Universal Logistics (ULH) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	28-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	UACL
Entity Registrant Name	Universal Truckload Services, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1308208
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,975,284

Unaudited_Consolidated_Balance

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$5,547	$8,001
Marketable securities	15,235	14,309
Accounts receivable - net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $5,464 and $5,207, respectively	161,317	151,107
Other receivables	18,285	13,856
Due from affiliates	1,591	1,562
Prepaid income taxes	6,410	2,719
Prepaid expenses and other	16,405	19,340
Deferred income taxes	5,812	5,386
Total current assets	230,602	216,280
Property and equipment - net of accumulated depreciation of $155,847 and $149,610, respectively	173,408	178,069
Goodwill	74,484	74,484
Intangible assets - net of accumulated amortization of $36,628 and $34,340, respectively	51,531	53,820
Other assets	5,984	6,361
Total assets	536,009	529,014
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	64,812	57,448
Due to affiliates	4,097	2,896
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	23,110	22,341
Insurance and claims	22,210	20,704
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	1,037	1,051
Current portion of long-term debt	12,217	9,593
Total current liabilities	127,483	114,033
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt	215,569	225,705
Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities	1,708	1,980
Deferred income taxes	46,105	45,883
Other long-term liabilities	3,076	4,252
Total long-term liabilities	266,458	277,820
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, no par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares; 30,859,006 and 30,856,506 shares issued; 29,975,284 and 29,997,784 shares outstanding, respectively	30,859	30,857
Paid-in capital	2,508	2,448
Treasury stock, at cost; 883,722 and 858,722 shares, respectively	-15,576	-14,953
Retained earnings	123,978	117,913
Accumulated other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities, net of income taxes of $1,591 and $1,642, respectively	2,814	2,888
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-2,515	-1,992
Total shareholders' equity	142,068	137,161
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$536,009	$529,014

Unaudited_Consolidated_Balance1

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$5,464	$5,207
Property and equipment, Accumulated depreciation	155,847	149,610
Intangible assets, accumulated amortization	36,628	34,340
Common stock, par value	$0	$0
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	30,859,006	30,856,506
Common stock, shares outstanding	29,975,284	29,997,784
Treasury stock, shares	883,722	858,722
Income tax expense on unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	$1,591	$1,642

Unaudited_Consolidated_Stateme

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Operating revenues:
Transportation services	$160,404	$179,816
Value-added services	70,218	69,480
Intermodal services	32,939	30,068
Total operating revenues	263,561	279,364
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation and equipment rent	132,080	140,425
Direct personnel and related benefits	51,510	53,571
Commission expense	8,818	9,731
Operating expenses (exclusive of items shown separately)	27,045	31,018
Occupancy expense	6,827	6,307
Selling, general, and administrative	9,006	9,421
Insurance and claims	4,170	6,621
Depreciation and amortization	9,038	7,641
Total operating expenses	248,494	264,735
Income from operations	15,067	14,629
Interest income	13	15
Interest expense	-1,855	-1,590
Other non-operating income	107	89
Income before provision for income taxes	13,332	13,143
Provision for income taxes	5,168	5,019
Net income	$8,164	$8,124
Earnings per common share:
Basic	$0.27	$0.27
Diluted	$0.27	$0.27
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic	29,992	30,112
Diluted	29,998	30,158
Dividends paid per common share	$0.07	$0.07

Unaudited_Consolidated_Stateme1

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$8,164	$8,124
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments arising during the period, net of income taxes	-74	127
Realized gains on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income, net of income taxes	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-523	-127
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	-597
Total comprehensive income	$7,567	$8,124

Unaudited_Consolidated_Stateme2

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$8,164	$8,124
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	9,038	7,641
Gain on disposal of property and equipment	-28	-56
Amortization of debt issuance costs	173	173
Stock-based compensation	63
Provision for doubtful accounts	734	302
Deferred income taxes	-190	-1,788
Change in assets and liabilities:
Trade and other accounts receivable	-15,190	-22,663
Prepaid income taxes, prepaid expenses and other assets	-719	-301
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, insurance and claims and other current liabilities	9,558	18,623
Due to/from affiliates, net	1,157	1,870
Other long-term liabilities	-1,176	489
Net cash provided by operating activities	11,584	12,414
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	-2,188	-10,788
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment	128	385
Purchases of marketable securities	-1,050	-4
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,110	-10,407
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowing - revolving debt	27,418	21,906
Repayments of debt - revolving debt	-32,788	-24,049
Repayments of debt - term debt	-2,142
Payment of capital lease obligations	-287	-348
Dividends paid	-2,100	-2,108
Purchases of treasury stock	-623	-318
Net cash used in financing activities	-10,522	-4,917
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-406	20
Net (decrease) in cash	-2,454	-2,890
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	8,001	10,223
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	5,547	7,333
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest	1,776	1,474
Cash paid for income taxes	$9,053	$3,732

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	-1	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Universal Truckload Services, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“we”, “us”, “our”, “Universal”, or “the Company”), have been prepared by the Company’s management. In the opinion of management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the information required to be set forth therein. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from these statements pursuant to such rules and regulations and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014 included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Our fiscal year ends on December 31 and consists of four quarters, each with thirteen weeks.
	Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the prior financial statements in order for them to conform to the March 28, 2015 presentation.

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Marketable Securities	-2	Marketable Securities
	At March 28, 2015 and December 31, 2014, marketable securities, all of which are available-for-sale, consist of common and preferred stocks. Marketable securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses, net of related income taxes, reported as accumulated other comprehensive income, except for losses from impairments which are determined to be other-than-temporary. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in the determination of net income and are included in other non-operating income (expense), at which time the average cost basis of these securities are adjusted to fair value. Fair values are based on quoted market prices at the reporting date. Interest and dividends on available-for-sale securities are included in other non-operating income (expense).
	The cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of available-for-sale securities by type were as follows (in thousands):
			Cost		Gross		Gross			Fair
					unrealized		unrealized			Value
					holding		holding
					gains		(losses)
	At March 28, 2015
	Equity Securities		$	10,829	$	4,737	$	(331	)	$	15,235
	At December 31, 2014
	Equity Securities		$	9,779	$	4,825	$	(295	)	$	14,309
	Included in equity securities at March 28, 2015 are securities with a fair value of $3.1 million with a cumulative loss position of $0.3 million, the impairment of which we consider to be temporary. We consider several factors in our determination as to whether declines in value are judged to be temporary or other-than-temporary, including the severity and duration of the decline, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the specific issuers and the industries in which they operate, and our intent and ability to hold these securities. We may incur future impairment charges if declines in market values continue and/or worsen and impairments are no longer considered temporary.
	The fair value and gross unrealized holding losses of our marketable securities that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired aggregated by type and length of time they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows (in thousands):
			Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater					Total
			Fair		Unrealized		Fair			Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
			Value		Losses		Value			Losses		Value		Losses
	At March 28, 2015
	Equity securities		$	2,750	$	182	$	324		$	149	$	3,074	$	331
	At December 31, 2014
	Equity securities		$	1,380	$	197	$	146		$	98	$	1,526	$	295
	Our portfolio of equity securities in a continuous loss position, the impairment of which we consider to be temporary, consists primarily of common stocks in the banking, steel, communications, oil and gas, and transportation industries. The fair value and unrealized losses are distributed in 30 publicly traded companies, with no single industry or company representing a material or concentrated unrealized loss. We have evaluated the near-term prospects of the various industries, as well as the specific issuers within our portfolio, in relation to the severity and duration of the impairments, and based on that evaluation, as well as our ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time to allow for a recovery of fair value, we do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 28, 2015.
	We may, from time to time, invest cash in excess of our current needs in marketable securities, much of which is held in equity securities, which are actively traded on public exchanges. It is our philosophy to minimize the risk of capital loss without foregoing the potential for capital appreciation through investing in value-and-income oriented investments. However, holding equity securities subjects us to fluctuations in the market value of our investment portfolio based on current market prices, and a decline in market prices or other unstable market conditions could cause a loss in the value of our marketable securities classified as available-for-sale.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	-3	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities is comprised of the following (in thousands):
			March 28,		December 31,
			2015		2014
	Payroll related items		$	9,414	$	8,827
	Driver escrow liabilities			4,251		4,519
	Commissions, taxes and other			9,445		8,995
	Total		$	23,110	$	22,341

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	-4	Debt
	Debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):
			Interest Rates	March 28,		December 31,
				2015		2014
			at March 28,
			2015
	Outstanding Debt:
	Syndicated credit facility
	$120 million revolving credit facility		LIBOR + 1.85%	$	54,500	$	59,500
	Swing Line sub-facility		Prime + 0.85%		—		370
	$60 million equipment financing facility		LIBOR + 2.35%		53,286		55,428
	$50 million term loan		LIBOR + 3.00%		50,000		50,000
	$70 million term loan B		LIBOR + 3.00%		70,000		70,000
	UBS secured borrowing facility		LIBOR + 1.10%		—		—
					227,786		235,298
	Less current portion				12,217		9,593
	Total long-term debt			$	215,569	$	225,705
	Syndicated credit facility
	On December 19, 2013, we entered into a Second Amendment (the “Amendment”) to our Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement dated August 28, 2012, (the “Credit Agreement”) with and among the lenders parties thereto and Comerica Bank, as administrative agent, to provide for aggregate borrowing facilities of up to $300 million. The Amendment modifies the Credit Agreement to allow for additional borrowings of $70 million under a new term loan and a $10 million increase in the revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement, as amended, consists of a $120 million revolving credit facility (which amount may be increased by up to $20 million upon our request and approval of the lenders), a $60 million equipment credit facility, a $50 million term loan, and a $70 million term loan B. Additionally, the Credit Agreement provides for up to $5 million in letters of credit, which letters of credit reduce availability under the revolving credit facility.
	$120 million Revolving Credit Facility
	The revolving credit facility is available to refinance existing indebtedness and to finance working capital through, and mature on, August 28, 2017. Two interest rate options are applicable to advances borrowed pursuant to the facility: Eurodollar-based advances and base rate advances. Eurodollar-based advances bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.35% to 2.10% based on our ratio of total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined. As an alternative, base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.35% to 1.10%. The base rate is the greater of the prime rate announced by Comerica Bank, the federal funds effective rate plus 1.0%, or the daily adjusting LIBOR rate plus 1.0%. At March 28, 2015, interest accrued at 2.02% based on 30-day LIBOR.
	To support daily borrowing and other operating requirements, the revolving credit facility contains a $10.0 million Swing Line sub-facility and a $5.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. On June 3, 2013, we executed an amendment to our Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “First Amendment”) which split the availability on the Swing Line between two existing lenders, Comerica Bank and KeyBank. The SwingLine was split to provide for borrowings of up to $7.0 million from Comerica Bank and $3.0 million from KeyBank, so long as the Comerica Bank and KeyBank advances do not exceed $10.0 million in the aggregate. Swing Line borrowings incur interest at either the base rate plus the applicable margin or, alternatively, at a quoted rate offered by the applicable Swing Line lender in its sole discretion. At March 28, 2015, we did not have any amounts outstanding under the Swing Line, and there were no letters of credit issued against the revolving credit facility.
	Interest on the unpaid balance of all revolving credit facility and swing line base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter. Interest on the unpaid balance of each Eurodollar-based advance of the revolving credit facility is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period. Interest on the unpaid balance of each quoted rate based advance of the swing line is payable on the last day of the applicable quoted rate interest period.
	The revolving credit facility is subject to a facility fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, of either 0.25% or 0.50%, depending on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. Other than in connection with Eurodollar-based advances or quoted rate advances that are paid off and terminated prior to an applicable interest period, there are no premiums or penalties resulting from prepayment. Borrowings outstanding at any time under the revolving credit facility are limited to the value of eligible accounts receivable of our principal operating subsidiaries, pursuant to a monthly borrowing base certificate. At March 28, 2015, our $54.5 million revolver advance was secured by, among other assets, net eligible accounts receivable totaling $139.2 million, of which, $115.3 million were available for borrowing against pursuant to the agreement.
	$60 million Equipment Credit Facility
	The equipment credit facility is available to refinance existing indebtedness and to finance capital expenditures including in connection with acquisitions. Borrowings under the equipment credit facility may be made until August 28, 2015, and such borrowings shall be repaid in quarterly installments equal to 1/28th of the aggregate amount of borrowings under the equipment credit facility commencing on January 1, 2014.
	The two interest rate options that apply to revolving credit facility advances also apply to equipment credit facility advances. Eurodollar-based advances bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.60% to 2.60% based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. Base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.60% to 1.60%. The equipment credit facility is subject to an unused fee, which is payable quarterly in arrears, of 0.50%. At March 28, 2015, interest accrued at 2.52% based on 30-day LIBOR.
	Interest on the unpaid balance of all equipment credit facility base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter. Interest on the unpaid balance of each Eurodollar-based advance of the equipment credit facility is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.
	$50 million Term Loan
	Proceeds of the term loan were advanced on October 1, 2012 and used to refinance existing indebtedness of LINC. The outstanding principal balance is due on August 28, 2017, to the extent not already reduced by mandatory or optional prepayments. The applicable interest rate on the effective date of the term loan indebtedness was the base rate. Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. Thereafter, we may convert base rate advances to Eurodollar-based advances, which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. At March 28, 2015, interest accrued at 3.17% based on 30-day LIBOR.
	Interest on the unpaid principal of all term loan base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on October 1, 2012, and on the first day of each October, January, April and July thereafter. Interest on the unpaid principal of each Eurodollar-based advance of the term loan is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.
	$70 million Term Loan B
	Proceeds of the term loan were advanced on December 19, 2013 and used to finance the acquisition of Westport. The outstanding principal balance is due on August 28, 2017, to the extent not already reduced by mandatory or optional prepayments. The applicable interest rate on the effective date of the term loan indebtedness was the base rate. Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. Thereafter, we may convert base rate advances to Eurodollar-based advances, which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA. At March 28, 2015, interest accrued at 3.17% based on 30-day LIBOR.
	Interest on the unpaid principal of all term loan base rate advances is payable quarterly in arrears commencing on January 1, 2014, and on the first day of each January, April, July and October thereafter. Interest on the unpaid principal of each Eurodollar-based advance of the term loan is payable on the last day of the applicable Eurodollar interest period.
	The Credit Agreement requires us to repay the borrowings made under the term loan facilities and the equipment credit facility as follows: 50% (which percentage shall be reduced to 0% subject to the Company attaining a certain leverage ratio) of our annual excess cash flow, as defined; 100% of net cash proceeds of certain asset sales; and 100% of certain insurance and condemnation proceeds. Mandatory prepayments of the term loans were $3.6 million as of March 28, 2015. We may voluntarily repay outstanding loans under each of the facilities at any time, subject to certain customary “breakage” costs with respect to LIBOR-based borrowings. In addition, we may elect to permanently terminate or reduce all or a portion of the revolving credit facility.
	All obligations under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by the Company’s material U.S. subsidiaries and the obligations of the Company and such subsidiaries under the Credit Agreement and such guarantees are secured by, subject to certain exceptions, substantially all of their assets. The Credit Agreement also may, in certain circumstances, limit our ability to pay dividends or distributions. The Credit Agreement includes annual, quarterly and ad hoc financial reporting requirements and financial covenants requiring the Company to maintain maximum leverage ratios and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. Specifically, we may not exceed a maximum senior debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, of 2.5:1 and a maximum total debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined, of 3.0:1. We must also maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, of not less than 1.25:1. As of March 28, 2015, the Company was in compliance with its debt covenants.
	UBS Secured Borrowing Facility
	The Company also maintains a secured borrowing facility at UBS Financial Services, Inc., or UBS, using its marketable securities as collateral for the short-term line of credit. The line of credit bears an interest rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.10% (effective rate of 1.27% at March 28, 2015), and interest is adjusted and billed monthly. No principal payments are due on the borrowing; however, the line of credit is callable at any time. The amount available under the line of credit is based on a percentage of the market value of the underlying securities. If the equity value in the account falls below the minimum requirement, we must restore the equity value, or UBS may call the line of credit. As of March 28, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were no amounts outstanding under the line of credit, and the maximum available borrowings were $7.5 million and $6.9 million, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Di

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures	-5	Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures
	FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date and expanded disclosures with respect to fair value measurements.
	FASB ASC Topic 820 also establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:
		•		Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
		•		Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
		•		Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.
	We have segregated all financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the tables below (in thousands):
			March 28, 2015
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
									Measurement
	Assets
	Cash equivalents		$	75	$	—	$	—	$	75
	Marketable securities			15,235		—		—		15,235
	Total Assets		$	15,310	$	—	$	—	$	15,310
			31-Dec-14
			Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
									Measurement
	Assets
	Cash equivalents		$	21	$	—	$	—	$	21
	Marketable securities			14,309		—		—		14,309
	Total Assets		$	14,330	$	—	$	—	$	14,330
	The valuation techniques used to measure fair value for the items in the tables above are as follows:
		•		Cash equivalents – This category consists of money market funds which are listed as Level 1 assets and measured at fair value based on quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
		•		Marketable securities – Marketable securities represent equity securities, which consist of common and preferred stocks, are actively traded on public exchanges and are listed as Level 1 assets. Fair value was measured based on quoted prices for these securities in active markets.
	Our senior debt and line of credit consists of variable rate borrowings. We categorize borrowings under the credit agreement and line of credit as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value of these borrowings approximate fair value because the applicable interest rates are adjusted frequently based on short-term market rates.

Transactions_with_Affiliates

Transactions with Affiliates	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Transactions with Affiliates	-6	Transactions with Affiliates
	Through December 31, 2004, we were a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenTra, Inc. On December 31, 2004, CenTra distributed all of our common stock to the shareholders of CenTra. Subsequent to our initial public offering in 2005, our majority shareholders retained and continue to hold a controlling interest in us. CenTra and affiliates of CenTra provide administrative support services to us, including legal, human resources, and tax services. The cost of these services is based on the actual or estimated utilization of the specific service. Management believes these charges are reasonable. However, the costs of these services charged to us are not necessarily indicative of the costs that would have been incurred if we had internally performed or acquired these services as a separate unaffiliated entity.
	In addition to the administrative support services described above, we purchase other services from affiliates. Following is a schedule of cost incurred for services provided by affiliates for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
			Thirteen weeks ended
			March 28,		March 29,
			2015		2014
	Administrative support services		$	801	$	524
	Truck fueling and maintenance			58		202
	Real estate rent and related costs			3,101		2,964
	Insurance and employee benefit plans			11,140		10,328
	Contracted transportation services			214		89
	Total		$	15,314	$	14,107
	In connection with our transportation services, we also routinely cross the Ambassador Bridge between Detroit, Michigan and Windsor Ontario, and we pay tolls and other fees to certain related entities which are under common control with CenTra. CenTra also charges us for the direct variable cost of various maintenance, fueling and other operational support costs for services delivered at their trucking terminals that are geographically remote from our own facilities. Such activities are billed when incurred, paid on a routine basis, and reflect actual labor utilization, repair parts costs or quantities of fuel purchased.
	A significant number of our transportation and logistics service operations are located at facilities leased from affiliates. At 43 facilities, occupancy is based on either month-to-month or contractual, multi-year lease arrangements which are billed and paid monthly. Leasing properties provided by an affiliate that owns a substantial commercial property portfolio affords us significant operating flexibility. However, we are not limited to such arrangements.
	We purchase workers’ compensation, property and casualty, cargo, warehousing and other general liability insurance from an insurance company controlled by our majority shareholders. Our employee health care benefits and 401(k) programs are also provided by this affiliate.
	Other services from affiliates, including leased real estate, insurance and employee benefit plans, and contracted transportation services, are delivered to us on a per-transaction-basis or pursuant to separate contractual arrangements provided in the ordinary course of business. At March 28, 2015 and December 31, 2014, amounts due to affiliates were $4.1 million and $2.9 million, respectively. In our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we record our insured claims liability and the related recovery from an affiliate insurance provider in insurance and claims, and other receivables. At March 28, 2015 and December 31, 2014, there were $12.4 million and $10.7 million, respectively, included in each of these accounts for insured claims.
	We purchased used snow removal equipment from an affiliate during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015, for $18,000. During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014, we purchased 10 used tractors from an affiliate for approximately $0.8 million.
	We have retained the law firm of Sullivan Hincks & Conway to provide us legal services. Daniel C. Sullivan, a member of our Board, is a partner at Sullivan Hincks & Conway. Not included in the table above are amounts paid for legal services during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 of $1,400 and $13,000, respectively.
	We also exercised our right of first refusal to acquire 25,000 shares of restricted stock from a director, H.E. “Scott” Wolfe, for $622,500 based on the closing market price on March 5, 2015, the effective date of the transaction.
	Services provided to Affiliates
	We may assist our affiliates with selected transportation and logistics services in connection with their specific customer contracts or purchase orders. Following is a schedule of services provided to affiliates for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
			Thirteen weeks ended
			March 28,		March 29,
			2015		2014
	Transportation and intermodal services		$	172	$	258
	Truck fueling and maintenance			—		44
	Administrative and customer support services			—		5
	Total		$	172	$	307
	We did not sell any equipment to affiliates during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015. However, during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014, we sold 23 used trailers to an affiliate for approximately $46,000. The trailers were fully depreciated, the sale of which resulted in a gain of approximately $46,000.
	At March 28, 2015 and December 31, 2014, amounts due from Affiliates were $1.6 million for both periods.

Comprehensive_Income

Comprehensive Income	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income	-7	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income includes the following (in thousands):
			Thirteen weeks ended
			March 28,			March 29,
			2015			2014
	Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments arising during the period:
	Gross amount		$	(124	)	$	198
	Income tax (expense) benefit			50			(71	)
	Net of tax amount		$	(74	)	$	127
	Realized (gains) on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income:
	Gross amount		$	—		$	—
	Income tax expense			—			—
	Net of tax amount		$	—		$	—
	Foreign currency translation adjustments		$	(523	)	$	(127	)

Stock_Based_Compensation

Stock Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Based Compensation	-8	Stock Based Compensation
	On April 23, 2014, our Board of Directors adopted the 2014 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, or the Plan. The Plan was approved by our shareholders at the 2014 Annual Meeting and became effective as of the date it was adopted by the Board of Directors. The Plan replaced our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan and carried forward the shares of common stock that remained available for issuance under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. The grants may be made in the form of stock options, restricted stock bonuses, restricted stock purchase rights, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock units, restricted stock units or unrestricted common stock. Restricted stock awards currently outstanding under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan will remain outstanding in accordance with the terms of that plan.
	On December 20, 2012, the Company granted 178,137 shares of restricted stock to certain of its employees. The restricted stock grants vested 20% on December 20, 2012, and an additional 20% will vest on each anniversary of the grant through December 20, 2016, subject to continued employment with the Company. On March 5, 2015, the Company granted an additional 10,000 shares of restricted stock to an employee of the company. The restricted stock grants vested 25% on March 5, 2015, and an additional 25% will vest on each anniversary of the grant through March 5, 2018, subject to continued employment with the Company. A grantee’s vesting may be accelerated under certain conditions, including retirement.
	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s non-vested shares and related information for the period indicated:
			Shares			Weighted
						Average Grant
						Date Fair Value
	Non-vested at January 1, 2015			16,446		$	16.42
	Granted			10,000		$	25.18
	Vested			(2,500	)	$	25.18
	Forfeited			—		$	—
	Balance at March 28, 2015			23,946		$	19.16
	As of March 28, 2015, there was $0.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years. The total fair value of shares vested during the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 was $0.1 million.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	-9	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share amounts are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, excluding outstanding non-vested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per common share include dilutive common stock equivalents determined by the treasury stock method. For the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 there were 5,700 and 45,584 weighted average non-vested shares of restricted shares included in the denominator for the calculation of diluted earnings per share, respectively.

Dividends

Dividends	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Text Block [Abstract]
Dividends	-10	Dividends
	On February 19, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock, which was payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2015, and was paid on March 12, 2015. Declaration of future cash dividends is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, any legal or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	-11	Segment Reporting
	We report our financial results in two reportable segments, the transportation segment and the logistics segment, based on the nature of the underlying customer commitment and the types of investments required to support these commitments. This presentation reflects the manner in which management evaluates our operating segments, including an evaluation of economic characteristics and applicable aggregation criteria.
	Operations aggregated in our transportation segment are associated with individual freight shipments coordinated by our agents, company-managed terminals and specialized services operations. In contrast, operations aggregated in our logistics segment deliver value-added services or transportation services to specific customers on a dedicated basis, generally pursuant to contract terms of one year or longer. Other non-reportable operating segments are comprised of the Company’s subsidiaries that provide support services to other subsidiaries and to owner-operators, including shop maintenance and equipment leasing.
	The following tables summarize information about the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
			Thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015
			Transportation		Logistics		Other			Total
	Operating revenues		$	167,233	$	96,232	$	96		$	263,561
	Eliminated inter-segment revenues			617		1,197		—			1,814
	Income from operations			6,350		8,773		(56	)		15,067
	Total assets			233,861		263,388		38,760			536,009
			Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014
			Transportation		Logistics		Other			Total
	Operating revenues		$	175,349	$	103,906	$	109		$	279,364
	Eliminated inter-segment revenues			1,562		1,736		—			3,298
	Income from operations			5,310		9,681		(362	)		14,629
	Total assets			235,458		243,475		32,411			511,344

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	-12	Commitments and Contingencies
	Our principal commitments relate to long-term real estate leases and payment obligations to equipment vendors.
	We are involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the ordinary conduct of business. We also provide accruals for claims within our self-insured retention amounts. Based on the knowledge of the facts, and in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, in the Company’s opinion the resolution of these claims and pending litigation will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	At March 28, 2015, approximately 38% of our employees in the United States, Mexico and Canada are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are renegotiated periodically, 23% of which are subject to contracts that expire in 2015.

Recent_Accounting_Pronouncemen

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	-13	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which provided new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In applying the new guidance, an entity will (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the contract’s performance obligations; and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2016 for public companies. Early adoption is not permitted. Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or modified approach to adopt ASU 2014-09. In April 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year delay of the effective date of the new standard. If the proposal is finalized, the revenue recognition standard would take effect for public companies in 2018. We are evaluating the effect, if any, that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
	In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest, which is intended to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 requires that debt issuance costs be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of debt liability, consistent with debt discounts or premiums. The recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs would not be affected by the amendments in this update. The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods (including interim periods within those periods) beginning after December 15, 2015 for public companies. Entities must apply the new guidance on a full retrospective basis and early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. We are evaluating the effect that adopting this new accounting standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	-14	Subsequent Events
	On April 29, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.07 per share of common stock, which is payable to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 11, 2015 and is expected to be paid on May 21, 2015. Declaration of future cash dividends is subject to final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, any legal or contractual restrictions on the payment of dividends and other factors the Board of Directors deems relevant.

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Schedule of Cost, Gross Unrealized Holding Gains Losses, and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities	The cost, gross unrealized holding gains, gross unrealized holding losses, and fair value of available-for-sale securities by type were as follows (in thousands):
		Cost		Gross		Gross			Fair
				unrealized		unrealized			Value
				holding		holding
				gains		(losses)
	At March 28, 2015
	Equity Securities	$	10,829	$	4,737	$	(331	)	$	15,235
	At December 31, 2014
	Equity Securities	$	9,779	$	4,825	$	(295	)	$	14,309
Schedule of Gross Unrealized Holding Losses and Fair Value of Marketable Securities	The fair value and gross unrealized holding losses of our marketable securities that are not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired aggregated by type and length of time they have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows (in thousands):
		Less than 12 Months				12 Months or Greater					Total
		Fair		Unrealized		Fair			Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized
		Value		Losses		Value			Losses		Value		Losses
	At March 28, 2015
	Equity securities	$	2,750	$	182	$	324		$	149	$	3,074	$	331
	At December 31, 2014
	Equity securities	$	1,380	$	197	$	146		$	98	$	1,526	$	295

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Expenses	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities is comprised of the following (in thousands):
		March 28,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Payroll related items	$	9,414	$	8,827
	Driver escrow liabilities		4,251		4,519
	Commissions, taxes and other		9,445		8,995
	Total	$	23,110	$	22,341

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Details of Debt	Debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Interest Rates	March 28,		December 31,
			2015		2014
		at March 28,
		2015
	Outstanding Debt:
	Syndicated credit facility
	$120 million revolving credit facility	LIBOR + 1.85%	$	54,500	$	59,500
	Swing Line sub-facility	Prime + 0.85%		—		370
	$60 million equipment financing facility	LIBOR + 2.35%		53,286		55,428
	$50 million term loan	LIBOR + 3.00%		50,000		50,000
	$70 million term loan B	LIBOR + 3.00%		70,000		70,000
	UBS secured borrowing facility	LIBOR + 1.10%		—		—
				227,786		235,298
	Less current portion			12,217		9,593
	Total long-term debt		$	215,569	$	225,705

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Di1

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	We have segregated all financial assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date in the tables below (in thousands):
		March 28, 2015
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
								Measurement
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	75	$	—	$	—	$	75
	Marketable securities		15,235		—		—		15,235
	Total Assets	$	15,310	$	—	$	—	$	15,310
		31-Dec-14
		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Fair Value
								Measurement
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	21	$	—	$	—	$	21
	Marketable securities		14,309		—		—		14,309
	Total Assets	$	14,330	$	—	$	—	$	14,330

Transactions_with_Affiliates_T

Transactions with Affiliates (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Amounts Charged to UTSI	Following is a schedule of cost incurred for services provided by affiliates for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
		Thirteen weeks ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Administrative support services	$	801	$	524
	Truck fueling and maintenance		58		202
	Real estate rent and related costs		3,101		2,964
	Insurance and employee benefit plans		11,140		10,328
	Contracted transportation services		214		89
	Total	$	15,314	$	14,107
Schedule of Services Provided to Affiliates	Following is a schedule of services provided to affiliates for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
		Thirteen weeks ended
		March 28,		March 29,
		2015		2014
	Transportation and intermodal services	$	172	$	258
	Truck fueling and maintenance		—		44
	Administrative and customer support services		—		5
	Total	$	172	$	307

Comprehensive_Income_Tables

Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Comprehensive Income	Comprehensive income includes the following (in thousands):
		Thirteen weeks ended
		March 28,			March 29,
		2015			2014
	Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments arising during the period:
	Gross amount	$	(124	)	$	198
	Income tax (expense) benefit		50			(71	)
	Net of tax amount	$	(74	)	$	127
	Realized (gains) on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income:
	Gross amount	$	—		$	—
	Income tax expense		—			—
	Net of tax amount	$	—		$	—
	Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	(523	)	$	(127	)

Stock_Based_Compensation_Table

Stock Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of Status of Nonvested Shares	The following table summarizes the status of the Company’s non-vested shares and related information for the period indicated:
		Shares			Weighted
					Average Grant
					Date Fair Value
	Non-vested at January 1, 2015		16,446		$	16.42
	Granted		10,000		$	25.18
	Vested		(2,500	)	$	25.18
	Forfeited		—		$	—
	Balance at March 28, 2015		23,946		$	19.16

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Company's Reportable Segment Information	The following tables summarize information about the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015 and March 29, 2014 (in thousands):
		Thirteen weeks ended March 28, 2015
		Transportation		Logistics		Other			Total
	Operating revenues	$	167,233	$	96,232	$	96		$	263,561
	Eliminated inter-segment revenues		617		1,197		—			1,814
	Income from operations		6,350		8,773		(56	)		15,067
	Total assets		233,861		263,388		38,760			536,009
		Thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2014
		Transportation		Logistics		Other			Total
	Operating revenues	$	175,349	$	103,906	$	109		$	279,364
	Eliminated inter-segment revenues		1,562		1,736		—			3,298
	Income from operations		5,310		9,681		(362	)		14,629
	Total assets		235,458		243,475		32,411			511,344

Marketable_Securities_Schedule

Marketable Securities - Schedule of Cost, Gross Unrealized Holding Gains Losses, and Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]
Equity Securities, Cost	$10,829	$9,779
Equity Securities, Gross unrealized holding gains	4,737	4,825
Equity Securities, Gross unrealized holding (losses)	-331	-295
Equity Securities, Fair Value	$15,235	$14,309

Marketable_Securities_Addition

Marketable Securities - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015
	Company
Marketable Securities [Abstract]
Fair value of equity securities	$3.10
Temporary impairment loss of equity securities	$0.30
Number of investments in publicly traded companies	30

Marketable_Securities_Schedule1

Marketable Securities - Schedule of Gross Unrealized Holding Losses and Fair Value of Marketable Securities (Detail) (Equity securities [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Equity securities [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Equity securities, Less than 12 Months Fair Value	$2,750	$1,380
Equity securities, Less than 12 Months Unrealized Losses	182	197
Equity securities, 12 Months or Greater Fair Value	324	146
Equity securities, 12 Months or Greater Unrealized Losses	149	98
Equity securities, Total, Fair Value	3,074	1,526
Equity securities, Total, Unrealized Losses	$331	$295

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities - Schedule of Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Payroll related items	$9,414	$8,827
Driver escrow liabilities	4,251	4,519
Commissions, taxes and other	9,445	8,995
Total	$23,110	$22,341

Debt_Details_of_Debt_Detail

Debt - Details of Debt (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Outstanding Debt:
Long-term debt	$227,786	$235,298
Less current portion	12,217	9,593
Total long-term debt	215,569	225,705
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	LIBOR + 1.85%
Debt instrument, carrying amount	54,500	59,500
Syndicated Credit Facility. Swing Line sub-facility [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	Prime + 0.85%
Debt instrument, carrying amount		370
Syndicated credit facility, $60 million equipment financing facility [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	LIBOR + 2.35%
Debt instrument, carrying amount	53,286	55,428
Syndicated credit facility, $50 million term loan [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	LIBOR + 3.00%
Debt instrument, carrying amount	50,000	50,000
Syndicated credit facility, $70 million term loan B [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	LIBOR + 3.00%
Debt instrument, carrying amount	$70,000	$70,000
UBS secured borrowing facility [Member]
Outstanding Debt:
Credit facility, Interest Rates	LIBOR + 1.10%

Debt_Details_of_Debt_Parenthet

Debt - Details of Debt (Parenthetical) (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 19, 2013
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	120	$120
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	1.85%
Syndicated Credit Facility. Swing Line sub-facility [Member] | Prime [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	0.85%
Syndicated credit facility, $60 million equipment financing facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	60	60
Syndicated credit facility, $60 million equipment financing facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	2.35%
Syndicated credit facility, $50 million term loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	50	50
Syndicated credit facility, $50 million term loan [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	3.00%
Syndicated credit facility, $70 million term loan B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	70
Syndicated credit facility, $70 million term loan B [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	3.00%
UBS secured borrowing facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	1.10%
UBS secured borrowing facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate above variable base rate	1.10%

Debt_Syndicated_Credit_Facilit

Debt - Syndicated Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 19, 2013	Mar. 28, 2015
Syndicated credit facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	$300,000,000
Second Amendment [Member] | Syndicated credit facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Increase in revolving credit facility	10,000,000
Syndicated credit facility, $70 million term loan B [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount		70,000,000
Credit facility additional borrowing capacity	70,000,000
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	120,000,000	120,000,000
Increase in revolving credit facility	20,000,000
Syndicated credit facility, $60 million equipment financing facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	60,000,000	60,000,000
Syndicated credit facility, $50 million term loan [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	50,000,000	50,000,000
Term Loan B [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Debt instrument, face amount	70,000,000
Letters of credit [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity		5,000,000
Letters of credit [Member] | Syndicated credit facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	$5,000,000

Debt_Revolving_Credit_Facility

Debt - Revolving Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Option
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Letters of credit issued against revolving credit facility	$0
Comerica Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	7,000,000
Key Bank Credit Facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	3,000,000
Letters of credit [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	5,000,000
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility maturity date	28-Aug-17
Number of interest rate options	2
Federal funds effective rate plus	1.00%
Adjusting LIBOR rate plus	LIBOR + 1.85%
Interest rate above LIBOR	1.00%
Interest accrued percentage	2.02%
Debt instrument, carrying amount	54,500,000	59,500,000
Credit facility, secured by accounts receivable	139,200,000
Credit facility available for borrowings pursuant to the agreement	115,300,000
Premiums or penalties resulting from prepayment	0
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Facility fee	0.25%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Facility fee	0.50%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Eurodollar-based [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.35% to 2.10% based on our ratio of total debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), as defined.
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Eurodollar-based [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.35%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Eurodollar-based [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.10%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Base rate [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.35% to 1.10%.
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Base rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	0.35%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | Base rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.10%
Syndicated credit facility, $120 million revolving credit facility [Member] | LIBOR [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.85%
Adjusting LIBOR rate plus	LIBOR + 1.00%
Swing Line Sub-Facility [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Interest accrued percentage	0.00%
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	10,000,000
Credit facility, outstanding	$0

Debt_Equipment_Credit_Facility

Debt - Equipment Credit Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (Syndicated credit facility, $60 million equipment financing facility [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
	Installment
	Option
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, expiration date	28-Aug-15
Frequency of installments	Quarterly
Number of installments	28
Number of interest rate options	2
Credit facility fees percentage	0.50%
Interest accrued percentage	2.52%
Eurodollar-based [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Eurodollar-based advances bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin, which varies from 1.60% to 2.60% based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.60%
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.60%
Base rate [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Base rate advances bear interest at a base rate, as defined, plus an applicable margin, which also varies based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA in a range from 0.60% to 1.60%.
Base rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	0.60%
Base rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.60%

Debt_Term_Loan_Additional_Info

Debt - Term Loan - Additional Information (Detail) (Syndicated credit facility, $50 million term loan [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, expiration date	28-Aug-17
Interest accrued percentage	3.17%
Base rate [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.
Base rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.50%
Base rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.25%
Eurodollar-based [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.50%
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	3.25%

Debt_Term_Loan_B_Additional_In

Debt - Term Loan B - Additional Information (Detail) (Syndicated credit facility, $70 million term loan B [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Credit facility, expiration date	28-Aug-17
Interest accrued percentage	3.17%
Repayments of borrowings under term loan facility	50% (which percentage shall be reduced to 0% subject to the Company attaining a certain leverage ratio) of our annual excess cash flow, as defined; 100% of net cash proceeds of certain asset sales; and 100% of certain insurance and condemnation proceeds.
Prepayment of term loan	$3.60
Maximum senior debt to EBITDA	2.5
Maximum total debt to EBITDA	3
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.25
Eurodollar-based [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Which bear interest at 30, 60 or 90-day LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin which varies from 2.50% to 3.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.50%
Eurodollar-based [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	3.25%
Base rate [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, interest rate description	Base rate advances bear interest at a defined base rate plus an applicable margin which varies from 1.50% to 2.25%, based on our ratio of total debt to EBITDA.
Base rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.50%
Base rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Credit Facilities [Line Items]
Margin rate	2.25%

Debt_UBS_Secured_Borrowing_Fac

Debt - UBS Secured Borrowing Facility - Additional Information (Detail) (UBS secured borrowing facility [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
UBS secured borrowing facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Margin rate	1.10%
Effective rate, percentage	1.27%
Credit facility, borrowing capacity	$7,500,000	$6,900,000
Principal payments outstanding	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_and_Di2

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures - Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (USD $)	Mar. 28, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Marketable securities	$15,235	$14,309
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	75	21
Marketable securities	15,235	14,309
Total Assets	15,310	14,330
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Cash equivalents	75	21
Marketable securities	15,235	14,309
Total Assets	$15,310	$14,330

Transactions_with_Affiliates_S

Transactions with Affiliates - Schedule of Amounts Charged to UTSI (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	$15,314	$14,107
Administrative support services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	801	524
Truck fueling and maintenance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	58	202
Real estate rent and related costs [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	3,101	2,964
Insurance and employee benefit plans [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	11,140	10,328
Contracted transportation services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost incurred for services provided by CenTra and affiliates	$214	$89

Transactions_with_Affiliates_A

Transactions with Affiliates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 05, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	Trailers	Tractor
	Equipment
	Facility
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Occupancy of facilities either on monthly or contractual basis	43
Due to affiliates	$4,097,000			$2,896,000
Insurance, claims and other receivables	12,400,000			10,700,000
Amounts paid for legal services	1,400	13,000
Number of used tractors purchased		10
Due from affiliates	1,591,000			1,562,000
Number of equipment sold to affiliates	0
Number of used trailers sold	23
Gain Loss on sale of Trailers	46,000
Director [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Shares acquisition by exercise right of first refusal , Shares			25,000
Shares acquisition by exercise right of first refusal , Value			622,500
Snow Removal Equipment [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of tractors purchased from an affiliate	18,000
Tractor [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of tractors purchased from an affiliate		$800,000

Transactions_with_Affiliates_S1

Transactions with Affiliates - Schedule of Services Provided to Affiliates (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services provided to affiliates	$172	$307
Transportation and intermodal services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services provided to affiliates	172	258
Truck fueling and maintenance [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services provided to affiliates		44
Administrative and customer support services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Services provided to affiliates		$5

Comprehensive_Income_Component

Comprehensive Income - Components of Comprehensive Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, Gross amount	($124)	$198
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, Income tax (expense) benefit	50	-71
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments, Net of tax amount	-74	127
Realized (gains) on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income, Gross amount	0	0
Realized (gains) on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income, Income tax expense	0	0
Realized (gains) on available-for-sale investments reclassified into income, Net of tax amount	0	0
Foreign currency translation adjustments	($523)	($127)

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 05, 2015	Dec. 20, 2012	Mar. 28, 2015
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock grants vested	25.00%	20.00%
Total unrecognized compensation cost			0.4
Weighted-average period of cost expected to be recognized			1 year 6 months
Total fair value of shares vested			0.1
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares of restricted stock granted	10,000	178,137	10,000
Grants Vesting on December 20, 2016 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional restricted stock grants vested per year			20.00%
Grants Vesting on March 5, 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Additional restricted stock grants vested per year			25.00%

Stock_Based_Compensation_Summa

Stock Based Compensation - Summary of Status of Nonvested Shares (Detail) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Mar. 05, 2015	Dec. 20, 2012	Mar. 28, 2015
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares Nonvested, Beginning Balance			16,446
Shares, Granted	10,000	178,137	10,000
Shares, Vested			-2,500
Shares, Forfeited			0
Shares, Ending Balance			23,946
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Beginning Balance			$16.42
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Granted			$25.18
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Vested			$25.18
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Forfeited			$0
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance			$19.16

Earnings_Per_Share_Additional_

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Weighted average non-vested shares of restricted shares	5,700	45,584

Dividends_Additional_Informati

Dividends - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 02, 2015	Feb. 19, 2015
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividends paid per common share	$0.07	$0.07
Installment 2 FY 2014 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Dividend declared per common share				$0.07
Dividends paid per common share			$0.07
Dividends payable, date declared	19-Feb-15
Dividends payable, recorded date	2-Mar-15
Dividends payable, date to be paid	12-Mar-15

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segment	2

Segment_Reporting_Summary_of_C

Segment Reporting - Summary of Company's Reportable Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$263,561	$279,364
Income from operations	15,067	14,629
Total assets	536,009	511,344	529,014
Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	6,350	5,310
Total assets	233,861	235,458
Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	8,773	9,681
Total assets	263,388	243,475
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from operations	-56	-362
Total assets	38,760	32,411
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	263,561	279,364
Operating Segments [Member] | Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	167,233	175,349
Operating Segments [Member] | Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	96,232	103,906
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	96	109
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,814	3,298
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Transportation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	617	1,562
Intersegment Eliminations [Member] | Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$1,197	$1,736

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) (Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member], Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member])	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015
Workforce Subject to Collective Bargaining Arrangements [Member] | Unionized Employees Concentration Risk [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of employees collective bargaining agreements	38.00%
Percentage of employees agreements that expire in 2015	23.00%

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014	11-May-15	Apr. 29, 2015
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Dividends paid per common share	$0.07	$0.07
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Quarterly cash dividend declared per common stock				$0.07
Dividends paid per common share			$0.07
Dividends payable, date declared			29-Apr-15
Dividends payable, recorded date			11-May-15
Dividends payable, date to be paid			21-May-15