WERNER ENTERPRISES, INC.
14507 Frontier Road
P. O. Box 45308
Omaha, Nebraska 68145
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- --------------------- John J. Steele
Executive Vice President, Treasurer and
Chief Financial Officer
(402) 894-3036
Contact: Robert E. Synowicki, Jr.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Information Officer
(402) 894-3000
WERNER ENTERPRISES REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2008 REVENUES AND EARNINGS
Omaha, Nebraska, April 16, 2008:
- ---------------------------------
Werner Enterprises, Inc. (NASDAQ:WERN), one of the nation's largest
truckload transportation and logistics companies, reported revenues and
earnings for the first quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Revenues increased 2% to $512.8 million in first quarter 2008
compared to $503.9 million in first quarter 2007. Revenues, excluding
trucking fuel surcharges, declined 6% to $417.0 million in first quarter
2008 compared to $443.5 million in first quarter 2007. Earnings per
share decreased 43% to $.12 per share in first quarter 2008 compared to
$.21 in first quarter 2007.
Unprecedented high diesel fuel prices, continued softness of
freight demand, weaker demand in the used equipment sales market, and
worse than normal winter weather conditions created the most challenging
quarterly period in many years for Werner and the truckload industry in
first quarter 2008. The worse than normal winter weather conditions
contributed to higher than anticipated truck maintenance repairs,
equipment related costs and higher insurance expense. The freight
demand softness was by far the most significant in the medium-to-long-
haul Van fleet, a fleet that Werner reduced by approximately 850 trucks
since mid-March 2007. We were encouraged that freight demand in
Werner's Regional and Expedited fleets was about the same on a
year-over-year basis, considering the slowing economic conditions. While
overall pre-booked percentages of loads to trucks remained lower on a
year-over-year basis throughout first quarter 2008 compared to the first
quarters of the previous five years, Werner experienced the typical
month-to-month seasonal improvement in freight demand as first quarter
2008 developed. Pre-booked percentages for the first two weeks of April
2008 compared to the first two weeks of April 2007 were lower than the
comparison for first quarter 2008 to first quarter 2007 for the medium-
to-long-haul Van fleet. Pre-booked percentages for the first two weeks
of April 2008 in Werner's Regional and Expedited fleets continue to be
at or above prior years' levels.
The continuing softness in the housing and automotive sectors that
are not large markets for Werner, caused carriers that serve these
markets to compete more aggressively in the consumer non-durable markets
principally served by Werner. In addition, slowing economic growth and
retail inventory tightening also contributed to lower freight demand.
These factors and the significant increase in truck supply caused by the
industry truck pre-buy prior to the 2007 engine regulation change led to
a very competitive market in first quarter 2008.
Werner made significant progress in a difficult truckload market by
increasing miles per tractor by 3.7% and revenue per total mile by 0.6%
in first quarter 2008 compared to first quarter 2007. Werner employees
worked extremely hard to produce improved asset utilization and
outstanding customer service, while at the same time tightly managing
our controllable costs. In addition, our expanding Werner Value Added
Services ("VAS") logistics division produced continued strong results
and improved operating income by 25%. We sincerely appreciate and
respect the superb performance of the entire Werner team during these
challenging times. We are confident that with our rock solid balance
sheet and industry-leading workforce, Werner is well positioned to
capitalize on the opportunities ahead.
Compared to the same month in the prior year, diesel fuel costs
were 88 cents per gallon higher in January 2008, 92 cents per gallon
higher in February 2008, and 117 cents per gallon higher in March 2008.
Due to the rapid increase in diesel fuel prices during first quarter
2008, there was a lag between the timing of the fuel cost increase and
the delayed recovery of fuel surcharge revenues that caused the
Company's fuel surcharge recovery percentage to fall below the typical
recovery rate during first quarter 2008. For the first 16 days of April
2008 compared to the same period in 2007, average fuel prices increased
110 cents per gallon.
Diesel fuel prices rose faster than gasoline prices during first
quarter 2008, due to rising refining costs for diesel fuel and declining
refining costs for gasoline. The on-highway diesel fuel price per
gallon was approximately 20% higher than the retail gasoline price per
gallon during first quarter 2008, the highest difference in the last 8
years.
As we have stated previously, Werner and the truckload industry as
a whole does not recover the entire increase in the cost of fuel through
its fuel surcharge programs. In the past, we negotiated higher rates
with customers to obtain recovery for the fuel expense shortfall in base
rates per mile. However, with the softer freight market, we have been
unable to recover the fuel expense shortfall in base rates. As a
result, increases in the cost of fuel are expected to continue to impact
our earnings per share until such time as freight market conditions
allow us to recover this shortfall from customers.
During first quarter 2008, the Company intensified its focus on the
controllable aspects of fuel expense by implementing numerous
initiatives to improve fuel efficiency. The early signs of progress are
very encouraging. These initiatives include reducing truck idle time,
lowering non-billable miles, and continuing to increase the percentage
of aerodynamic, more fuel efficient trucks in our fleet.
Diesel fuel prices reached nearly $4.00 per gallon during March
2008. For longer haul shipments over 1,000 miles per trip, the Company
observed a mode shift for some shipments from truckload to rail
intermodal. Even though on-time delivery service percentages are
generally significantly higher for truckload shipments than rail
intermodal shipments, the higher price of diesel fuel impacts truckload
carrier costs and rates more significantly than it does rail intermodal
providers. As a result, the Company believes that some price-sensitive
shippers have been shifting a greater portion of their long-haul freight
from truckload to rail intermodal in recent months. The Company
believes this has contributed to the more significant decline in freight
demand in the longer haul truckload market. The Company already
proactively adapted to this mode shift by reducing the number of trucks
in its medium-to-long-haul Van fleet.
In our fourth quarter 2007 earnings release, we commented on the
changing trends in the freight market that affected freight demand in
the longer haul market over the last decade. Examples of these trends
include the regionalization of freight by large box retailers, the rapid
growth of products shipped through ports using ocean containers that
carry goods intact in the domestic U.S. market, and the growth of
intermodal services. Werner has reduced its exposure to the longer haul
market and increased its asset base in the more attractive, shorter haul
Regional and Dedicated markets and the high-service Expedited market.
The Company believes that the continuation of a softer freight
market and high diesel fuel prices are making it increasingly more
difficult for highly leveraged truckload carriers to remain in business.
An acceleration of trucking company failures combined with a low level
of Class 8 truck builds may gradually improve the supply and demand
balance in the truckload industry over the next few quarters.
The driver market, while always challenging, remained less
difficult than a year ago. Normally going into the spring season, the
driver market is very difficult due to seasonal construction and housing
jobs that become available with improving weather conditions. The
current weakness in these industries and other factors are helping
improve the Company's driver availability.
The ongoing diversification of our service offerings away from the
medium-to-long-haul Van fleet to Dedicated, Regional, Expedited, North
America International and logistics through our VAS division helped
soften the impact of a weaker freight market in first quarter 2008,
while providing increased service offerings to our customers. Werner
intends to continue to diversify and grow Dedicated, Regional,
Expedited, North America International and VAS.
Werner began to take delivery of new aerodynamic trucks in first
quarter 2008. Werner anticipates that the expected low levels of
industry truck builds in upcoming months will gradually bring Class 8
truck supply more in balance with freight demand.
The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Fleet Truck Sales, is one of
the largest equipment sales remarketing companies in the U.S., and has
been in business since 1992. Gains on sales of assets, primarily trucks
and trailers, decreased to $3.7 million in first quarter 2008 compared
to $6.2 million in first quarter 2007. In first quarter 2008, the
Company realized lower gains per truck and per trailer sold and sold
fewer trailers due to the effect of the softer freight market and high
fuel prices. Based on current freight and fuel conditions, the Company
anticipates that gains on sales of equipment for second quarter 2008
will be lower than the gains realized in first quarter 2008 and could
continue to be lower in future quarterly periods if the current freight
and fuel conditions do not improve. Gains on sales are reflected as a
reduction of Other Operating Expenses in the Company's income statement.
To provide shippers with additional sources of managed capacity and
network analysis, the Company is continuing to successfully grow its
non-asset based and asset-backed VAS division. VAS includes Brokerage,
Freight Management, Intermodal, and Werner Global Logistics
international business.
Value Added Services (amounts in 000's) 1Q08 1Q07
- --------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Revenues $62,186 100.0% $69,877 100.0%
Rent and purchased transportation
expense 52,679 84.7 61,929 88.6
------- -------
Gross margin 9,507 15.3 7,948 11.4
Other operating expenses 5,840 9.4 5,008 7.2
------- -------
Operating income $3,667 5.9 $2,940 4.2
======= =======
VAS had an 11% decline in reported revenues (as explained below),
20% gross margin growth, and 25% operating income growth in first
quarter 2008 compared to first quarter 2007. Beginning in third quarter
2007, we negotiated with a large VAS customer a structural change to its
continuing arrangement that resulted in a reduction in VAS revenues and
VAS rent and purchased transportation expense of $18.4 million from
first quarter 2007 to first quarter 2008. This change had no impact on
the dollar amount of VAS gross margin or operating income. Excluding
the affected revenues for this customer, VAS revenues grew 21% in first
quarter 2008 compared to first quarter 2007.
Brokerage continued to produce strong results with 19% revenue
growth and improved operating margins. Brokerage is generating an
annualized revenue run rate of $135 million with a carrier base of over
8,400 qualified carriers. Freight Management continues to secure new
VAS business that is generating growth across all Company business
units. Intermodal revenues were flat but showed improved operating
margins. Werner Global Logistics continues to generate solid growth and
improving results.
A comparison of the Company's truckload operating ratio, net of
fuel surcharge revenues, and VAS operating ratio for first quarters 2008
and 2007 is shown below.
Operating Ratios 1Q08 1Q07 Difference
- ---------------- -------- -------- ----------
Truckload Transportation Services 97.4% 93.6% 3.8%
Value Added Services 94.1 95.8 (1.7)
Higher fuel prices and higher fuel surcharge collections have the
effect of increasing the total company operating ratio and the Truckload
Transportation Services segment's operating ratio. Eliminating this
sometimes volatile source of revenue provides a more consistent basis
for comparing the results of operations from period to period. The
Truckload Transportation Services segment's operating ratio for first
quarter 2008 and first quarter 2007 is 97.9% and 94.5%, respectively,
when fuel surcharge revenues are reported as revenues instead of a
reduction of operating expenses.
The Company's financial position remains strong. The Company ended
the quarter with no debt and $77.9 million of cash. Stockholders'
equity is $837.8 million, or $11.90 per share. During first quarter
2008, the Company purchased 250,000 shares of its stock at an average
share price of $17.94.
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Quarter % of Quarter % of
Ended Operating Ended Operating
3/31/08 Revenues 3/31/07 Revenues
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Operating revenues $512,787 100.0 $503,913 100.0
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and
benefits 143,187 27.9 150,521 29.9
Fuel 123,836 24.2 89,085 17.7
Supplies and maintenance 40,509 7.9 39,591 7.9
Taxes and licenses 28,265 5.5 30,163 6.0
Insurance and claims 24,732 4.8 24,205 4.8
Depreciation 41,796 8.2 42,557 8.4
Rent and purchased
transportation 94,463 18.4 100,215 19.9
Communications and
utilities 5,239 1.0 5,092 1.0
Other (2,658) (0.5) (4,782) (1.0)
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Total operating
expenses 499,369 97.4 476,647 94.6
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Operating income 13,418 2.6 27,266 5.4
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Other expense (income):
Interest expense 3 0.0 1,336 0.3
Interest income (1,073) (0.2) (1,051) (0.2)
Other 51 0.0 72 0.0
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Total other expense
(income) (1,019) (0.2) 357 0.1
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Income before income taxes 14,437 2.8 26,909 5.3
Income taxes 6,062 1.2 11,241 2.2
----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Net income $8,375 1.6 $15,668 3.1
=========== ========= =========== =========
Diluted shares outstanding 71,377 76,216
=========== ===========
Diluted earnings per share $.12 $.21
=========== ===========
OPERATING STATISTICS
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
3/31/08 % Change 3/31/07
------------- ---------- -------------
Trucking revenues, net of
fuel surcharge (1) $348,424 -4.9% $366,306
Trucking fuel surcharge
revenues (1) 95,769 58.6% 60,383
Non-trucking revenues,
including VAS (1) 64,119 -12.1% 72,951
Other operating revenues (1) 4,475 4.7% 4,273
------------- -------------
Operating revenues (1) $512,787 1.8% $503,913
============= =============
Average monthly miles per
tractor 9,868 3.7% 9,519
Average revenues per total
mile (2) $1.453 0.6% $1.444
Average revenues per loaded
mile (2) $1.684 0.5% $1.676
Average percentage of empty
miles 13.72% -0.9% 13.84%
Average trip length in
miles (loaded) 542 -5.2% 572
Total miles (loaded and
empty) (1) 239,744 -5.5% 253,714
Average tractors in service 8,099 -8.8% 8,884
Average revenues per
tractor per week (2) $3,309 4.3% $3,172
Capital expenditures, net (1) $25,388 $31,564
Cash flow from operations (1) $80,046 $68,056
Return on assets
(annualized) 2.5% 4.3%
Total tractors (at quarter
end)
Company 7,315 7,976
Owner-operator 765 824
------------- -------------
Total tractors 8,080 8,800
Total trailers (truck and
intermodal, quarter end) 24,950 25,160
(1) Amounts in thousands.
(2) Net of fuel surcharge revenues.
BALANCE SHEET DATA
(In thousands, except share amounts)
3/31/08 12/31/07
----------- -----------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $77,920 $25,090
Accounts receivable, trade, less
allowance of $9,939 and $9,765,
respectively 205,197 213,496
Other receivables 14,551 14,587
Inventories and supplies 10,248 10,747
Prepaid taxes, licenses 12,576 17,045
and permits
Current deferred income taxes 29,807 26,702
Other current assets 22,707 21,500
----------- -----------
Total current assets 373,006 329,167
----------- -----------
Property and equipment 1,605,363 1,605,445
Less - accumulated depreciation 647,124 633,504
----------- -----------
Property and equipment, net 958,239 971,941
----------- -----------
Other non-current assets 19,386 20,300
----------- -----------
$1,350,631 $1,321,408
=========== ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $63,542 $49,652
Insurance and claims accruals 77,534 76,189
Accrued payroll 22,677 21,753
Other current liabilities 26,767 19,395
----------- -----------
Total current liabilities 190,520 166,989
----------- -----------
Other long-term liabilities 7,265 14,165
Insurance and claims accruals,
net of current portion 114,000 110,500
Deferred income taxes 201,088 196,966
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value,
200,000,000 shares authorized;
80,533,536 shares issued;
70,385,013 and 70,373,189 shares
outstanding, respectively 805 805
Paid-in capital 99,711 101,024
Retained earnings 928,266 923,411
Accumulated other comprehensive
loss 476 (169)
Treasury stock, at cost; 10,148,523
and 10,160,347 shares,
respectively (191,500) (192,283)
----------- -----------
Total stockholders' equity 837,758 832,788
----------- -----------
$1,350,631 $1,321,408
=========== ===========
Werner Enterprises, Inc. was founded in 1956 and is a premier
transportation and logistics company, with coverage throughout the
United States, Canada, Mexico, Asia, Europe and South America. Werner
maintains its global headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska and maintains
offices throughout North America and China. Werner is among the five
largest truckload carriers in the United States, with a diversified
portfolio of transportation services that includes dedicated, medium-to-
long-haul, regional and local van capacity, expedited, temperature-
controlled and flatbed services. Werner's Value Added Services portfolio
includes freight management, truck brokerage, intermodal, load/mode and
network optimization and freight forwarding. Werner, through its
subsidiary companies, is a licensed U.S. NVOCC, U.S. Customs Broker,
Class A Freight Forwarder in China, licensed China NVOCC, TSA-approved
Indirect Air Carrier, and IATA Accredited Cargo Agent.
Werner Enterprises' common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Select
MarketSM under the symbol WERN. The Werner website address is
www.werner.com.
Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements,
which are based on information currently available to the Company's
management and are current only as of the date made. For that reason,
undue reliance should not be placed on any such forward-looking
statement. Actual results could also differ materially from those
anticipated as a result of a number of factors, including, but not
limited to, those discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company assumes no duty or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, although
it may do so from time to time as management believes is warranted. Any
such updates or revisions may be made by filing reports with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, issuing press releases or by other
methods of public disclosure.