C.H. Robinson Worldwide (CHRW) 10-Q 8 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Nov. 06, 2017
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	C H ROBINSON WORLDWIDE INC
Entity Central Index Key	1,043,277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Trading Symbol	CHRW
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		139,405,298

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 297,307	$ 247,666
Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $44,364 and $39,543	2,104,314	1,711,191
Prepaid expenses and other	53,225	49,245
Total current assets	2,454,846	2,008,102
Property and equipment, net	232,905	232,953
Goodwill	1,275,550	1,232,796
Other intangible assets, net	160,595	167,525
Deferred tax asset	5,917	2,250
Other assets	45,775	44,132
Total assets	4,175,588	3,687,758
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	1,033,726	839,736
Outstanding checks	70,334	82,052
Accrued expenses:
Compensation	92,005	98,107
Income taxes	11,477	15,472
Other accrued liabilities	59,760	70,351
Current portion of debt	719,000	740,000
Total current liabilities	1,986,302	1,845,718
Long-term debt	750,000	500,000
Noncurrent income taxes payable	17,774	18,849
Deferred tax liabilities	66,396	65,122
Other long-term liabilities	241	222
Total liabilities	2,820,713	2,429,911
Stockholders’ investment:
Preferred stock, $ .10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $ .10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 179,003 and 179,006 shares issued, 139,871 and 141,258 outstanding	13,987	14,126
Additional paid-in capital	427,032	419,280
Retained earnings	3,349,994	3,190,578
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(22,880)	(61,442)
Treasury stock at cost (39,132 and 37,748 shares)	(2,413,258)	(2,304,695)
Total stockholders’ investment	1,354,875	1,257,847
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment	$ 4,175,588	$ 3,687,758

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 44,364	$ 39,543
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	480,000,000	480,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	179,003,000	179,006,000
Common stock shares outstanding (shares)	139,871,000	141,258,000
Treasury stock (shares)	39,132,000	37,748,000

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenues:
Transportation	$ 3,433,701	$ 2,998,583	$ 9,855,739	$ 8,593,767
Sourcing	350,750	357,171	1,053,855	1,135,671
Total revenues	3,784,451	3,355,754	10,909,594	9,729,438
Costs and expenses:
Purchased transportation and related services	2,869,616	2,469,939	8,214,856	6,974,556
Purchased products sourced for resale	320,989	327,353	958,537	1,038,870
Personnel expenses	293,204	256,883	867,928	804,631
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses	106,177	90,312	304,030	267,415
Total costs and expenses	3,589,986	3,144,487	10,345,351	9,085,472
Income from operations	194,465	211,267	564,243	643,966
Interest and other expense	(10,484)	(7,426)	(29,154)	(22,463)
Income before provision for income taxes	183,981	203,841	535,089	621,503
Provision for income taxes	64,795	74,813	182,752	230,422
Net income	119,186	129,028	352,337	391,081
Other comprehensive gain	14,426	518	38,562	491
Comprehensive income	$ 133,612	$ 129,546	$ 390,899	$ 391,572
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 0.90	$ 2.50	$ 2.73
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.85	$ 0.90	$ 2.49	$ 2.73
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	140,422	142,611	140,962	143,040
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (shares)	600	272	441	205
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (shares)	141,022	142,883	141,403	143,245
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.43	$ 1.35	$ 1.29

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 352,337	$ 391,081
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	69,340	52,716
Provision for doubtful accounts	11,176	2,738
Stock-based compensation	24,509	30,626
Deferred income taxes	(6,779)	21,832
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	(11,908)	(17,207)
Loss on sale/disposal of assets	1,352	566
Changes in operating elements (net of acquisitions):
Receivables	(377,280)	(137,813)
Prepaid expenses and other	677	(12,148)
Other non-current assets	(2,220)	(2,793)
Accounts payable and outstanding checks	166,152	93,510
Accrued compensation	(6,102)	(50,105)
Accrued income taxes	7,873	14,048
Other accrued liabilities	(10,778)	(10,223)
Net cash provided by operating activities	218,349	376,828
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and equipment	(32,132)	(56,125)
Purchases and development of software	(14,286)	(14,986)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(48,446)	(220,203)
Other	204	(735)
Net cash used for investing activities	(94,660)	(292,049)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans	23,270	16,003
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes	(20,746)	(36,220)
Repurchase of common stock	(129,991)	(109,085)
Cash dividends	(192,765)	(191,129)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation	0	17,207
Proceeds from long-term borrowings	250,000	0
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	6,448,000	4,415,000
Payments on short-term borrowings	(6,469,000)	(4,140,000)
Net cash used for financing activities	(91,232)	(28,224)
Effect of exchange rates on cash	17,184	(335)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	49,641	56,220
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	247,666	168,229
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	297,307	224,449
Noncash transactions from investing and financing activities:
Accrued share repurchases held in other accrued liabilities	4,000	2,985
Accrued purchases of property and equipment	$ 800	$ 4,332

GENERAL

GENERAL	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
GENERAL	GENERAL Basis of Presentation - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Our reportable segments are North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”), Global Forwarding, Robinson Fresh, and All Other and Corporate. The All Other and Corporate segment includes Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. We group offices primarily by services they provide. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9. The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Recently Issued Accounting Standards - In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and in August 2015 issued ASU 2015-14, which amended the standard as to effective date. The new comprehensive revenue recognition standard will supersede all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We plan to adopt this new standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings instead of retrospectively adjusting prior periods. We anticipate the adoption of this standard will change the timing of revenue recognition for most of our transportation business from at delivery to over the transit period as our performance obligation is completed. Due to the short transit period of many of our performance obligations, we do not expect this change to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows once implemented. We are in the final stages of implementing the necessary system, process, and internal control changes that will allow us to quantify the impact. The new standard will expand our existing revenue recognition disclosures upon adoption. In addition, we have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing business that will change from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This will cause the revenue associated with these contracts to be recognized at the net amount we charge our customers. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted, although we do not plan to adopt early. We have obligations under lease agreements for facilities and equipment, which are classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. While we are still evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, our financial statements will reflect an increase in both assets and liabilities due to the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for our facility and equipment leases. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, and accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification, and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The adoption of ASU 2016-09 prospectively impacts the recording of income taxes related to share-based payment awards in our consolidated statement of financial position and results of operations, as well as the operating and financing cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The magnitude of such impacts are dependent on our future grants of stock-based compensation, our future stock price in relation to the fair value of awards on grant date, and the exercise behavior of our option holders. We prospectively adopted these provisions in the first quarter of 2017. Prior periods have not been restated. This adoption resulted in a decrease in our provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $1.3 million and $11.9 million , respectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . This update simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, any impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We have not yet selected a transition date, although we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements as the fair value of our reporting units is substantially in excess of their respective carrying values. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This update amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this update will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The future impact of ASU 2017-09 will be dependent on the nature of future stock award modifications.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE A

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Total December 31, 2016 balance $ 907,230 $ 159,050 $ 139,558 $ 26,958 $ 1,232,796 Acquisitions 3,673 24,902 — — 28,575 Translation 10,320 1,970 1,583 306 14,179 September 30, 2017 $ 921,223 $ 185,922 $ 141,141 $ 27,264 $ 1,275,550 We evaluate our reporting units on a continual basis and, if necessary, reassign goodwill using a relative fair value allocation approach. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangibles Customer relationships $ 262,534 $ (112,552 ) $ 149,982 $ 244,036 $ (87,199 ) $ 156,837 Non-competition agreements 500 (362 ) 138 500 (287 ) 213 Total finite-lived intangibles 263,034 (112,914 ) 150,120 244,536 (87,486 ) 157,050 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks 10,475 — 10,475 10,475 — 10,475 Total intangibles $ 273,509 $ (112,914 ) $ 160,595 $ 255,011 $ (87,486 ) $ 167,525 Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amortization expense $ 9,157 $ 6,094 $ 26,875 $ 18,282 Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2017 , will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Total Remainder of 2017 $ 1,955 $ 7,267 $ — $ 168 $ 9,390 2018 7,820 29,217 — — 37,037 2019 7,820 29,217 — — 37,037 2020 260 26,513 — — 26,773 2021 260 12,992 — — 13,252 Thereafter 706 25,925 — — 26,631 Total $ 150,120

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: • Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. • Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of and during the periods ended September 30, 2017 , and December 31, 2016 . There were no transfers between levels during the period.

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS	FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the "Credit Agreement") with total availability of $900 million which expires in December 2019. As of September 30, 2017 , and December 31, 2016 , we had $719 million and $740 million , respectively, in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which is classified as a current liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2017 , we had remaining borrowing availability of $181 million . The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent , or (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). As of September 30, 2017 , the variable rate equaled LIBOR plus 1.13 percent. In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility. The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , was approximately 2.4 percent and 2.2 percent , respectively. At September 30, 2017 , the interest rate incurred on borrowings was approximately 2.4 percent . The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , was approximately 1.4 percent and 1.5 percent , respectively. At September 30, 2016 , the interest rate incurred on borrowing was approximately 1.5 percent . The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants. Among other requirements, we may not permit our leverage ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 . The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable. Note Purchase Agreement On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) named therein (the “Note Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers purchased, on August 27, 2013, (i) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 3.97 percent Senior Notes, Series A, due August 27, 2023 (the “Series A Notes”), (ii) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.26 percent Senior Notes, Series B, due August 27, 2028 (the “Series B Notes”), and (iii) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.60 percent Senior Notes, Series C, due August 27, 2033 (the “Series C Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. We applied the proceeds of the sale of the Notes for share repurchases. The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding the company and its subsidiaries and various covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios. The Note Purchase Agreement includes the following financial covenants: we will not permit our leverage ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), to exceed 3.00 to 1.00 ; we will not permit the interest coverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters and for the twelve-month period then ending, of (i) Consolidated EBIT (earnings before income taxes) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense to be less than 2.00 to 1.00 ; and we will not permit, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, Consolidated Priority Debt to exceed 15 percent of Consolidated Total Assets. The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the Notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness of the company or its subsidiaries, certain judgments against the company or its subsidiaries, and events of bankruptcy involving the company or its material subsidiaries. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100 percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. The Notes were issued by the company to the initial purchasers in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements. The fair value of long-term debt under the Notes Purchase Agreement approximated $537.4 million at September 30, 2017 . We estimate the fair value of our long-term debt primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities, and considering our own risk. If our long-term debt was recorded at fair value, it would be classified as Level 2. U.S. Trade Accounts Receivable Securitization On April 26, 2017, we entered into a receivables purchase agreement and related transaction documents with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association to provide a receivables securitization facility (the “Receivables Securitization Facility”). The Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the securitization of our U.S. trade accounts receivable and provides funding of up to $250 million . The borrowings outstanding under the Receivables Securitization Facility were $250 million as of September 30, 2017 and are classified as long-term debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility were used to pay down amounts previously outstanding on the Credit Agreement. The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the asset-backed commercial paper rate plus a margin or 30 day LIBOR plus a margin for a combined rate of 2.0 percent for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 1.9 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 . The Receivables Securitization Facility expires on April 26, 2019 unless extended by the parties. There is a commitment fee we are required to pay on any unused portion of the facility. The Receivables Securitization Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, and it also contains customary default and termination provisions which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the Receivables Securitization Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events including, but not limited to, the failure to pay yield, fees, and other amounts due, defaults on certain other indebtedness, failure to discharge certain judgments, insolvency events, change in control, and exceeding certain financial ratios designed to capture events negatively affecting the overall credit quality of the receivables. As of September 30, 2017 , we were in compliance with all of the covenants under the Credit Agreement, Note Purchase Agreement, and Receivables Securitization Facility. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding on the Receivables Securitization Facility approximates fair value because it can be redeemed on short notice and the interest rate floats, therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2010. During the first quarter of 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This adoption resulted in a decrease in our provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $1.3 million and $11.9 million , respectively. We have asserted that we will indefinitely reinvest earnings of foreign subsidiaries to support expansion of our international business. If we repatriated all foreign earnings, the estimated effect on income taxes payable would be an increase of approximately $29.0 million as of September 30, 2017 . Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 35.2 percent and 36.7 percent , respectively, and our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was 34.2 percent and 37.1 percent , respectively. The effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09.

STOCK AWARD PLANS

STOCK AWARD PLANS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
STOCK AWARD PLANS	STOCK AWARD PLANS Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Stock options $ 1,715 $ 603 $ 5,341 $ 5,818 Stock awards 5,427 3,747 17,149 22,768 Company expense on ESPP discount 525 491 2,019 2,040 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 7,667 $ 4,841 $ 24,509 $ 30,626 On May 12, 2016, our shareholders approved an amendment to and restatement of our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 13,041,803 shares can be granted under this plan. Approximately 4,928,988 shares were available for stock awards under the plan as of September 30, 2017 . Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash generally become available again for issuance under the plan. Stock Options - We have awarded time-based and performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period based on the company’s earnings growth. Any options remaining unvested at the end of the five -year vesting period are forfeited to the company. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options) on the grants. The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of September 30, 2017 , unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $51.0 million . The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions. Full Value Awards - We have awarded performance shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. These awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five -year period, based on the company’s earnings growth. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 15 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. We have also awarded restricted shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant and is being expensed over the vesting period of the award. We have also issued to certain key employees and non-employee directors restricted stock units which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned. As of September 30, 2017 , there was unrecognized compensation expense of $119.3 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time, the company’s earnings growth, and certain other conditions. Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan ("ESPP") allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of each quarter discounted by 15 percent . Shares vest immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 45,986 $ 2,975 $ 525

LITIGATION

LITIGATION	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
LITIGATION	LITIGATION We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including 17 contingent auto liability cases. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ACQUISITIONS

ACQUISITIONS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
ACQUISITIONS	ACQUISITIONS On August 31, 2017, we acquired the outstanding shares of Milgram & Company Ltd. ("Milgram") for the purpose of expanding our global presence and bringing additional capabilities and expertise to our portfolio. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired, was $46.7 million , which was paid in cash. We used advances under the Credit Agreement to fund part of the cash consideration. Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 14,004 The Milgram goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Milgram existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered preliminary, subject to revision primarily related to certain potential post-closing and working capital adjustments, as final information was not available as of September 30, 2017. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of Milgram have been included in our consolidated financial statements since September 1, 2017. On September 30, 2016, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of APC Logistics ("APC"). Total purchase consideration was $229.4 million , which was paid in cash. We used advances under the Credit Agreement to fund part of the cash consideration. The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase price consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of APC (in thousands): Cash $ 10,181 Receivables 37,190 Inventory and other current assets 2,609 Property and equipment 1,696 Identifiable intangible assets 78,842 Goodwill 132,797 Other noncurrent assets 70 Long term deferred tax asset 814 Total assets 264,199 Accounts payable (22,147 ) Accrued expenses (12,700 ) Estimated net assets acquired $ 229,352 Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 78,842 The APC goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the APC existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating their business into ours. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of APC have been included in our consolidated financial statements since October 1, 2016. Pro forma financial information for prior periods is not presented because we believe the acquisition to be not material to our consolidated results. During the first quarter of 2017, we paid $1.8 million resulting from a working capital adjustment due to the sellers per the terms of the agreement.

SEGMENT REPORTING

SEGMENT REPORTING	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
SEGMENT REPORTING	SEGMENT REPORTING Our reportable segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which generally segregates the segments by service line and the primary services they provide to our customers. Beginning with the fourth quarter of 2016, based on certain internal reporting changes, we identified three reportable segments as follows: • North American Surface Transportation -NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST include truckload, LTL, and intermodal. • Global Forwarding -Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South America and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, airfreight services, and customs brokerage. • Robinson Fresh -Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services under the trade name of Robinson Fresh. Our sourcing services primarily include the buying, selling, and marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items. Robinson Fresh sources products from around the world and has a physical presence in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. This segment often provides the logistics and transportation of the products they sell, in addition to temperature controlled transportation services for its customers. • All Other and Corporate -All Other and Corporate includes our Managed Services segment, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Services, or Managed TMS ® . Other Surface Transportation revenues are primarily earned by Europe Surface Transportation. Europe Surface Transportation provides services similar to NAST across Europe. The internal reporting of segments is defined, based in part, on the reporting and review process used by our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of our reporting segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. Segment information for prior years has been retroactively recast to align with current year presentation. Segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , is as follows (dollars in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 2,469,420 $ 552,134 $ 613,646 $ 149,251 $ — $ 3,784,451 Intersegment revenues (1) 115,796 7,873 43,272 3,228 (170,169 ) — Total Revenues $ 2,585,216 $ 560,007 $ 656,918 $ 152,479 $ (170,169 ) $ 3,784,451 Net Revenues $ 377,403 $ 129,842 $ 54,253 $ 32,348 $ — $ 593,846 Income from Operations 151,392 31,125 11,586 362 — 194,465 Depreciation and amortization 5,808 8,455 1,190 8,510 — 23,963 Total assets (2) 2,297,980 840,762 413,520 623,326 — 4,175,588 Average headcount 6,998 4,301 970 2,634 — 14,903 NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Revenues $ 2,252,187 $ 390,830 $ 590,385 $ 122,352 $ — $ 3,355,754 Intersegment revenues (1) 79,728 8,742 32,255 100 (120,825 ) — Total Revenues $ 2,331,915 $ 399,572 $ 622,640 $ 122,452 $ (120,825 ) $ 3,355,754 Net Revenues $ 378,073 $ 93,368 $ 57,036 $ 29,985 $ — $ 558,462 Income from Operations 171,733 17,047 17,733 4,754 — 211,267 Depreciation and amortization 5,547 5,073 983 6,054 — 17,657 Total assets (2) 2,115,467 625,267 405,832 517,496 — 3,664,062 Average headcount (3) 6,869 3,559 956 2,322 — 13,706 (1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results. (2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (3) Average headcount does not include employees from APC added on September 30, 2016. NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 7,110,223 $ 1,549,742 $ 1,821,094 $ 428,535 $ — $ 10,909,594 Intersegment revenues (1) 329,193 23,456 116,281 13,776 (482,706 ) — Total Revenues $ 7,439,416 $ 1,573,198 $ 1,937,375 $ 442,311 $ (482,706 ) $ 10,909,594 Net Revenues $ 1,109,749 $ 357,411 $ 171,936 $ 97,105 $ — $ 1,736,201 Income from Operations 447,553 75,006 40,487 1,197 — 564,243 Depreciation and amortization 17,104 24,574 3,534 24,128 — 69,340 Total assets (2) 2,297,980 840,762 413,520 623,326 — 4,175,588 Average headcount 6,921 4,113 966 2,590 — 14,590 NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Revenues $ 6,456,281 $ 1,098,715 $ 1,814,682 $ 359,760 $ — $ 9,729,438 Intersegment revenues (1) 211,540 23,585 83,200 642 (318,967 ) — Total Revenues $ 6,667,821 $ 1,122,300 $ 1,897,882 $ 360,402 $ (318,967 ) $ 9,729,438 Net Revenues $ 1,161,074 $ 283,458 $ 183,041 $ 88,439 $ — $ 1,716,012 Income from Operations 516,805 56,300 62,777 8,084 — 643,966 Depreciation and amortization 16,551 15,231 2,590 18,344 — 52,716 Total assets (2) 2,115,467 625,267 405,832 517,496 — 3,664,062 Average headcount (3) 6,767 3,523 939 2,249 — 13,478 (1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results. (2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (3) Average headcount does not include employees from APC added on September 30, 2016.

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER CO

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS	CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance, at September 30, 2017 , and December 31, 2016 , was $22.9 million and $61.4 million , respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency translation adjustments at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 .

GENERAL (Policies)

GENERAL (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Our reportable segments are North American Surface Transportation (“NAST”), Global Forwarding, Robinson Fresh, and All Other and Corporate. The All Other and Corporate segment includes Managed Services, Other Surface Transportation outside of North America, and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. We group offices primarily by services they provide. For financial information concerning our reportable segments, refer to Note 9. The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards - In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and in August 2015 issued ASU 2015-14, which amended the standard as to effective date. The new comprehensive revenue recognition standard will supersede all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We plan to adopt this new standard on January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings instead of retrospectively adjusting prior periods. We anticipate the adoption of this standard will change the timing of revenue recognition for most of our transportation business from at delivery to over the transit period as our performance obligation is completed. Due to the short transit period of many of our performance obligations, we do not expect this change to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows once implemented. We are in the final stages of implementing the necessary system, process, and internal control changes that will allow us to quantify the impact. The new standard will expand our existing revenue recognition disclosures upon adoption. In addition, we have identified certain customer contracts in our sourcing business that will change from a principal to an agent relationship under the new standard. This will cause the revenue associated with these contracts to be recognized at the net amount we charge our customers. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will require us to adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019 using a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is permitted, although we do not plan to adopt early. We have obligations under lease agreements for facilities and equipment, which are classified as operating leases under the existing lease standard. While we are still evaluating the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows, our financial statements will reflect an increase in both assets and liabilities due to the requirement to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets for our facility and equipment leases. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This update was issued as part of the FASB’s simplification initiative and affects all entities that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. The amendments in this update cover such areas as the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, the classification of those excess tax benefits on the statement of cash flows, and accounting policy election for forfeitures, the amount an employer can withhold to cover income taxes and still qualify for equity classification, and the classification of those taxes paid on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718). The adoption of ASU 2016-09 prospectively impacts the recording of income taxes related to share-based payment awards in our consolidated statement of financial position and results of operations, as well as the operating and financing cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The magnitude of such impacts are dependent on our future grants of stock-based compensation, our future stock price in relation to the fair value of awards on grant date, and the exercise behavior of our option holders. We prospectively adopted these provisions in the first quarter of 2017. Prior periods have not been restated. This adoption resulted in a decrease in our provision for income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 of $1.3 million and $11.9 million , respectively. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment . This update simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, any impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The ASU is effective for annual and any interim impairment tests for periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We have not yet selected a transition date, although we do not expect the adoption of this guidance to have any impact on our consolidated financial statements as the fair value of our reporting units is substantially in excess of their respective carrying values. In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting . This update amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under Topic 718. The ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this update will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The future impact of ASU 2017-09 will be dependent on the nature of future stock award modifications.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	We evaluate our reporting units on a continual basis and, if necessary, reassign goodwill using a relative fair value allocation approach. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit.
Fair Value Measurement	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: • Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. • Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets. A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE17

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The change in carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Total December 31, 2016 balance $ 907,230 $ 159,050 $ 139,558 $ 26,958 $ 1,232,796 Acquisitions 3,673 24,902 — — 28,575 Translation 10,320 1,970 1,583 306 14,179 September 30, 2017 $ 921,223 $ 185,922 $ 141,141 $ 27,264 $ 1,275,550
Schedule of Intangible Assets	Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Cost Accumulated Amortization Net Finite-lived intangibles Customer relationships $ 262,534 $ (112,552 ) $ 149,982 $ 244,036 $ (87,199 ) $ 156,837 Non-competition agreements 500 (362 ) 138 500 (287 ) 213 Total finite-lived intangibles 263,034 (112,914 ) 150,120 244,536 (87,486 ) 157,050 Indefinite-lived intangibles Trademarks 10,475 — 10,475 10,475 — 10,475 Total intangibles $ 273,509 $ (112,914 ) $ 160,595 $ 255,011 $ (87,486 ) $ 167,525
Schedule of Amortization Expense	Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Amortization expense $ 9,157 $ 6,094 $ 26,875 $ 18,282
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	Definite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of September 30, 2017 , will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Total Remainder of 2017 $ 1,955 $ 7,267 $ — $ 168 $ 9,390 2018 7,820 29,217 — — 37,037 2019 7,820 29,217 — — 37,037 2020 260 26,513 — — 26,773 2021 260 12,992 — — 13,252 Thereafter 706 25,925 — — 26,631 Total $ 150,120

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)

STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs	A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Stock options $ 1,715 $ 603 $ 5,341 $ 5,818 Stock awards 5,427 3,747 17,149 22,768 Company expense on ESPP discount 525 491 2,019 2,040 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 7,667 $ 4,841 $ 24,509 $ 30,626
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Activity	The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Shares purchased by employees Aggregate cost to employees Expense recognized by the company 45,986 $ 2,975 $ 525

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)

ACQUISITIONS (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class	Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 78,842 Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands): Estimated Life (years) Customer relationships 7 $ 14,004
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase price consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of APC (in thousands): Cash $ 10,181 Receivables 37,190 Inventory and other current assets 2,609 Property and equipment 1,696 Identifiable intangible assets 78,842 Goodwill 132,797 Other noncurrent assets 70 Long term deferred tax asset 814 Total assets 264,199 Accounts payable (22,147 ) Accrued expenses (12,700 ) Estimated net assets acquired $ 229,352

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)

SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Segment Information	Segment information as of, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 , is as follows (dollars in thousands): NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 2,469,420 $ 552,134 $ 613,646 $ 149,251 $ — $ 3,784,451 Intersegment revenues (1) 115,796 7,873 43,272 3,228 (170,169 ) — Total Revenues $ 2,585,216 $ 560,007 $ 656,918 $ 152,479 $ (170,169 ) $ 3,784,451 Net Revenues $ 377,403 $ 129,842 $ 54,253 $ 32,348 $ — $ 593,846 Income from Operations 151,392 31,125 11,586 362 — 194,465 Depreciation and amortization 5,808 8,455 1,190 8,510 — 23,963 Total assets (2) 2,297,980 840,762 413,520 623,326 — 4,175,588 Average headcount 6,998 4,301 970 2,634 — 14,903 NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 Revenues $ 2,252,187 $ 390,830 $ 590,385 $ 122,352 $ — $ 3,355,754 Intersegment revenues (1) 79,728 8,742 32,255 100 (120,825 ) — Total Revenues $ 2,331,915 $ 399,572 $ 622,640 $ 122,452 $ (120,825 ) $ 3,355,754 Net Revenues $ 378,073 $ 93,368 $ 57,036 $ 29,985 $ — $ 558,462 Income from Operations 171,733 17,047 17,733 4,754 — 211,267 Depreciation and amortization 5,547 5,073 983 6,054 — 17,657 Total assets (2) 2,115,467 625,267 405,832 517,496 — 3,664,062 Average headcount (3) 6,869 3,559 956 2,322 — 13,706 (1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results. (2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (3) Average headcount does not include employees from APC added on September 30, 2016. NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Revenues $ 7,110,223 $ 1,549,742 $ 1,821,094 $ 428,535 $ — $ 10,909,594 Intersegment revenues (1) 329,193 23,456 116,281 13,776 (482,706 ) — Total Revenues $ 7,439,416 $ 1,573,198 $ 1,937,375 $ 442,311 $ (482,706 ) $ 10,909,594 Net Revenues $ 1,109,749 $ 357,411 $ 171,936 $ 97,105 $ — $ 1,736,201 Income from Operations 447,553 75,006 40,487 1,197 — 564,243 Depreciation and amortization 17,104 24,574 3,534 24,128 — 69,340 Total assets (2) 2,297,980 840,762 413,520 623,326 — 4,175,588 Average headcount 6,921 4,113 966 2,590 — 14,590 NAST Global Forwarding Robinson Fresh All Other and Corporate Eliminations Consolidated Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Revenues $ 6,456,281 $ 1,098,715 $ 1,814,682 $ 359,760 $ — $ 9,729,438 Intersegment revenues (1) 211,540 23,585 83,200 642 (318,967 ) — Total Revenues $ 6,667,821 $ 1,122,300 $ 1,897,882 $ 360,402 $ (318,967 ) $ 9,729,438 Net Revenues $ 1,161,074 $ 283,458 $ 183,041 $ 88,439 $ — $ 1,716,012 Income from Operations 516,805 56,300 62,777 8,084 — 643,966 Depreciation and amortization 16,551 15,231 2,590 18,344 — 52,716 Total assets (2) 2,115,467 625,267 405,832 517,496 — 3,664,062 Average headcount (3) 6,767 3,523 939 2,249 — 13,478 (1) Intersegment revenues represent the sales between our segments and are eliminated to reconcile to our consolidated results. (2) All cash and cash equivalents are included in All Other and Corporate. (3) Average headcount does not include employees from APC added on September 30, 2016.

GENERAL (Details)

GENERAL (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit amount	$ 1.3	$ 11.9

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE22

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	$ 1,232,796
Acquisitions	28,575
Translation	14,179
Balance, end of period	1,275,550
NAST
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	907,230
Acquisitions	3,673
Translation	10,320
Balance, end of period	921,223
Global Forwarding
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	159,050
Acquisitions	24,902
Translation	1,970
Balance, end of period	185,922
Robinson Fresh
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	139,558
Acquisitions	0
Translation	1,583
Balance, end of period	141,141
All Other and Corporate
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning of period	26,958
Acquisitions	0
Translation	306
Balance, end of period	$ 27,264

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE23

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	$ 263,034	$ 244,536
Accumulated amortization	(112,914)	(87,486)
Net	150,120	157,050
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Total intangibles, Cost	273,509	255,011
Total intangibles, Net	160,595	167,525
Trademarks
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Indefinite-lived intangibles, Gross	10,475	10,475
Customer relationships
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	262,534	244,036
Accumulated amortization	(112,552)	(87,199)
Net	149,982	156,837
Non-competition agreements
Finite-lived intangibles
Finite-lived intangibles	500	500
Accumulated amortization	(362)	(287)
Net	$ 138	$ 213

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE24

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense on Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Amortization expense	$ 9,157	$ 6,094	$ 26,875	$ 18,282
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2017	9,390		9,390
2,018	37,037		37,037
2,019	37,037		37,037
2,020	26,773		26,773
2,021	13,252		13,252
Thereafter	26,631		26,631
Net	150,120		150,120		$ 157,050
NAST
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2017	1,955		1,955
2,018	7,820		7,820
2,019	7,820		7,820
2,020	260		260
2,021	260		260
Thereafter	706		706
Global Forwarding
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2017	7,267		7,267
2,018	29,217		29,217
2,019	29,217		29,217
2,020	26,513		26,513
2,021	12,992		12,992
Thereafter	25,925		25,925
Robinson Fresh
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2017	0		0
2,018	0		0
2,019	0		0
2,020	0		0
2,021	0		0
Thereafter	0		0
All Other and Corporate
Estimated amortization expense
Remainder of 2017	168		168
2,018	0		0
2,019	0		0
2,020	0		0
2,021	0		0
Thereafter	$ 0		$ 0

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Liability at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Details

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Details)	Aug. 23, 2013USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016	Apr. 26, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, fair value		$ 537,400,000		$ 537,400,000
Receivables Securitization Facility | The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity						$ 250,000,000
Borrowing outstanding		250,000,000		250,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		900,000,000		900,000,000
Borrowing availability		$ 181,000,000		$ 181,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate during period		2.40%	1.40%	2.20%	1.50%
Debt, weighted average interest rate		2.40%		2.40%				1.50%
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum		3		3
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan | Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				0.50%
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate				1.13%
Unsecured Debt | Senior Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility 2019 Term Loan | Current Liability
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing outstanding		$ 719,000,000		$ 719,000,000			$ 740,000,000
Senior Notes | Series A Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 175,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	3.97%
Senior Notes | Series B Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 150,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.26%
Senior Notes | Series C Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$ 175,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, stated percentage	4.60%
Senior Notes | Note Purchase Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, covenant, leverage ratio, maximum		3		3
Debt instrument, covenant, interest expense ratio, maximum				2
Debt instrument, covenant, priority debt, percentage				15.00%
Debt instrument, redemption price, percentage	100.00%
Line of Credit | Receivables Securitization Facility | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) | The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | Secured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate		1.97%		1.88%

INCOME TAXES (Details)

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Estimated effect on income taxes payable from foreign earnings repatriated			$ 29
Effective income tax	34.20%	36.70%	35.20%	37.10%
Accounting Standards Update 2016-09
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, share-based compensation, excess tax benefit amount	$ 1.3		$ 11.9

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 7,667	$ 4,841	$ 24,509	$ 30,626
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	1,715	603	5,341	5,818
Stock awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	5,427	3,747	17,149	22,768
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 525	$ 491	$ 2,019	$ 2,040

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Additional

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	May 12, 2016
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock	$ 10,000	$ 10,000
Discount rate used to determine the purchase price	15.00%
Stock Option
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Maximum shares that can be granted under stock plan (shares)			13,041,803
Shares available for stock awards (shares)	4,928,988	4,928,988
Stock award, vesting period		5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 51,000,000	$ 51,000,000
Restricted Stock Awards
Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments Disclosure [Line Items]
Stock award, vesting period		5 years
Unrecognized compensation expense	$ 119,300,000	$ 119,300,000
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, lower limit		15.00%
Restricted stock awards, discount for post-vesting holding restriction, upper limit		22.00%

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary o30

STOCK AWARD PLANS - Summary of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares purchased by employees (shares)	45,986
Aggregate cost to employees	$ 2,975
Expense recognized by the company	7,667	$ 4,841	$ 24,509	$ 30,626
Company expense on ESPP discount
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Expense recognized by the company	$ 525	$ 491	$ 2,019	$ 2,040

LITIGATION (Details)

LITIGATION (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017case
Contingent Auto Liability Claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingency auto liability cases (case)	17

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Infor

ACQUISITIONS - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Payments related to working capital adjustment			$ 1,800	$ 48,446	$ 220,203
Milgram & Company Ltd.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase consideration. net of cash acquired	$ 46,700
APC Logistics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Total purchase price		$ 229,400

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Fini

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
APC Logistics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 78,842
Customer relationships | Milgram & Company Ltd.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)	7 years
Identifiable intangible assets	$ 14,004
Customer relationships | APC Logistics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated Life (years)		7 years
Identifiable intangible assets		$ 78,842

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Reco

ACQUISITIONS - Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 1,275,550	$ 1,232,796
APC Logistics
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash			$ 10,181
Receivables			37,190
Inventory and other current assets			2,609
Property and equipment			1,696
Identifiable intangible assets			78,842
Goodwill			132,797
Other noncurrent assets			70
Long term deferred tax asset			814
Total assets			264,199
Accounts payable			(22,147)
Accrued expenses			(12,700)
Estimated net assets acquired			$ 229,352

SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional

SEGMENT REPORTING - Additional Information (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments (segment)	3

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of

SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Segment Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)employee	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)employee	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 3,784,451	$ 3,355,754	$ 10,909,594	$ 9,729,438
Net Revenues	593,846	558,462	1,736,201	1,716,012
Income from Operations	194,465	211,267	564,243	643,966
Depreciation and amortization	23,963	17,657	69,340	52,716
Total assets	$ 4,175,588	$ 3,664,062	$ 4,175,588	$ 3,664,062	$ 3,687,758
Average headcount (employee) | employee	14,903	13,706	14,590	13,478
NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 2,585,216	$ 2,331,915	$ 7,439,416	$ 6,667,821
Net Revenues	377,403	378,073	1,109,749	1,161,074
Income from Operations	151,392	171,733	447,553	516,805
Depreciation and amortization	5,808	5,547	17,104	16,551
Total assets	$ 2,297,980	$ 2,115,467	$ 2,297,980	$ 2,115,467
Average headcount (employee) | employee	6,998	6,869	6,921	6,767
Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 560,007	$ 399,572	$ 1,573,198	$ 1,122,300
Net Revenues	129,842	93,368	357,411	283,458
Income from Operations	31,125	17,047	75,006	56,300
Depreciation and amortization	8,455	5,073	24,574	15,231
Total assets	$ 840,762	$ 625,267	$ 840,762	$ 625,267
Average headcount (employee) | employee	4,301	3,559	4,113	3,523
Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 656,918	$ 622,640	$ 1,937,375	$ 1,897,882
Net Revenues	54,253	57,036	171,936	183,041
Income from Operations	11,586	17,733	40,487	62,777
Depreciation and amortization	1,190	983	3,534	2,590
Total assets	$ 413,520	$ 405,832	$ 413,520	$ 405,832
Average headcount (employee) | employee	970	956	966	939
All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 152,479	$ 122,452	$ 442,311	$ 360,402
Net Revenues	32,348	29,985	97,105	88,439
Income from Operations	362	4,754	1,197	8,084
Depreciation and amortization	8,510	6,054	24,128	18,344
Total assets	$ 623,326	$ 517,496	$ 623,326	$ 517,496
Average headcount (employee) | employee	2,634	2,322	2,590	2,249
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 3,784,451	$ 3,355,754	$ 10,909,594	$ 9,729,438
Operating Segments | NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	2,469,420	2,252,187	7,110,223	6,456,281
Operating Segments | Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	552,134	390,830	1,549,742	1,098,715
Operating Segments | Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	613,646	590,385	1,821,094	1,814,682
Operating Segments | All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	149,251	122,352	428,535	359,760
Intersegment revenues(1)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	(170,169)	(120,825)	(482,706)	(318,967)
Intersegment revenues(1) | NAST
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	115,796	79,728	329,193	211,540
Intersegment revenues(1) | Global Forwarding
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	7,873	8,742	23,456	23,585
Intersegment revenues(1) | Robinson Fresh
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	43,272	32,255	116,281	83,200
Intersegment revenues(1) | All Other and Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Revenues	$ 3,228	$ 100	$ 13,776	$ 642

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER 37

CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ 22,880	$ 61,442