Marten Transport (MRTN) 10-Q 4 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 27, 2015
Entity Registrant Name	MARTEN TRANSPORT LTD
Entity Central Index Key	799167
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		33,569,599
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE

Consolidated_Condensed_Balance

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$21,700,000	$123,000
Receivables:
Trade, net	68,686,000	72,263,000
Other	3,475,000	17,740,000
Prepaid expenses and other	15,168,000	16,860,000
Deferred income taxes	3,145,000	3,199,000
Total current assets	112,174,000	110,185,000
Property and equipment:
Revenue equipment, buildings and land, office equipment and other	651,229,000	645,972,000
Accumulated depreciation	-186,371,000	-180,223,000
Net property and equipment	464,858,000	465,749,000
Other assets	3,581,000	3,726,000
TOTAL ASSETS	580,613,000	579,660,000
Current liabilities:
Checks issued in excess of cash balances		745,000
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	41,985,000	29,775,000
Insurance and claims accruals	14,832,000	13,998,000
Total current liabilities	56,817,000	44,518,000
Long-term debt		24,373,000
Deferred income taxes	125,095,000	122,843,000
Total liabilities	181,912,000	191,734,000
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value per share; 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value per share; 48,000,000 shares authorized; 33,503,392 shares at March 31, 2015, and 33,418,829 shares at December 31, 2014, issued and outstanding	335,000	334,000
Additional paid-in capital	88,793,000	87,370,000
Retained earnings	309,573,000	300,222,000
Total stockholders’ equity	398,701,000	387,926,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$580,613,000	$579,660,000

Consolidated_Condensed_Balance1

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	48,000,000	48,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	33,503,392	33,418,829
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	33,503,392	33,418,829

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
OPERATING REVENUE	$161,287	$159,409
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
Salaries, wages and benefits	48,808	43,732
Purchased transportation	29,504	28,130
Fuel and fuel taxes	26,476	39,826
Supplies and maintenance	10,442	10,435
Depreciation	17,827	16,371
Operating taxes and licenses	1,876	1,713
Insurance and claims	8,090	6,125
Communications and utilities	1,528	1,433
Other	4,298	3,667
Total operating expenses	143,976	150,769
OPERATING INCOME	17,311	8,640
OTHER	15	-98
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	17,296	8,738
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	7,108	3,451
NET INCOME	10,188	5,287
BASIC EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.16
DILUTED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.16
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in dollars per share)	$0.03	$0.03
Revenue Equipment [Member]
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment	-1,161	-663
Facility [Member]
OPERATING EXPENSES (INCOME):
Gain on disposition of revenue equipment	($3,712)

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme1

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Total
Share data in Thousands
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$333,000	$85,077,000	$273,727,000	$359,137,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	33,301
Net income			5,287,000	5,287,000
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	48
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards		370,000		370,000
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises		50,000		50,000
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		211,000		211,000
Dividends on common stock			-834,000	-834,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	333,000	85,708,000	278,180,000	364,221,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2014	33,349
Net income			24,547,000	24,547,000
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	70
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards	1,000	843,000		844,000
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises		109,000		109,000
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		710,000		710,000
Dividends on common stock			-2,505,000	-2,505,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	334,000	87,370,000	300,222,000	387,926,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014	33,419
Net income			10,188,000	10,188,000
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards (in shares)	84
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises and vesting of performance unit awards	1,000	972,000		973,000
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises		178,000		178,000
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense		273,000		273,000
Dividends on common stock			-837,000	-837,000
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$335,000	$88,793,000	$309,573,000	$398,701,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015	33,503

Consolidated_Condensed_Stateme2

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$10,188	$5,287
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	17,827	16,371
Deferred income taxes	2,306	1,076
Tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises	178	50
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises	-159	-5
Share-based payment arrangement compensation expense	273	211
Equity in earnings from affiliate	159	-37
Changes in other current operating items:
Receivables	18,703	1,795
Prepaid expenses and other	1,692	1,908
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	6,034	1,072
Insurance and claims accruals	834	443
Net cash provided by operating activities	53,162	27,508
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Other	-14	-9
Net cash used for investing activities	-6,762	-21,384
CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under credit facility and long-term debt	13,444
Repayment of borrowings under credit facility and long-term debt	-37,817
Dividends on common stock	-837	-834
Issuance of common stock from share-based payment arrangement exercises	973	370
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangement exercises	159	5
Change in net checks issued in excess of cash balances	-745
Net cash used for financing activities	-24,823	-459
NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	21,577	5,665
Beginning of period	123	13,650
End of period	21,700	19,315
SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH DISCLOSURE:
Change in property and equipment not yet paid	5,315	3,469
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
Income taxes	-12,145	2,347
Interest	28	24
Revenue Equipment [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of assets	-1,161	-663
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	-20,360	-27,543
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant, and equipment	13,291	9,850
Facility [Member]
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on disposition of assets	-3,712
Buildings And Land Office Equipment And Other [Member]
CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Additions to property, plant, and equipment	-4,295	-3,682
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant, and equipment	$4,616

Note_1_Consolidated_Financial_

Note 1 - Consolidated Financial Statements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	(1) Consolidated Financial Statements
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial statements, and therefore do not include all information and disclosures required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, such statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to fairly present our consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for any interim period do not necessarily indicate the results for the full year. The unaudited interim consolidated condensed financial statements should be read with reference to the consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Note_2_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha

Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	(2) Earnings per Common Share
	Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed as follows:
		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	10,188	$	5,287
	Denominator:
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares		33,458		33,340
	Effect of dilutive stock options		303		291
	Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		33,761		33,631
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.16
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.16
	Options totaling 160,800 and 108,500 equivalent shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively, were outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because including the options in the denominator would be antidilutive, or decrease the number of weighted-average shares, due to their exercise prices exceeding the average market price of the common shares, or because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the options to be antidilutive.
	Unvested performance unit awards totaling 48,861 and 35,964 equivalent shares for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively, were considered outstanding but were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share because inclusion of average unrecognized compensation expense in the calculation would cause the performance units to be antidilutive.

Note_3_LongTerm_Debt

Note 3 - Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	(3)   Long-Term Debt
	We maintain a credit agreement that provides for an unsecured committed credit facility which matures in December 2019. The aggregate principal amount of the credit facility of $50.0 million may be increased at our option, subject to completion of signed amendments with the lender, up to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $75.0 million. At March 31, 2015, there was no outstanding principal balance on the credit facility. As of that date, we had outstanding standby letters of credit of $9.2 million and remaining borrowing availability of $40.8 million. This facility bears interest at a variable rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate or the lender’s Prime Rate, in each case plus/minus applicable margins. The weighted average interest rate for the facility was 0.84% at December 31, 2014, the last quarter-end date with an outstanding principal balance.

Note_4_Related_Party_Transacti

Note 4 - Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	(4)   Related Party Transactions
	We purchase fuel and obtain tires and related services from Bauer Built, Inc., or BBI. Jerry M. Bauer, one of our directors, is the chairman of the board and chief executive officer and the principal stockholder of BBI. We paid BBI $55,000 in the first three months of 2015 and $138,000 in the first three months of 2014 for fuel and tire services. In addition, we paid $219,000 in the first three months of 2015 and $238,000 in the first three months of 2014 to tire manufacturers for tires that were provided by BBI. BBI received commissions from the tire manufacturers related to these purchases.
	We provide transportation services to MW Logistics, LLC (MWL) as described in Note 7.

Note_5_Dividends

Note 5 - Dividends	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Dividends [Text Block]	(5)   Dividends
	In 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a regular cash dividend program to our stockholders, subject to approval each quarter. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.025 per share of common stock were declared in each of the first quarters of 2015 and 2014.

Note_6_Accounting_for_Sharebas

Note 6 - Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	(6)   Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation
	We account for share-based payment arrangements in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, or FASB ASC
	, 718,
	Compensation – Stock Compensation
	. During the first three months of 2015, there were no significant changes to the structure of our stock-based award plans. Pre-tax compensation expense related to stock options and performance unit awards recorded in the first three months of 2015 and 2014 was $273,000 and $211,000, respectively
	. See Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed description of stock-based awards under our 2005 Stock Incentive Plan
	.

Note_7_Equity_Investment

Note 7 - Equity Investment	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	(7)   Equity Investment
	We own a 45% equity interest in MWL, a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry. A non-related party owns the other 55% equity interest in MWL. We received $2.0 million and $1.7 million of our revenue for loads transported by our tractors and arranged by MWL in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively. As of March 31, 2015, we also had a trade receivable in the amount of $880,000 from MWL and an accrued liability of $2.9 million to MWL for the excess of payments by MWL’s customers into our lockbox account over the amounts drawn on the account by MWL.

Note_8_Fair_Value_of_Financial

Note 8 - Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	(8)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments
	The carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Note_9_Commitments_and_Conting

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	(9)  Commitments and Contingencies
	We are committed to purchase $67.8 million of new revenue equipment in the remainder of 2015; building construction expenditures of $4.9 million in the remainder of 2015; and operating lease obligation expenditures totaling $759,000 through 2018
	.
	We self-insure, in part, for losses relating to workers’ compensation, auto liability, general liability, cargo and property damage claims, along with employees’ health insurance with varying risk retention levels. We maintain insurance coverage for per-incident and total losses in excess of these risk retention levels in amounts we consider adequate based upon historical experience and our ongoing review, and reserve currently for the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims.
	We are also involved in other legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon present knowledge of the facts, it is remote that the ultimate outcome of any such legal actions will have a material adverse effect upon our long-term financial position or results of operations.

Note_10_Business_Segments

Note 10 - Business Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	(10)  Business Segments
	We have six current operating segments that have been aggregated into four reporting segments (Truckload, Dedicated, Intermodal and Brokerage) for financial reporting purposes. Information for the first quarter of 2014, which was previously aggregated into two reporting segments, has been shown in the same four segments for comparison purposes.
	The primary source of our operating revenue is provided by our Truckload segment through a combination of regional short-haul and medium-to-long-haul full-load transportation services. We transport food and other consumer packaged goods that require a temperature-controlled or insulated environment across the United States and into and out of Mexico and Canada.
	Our Dedicated segment provides customized transportation solutions tailored to meet individual customers’ requirements, utilizing temperature-controlled trailers, dry vans and other specialized equipment within the United States. Our customer contracts range from three to five years and are subject to annual rate reviews.
	Our Intermodal segment transports our customers’ freight within the United States primarily utilizing our temperature-controlled trailers and also, through March 2015, our dry containers on railroad flatcars for portions of trips, with the balance of the trips using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers.
	Our Brokerage segment arranges for smaller third-party carriers to transport freight for our customers in temperature-controlled trailers and dry vans within the United States and into and out of Mexico while we retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities.
	The following table sets forth for the periods indicated our operating revenue and operating income by segment. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment.
		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
	(	2015		2014
	Dollars in thousands
	)
	Operating revenue:
	Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	86,811	$	86,802
	Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		14,590		23,712
	Total Truckload revenue		101,401		110,514
	Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		19,863		10,728
	Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		2,591		2,822
	Total Dedicated revenue		22,454		13,550
	Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		17,019		18,354
	Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		3,373		5,336
	Total Intermodal revenue		20,392		23,690
	Brokerage revenue		17,040		11,655
	Total operating revenue	$	161,287	$	159,409
	Operating income:
	Truckload	$	9,602	$	6,178
	Dedicated		2,004		1,322
	Intermodal		1,251		483
	Brokerage		742		657
	Total operating income before gain on		13,599		8,640
	disposition of facility
	Gain on disposition of facility		3,712		-
	Total operating income	$	17,311	$	8,640
	Truckload segment depreciation expense was $13.2 million and $13.3 million, Dedicated segment depreciation expense was $2.9 million and $1.5 million, Intermodal segment depreciation expense was $1.5 million and $1.4 million, and Brokerage segment depreciation expense was $270,000 and $224,000, in the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, respectively.

Note_11_Use_of_Estimates

Note 11 - Use of Estimates	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	(11) Use of Estimates
	We must make estimates and assumptions to prepare the consolidated condensed financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities in the consolidated condensed financial statements and the reported amount of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates are primarily related to insurance and claims accruals and depreciation. Ultimate results could differ from these estimates.

Note_12_Recent_Accounting_Pron

Note 12 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes to Financial Statements
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]	(12) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The standard, which is effective for the first quarter of 2017, will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Early application is not permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed balance sheets, statements of operations or statements of cash flows.

Note_2_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha1

Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
	(In thousands, except per share amounts)	2015		2014
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	10,188	$	5,287
	Denominator:
	Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares		33,458		33,340
	Effect of dilutive stock options		303		291
	Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		33,761		33,631
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.16
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.3	$	0.16

Note_10_Business_Segments_Tabl

Note 10 - Business Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Notes Tables
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]		Three Months
		Ended March 31,
	(	2015		2014
	Dollars in thousands
	)
	Operating revenue:
	Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	86,811	$	86,802
	Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		14,590		23,712
	Total Truckload revenue		101,401		110,514
	Dedicated revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		19,863		10,728
	Dedicated fuel surcharge revenue		2,591		2,822
	Total Dedicated revenue		22,454		13,550
	Intermodal revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue		17,019		18,354
	Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		3,373		5,336
	Total Intermodal revenue		20,392		23,690
	Brokerage revenue		17,040		11,655
	Total operating revenue	$	161,287	$	159,409
	Operating income:
	Truckload	$	9,602	$	6,178
	Dedicated		2,004		1,322
	Intermodal		1,251		483
	Brokerage		742		657
	Total operating income before gain on		13,599		8,640
	disposition of facility
	Gain on disposition of facility		3,712		-
	Total operating income	$	17,311	$	8,640

Note_2_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha2

Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Option [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	160,800	108,500
Unvested Performance Unit Awards [Member]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	48,861	35,964

Note_2_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha3

Note 2 - Earnings Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$10,188	$5,287
Basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares (in shares)	33,458	33,340
Effect of dilutive stock options (in shares)	303	291
Diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average shares and assumed conversions (in shares)	33,761	33,631
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.16
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.16

Note_3_LongTerm_Debt_Details_T

Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Long-term Line of Credit	$0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	9,200,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	40,800,000
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000,000
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$75,000,000
Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		0.84%

Note_4_Related_Party_Transacti1

Note 4 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (BBI [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Purchase Of Fuel Tires And Related Services [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$55,000	$138,000
Tire Purchases [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$219,000	$238,000

Note_5_Dividends_Details_Textu

Note 5 - Dividends (Details Textual) (Paid Quarterly [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Paid Quarterly [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$0.03	$0.03

Note_6_Accounting_for_Sharebas1

Note 6 - Accounting for Share-based Payment Arrangement Compensation (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock or Unit Option Plan Expense	$273,000	$211,000

Note_7_Equity_Investment_Detai

Note 7 - Equity Investment (Details Textual) (M W L [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	45.00%
Revenue from Related Parties	$2,000,000	$1,700,000
Percentage Owned by Non-related Party [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	55.00%
Trade Accounts Receivable [Member]
Due from Affiliates	880,000
Current Accounts Receivable [Member]
Due to Affiliate	$2,900,000

Note_9_Commitments_and_Conting1

Note 9 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due	$759,000
Revenue Equipment Expenditure [Member]
Contractual Obligation, Future Minimum Payments Due, Remainder of Fiscal Year	67,800,000
Building Construction and Acquisition Expenditures [Member]
Contractual Obligation, Future Minimum Payments Due, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$4,900,000

Note_10_Business_Segments_Deta

Note 10 - Business Segments (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Number of Operating Segments	6
Number of Reportable Segments	4	2
Truckload [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	13,200,000	13,300,000
Dedicated [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	2,900,000	1,500,000
Intermodal [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,500,000	1,400,000
Brokerage [Member]
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	270,000	224,000

Note_11_Business_Segments_Oper

Note 11 - Business Segments - Operating Revenue and Operating Income by Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating Revenue	$161,287	$159,409
Operating Income	17,311	8,640
Total operating income before gain on disposition of facility	13,599	8,640
Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member] | Truckload [Member]
Operating Revenue	86,811	86,802
Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member] | Dedicated [Member]
Operating Revenue	19,863	10,728
Revenue, Net of Fuel Surcharge [Member] | Intermodal [Member]
Operating Revenue	17,019	18,354
Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member] | Truckload [Member]
Operating Revenue	14,590	23,712
Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member] | Dedicated [Member]
Operating Revenue	2,591	2,822
Fuel Surcharge Revenue [Member] | Intermodal [Member]
Operating Revenue	3,373	5,336
Truckload [Member]
Operating Revenue	101,401	110,514
Operating Income	9,602	6,178
Dedicated [Member]
Operating Revenue	22,454	13,550
Operating Income	2,004	1,322
Intermodal [Member]
Operating Revenue	20,392	23,690
Operating Income	1,251	483
Brokerage [Member]
Operating Revenue	17,040	11,655
Operating Income	742	657
Facility [Member]
Gain on disposition of facility	$3,712