| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | (1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a)
Business Universal Logistics Holdings, Inc. (“Universal” or the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, is a leading asset-light provider of customized transportation and logistics solutions throughout the United States, and in Mexico, Canada and Colombia. Formerly known as Universal Truckload Services, Inc., we provide our customers with supply chain solutions that can be scaled to meet their changing demands. We offer our customers with a broad array of services across their entire supply chain, including transportation, value-added, and intermodal services. Our customized solutions and flexible business model are designed to provide us with a highly variable cost.
(b)
Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions relating to these entities have been eliminated. Our fiscal year 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 December 31, 2016 presentation.
(c)
Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management of the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions related to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the fair value of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations; carrying amounts of property and equipment and intangible assets; marketable securities; valuation allowances for receivables; and liabilities related to insurance and claim costs. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(d)
Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments, purchased with a maturity of three months or less, to be cash equivalents. Accounts at banks with an aggregate excess of the amount of checks issued over cash balances are included as accounts payable in current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and changes in such accounts are reported as cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
(e)
Marketable Securities At December 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 (loss), 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). During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we received proceeds of $0.9 million and $0.4 million from the sale of marketable securities with a combined cost of $0.5 million and $0.1 million resulting in a realized gain of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. The Company did not sell any marketable securities during the year ended December 31, 2014.
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(e)
Marketable Securities—continued 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 unrealized holding gains
Gross unrealized holding (losses)
Fair Value
At December 31, 2016
Equity Securities
$
10,168
$
4,780
$
(589
)
$
14,359
At December 31, 2015
Equity Securities
$
10,614
$
3,958
$
(1,141
)
$
13,431
Included in equity securities at December 31, 2016 were securities with a book basis of $3.5 million and a cumulative loss position of $0.6 million, the impairment of which we consider to be temporary. We consider several factors in determining 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 Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
Fair Value
Unrealized Losses
At December 31, 2016
Equity securities
$
426
$
41
$
2,438
$
548
$
2,864
$
589
At December 31, 2015
Equity securities
$
3,099
$
987
$
345
$
154
$
3,444
$
1,141
At December 31, 2016, 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 oil and gas, banking, transportation, communication, and pharmaceutical industries. The fair value and unrealized losses are distributed in 27 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, and 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 December 31, 2016.
(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(f)
Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are recorded at the net invoiced amount, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts, and do not bear interest. They include unbilled amounts for services rendered in the respective period but not yet billed to the customer until a future date, which typically occurs within one month. In order to reflect customer receivables at their estimated net realizable value, we record charges against revenue based upon current information. These charges generally arise from rate changes, errors, and revenue adjustments that may arise from contract disputes or differences in calculation methods employed by the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable. We determine the allowance based on historical write-off experience and the aging of our outstanding accounts receivable. Balances are considered past due based on invoiced terms. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. We do not have any off‑balance‑sheet credit exposure related to our customers. Accounts receivable from affiliates are shown separately and include trade receivables from the sale of services to affiliates.
(g)
Inventories Included in prepaid expenses and other is inventory used in a portion of our value-added service operations. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Provisions for excess and obsolete inventories are based on our assessment of excess and obsolete inventory on a product-by-product basis. At December 31, inventory consists of the following (in thousands):
2016
2015
Raw materials and supplies
$
7,077
$
7,660
Finished goods
1,540
962
$
8,617
$
8,622
(h)
Property and Equipment Property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
Description
Life in Years
Transportation equipment
3 - 15
Other operating assets
3 - 15
Information technology equipment
3 - 5
Buildings and related assets
10 - 39 The amounts recorded for depreciation expense were $29.2 million, $25.8 million, and $23.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Tire repairs, replacement tires, replacement batteries, consumable tools used in our logistics services, and routine repairs and maintenance on vehicles are expensed as incurred. Parts and fuel inventories are included in prepaid expenses and other. We capitalize certain costs associated with vehicle repairs and maintenance that materially extend the life or increase the value of the vehicle or pool of vehicles.
(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
( i )
Intangible Assets Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of customer contracts and agent and customer relationships that have been acquired in business combinations. These assets are amortized either over the period of economic benefit or on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related intangible asset. The estimated useful lives of these intangible assets range from three to nineteen years. The weighted average amortization period for customer contracts is approximately three years, and the weighted average amortization period for agent and customer relationships is approximately fifteen years. Collectively, the weighted average amortization period of assets subject to amortization is approximately twelve years. The useful lives of acquired trademarks are indefinite and, therefore, not subject to amortization. Our identifiable intangible assets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
2016
2015
Indefinite Lived Intangibles:
Trademarks
$
2,500
$
2,500
Definite Lived Intangibles:
Agent and customer relationships
65,060
65,060
Customer contracts
20,600
20,600
Less: accumulated amortization
(50,971
)
(43,495
)
Intangible assets, net
$
34,689
$
42,165
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets
$
37,189
$
44,665
Estimated amortization expense by year is as follows (in thousands):
2017
$
5,995
2018
2,517
2019
2,265
2020
1,970
2021
1,959
Thereafter
19,983
Total
$
34,689
The amounts recorded for amortization expense were $7.5 million, $9.2 million, and $9.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
(j)
Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired in connection with the Company’s acquisitions. Under FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 350 “ Intangibles – Goodwill and Other
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(j)
Goodwill—continued At both December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying amount of goodwill was $74.5 million, of which $18.2 million was recorded in our transportation segment and $56.3 million in our logistics segment.
(k)
Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles such as property and equipment and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset to be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by a long-lived asset or group to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset or group is deemed to not be recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market prices and independent third-party appraisals. Changes in management’s judgment relating to salvage values and/ or estimated useful lives could result in greater or lesser annual depreciation expense or impairment charges in the future. Indefinite lived intangibles are tested for impairment annually by comparing the carrying value of the assets to their fair value.
(l)
Contingent Consideration Contingent consideration arrangements granted in connection with a business combination are evaluated to determine whether contingent consideration is, in substance, additional purchase price of an acquired enterprise or compensation for services, use of property or profit sharing. Additional purchase price is added to the fair value of consideration transferred in the business combination and compensation is included in operating expenses in the period it is incurred. Contingent consideration related to additional purchase price is remeasured to fair value at each reporting date until the contingency is resolved.
(m)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments For cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, the carrying amounts are reasonable estimates of fair value as the assets are readily redeemable or short‑term in nature and the liabilities are short-term in nature. Marketable securities, consisting of equity securities, are carried at fair market value as determined by quoted market prices. Our revolving credit and term loan agreements consist of variable rate borrowings. The carrying value of these borrowings approximates fair value because the applicable interest rates are adjusted frequently based on short-term market rates. For our equipment promissory notes, the fair values are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, based on our current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. See Note 7 “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures” for further information.
(n)
Deferred Compensation Deferred compensation relates to our bonus plans. Annual bonuses may be awarded to certain operating, sales and management personnel based on overall Company performance and achievement of specific employee or departmental objectives. Such bonuses are typically paid in annual installments over a five-year period. All bonus amounts earned by and due to employees in the current year are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Those that are payable in subsequent years are included in other long-term liabilities.
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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(o)
Closing Costs Our customers may discontinue or alter their business activity in a location earlier than anticipated, prompting us to exit a customer-dedicated facility. We recognize exit costs associated with operations that close or are identified for closure as an accrued liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Such charges include lease termination costs, employee termination charges, asset impairment charges, and other exit-related costs associated with a plan approved by management. If we close an operating facility before its lease expires, costs to terminate a lease are recognized when an early termination provision is exercised, or we record a liability for non-cancellable lease obligations based on the fair value of remaining lease payments, reduced by any existing or prospective sublease rentals. Employee termination costs are recognized in the period that the closure is communicated to affected employees. The recognition of exit and disposal charges requires us to make certain assumptions and estimates as to the amount and timing of such charges. Subsequently, adjustments are made for changes in estimates in the period in which the change becomes known.
(p)
Revenue and Related Expenses We are the primary obligor when rendering transportation services, value-added services and intermodal services, and we assume the corresponding credit risk with customers. We have discretion in setting sales prices and, as a result, our earnings may vary. In addition, we have discretion to choose and negotiate terms with our multiple suppliers for the services ordered by our customers. This includes owner-operators with whom we contract to deliver our transportation services. As such, revenue and the related purchased transportation and commissions are recognized on a gross basis when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred at the receiver’s location or for service arrangements after the related services have been rendered, the revenue and related expenses are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Fuel surcharges, where separately identifiable, of $50.9 million, $75.7 million and $119.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, are included in operating revenues. Revenues and associated costs for the sales of axles and machined components are recognized when title has passed and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred, which is at the time of shipment. Our customer contracts could involve multiple revenue-generating activities performed for the same customer. When several contracts are entered into with the same customer in a short period of time, we evaluate whether these contracts should be considered as a single, multiple element contract for revenue recognition purposes. Criteria we consider that may result in the aggregation of contracts include whether such contracts are actually entered into within a short period of time, whether services in multiple contracts are interrelated, or if the negotiation and terms of one contract show or include consideration for another contract or contracts. Our current contracts have not been required to be aggregated, as they are negotiated independently on a standalone basis. Our customers typically choose their vendor and award business at the conclusion of a competitive bidding process for each service. As a result, although we evaluate customer purchase orders and agreements for multiple elements and aggregation of individual contracts into a multiple element arrangement, our current contracts do not meet the criteria required for multiple element contract accounting.
(q)
Insurance & Claims Insurance and claims expense represents charges for premiums and the accruals made for claims within our self-insured retention amounts. The accruals are primarily related to auto liability, general liability, cargo and equipment damage, and service failure claims. A liability is recognized for the estimated cost of all self-insured claims including an estimate of incurred but not reported claims based on historical experience and for claims expected to exceed our policy limits. We may also make accruals for personal injury and property damage to third parties, and workers’ compensation claims if a claim exceeds our insurance coverage. Such accruals are based upon individual cases and estimates of ultimate losses, incurred but not reported losses, and losses arising from known claims ultimately settling in excess of insurance coverage using loss development factors based upon industry data and past experience. Since the reported accrual is an estimate, the ultimate liability may be different from the amount recorded. If adjustments to previously established accruals are required, such amounts are included in operating expenses in the current period. We maintain insurance with licensed insurance carriers. Legal expenses related to auto liability claims are covered under our insurance policy. We are responsible for all other legal expenses related to claims.
(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
( q )
Insurance & Claims—continued In brokerage arrangements, our exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by other third-party carriers, who haul freight on our behalf, is reduced by various factors including the extent to which the third party providers maintain their own insurance coverage. Our insurance expense varies primarily based upon the frequency and severity of our accident experience, insurance rates, coverage limits, and self-insured retention amounts.
(r)
Stock Based Compensation We record compensation expense for the grant of stock based awards. Compensation expense is measured at the grant date, based on the calculated fair value of the award, and recognized as an expense over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the grant). See Note 13 “Stock Based Compensation” for further information.
(s)
Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. During 2016, we adopted Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012. In addition, we file income tax returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Historically, we have been responsible for filing separate state, local and foreign income tax returns for our self and our subsidiaries. We are no longer subject to state or foreign jurisdiction income tax examinations for years before 2011 and 2010, respectively. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense and penalties in other operating expenses.
(t)
Foreign Currency Translation The financial statements of the Company’s subsidiaries operating in Mexico, Canada and Colombia are prepared to conform to U.S. GAAP and translated into U.S. Dollars by applying a current exchange rate. The local currency has been determined to be the functional currency. Items appearing in the Consolidated Statements of Income are translated using average exchange rates during each period. Assets and liabilities of international operations are translated at period-end exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as a component of shareholders’ equity.
(u)
Segment Information 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.
(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(v)
Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and accounts receivable. We maintain our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities with high quality financial institutions. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and generally do not require collateral. Our customers are generally concentrated in the automotive, wind energy, building materials, machinery and metals industries. During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, aggregate sales in the automotive industry totaled 42.5%, 37.3% and 36.5% of revenue, respectively. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, General Motors accounted for approximately 17.9%, 11.4% and 9.7% of our total operating revenues, respectively. In 2016, sales to our top 10 customers, including General Motors, totaled 40.9%.
(w)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In 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. In July 2015, the FASB approved deferring the effective date by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date. The FASB also approved permitting early adoption of the standard, but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. We do not plan to adopt the standard early and have not yet determined which transition method will be used. We are currently evaluating the effects of this standard. We have performed an initial assessment by reviewing our current revenue recognition practices to those required by the new standard. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest. On January 1, 2016, the Company adopted this ASU on a retrospective basis. Adoption resulted in a reclassification in the Company’s current prepaid expenses and other, and noncurrent other assets in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 of $0.3 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The corresponding decreases were in the net presentation of the Company’s debt liability to the current portions of long-term debt and noncurrent long-term debt, respectively. See Note 4, Debt, for further information. In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which is intended to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes. During 2016, the Company adopted this ASU. Deferred tax assets in the prior period presented have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 9, Income Taxes, for further information. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. Among other things, the ASU requires equity investments, with certain exceptions, to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income; simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment; requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes; requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset on the balance sheet or the accompanying notes to the financial statements; and clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities. The amendments are to be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet and are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. With certain exceptions, early adoption is not permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects ASU 2016-01 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We currently disclose approximately $4.8 million in gross unrealized holdings gains and $0.6 million in gross unrealized holdings losses in Note 1(e), Marketable Securities.
(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies—continued
(w)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements - continued In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The objective of the new standard is to establish principles for lessees and lessors to report information about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from a lease. The ASU will require a lessee to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases, including operating leases. Under the new requirements, a lessee will recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and the right-of-use asset representing the right to the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, the lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendment is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We currently disclose approximately $72.1 million in operating lease obligations in Note 10, Leases. We will evaluate those contracts as well as other existing arrangements to determine if they qualify for lease accounting under the new standard. Upon adoption, we would expect the amount recognized for the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to be material. We do not plan to early adopt the new standard. 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 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, and 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. We have not yet selected a transition date nor have we determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting. |
