  106,018    (6,616   (49,424  (16,358  106,018  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   180,302    74,284    80,900     163,944    180,302    74,284  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $163,944   $180,302   $74,284    $114,520   $163,944   $180,302  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Fiscal Years Ended December 27, 2014,26, 2015,

December 28, 201327, 2014 and December 29, 201228, 2013

(Dollars in thousands)

 

 Common Stock Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury
Stock at Cost
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
  Total  Common Stock Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Treasury
Stock at Cost
 Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Total 
 Shares Amount Shares Amount 

Balance December 31, 2011

  66,602,486   $666   $165,712   $947,156    19,882,289   $(813,684 $727   $300,577  

Net income

     129,781       129,781  

Dividends paid ($0.73 per share)

     (33,981     (33,981

Purchases of common stock

      524,674    (25,826   (25,826

Issuance of stock related to stock-based compensation plans, including excess tax effect

  257,378    3    2,115     4,773    (7   2,111  

Stock-based compensation

    6,149        6,149  

Other comprehensive income

        643    643  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  Shares Amount Additional
Paid-In
Capital
  Retained
Earnings
  Shares Amount Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
  Total 

Balance December 29, 2012

  66,859,864   $669   $173,976   $1,042,956    20,411,736   $(839,517 $1,370   $379,454    66,859,864   $669    20,411,736   $(839,517 

Net income

     146,009       146,009       146,009       146,009  

Dividends ($0.35 per share)

     (15,921     (15,921     (15,921     (15,921

Purchases of common stock

      1,116,673    (59,496   (59,496      1,116,673    (59,496   (59,496

Issuance of stock related to stock-based compensation plans, including excess tax effect

  157,994    1    920     284    (15   906    157,994    1    920     284    (15   906  

Stock-based compensation

    4,911        4,911      4,911        4,911  

Other comprehensive loss

        (1,382  (1,382        (1,382  (1,382
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance December 28, 2013

  67,017,858   $670   $179,807   $1,173,044    21,528,693   $(899,028 $(12 $454,481    67,017,858   $670   $179,807   $1,173,044    21,528,693   $(899,028 $(12 $454,481  

Net income

     138,809       138,809       138,809       138,809  

Dividends ($1.26 per share)

     (56,479     (56,479     (56,479     (56,479

Purchases of common stock

      939,872    (56,393   (56,393      939,872    (56,393   (56,393

Issuance of stock related to stock-based compensation plans, including excess tax effect

  250,959    3    2,408     5,766    (192   2,219    250,959    3    2,408     5,766    (192   2,219  

Stock-based compensation

    6,797        6,797      6,797        6,797  

Other comprehensive loss

        (1,173  (1,173        (1,173  (1,173
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance December 27, 2014

  67,268,817   $673   $189,012   $1,255,374    22,474,331   $(955,613 $(1,185 $488,261    67,268,817   $673   $189,012   $1,255,374    22,474,331   $(955,613 $(1,185 $488,261  

Net income

     147,689       147,689  

Dividends ($0.30 per share)

     (13,088     (13,088

Purchases of common stock

      2,497,748    (161,152   (161,152

Issuance of stock related to stock-based compensation plans, including excess tax effect

  122,799    1    (96      (95

Stock-based compensation

    6,925        6,925  

Other comprehensive loss

        (2,303  (2,303
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

Balance December 26, 2015

  67,391,616   $674   $195,841   $1,389,975    24,972,079   $(1,116,765 $(3,488 $466,237  
 

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)     Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (“LSHI”). Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary are herein referred to as “Landstar” or the “Company.” Significant inter-company accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

On December 28, 2013, the Company completed the sale of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC (collectively, “LSCS”), which was part of the Company’s transportation logistics segment, to XPO Logistics, Inc. (“XPO”). The gain on the sale of LSCS and the operating results of LSCS for fiscal year 2013 and prior periods have been reclassified in the consolidated financial statements to discontinued operations.

Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fiscal Year

Landstar’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending the last Saturday in December.

Revenue Recognition

When providing the physical transportation of freight, the Company is the primary obligor with respect to freight delivery and assumes the related credit risk. Accordingly, transportation revenue billed to customers for the physical transportation of freight and the related direct freight expenses are recognized on a gross basis upon completion of freight delivery. Reinsurance premiums of the insurance segment are recognized over the period earned, which is usually on a monthly basis. Fuel surcharges billed to customers for freight hauled by independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”) are excluded from revenue and paid in entirety to the BCO Independent Contractors.

Insurance Claim Costs

Landstar provides, primarily on an actuarially determined basis, for the estimated costs of cargo, property, casualty, general liability and workers’ compensation claims both reported and for claims incurred but not reported. Landstar retains liability for individual commercial trucking claims up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. The Company also retains liability of up to $1,000,000 for each general liability claim, up to $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim.

Tires

Tires purchased as part of trailing equipment are capitalized as part of the cost of the equipment. Replacement tires are charged to expense when placed in service.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Included in cash and cash equivalents are all investments, except those provided for collateral, with an original maturity of 3 months or less.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash equivalents, short and long-term investments, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, current and non-current insurance claims and long-term debt plus current maturities (“Debt”). The carrying value of cash equivalents, trade and other accounts receivable, accounts payable, current insurance claims and other accrued liabilities approximate fair value as the assets and liabilities are short term in nature. Short and long-term investments are carried at fair value as further described in the “Investments” footnote below. The carrying value of non-current insurance claims approximate fair value as the Company generally has the ability to, but is not required to, settle claims in a short term. The Company’s Debt includes borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility, to the extent there are any, plus borrowings relating to capital lease obligations used to finance trailing equipment. The interest rates on borrowings under the revolving credit facility are typically tied to short-term LIBOR rates that adjust monthly and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value. Interest rates on borrowings under capital leases approximate the interest rates that would currently be available to the Company under similar terms and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value.

Trade and Other Receivables

The allowance for doubtful accounts for both trade and other receivables represents management’s estimate of the amount of outstanding receivables that will not be collected. Estimates are used to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts for both trade and other receivables and are generally based on specific identification, historical collection results, current economic trends and changes in payment trends. Following is a summary of the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts for fiscal years ending December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
   Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   Write-offs,
Net of
Recoveries
  Balance at
End of
Period
 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2014

       

Trade receivables

  $3,773    $2,893    $(2,328 $4,338  

Other receivables

   4,994     2,414     (2,305  5,103  

Other non-current receivables

   222     8         230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $8,989    $5,315    $(4,633 $9,671  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013

       

Trade receivables

  $8,650    $1,801    $(6,678 $3,773  

Other receivables

   5,612     1,929     (2,547  4,994  

Other non-current receivables

   239     6     (23  222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $14,501    $3,736    $(9,248 $8,989  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 29, 2012

       

Trade receivables

  $6,591    $4,368    $(2,309 $8,650  

Other receivables

   7,768     610     (2,766  5,612  

Other non-current receivables

   274     6     (41  239  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $14,633    $4,984    $(5,116 $14,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   Balance at
Beginning
of Period
   Charged to
Costs and
Expenses
   Write-offs,
Net of
Recoveries
  Balance at
End of
Period
 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 26, 2015

       

Trade receivables

  $4,338    $3,985    $(3,996 $4,327  

Other receivables

   5,103     1,897     (1,445  5,555  

Other non-current receivables

   230     8         238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $9,671    $5,890    $(5,441 $10,120  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 27, 2014

       

Trade receivables

  $3,773    $2,893    $(2,328 $4,338  

Other receivables

   4,994     2,414     (2,305  5,103  

Other non-current receivables

   222     8         230  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $8,989    $5,315    $(4,633 $9,671  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2013

       

Trade receivables

  $8,650    $1,801    $(6,678 $3,773  

Other receivables

   5,612     1,929     (2,547  4,994  

Other non-current receivables

   239     6     (23  222  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 
  $14,501    $3,736    $(9,248 $8,989  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

  

 

 

 

Operating Property

Operating property is recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings and improvements are being depreciated over 30 years. Trailing

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

equipment is being depreciated over 7 to 10 years. Information technology hardware and software included in other equipment is generally being depreciated over 3 to 7 years.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. The Company has one reporting unit within the transportation logistics segment that reports goodwill. The Company reviews its goodwill balance annually for impairment as a single reporting unit, unless circumstances dictate more frequent assessments, and in accordance with Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08,Testing Goodwill for Impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an initial assessment, commonly referred to as “step zero”, of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount and also provides a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required by ASC Topic 350. In the fourth quarter of 2014,2015, the Company performed the qualitative assessment of goodwill and determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit would be greater than its carrying amount. Therefore, the Company determined it was not necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Furthermore, there has been no historical impairment of the Company’s goodwill.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense is equal to the current year’s liability for income taxes and a provision for deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

Share-Based Payments

The Company’s share-based payment arrangements include restricted stock units (“RSU”), non-vested restricted stock and stock options. The Company estimates the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes pricing model and recognizes compensation cost for stock option awards expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. Forfeitures are estimated at grant date based on historical experience and anticipated employee turnover. The fair value of each share of non-vested restricted stock is based on the fair value of such share on the date of grant and compensation costs for non-vested restricted stock are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the award. The fair value of eachan RSU with a performance condition is determined based on the market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, discounted for lack of marketability for a minimum post-vesting holding requirement. TheWith respect to RSU awards with a performance condition, the Company reports compensation costs for RSUs are recognizedexpense over the life of the award based on an estimated number of sharesunits that will vest over the life of the award, multiplied by the fair value of an RSU. The fair value of an RSU with a market condition is determined at the time of grant based on the expected achievement of the market condition at the end of each vesting period. With respect to RSU awards with a market condition, the Company recognizes compensation expense ratably over the requisite service period under an award based on the fair market value of the award at the time of grant, regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied. Previously recognized compensation cost would be reversed, however, if the employee terminated employment prior to completing such requisite service period.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per common share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including outstanding non-vested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of all dilutive stock options.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table provides a reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per common share to the average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014   2013   2012   2015   2014   2013 

Average number of common shares outstanding

   44,956     46,039     46,698     43,664     44,956     46,039  

Incremental shares from assumed exercises of stock options

   213     171     179     149     213     171  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding

   45,169     46,210     46,877     43,813     45,169     46,210  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

For the fiscal yearyears ended December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, no options outstanding to purchase shares of common stockCommon Stock were antidilutive. For the fiscal yearsyear ended December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, there were 143,000 and 321,000 options outstanding respectively, to purchase shares of Common Stock excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because they were antidilutive. Outstanding RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for all periods because the performance metric requirements or market condition for vesting had not been satisfied.

Dividends Payable

On December 4, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share payable on January 26, 2015, to stockholders of record of its Common Stock as of January 12, 2015. Dividends payable of $44,794,000 related to this special dividend arewere included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 27, 2014. On December 11, 2013, in connection with the sale of LSCS, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $0.35 per share payable on January 16, 2014, to stockholders of record of its Common Stock as of December 27, 2013. Dividends payable of $15,921,000 related to this special dividend were included in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet at December 28, 2013.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s Canadian operation are translated from their functional currency to U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and revenue and expense accounts are translated at average monthly exchange rates during the period. Adjustments resulting from the translation process are included in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transactional gains and losses arising from receivable and payable balances, including intercompany balances, in the normal course of business that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the operation are recorded in the statements of income when they occur.

(2)    Discontinued Operations

On December 28, 2013, the Company completed the sale of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, including its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC (collectively, “LSCS”), which was part of the Company’s transportation logistics segment, to XPO Logistics, Inc. (“XPO”). XPO paid a purchase price of $87.0 million in cash as consideration for LSCS. The net assets of LSCS

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

acquired by XPO were $32.5 million. Direct transaction costs related to the transaction, primarily legal and other professional fees and payments made to certain executives of LSCS in connection with the transaction, were approximately $2.4 million. Net of income taxes of $19.1 million, the sale resulted in a gain on the sale of

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

discontinued operations of $33.0 million, or $0.71 per diluted share in fiscal year 2013. There were no interest costs or corporate overhead expenses allocated in the gain calculation. The gain on the sale of LSCS and the operating results of LSCS for fiscal year 2013 and prior periods have been reclassified in the consolidated financial statements to discontinued operations.

The following table summarizes specific financial components of discontinued operations presented in the consolidated statementsstatement of income for the fiscal yearsyear ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year 
  2013 2012   Fiscal Year
2013
 

Revenue

  $21,173   $22,621    $21,173  
  

Income from discontinued operations before income taxes

  $6,673   $5,120    $6,673  

Gain on sale of discontinued operations before income taxes

   52,174         52,174  
  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Income from discontinued operations before income taxes

   58,847    5,120  

Income/gain from discontinued operations before income taxes

   58,847  

Income taxes on income from discontinued operations

   (2,615  (1,905   (2,615

Income taxes on gain on sale of discontinued operations

   (19,145       (19,145
  

 

  

 

   

 

 

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

  $37,087   $3,215    $37,087  
  

 

  

 

   

 

 

(3)    Other Comprehensive Income

The following table presents the components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of related income taxes, as of and for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

  Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Available-for-Sale
Securities
 Foreign Currency
Translation
 Total 

Balance as of December 31, 2011

  $508   $219   $727  

Other comprehensive income

   400    243    643  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   Unrealized
Holding Gains
(Losses) on
Available-for-Sale
Securities
   Foreign Currency
Translation
   Total 

Balance as of December 29, 2012

   908    462    1,370    $908    $462    $1,370  

Other comprehensive loss

   (664  (718  (1,382   (664   (718   (1,382
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance as of December 28, 2013

   244    (256  (12   244     (256   (12

Other comprehensive loss

   (139  (1,034  (1,173   (139   (1,034   (1,173
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance as of December 27, 2014

  $105   $(1,290 $(1,185   105     (1,290   (1,185

Other comprehensive loss

   (199   (2,104   (2,303
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Balance as of December 26, 2015

  $(94  $(3,394  $(3,488
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to investment income due to the realization of previously unrealized gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income were not significant for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012.2013.

(4)    Investments

Investments include primarily investment-grade corporate bonds and U.S. Treasury obligations having maturities of up to five years (the “bond portfolio”). Investments in the bond portfolio are reported as available-

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

for-sale and are carried at fair value. Investments maturing less than one year from the balance sheet date are included in short-term investments and investments maturing more than one year from the balance sheet date are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Management performs an analysis of the nature of the unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments to determine whether such losses are other-than-temporary. Unrealized losses, representing the excess of the purchase price of an investment over its fair value as of the end of a period, considered to be other-than-temporary, are to be included as a charge in the statement of income, while unrealized losses considered to be temporary are to be included as a component of shareholders’ equity. Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets are classified within Level 1. Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, are classified within Level 2. As Level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally based on available market information. Any transfers between levels are recognized as of the beginning of any reporting period. Fair value of the bond portfolio was determined using Level 1 inputs related to U.S. Treasury obligations and money market investments and Level 2 inputs related to investment-grade corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and direct obligations of government agencies. Unrealized gains,losses, net of unrealized losses,gains, on the investments in the bond portfolio were $145,000 at December 26, 2015, while unrealized gains, net of unrealized losses, in the bond portfolio were $163,000 and $378,000 at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, respectively.2014.

The amortized cost and fair values of available-for-sale investments are as follows at December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 201327, 2014 (in thousands):

 

  Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
 

December 26, 2015

        

Money market investments

  $7,594    $    $    $7,594  

Asset-backed securities

   4,523     1     58     4,466  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of
government agencies

   76,839     190     270     76,759  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   19,273     5     13     19,265  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $108,229    $196    $341    $108,084  
  Amortized
Cost
   Gross
Unrealized
Gains
   Gross
Unrealized
Losses
   Fair
Value
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

December 27, 2014

                

Money market investments

  $1,729    $    $    $1,729    $1,729    $    $    $1,729  

Asset-backed securities

   5,106     1     50     5,057     5,106     1     50     5,057  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

   76,964     491     284     77,171     76,964     491     284     77,171  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   19,507     14     9     19,512     19,507     14     9     19,512  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $103,306    $506    $343    $103,469    $103,306    $506    $343    $103,469  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

December 28, 2013

        

Money market investments

  $2,499    $    $    $2,499  

Asset-backed securities

   4,350     19     72     4,297  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

   76,786     783     370     77,199  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   18,524     31     13     18,542  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $102,159    $833    $455    $102,537  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

For those available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses at December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 2013,27, 2014, the following table summarizes the duration of the unrealized loss (in thousands):

 

  Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total   Less than 12 months   12 months or longer   Total 
  Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
 

December 26, 2015

          

Asset-backed securities

  $4,422    $58    $    $    $4,422    $58  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

   39,276     217     562     53     39,838     270  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   15,093     13               15,093     13  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $58,791    $288    $562    $53    $59,353    $341  
  Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   Fair
Value
   Unrealized
Loss
   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

December 27, 2014

                    

Asset-backed securities

  $2,006    $13    $2,447    $37    $4,453    $50    $2,006    $13    $2,447    $37    $4,453    $50  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

   19,354     135     11,373     149     30,727     284     19,354     135     11,373     149     30,727     284  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   6,992     1     760     8     7,752     9     6,992     1     760     8     7,752     9  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $28,352    $149    $14,580    $194    $42,932    $343    $28,352    $149    $14,580    $194    $42,932    $343  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

December 28, 2013

          

Asset-backed securities

  $3,429    $72    $    $    $3,429    $72  

Corporate bonds and direct obligations of government agencies

   22,169     370               22,169     370  

U.S. Treasury obligations

   757     13               757     13  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $26,355    $455    $    $    $26,355    $455  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The Company believes that unrealized losses on investments were primarily caused by rising interest rates rather than changeschange in credit quality. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of these securities as it does not intend to sell, and does not anticipate being required to sell, these securities before recovery of the cost basis. For these reasons, the Company does not consider the unrealized losses on these securities to be other-than-temporary at December 27, 2014.26, 2015.

Short-term investments include $37,007,000$48,823,000 in current maturities of investments held by the Company at December 27, 2014.26, 2015. The non-current portion of the bond portfolio of $66,462,000$59,261,000 is included in other assets. The short-term investments, together with $33,839,000$15,188,000 of non-current investments, provide collateral for the $63,761,000$57,610,000 of letters of credit issued to guarantee payment of insurance claims.

Investment income represents the earnings on the insurance segment’s assets. Investment income earned from the assets of the insurance segment are included as a component of operating income as the investment of these assets is critical to providing collateral, liquidity and earnings with respect to the operation of the Company’s insurance programs.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(5)    Income Taxes

The provisions for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014   2013   2012   2015   2014   2013 

Current:

            

Federal

  $68,722    $53,089    $64,148    $74,289    $68,722    $53,089  

State

   7,031     4,643     2,305     9,550     7,031     4,643  

Canadian

   1,199     683     1,013     437     1,199     683  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total current

  $76,952    $58,415    $67,466    $84,276    $76,952    $58,415  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Deferred:

            

Federal

  $5,234    $5,758    $3,462    $6,524    $5,234    $5,758  

State

   200     284     135     268     200     284  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total deferred

  $5,434    $6,042    $3,597    $6,792    $5,434    $6,042  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income taxes

  $82,386    $64,457    $71,063    $91,068    $82,386    $64,457  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Temporary differences and carryforwards which gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

  Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 26,
2015
   Dec. 27,
2014
 

Deferred tax assets:

        

Receivable valuations

  $3,623    $3,354    $3,832    $3,623  

Share-based payments

   2,939     3,458     2,894     2,939  

Self-insured claims

   5,353     5,180     4,132     5,353  

Other

   3,616     3,863     3,836     3,616  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total deferred tax assets

  $15,531    $15,855    $14,694    $15,531  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

        

Operating property

  $46,745    $41,933    $52,547    $46,745  

Goodwill

   5,619     5,553     5,877     5,619  

Other

   2,192     1,960     2,087     2,192  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total deferred tax liabilities

  $54,556    $49,446    $60,511    $54,556  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net deferred tax liability

  $39,025    $33,591    $45,817    $39,025  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from discontinued operations included a deferred tax benefit of $1,342,000 in 2013 and a deferred tax expense of $664,000 in 2012.2013.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following table summarizes the differences between income taxes calculated at the federal income tax rate of 35% on income from continuing operations before income taxes and the provisions for income taxes (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014 2013 2012   2015   2014   2013 

Income taxes at federal income tax rate

  $77,418   $60,683   $69,170    $83,565    $77,418    $60,683  

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

   4,532    3,260    1,486     7,201     4,532     3,260  

Meals and entertainment exclusion

   777    919    919     946     777     919  

Share-based payments

   (239  184    (122   (61   (239   184  

Other, net

   (102  (589  (390   (583   (102   (589
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income taxes

  $82,386   $64,457   $71,063    $91,068    $82,386    $64,457  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. The Company or its subsidiaries file state tax returns in the majority of the U.S. state tax jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for 20102011 and prior years. The Company’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Landstar Canada, Inc., is subject to Canadian income and other taxes.

As of December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 2013,27, 2014, the Company had $1,836,000$1,899,000 and $1,583,000,$1,836,000, respectively, of net unrecognized tax benefits representing the provision for the uncertainty of certain tax positions plus a component of interest and penalties. Estimated interest and penalties on the provision for the uncertainty of certain tax positions is included in income tax expense. At December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 there was $744,000$727,000 and $628,000,$744,000, respectively, accrued for estimated interest and penalties related to the uncertainty of certain tax positions. The Company does not currently anticipate any significant increase or decrease to the unrecognized tax benefit during 2015.fiscal year 2016.

The following table summarizes the rollforward of the total amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 20142015 and 20132014 (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year   Fiscal Years 
  2014 2013   2015   2014 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits — beginning of the year

  $2,261   $2,329    $2,620    $2,261  

Gross increases related to current year tax positions

   373    303     482     373  

Gross increases related to prior year tax positions

   310    111     340     310  

Gross decreases related to prior year tax positions

   (109  (104   (195   (109

Settlements

   (34  (72        (34

Lapse of statute of limitations

   (181  (306   (543   (181
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Gross unrecognized tax benefits — end of the year

  $2,620   $2,261    $2,704    $2,620  
  

 

  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Landstar paid income taxes of $74,619,000 in fiscal year 2015, $98,506,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $64,255,000 in 2013 and $71,033,000 in 2012.fiscal year 2013.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

(6)    Operating Property

Operating property is summarized as follows (in thousands):

 

  Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
   Dec. 26,
2015
   Dec. 27,
2014
 

Land

  $9,148    $9,148    $9,148    $9,148  

Buildings and improvements

   38,790     33,160     39,532     38,790  

Trailing equipment

   267,685     245,430     311,449     267,685  

Other equipment

   47,261     47,576     48,389     47,261  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total operating property, gross

   362,884     335,314     408,518     362,884  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

   160,681     157,985     182,591     160,681  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total operating property, net

  $202,203    $177,329    $225,927    $202,203  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Included above is $222,428,000 in 2015 and $188,311,000 in 2014 and $144,503,000 in 2013 of operating property under capital leases, $143,311,000$164,501,000 and $116,379,000,$143,311,000, respectively, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Landstar acquired operating property by entering into capital leases in the amount of $49,491,000 in fiscal year 2015, $47,232,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $49,138,000 in 2013 and $43,077,000 in 2012.fiscal year 2013.

(7)    Retirement Plan

Landstar sponsors an Internal Revenue Code section 401(k) defined contribution plan for the benefit of full-time employees who have completed one year of service. Eligible employees make voluntary contributions up to 75% of their base salary, subject to certain limitations. Landstar contributes an amount equal to 100% of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% of such contributions, subject to certain limitations.

The expense from continuing operations for the Company-sponsored defined contribution plan included in selling, general and administrative expense was $1,901,000 in fiscal year 2015, $1,718,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $1,693,000 in 2013 and $1,660,000 in 2012.fiscal year 2013.

(8)    Debt

Long-termOther than the capital lease obligations as presented on the consolidated balance sheets, the Company had no outstanding debt is summarized as follows (in thousands):of December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014.

   Dec. 27,
2014
   Dec. 28,
2013
 

Capital leases

  $111,321    $96,505  

Revolving credit facility

        5,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
   111,321     101,505  

Less current maturities

   35,064     27,567  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

  $76,257    $73,938  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

On June 29, 2012, Landstar entered into a credit agreement with a syndicate of banks and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement, which matures on June 29, 2017, provides $225,000,000 of borrowing capacity in the form of a revolving credit facility, $75,000,000 of which may be utilized in the form of letter of credit guarantees. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are unsecured, however, all but two of the Company’s subsidiaries guarantee the obligations under the Credit Agreement. Any future amounts that may become outstanding under the Credit Agreement are payable on June 29, 2017, the maturity date of the Credit Agreement.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Depending upon the specific type of borrowing, borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest based on either (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds effective rate, (c) the rate at the time offered to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. in the Eurodollar market or (d) the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a margin that is determined based on the level of the Company’s Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement. The unused portion of the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement carries a commitment fee determined based on the level

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

of the Leverage Ratio. The commitment fee for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility under the Credit Agreement ranges from .15% to .35%, based on achieving certain levels of the Leverage Ratio. As of December 26, 2015 and December 27, 2014, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement. As of December 28, 2013, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding was 1.42%.

The Credit Agreement contains a number of covenants that limit, among other things, the incurrence of additional indebtedness. The Company is required to, among other things, maintain a minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, and maintain a Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Credit Agreement, below a specified maximum. The Credit Agreement provides for a restriction on cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders on the Company’s capital stock to the extent there is a default under the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Credit Agreement under certain circumstances limits the amount of such cash dividends and other distributions to stockholders to the extent that, after giving effect to any payment made to effect such cash dividend or other distribution, the Leverage Ratio would exceed 2.5 to 1 on a pro forma basis as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter. The Credit Agreement provides for an event of default in the event that, among other things, a person or group acquires 25% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the Company or obtains power to elect a majority of the Company’s directors. None of these covenants are presently considered by management to be materially restrictive to the Company’s operations, capital resources or liquidity. The Company is currently in compliance with all of the debt covenants under the Credit Agreement.

The interest rates on borrowings under the revolving credit facility are typically tied to short-term LIBOR rates that adjust monthly and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value. Interest rates on borrowings under capital leases approximate the interest rates that would currently be available to the Company under similar terms and, as such, carrying value approximates fair value.

Landstar paid interest of $3,012,000 in fiscal year 2015, $3,229,000 in fiscal year 2014 and $3,175,000 in 2013 and $3,156,000 in 2012.fiscal year 2013.

(9)    Leases

The future minimum lease payments under all noncancelable leases at December 27, 2014,26, 2015, principally for trailing equipment, are shown in the following table (in thousands):

 

  Capital
Leases
   Operating
Leases
   Capital
Leases
   Operating
Leases
 

2015

  $37,234    $916  

2016

   34,453     532    $44,912    $907  

2017

   24,256     198     34,740     278  

2018

   14,111     115     24,610     138  

2019

   5,843     54     16,352     68  

2020

   8,964       
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total future minimum lease payments

   129,578    $1,391  
   115,897    $1,815      

 

 
    

 

 

Less amount representing interest (2.0% to 3.9%)

   4,576    

Less amount representing interest (2.0% to 2.8%)

   5,286    
  

 

     

 

   

Present value of minimum lease payments

  $111,321      $124,292    
  

 

     

 

   

Total rent expense/income from continuing operations, net of sublease income, was $318,000 expense in fiscal year 2015, $587,000 income in fiscal year 2014 and $1,238,000 income in fiscal year 2013.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

Total rent expense/income from continuing operations, net of sublease income, was $587,000 income in 2014, $1,238,000 income in 2013 and $497,000 expense in 2012.

(10)    Share-Based Payment Arrangements

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company had two employee equity incentive plans, the 2002 employee stock option and stock incentive plan (the “ESOSIP”) and the 2011 equity incentive plan (the “2011 EIP”). No further grants can be made under the ESOSIP. The Company also has twoa stock compensation plansplan for members of its Board of Directors, the 2003 Directors Stock Compensation Plan (the “2003 DSCP”) and the 2013 Directors Stock Compensation Plan (the “2013 DSCP”). The provisions6,000,000 shares of the 2013 DSCP are substantially similar toCompany’s Common Stock were authorized for issuance under the provisions of the 2003 DSCP.2011 EIP and 115,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were authorized for issuance under the 2013 DSCP. No further grants can be made under the 2003 DSCP. The ESOSIP, 2011 EIP 2003 DSCP and 2013 DSCP are each referred to herein as a “Plan,” and, collectively, as the “Plans.” Amounts recognized in the financial statements with respect to these Plans are as follows (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Years   Fiscal Years 
  2014 2013 2012   2015 2014 2013 

Total cost of the Plans during the period

  $6,797   $4,911   $6,149    $6,925   $6,797   $4,911  

Amount of related income tax benefit recognized during the period

   (3,171  (1,305  (2,398   (2,432  (3,171  (1,305
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Net cost of the Plans during the period

  $3,626   $3,606   $3,751    $4,493   $3,626   $3,606  
  

 

  

 

  

 

   

 

  

 

  

 

 

Included in income tax benefits recognized in the fiscal years ended December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 201327, 2014 were income tax benefits of $659,000$383,000 and $502,000,$659,000, respectively, recognized on disqualifying dispositions of the Company’s Common Stock by employees who obtained shares of Common Stock through exercises of incentive stock options.

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, there were 95,53194,334 shares of the Company’s Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 2013 DSCP and 5,925,5015,490,114 shares of the Company’s Common Stock reserved for issuance in the aggregate under the ESOSIP and 2011 EIP.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards under the Plans:

   Number of
RSUs
   Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 29, 2012

   113,000    $ 44.78  

Granted

   244,500    $51.19  

Vested

   (21,901  $44.78  

Forfeited

   (27,592  $47.45  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 28, 2013

   308,007    $49.63  

Granted

   146,000    $53.11  

Vested

   (24,641  $51.47  

Forfeited

   (3,736  $49.53  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 27, 2014

   425,630    $50.72  

Granted

   111,922    $53.30  

Vested

   (91,382  $51.98  

Forfeited

   (2,013  $52.81  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 26, 2015

   444,157    $51.10  
  

 

 

   

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

During fiscal years 2013 and 2014, the Company issued RSUs with a performance condition. During fiscal year 2015, the Company issued RSUs with a performance condition and RSUs with a market condition, as further described below.

RSUs with a performance condition vest over a 3 to 5 year period generally based on varying metrics of growth in operating income and diluted earnings per share either from a base year, being the year immediately preceding the year of grant, or year-over-prior-year growth. At the time of grant, the maximum number of common shares available for issuance under the January 27, 2015 grant equals 200% of the number of RSUs granted. The maximum number of common shares available for issuance under grants made prior to 2015 equals 100% of the number of RSUs granted. The fair value of an RSU with a performance condition was determined based on the market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, discounted for lack of marketability for a minimum post-vesting holding requirement. The discount rate due to lack of marketability used for RSU award grants with a performance condition for all periods was 7%. With respect to RSU awards with a performance condition, the Company reports compensation expense over the life of the award based on an estimated number of units that will vest over the life of the award, multiplied by the fair value of an RSU.

On May 1, 2015, the Company granted 20,000 RSUs that vest based on a market condition. These RSUs may vest on April 30 of 2019, 2020 and 2021 based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) compound annual growth rate over the vesting periods, adjusted to reflect dividends (if any) paid during such periods and capital adjustments as may be necessary. The maximum number of common shares available for issuance under the May 1, 2015 grant equals 150% of the number of RSUs granted. The fair value of this RSU award was determined at the time of grant based on the expected achievement of the market condition at the end of each vesting period. With respect to these RSU awards with a market condition, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period under an award based on the fair market value of the award at the time of grant, regardless of whether the market condition is satisfied. Previously recognized compensation cost would be reversed, however, if the employee terminated employment prior to completing such requisite service period.

The Company recognized approximately $4,943,000, $4,443,000 and $1,276,000 of share-based compensation expense related to RSU awards in fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As of December 26, 2015, there was a maximum of $23.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU awards granted under the Plans with an expected average remaining life of approximately 2.8 years. With respect to RSU awards with a performance condition, the amount of future compensation expense to be recognized will be determined based on future operating results.

Stock Options

Options granted under the Plans generally become exercisable in either five equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant or 100% on the fifth anniversary from the date of grant, subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. All options granted under the Plans expire on the tenth anniversary of the date of grant. Under the Plans, the exercise price of each option equals the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The fair value of each option grant on its grant date was calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions for grants made in fiscal years 2014 2013 and 2012:2013:

 

   2014  2013  2012 

Expected volatility

   26.0  32.0  34.0

Expected dividend yield

   0.43  0.41  0.42

Risk-free interest rate

   1.50  0.75  0.90

Expected lives (in years)

   4.0    4.0    4.0  

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   2014  2013 

Expected volatility

   26.0  32.0

Expected dividend yield

   0.43  0.41

Risk-free interest rate

   1.50  0.75

Expected lives (in years)

   4.0    4.0  

The Company utilizes historical data, including exercise patterns and employee departure behavior, in estimating the term that options will be outstanding. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility and other factors, such as expected changes in volatility arising from planned changes to the Company’s business, if any. The risk-free interest rate was based on the yield of zero coupon U.S. Treasury bonds for terms that approximated the terms of the options granted. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during fiscal years 2014 2013 and 20122013 was $12.70 per share $14.21 per share and $13.99$14.21 per share, respectively.

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding stock options under the Plans:

 

  Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable   Options Outstanding   Options Exercisable 
  Number of
Options
 Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
   Number of
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 

Options at December 31, 2011

   2,326,776   $40.11     1,110,743    $39.74  

Granted

   329,500   $52.03      

Exercised

   (846,294 $39.47      

Forfeited

   (28,800 $43.23      
  

 

        Number of
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
   Number of
Options
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 

Options at December 29, 2012

   1,781,182   $42.56     661,865    $40.64     1,781,182    $42.56     661,865    $40.64  

Granted

   152,500   $56.40         152,500    $56.40      

Exercised

   (421,066 $40.52         (421,066  $40.52      

Forfeited

   (57,800 $43.90         (57,800  $43.90      
  

 

        

 

       

Options at December 28, 2013

   1,454,816   $44.55     693,516    $42.29     1,454,816    $44.55     693,516    $42.29  

Granted

   1,000   $58.06         1,000    $58.06      

Exercised

   (615,077 $41.27         (615,077  $41.27      

Forfeited

   (66,900 $47.51         (66,900  $47.51      
  

 

        

 

       

Options at December 27, 2014

   773,839   $46.92     379,389    $44.61     773,839    $46.92     379,389    $44.61  

Exercised

   (133,518  $45.25      

Forfeited

   (3,100  $52.91      
  

 

        

 

       

Options at December 26, 2015

   637,221    $47.24     415,121    $45.12  
  

 

       

The following tables summarize stock options outstanding and exercisable at December 27, 2014:26, 2015:

 

   Options Outstanding 

Range of Exercise Prices Per Share

  Number
Outstanding
   Weighted Average
Remaining  Contractual
Term (years)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 

$35.64 - $ 40.00

   110,312     4.7    $37.13  

$40.01 - $ 45.00

   275,921     4.4    $42.29  

$45.01 - $ 58.06

   387,606     7.1    $53.00  
  

 

 

     
   773,839     5.8    $46.92  
  

 

 

     

  Options Exercisable   Options Outstanding 

Range of Exercise Prices Per Share

  Number
Exercisable
   Weighted Average
Remaining  Contractual
Term (years)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted Average
Remaining  Contractual
Term (years)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 

$35.64 - $ 40.00

   67,362     4.4    $36.85     83,612     3.6    $37.04  

$40.01 - $ 45.00

   184,121     3.6    $42.56     215,803     3.9    $42.12  

$45.01 - $ 56.40

   127,906     6.2    $51.64  

$45.01 - $ 58.06

   337,806     6.1    $53.04  
  

 

       

 

     
   379,389     4.6    $44.61     637,221     5.0    $47.24  
  

 

       

 

     

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

   Options Exercisable 

Range of Exercise Prices Per Share

  Number
Exercisable
   Weighted Average
Remaining  Contractual
Term (years)
   Weighted Average
Exercise Price
per Share
 

$35.64 - $ 40.00

   83,612     3.6    $37.04  

$40.01 - $ 45.00

   169,103     3.6    $42.23  

$45.01 - $ 56.40

   162,406     5.7    $52.28  
  

 

 

     
   415,121     4.4    $45.12  
  

 

 

     

At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding was $21,264,000.$6,932,000. At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable was $11,303,000.$5,398,000. The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $2,954,000, $14,573,000 and 2012 was $14,573,000, $6,095,000, and $12,476,000, respectively.

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, there was $2,916,000$1,401,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plans. The unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.21.5 years.

Non-vested Restricted Stock

The 2011 EIP provides the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors with the authority to issue shares of Common Stock of the Company, subject to certain vesting and other restrictions on transfer (“restricted stock”). Shares of

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding non-vested restricted stock generally are granted under the 2011 EIP subject to vesting in three equal annual installments or 100% on the fifth anniversary of the date of grant and the shares of restricted stock remain subject to forfeiture unless the grantee remains continuously employed with the Company or a subsidiary thereof through the applicable vesting date. Plans:

   Number of
Shares
   Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 29, 2012

   34,719    $42.75  

Granted

   15,449    $54.85  

Vested

   (11,975  $45.61  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 28, 2013

   38,193    $46.75  

Granted

   7,124    $63.17  

Vested

   (19,196  $41.85  

Forfeited

   (2,768  $54.20  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 27, 2014

   23,353    $54.90  

Granted

   1,197    $62.46  

Vested

   (6,490  $57.79  
  

 

 

   

Outstanding at December 26, 2015

   18,060    $ 54.36  
  

 

 

   

The fair value of each share of non-vested restricted stock issued under the Plans is based on the fair value of a share of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant.

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding Shares of non-vested restricted stock underare generally subject to vesting in three equal annual installments or 100% on the Plans:fifth anniversary of the date of grant. The shares of restricted stock remain subject to forfeiture unless the grantee remains continuously employed with the Company or a subsidiary thereof through the applicable vesting date.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

   Number of
Shares
  Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

   40,993   $ 42.03  

Granted

   4,151   $54.20  

Vested

   (8,732 $44.35  

Forfeited

   (1,693 $45.21  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 29, 2012

   34,719   $42.75  

Granted

   15,449   $54.85  

Vested

   (11,975 $45.61  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 28, 2013

   38,193   $46.75  

Granted

   7,124   $63.17  

Vested

   (19,196 $41.85  

Forfeited

   (2,768 $54.20  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 27, 2014

   23,353   $54.90  
  

 

 

  

As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, there was $827,000$391,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares of restricted stock granted under the Plans. The unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested shares of restricted stock is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.9 years.

Restricted Stock Units

A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award issued under the 2011 EIP represents a contractual right to receive one share of the Company’s Common Stock upon achievement of certain performance objectives. RSU awards have contractual lives of three or five years from the date of grant and requirements for continuous employment. The fair value of an RSU is determined based on the market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant, discounted for lack of marketability for a minimum post-vesting holding requirement. The discount rate due to lack of marketability used for RSU award grants for all periods was 7%. In addition, no dividends are paid on RSUs and RSUs have no voting rights.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding RSU awards under the Plans:

   Number of
Units
  Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2011

      $  

Granted

   113,000   $ 44.78  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 29, 2012

   113,000   $44.78  

Granted

   244,500   $51.19  

Vested

   (21,901 $44.78  

Forfeited

   (27,592 $47.45  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 28, 2013

   308,007   $49.63  

Granted

   146,000   $53.11  

Vested

   (24,641 $51.47  

Forfeited

   (3,736 $49.53  
  

 

 

  

Outstanding at December 27, 2014

   425,630   $50.72  
  

 

 

  

RSU awards have contractual lives of three or five years from the date of grant. In general, for RSUs with five-year contractual lives, the number of RSUs that vest is determined annually, for each year in the five-year period from date of grant, by multiplying the number of RSUs granted by the sum of (a) the average of the percentage change (positive or negative) in operating income and diluted earnings per share in each of the five years as compared to operating income and diluted earnings per share reported in the base year (base year being the year immediately preceding the year in which the RSUs were granted), plus (b) 5%, rounded to the nearest whole number, less (c) the number of RSUs from that grant that have previously vested. For RSUs granted in 2014, the number of RSUs that vest will be determined annually, for each year in the five-year period from date of grant, by multiplying the number of RSUs granted by the sum of (a) the average of the percentage change (positive or negative) in operating income and diluted earnings per share in each of the five years as compared to the results from continuing operations in the 2013 fiscal year (that is the average of the change in operating income and diluted earnings per share for the year ended as compared to the 2013 fiscal year results from continuing operations, which reflects the treatment of Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Landstar Supply Chain Solutions LLC as a discontinued operation effective December 28, 2013) plus (b) 5%, rounded to the nearest whole number, less (c) the number of RSUs from that grant that have previously vested. On January 23, 2013, the Company granted 100,000 RSUs to the Company’s then Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. These 100,000 RSUs have three-year contractual lives with vesting dates of January 31 of 2014, 2015, and 2016, with the number of RSUs that vest on each vesting date determined by multiplying 100,000 by the sum of (1) the percentage increase in operating income in the most recently completed fiscal year as compared to the results from the immediately preceding fiscal year, plus (2) the percentage increase in diluted earnings per share in the most recently completed fiscal year as compared to the results from the preceding fiscal1 year. The Company reports compensation expense over the life of the award based on an estimated number of shares that will vest over the life of the award, multiplied by the fair value of an RSU. The Company recognized approximately $4,443,000, $1,276,000 and $964,000 of share-based compensation expense related to RSU awards in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 27, 2014, there was a maximum of $17.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU awards granted under the Plans with an expected average remaining life of approximately 2.7 years. The amount of future compensation expense to be recognized will be determined based on future operating results.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Directors’ Stock Compensation Plan

Upon election or re-election to the Board of Directors for a three year term, outside members of the Board of Directors may receive a grant of such number of restricted shares of the Company’s Common Stock equal to the quotient of $225,000 divided by the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date immediately following the date of such Director’s re-election or election to the Board. In fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, 1,197, 7,124 and 2012, 7,124, 13,449 and 4,151 restricted shares, respectively, were granted to outside Directors upon their re-election or election to the Board. Restricted shares generally vest in three equal annual installments on the first three annual anniversary dates of the date of grant. During fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013, $419,000, $331,000 and 2012, $331,000, $442,000, and $292,000, respectively, of compensation cost was recorded for the grant of these restricted shares.

(11)    Equity

On December 11, 2013,May 19, 2015, the Landstar System, Inc. announced that it had been authorized by its Board of Directors authorized the Company to increase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that the Company is authorized to purchase from time to time in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions under a previously announced purchase program to 3,000,000 shares. As of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, the Company has authorization to purchase 1,827,7821,809,406 shares of its Common Stock under this program. No specific expiration date has been assigned to the December 11, 2013May 19, 2015 authorization. During 2014,fiscal year 2015, Landstar purchased a total of 939,8722,497,748 shares of its Common Stock at a total cost of $56,393,000$161,152,000 pursuant to its previously announced stock purchase program.

The Company has 2,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized and unissued.

(12)    Commitments and Contingencies

At December 27, 2014,26, 2015, in addition to the $63,761,000$57,610,000 letters of credit secured by investments, Landstar had $33,042,000$32,757,000 of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Many of these claims are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

(13)    Segment Information

Landstar markets its integrated transportation management solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport and store customers’ freight. Landstar’s independent commission sales agents enter into contractual arrangements with the Company and are responsible for locating freight, making that freight available to Landstar’s capacity providers and coordinating the transportation of the freight with customers and capacity providers. The Company’s third party capacity providers consist of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”), unrelated trucking companies who provide

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (the “Truck Brokerage Carriers”), air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and railroads. Through this network of agents and capacity providers linked together by Landstar’s information technology systems, Landstar operates an integrated transportation management solutions business primarily throughout North America with revenue of $3.2$3.3 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company reports the results of two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The transportation logistics segment provides a wide range of integrated transportation management solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border, project cargo and customs brokerage. Industries serviced by the transportation logistics segment include automotive products, building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics, ammunition and explosives and military equipment. In addition, the transportation logistics segment provides transportation services to other transportation companies, including third party logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Each of the independent commission sales agents has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment. Billings for freight transportation services are typically charged to customers on a per shipment basis for the physical transportation of freight.

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature Insurance Company (“Signature”), a wholly owned offshore insurance subsidiary, and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. The insurance segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. In addition, it reinsures certain risks of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and provides certain property and casualty insurance directly to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. Revenue at the insurance segment represents reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk is ultimately borne by Signature. Internal revenue for premiums billed by the insurance segment to the transportation logistics segment is calculated each fiscal period based primarily on an actuarial calculation of historical loss experience and is believed to approximate the cost that would have been incurred by the transportation logistics segment had similar insurance been obtained from an unrelated third party.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company evaluates a segment’s performance based on operating income.

No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in fiscal years 2015, 2014 2013 or 2012.2013. Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is generated in North America, primarily through customers located in the United States.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

 

The following tables summarize information about the Company’s reportable business segments as of and for the fiscal years ending December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands):

 

   Transportation
Logistics
   Insurance   Total 

2014

      

External revenue

  $3,145,413    $39,377    $3,184,790  

Internal revenue

     28,164     28,164  

Investment income

     1,381     1,381  

Interest and debt expense

   3,177       3,177  

Depreciation and amortization

   27,575       27,575  

Operating income

   193,914     30,458     224,372  

Expenditures on long-lived assets

   10,539       10,539  

Goodwill

   31,134       31,134  

Capital lease additions

   47,232       47,232  

Total assets

   917,789     126,423     1,044,212  

2013

      

External revenue from continuing operations

  $2,628,225    $36,555    $2,664,780  

Internal revenue

     28,811     28,811  

Investment income

     1,475     1,475  

Interest and debt expense from continuing operations

   3,211       3,211  

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations

   27,667       27,667  

Operating income from continuing operations

   151,188     25,402     176,590  

Expenditures on long-lived assets from continuing operations

   6,373       6,373  

Goodwill

   31,134       31,134  

Capital lease additions

   49,138       49,138  

Total assets

   754,904     215,792     970,696  

2012

      

External revenue from continuing operations

  $2,734,938    $35,861    $2,770,799  

Internal revenue

     28,446     28,446  

Investment income

     1,563     1,563  

Interest and debt expense from continuing operations

   3,110       3,110  

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations

   25,213       25,213  

Operating income from continuing operations

   167,626     33,113     200,739  

Expenditures on long-lived assets from continuing operations

   5,388       5,388  

Goodwill

   57,470       57,470  

Capital lease additions

   43,077       43,077  

Total assets

   708,233     171,188     879,421  

Included in total assets in the Transportation Logistics segment at December 29, 2012 are assets of $100,972,000, including goodwill of $26,336,000, from the LSCS discontinued operations.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   Transportation
Logistics
   Insurance   Total 

2015

      

External revenue

  $3,276,677    $44,414    $3,321,091  

Internal revenue

     31,342     31,342  

Investment income

     1,396     1,396  

Interest and debt expense

   2,949       2,949  

Depreciation and amortization

   29,102       29,102  

Operating income

   207,883     33,823     241,706  

Expenditures on long-lived assets

   4,804       4,804  

Goodwill

   31,134       31,134  

Capital lease additions

   49,491       49,491  

Total assets

   849,102     148,968     998,070  

2014

      

External revenue

  $3,145,413    $39,377    $3,184,790  

Internal revenue

     28,164     28,164  

Investment income

     1,381     1,381  

Interest and debt expense

   3,177       3,177  

Depreciation and amortization

   27,575       27,575  

Operating income

   193,914     30,458     224,372  

Expenditures on long-lived assets

   10,539       10,539  

Goodwill

   31,134       31,134  

Capital lease additions

   47,232       47,232  

Total assets

   917,789     126,423     1,044,212  

2013

      

External revenue from continuing operations

  $2,628,225    $36,555    $2,664,780  

Internal revenue

     28,811     28,811  

Investment income

     1,475     1,475  

Interest and debt expense from continuing operations

   3,211       3,211  

Depreciation and amortization from continuing operations

   27,667       27,667  

Operating income from continuing operations

   151,188     25,402     176,590  

Expenditures on long-lived assets from continuing operations

   6,373       6,373  

Goodwill

   31,134       31,134  

Capital lease additions

   49,138       49,138  

Total assets

   754,904     215,792     970,696  

(14)    Change in Accounting Estimate for Self-Insured Claims

Landstar provides for the estimated costs of self-insured claims primarily on an actuarial basis. The amount recorded for the estimated liability for claims incurred is based upon the facts and circumstances known on the applicable balance sheet date. The ultimate resolution of these claims may be for an amount greater or less than the amount estimated by management. The Company continually revises its existing claim estimates as new or revised information becomes available on the status of each claim. Historically, the Company has experienced both favorable and unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates.

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

The following table summarizes the effect of the increase in the cost of insurance claims resulting from unfavorable development of prior year self-insured claims estimates on operating income, income from continuing operations and earnings per share from continuing operations amounts in the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

  Fiscal Years Ended   Fiscal Years Ended 
  December 27,
2014
   December 28,
2013
   December 29,
2012
   December 26,
2015
   December 27,
2014
   December 28,
2013
 

Operating income

  $6,664    $10,909    $11    $4,852    $6,664    $10,909  

Income from continuing operations

   4,118     6,742     7     2,999     4,118     6,742  

Earnings per share from continuing operations

  $0.09    $0.15    $    $0.07    $0.09    $0.15  

Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

  $0.09    $0.15    $    $0.07    $0.09    $0.15  

(15)    Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09—Revenue2014-09 —Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In adopting ASU 2014-09, companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also approved permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update2015-17 — Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 requires a company to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, as noncurrent on the balance sheet. ASU 2015-17 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is not permitted. ASU 2014-092015-17 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Landstar System, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary (the Company) as of December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 2013,27, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012.2013. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 2013,27, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Landstar System, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, based on criteria established inInternal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 20, 2015,19, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

/S/     KPMG LLP

February 20, 201519, 2016

Jacksonville, Florida

Certified Public Accountants

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

  Fourth
Quarter
2014
   Third
Quarter
2014
   Second
Quarter
2014
   First
Quarter
2014
   Fourth
Quarter
2015
   Third
Quarter
2015
   Second
Quarter
2015
   First
Quarter
2015
 

Revenue

  $862,830    $819,320    $814,443    $688,197    $848,602    $841,726    $868,383    $762,380  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

  $61,209    $59,577    $58,572    $45,014    $62,648    $63,980    $66,033    $49,045  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income before income taxes

  $60,292    $58,803    $57,854    $44,246    $61,907    $63,266    $65,320    $48,264  

Income taxes

   21,801     22,048     21,929     16,608     24,052     23,918     24,849     18,249  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $38,491    $36,755    $35,925    $27,638    $37,855    $39,348    $40,471    $30,015  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per common share(1)

  $0.86    $0.82    $0.80    $0.61    $0.89    $0.91    $0.92    $0.67  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted earnings per share(1)

  $0.86    $0.82    $0.80    $0.61    $0.88    $0.90    $0.92    $0.67  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Dividends per common share

  $1.07    $0.07    $0.06    $0.06    $0.08    $0.08    $0.07    $0.07  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 
  Fourth
Quarter
2013
   Third
Quarter
2013
   Second
Quarter
2013
   First
Quarter
2013
   Fourth
Quarter
2014
   Third
Quarter
2014
   Second
Quarter
2014
   First
Quarter
2014
 

Revenue

  $691,975    $675,535    $674,390    $622,880    $862,830    $819,320    $814,443    $688,197  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Operating income

  $39,741    $46,614    $48,427    $41,808    $61,209    $59,577    $58,572    $45,014  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

  $38,897    $45,758    $47,656    $41,068  

Income before income taxes

  $60,292    $58,803    $57,854    $44,246  

Income taxes

   13,721     17,255     18,164     15,317     21,801     22,048     21,929     16,608  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Income from continuing operations

   25,176     28,503     29,492     25,751  

Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

   34,381     743     934     1,029  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Net income

  $59,557    $29,246    $30,426    $26,780    $38,491    $36,755    $35,925    $27,638  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Earnings per common share(1):

        

Income from continuing operations

  $0.55    $0.62    $0.64    $0.55  

Income from discontinued operations

   0.75     0.02     0.02     0.02  

Earnings per common share

   1.30     0.64     0.66     0.58  

Diluted earnings per share(1):

        

Income from continuing operations

  $0.55    $0.62    $0.64     0.55  

Income from discontinued operations

   0.75     0.02     0.02     0.02  

Diluted earnings per share

   1.30     0.64     0.66     0.57  

Earnings per common share(1)

  $0.86    $0.82    $0.80    $0.61  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Diluted earnings per share(1)

  $0.86    $0.82    $0.80    $0.61  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Dividends per common share

  $0.35    $    $    $    $1.07    $0.07    $0.06    $0.06  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(1)Due to the changes in the number of average common shares and common stock equivalents outstanding during the year, the sum of earnings per share amounts for each quarter do not necessarily sum in the aggregate to the earnings per share amounts for the full year.

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

None.

 

Item 9A.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 27, 201426, 2015 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

In designing and evaluating disclosure controls and procedures, Company management recognizes that any disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Because of the inherent limitation in any control system, no evaluation or implementation of a control system can provide complete assurance that all control issues and all possible instances of fraud have been or will be detected.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

(a)  Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of Landstar System, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended.

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

Management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014.26, 2015. This assessment was performed using the criteria established under the Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error or circumvention or overriding of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and reporting and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk

that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Based on the assessment performed using the criteria established by COSO, management has concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014.26, 2015.

KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014,26, 2015, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Such report appears immediately below.

(b)  Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Shareholders

Landstar System, Inc.:

We have audited Landstar System, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Landstar System, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

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

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

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

In our opinion, Landstar System, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2014,26, 2015, based on criteria established inInternal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary as of December 27, 201426, 2015 and December 28, 2013,27, 2014, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years ended December 26, 2015, December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013, and December 29, 2012, and our report dated February 20, 2015,19, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

/S/s/    KPMG LLP

February 20, 201519, 2016

Jacksonville, Florida

Certified Public Accountants

(c)  Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no significant changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the Company’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Item 9B.Other Information

None

PART III

 

Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information required by this Item concerning the Directors (and nominees for Directors) and Executive Officers of the Company will be set forth under the captions “Election of Directors,” “Directors of the Company,” “Information Regarding Board of Directors and Committees,” and “Executive Officers of the Company” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by this Item concerning the Company’s Audit Committee and the Audit Committee’s Financial Expert will be set forth under the caption “Information Regarding Board of Directors and Committees” and “Report of the Audit Committee” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct that applies to each of its directors and employees, including its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, controller and all other employees performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct is available on the Company’s website atwww.landstar.com under “Investor Relations — Corporate Governance.” The Company intends to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding amendments to, or waivers from, a provision or provisions of the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct by posting such information on its website at the web address indicated above.

 

Item 11.Executive Compensation

The information required by this Item will be set forth under the captions “Compensation of Directors,” “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Summary Compensation Table,” “Grants of Plan-Based Awards,” “Option Exercises and Stock Vested,” “Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End,” “Nonqualified Deferred Compensation,” “Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation” and “Key Executive Employment Protection Agreements” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth under the caption “Market for Registrants Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities” in Part II, Item 5 of this report, and is incorporated by reference herein.

The information required by this Item pursuant to Item 403 of Regulation S-K will be set forth under the caption “Security Ownership by Management and Others” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

None, other than information required to be disclosed under this item in regard to Director Independence, which will be set forth under the caption “Independent Directors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item will be set forth under the caption “Report of the Audit Committee” and “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, and is incorporated herein by reference.

PART IV

 

Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

(a)(1)Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

   Page 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

   3436  

Consolidated Statements of Income

   3537  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

   3638  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

   3739  

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

   3840  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   3941  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   5860  

(2)Financial Statement Schedules

Financial statement schedules have been omitted because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto, or is not applicable or required.

(3)Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

(3)  Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws:
3.1  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated March 6, 2006, including Certificate of Designation of Junior Participating Preferred Stock dated February 10, 1993. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
3.2  The Company’s Bylaws, as amended and restated on February 21, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 25, 2010 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
(4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures:
4.1  Specimen of Common Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-57174))
4.2  Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 29, 2012, among Landstar System Holding, Inc., the Company, the lenders named therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent (including exhibits and schedules thereto). (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Form 8-K filed on July 5, 2012 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
4.3  First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2013, by and among Landstar System Holdings, Inc., Landstar System, Inc. and the other parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 28, 2013 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
(10)  Material contracts:
  10.1+  Landstar System, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 12, 2012 (Commission File No.0-21238))
  10.2+Amendment to the Landstar System, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, dated March 17, 2015, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 19, 2015 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.2+10.3+*Amendment to the Landstar System, Inc. Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, dated December 2, 2015

Exhibit

No.

Description

  10.4+  Landstar System, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2015 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.3+10.5+  Amended and Restated Landstar System, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on March 23, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-21238))

Exhibit
No.

  10.6+*
  

Description

Amendment to the Amended and Restated Landstar System, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock Option and Stock Incentive Plan, dated February 18, 2016
  10.4+10.7+  Landstar System, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended through November 29, 2011 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.5+10.8+*  Directors Stock Compensation Plan, as amended and restated as of February 22, 2010 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7Amendment to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year endedLandstar System, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan, dated December 26, 2009 (Commission File No. 0-21238))2, 2015
  10.6+10.9+  Landstar System, Inc. 2013 Directors Stock Compensation Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 11, 2013 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.7+10.10+*  Amendment to the Landstar System, Inc. Directors Stock Compensation Plan, dated December 2, 2015
  10.11+Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and each of the directors and Executive Officers of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2003 (CommissionFile No. 0-21238))
  10.8+10.12+*  Form of Key Executive Employment Protection Agreement between Landstar System, Inc. and each of the Executive Officers of the Company, in the form as amended as of December 26, 2015.
  10.13+Total Shareholder Return Performance Related Stock Award Agreement, dated May 1, 2015, between Landstar System, Inc. and James B. Gattoni (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1399.1 to the Registrant’s AnnualCurrent Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 20068-K filed on March 19, 2015 (CommissionFile No. 0-21238))
  10.9+

Form of Amendment to Key Executive Employment Protection Agreement between Landstar System, Inc. and each of the Executive Officers of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended December 27, 2008 (Commission File No. 0-21238))

  10.10+

Form of Amendment to Key Executive Employment Protection Agreement between Landstar System, Inc. and each of the Executive Officers of the Company (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2012 (Commission File No. 0-21238))

  10.11+10.14+  Letter Agreement, dated January 3, 2012, between Landstar System, Inc. and Henry H. Gerkens (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2012 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.12+10.15+  Amendment, dated January 23, 2013, to the Letter Agreement dated January 3, 2012, between Landstar System, Inc. and Henry H. Gerkens (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 (CommissionFile No. 0-21238))
  10.13+10.16+  Performance Related Stock Award Agreement, dated January 23, 2013, between Landstar System, Inc. and Henry H. Gerkens (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.14+10.17+  Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 10, 2013, by and among XPO Logistics, Inc., Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. and Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 12, 2013 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
  10.15+10.18+  Letter Agreement, dated December 27, 2013, by and among Landstar System Holdings, Inc., Landstar Supply Chain Solutions, Inc. and XPO Logistics, Inc., (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2014 (Commission File No. 0-21238))
(21)  Subsidiaries of the Registrant:
  21.1*  List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant
(23)  Consents of experts and counsel:
  23.1*  Consent of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Exhibit

No.

Description

(24)  Power of attorney:
  24.1*  Powers of Attorney
(31)  Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:
  31.1*  Chief Executive Officer certification, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit
No.

Description

  31.2*  Chief Financial Officer certification, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(32)  Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002:
  32.1**  Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  32.2**  Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
  101 *101*  The following materials from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2014,26, 2015, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

   +management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
   *Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.

THE COMPANY WILL FURNISH, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY SHAREHOLDER OF THE COMPANY WHO SO REQUESTS IN WRITING, A COPY OF ANY EXHIBITS, AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. ANY SUCH REQUEST SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC., ATTENTION: INVESTOR RELATIONS, 13410 SUTTON PARK DRIVE SOUTH, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32224.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: February 20, 201519, 2016  LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.
  By: /S/    JAMES B.B. GATTONI        
   James B. Gattoni
   President and Chief Executive Officer
  By: /S/    L. KEVIN STOUT        
   L. Kevin Stout
   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/s/    JAMES B. GATTONI        

James B. Gattoni

  

President and Chief Executive

Officer;

Principal Executive OfficerOfficer; Director

 February 20, 201519, 2016

/S/s/    L. KEVIN STOUT        

L. Kevin Stout

  

Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer;

Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

 February 20, 201519, 2016

*

Homaira Akbari

  

Director

 February 20, 201519, 2016

*

David G. Bannister

  

Director

 February 20, 2015

*

Henry H. Gerkens

Executive Chairman

February 20, 201519, 2016

*

Michael A. Henning

  

Director

 February 20, 201519, 2016

*

Diana M. Murphy

  

Chairman of the Board

February 19, 2016

*

Anthony J. Orlando

Director

 February 20, 201519, 2016

*

Larry J. Thoele

  

Director

 February 20, 201519, 2016

 

By: /S/    MICHAEL K. KNELLER        
 Michael K. Kneller
 Attorney In Fact*

 

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