Form 10-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 [X] Quarterly Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For The Quarter Ended September 30, 1997 [ ] Transition Report Pursuant To Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission file number 1-19773 OTR EXPRESS, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Kansas 48-0993128 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation of organization) Identification No.) 804 N. Meadowbrook Drive PO Box 2819 66063-0819 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) (913) 829-1616 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No 1,840,515 (Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 31, 1997) PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OTR EXPRESS, INC. BALANCE SHEETS September 30 December 31 1997 1996 (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ 249,786 $ 43,107 Accounts receivable, freight 8,230,384 6,139,335 Accounts receivable, other 309,377 297,585 Inventory 588,662 590,165 Prepaid expenses and other 596,499 610,868 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 9,974,708 7,681,060 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 47,812,683 42,894,525 TOTAL ASSETS $ 57,787,391 $ 50,575,585 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Note payable, bank $ - $ 1,389,000 Accounts payable, trade 1,787,215 1,396,760 Accrued payroll and taxes 1,404,819 823,811 Other accrued expenses 1,417,401 1,180,900 Current portion of long-term debt 14,057,204 14,361,651 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 18,666,639 19,152,122 NOTE PAYABLE, BANK 3,056,923 - LONG-TERM DEBT 25,212,915 21,019,354 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 1,758,479 1,599,014 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 9,092,435 8,805,095 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 57,787,391 $ 50,575,585 OTR EXPRESS, INC. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 (Unaudited) 1997 1996 1997 1996 OPERATING REVENUE Freight revenue $16,090,407 $13,660,544 $43,735,279 $38,576,030 Brokerage revenue 964,033 809,055 2,813,077 2,332,305 Total operating revenue 17,054,440 14,469,599 46,548,356 40,908,335 OPERATING EXPENSES Salaries, wages and benefits 6,796,283 5,828,271 18,536,457 16,487,717 Purchased transportation 933,557 702,432 2,720,936 2,083,006 Fuel 1,907,885 1,686,933 5,608,360 5,022,464 Maintenance 965,354 834,556 2,753,653 2,432,066 Depreciation 1,936,104 1,729,300 5,463,196 5,183,336 Insurance and claims 543,278 417,320 1,394,666 1,170,040 Taxes and licenses 1,597,689 1,553,720 4,564,974 4,518,207 Supplies and other 946,851 810,065 2,648,135 2,095,743 Total operating expenses 15,627,001 13,562,597 43,690,377 38,992,579 Operating income 1,427,439 907,002 2,857,979 1,915,756 Interest expense 900,833 721,382 2,421,301 2,058,465 Income (loss) before income taxes 526,606 185,620 436,678 (142,709) Income tax expense (benefit) 200,111 81,536 165,938 (61,229) Net income (loss) $ 326,495 $ 104,084 $ 270,740 $ (81,480) Average shares outstanding 1,840,515 1,835,518 1,840,742 1,835,694 Net income (loss) per share $ 0.18 $ 0.06 $ 0.15 $ (0.04) OTR EXPRESS, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Nine Months Ended September 30 (Unaudited) 1997 1996 OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES $ 5,040,646 $ 4,051,509 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment (16,051,953) (8,520,587) Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment 5,670,599 2,673,000 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (10,381,354) (5,847,587) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 19,397,920 13,987,430 Repayments of long-term debt (15,508,806) (10,765,998) Net increase (decrease) in bank note payable 1,667,923 (1,433,555) Other (9,650) (6,999) NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES 5,547,387 1,780,878 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH 206,679 (15,200) CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 43,107 36,101 CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 249,786 $ 20,901 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest $ 2,413,733 $ 2,073,556 Cash received for income taxes (3,526) (86,023) OTR EXPRESS, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) NOTE 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION The financial statements included herein have been prepared by management, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although management believes that the disclosures are adequate to enable a reasonable understanding of the information presented. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included. For further information, refer to the Company's financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Annual Report and Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996. NOTE 2 - LONG-TERM DEBT AND COMMITMENTS During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company financed the purchase of revenue equipment through the issuance of long-term debt totaling $16,142,000. This debt bears interest at effective rates between 8.00% and 8.73%. The Company refinanced encumbered revenue equipment through the issuance of long-term debt totaling $3,300,000. This debt bears interest at an effective rate of 8.66%. At September 30, 1997, the Company had purchase and finance commitments outstanding for additional revenue equipment approximately $1,300,000. The Company anticipates receiving proceeds from the sale or trade-in of 73 trailers in association with these commitments. NOTE 3 - EARNINGS PER SHARE In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 128 ("FAS 128"), "Earnings Per Share", which simplifies the computation of earnings per share. FAS 128 is effective for financial statements issued for periods ending after December 15, 1997 and requires restatement for all prior period earnings per share data presented. The Company will be required to adopt FAS No. 128 in the fourth quarter of 1997, but does not expect that adoption will have a material effect on earnings per share. NOTE 4 - RECLASSIFICATIONS Certain reclassifications have been made to the balance sheet for the prior period to conform to the current period presentation. ITEM 2 MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION Overview. The discussion set forth below as well as other documents incorporated by reference herein and oral statements made by officers of the Company relating thereto, may contain forward looking statements. Such comments are based upon information currently available to management and management's perception thereof as of the date of this Form 10-Q. Actual results of the Company's operations could materially differ from those forward looking statements. Such differences could be caused by a number of factors including, but not limited to, potential adverse effects of regulation; changes in competition and the effects of such changes; increased competition; changes in fuel prices; changes in economic, political or regulatory environments; litigation involving the Company; changes in the availability of a stable labor force; ability of the Company to hire drivers meeting Company standards; changes in management strategies; environmental or tax matters; and risks described from time to time in reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers should take these factors into account in evaluating any such forward looking statements. RESULTS OF OPERATION Third Quarter Ended Nine Months Ended September 30 September 30 1997 1996 1997 1996 Operating Revenue $17,054,440 $14,469,599 $46,548,356 $40,908,335 Operating Expenses 15,627,001 13,562,597 43,690,377 38,992,579 Interest Expense 900,833 721,382 2,421,301 2,058,465 Net Income (Loss) $ 326,495 $ 104,084 $ 270,740 $ (81,480) 3rd Quarter 1997 v. 1996 Operating Revenue. Operating revenue improved by 17.9% to $17.1 million in the third quarter ended September 30, 1997 from $14.5 million in 1996. Freight revenue increased by 17.9% and brokerage revenue increased by 19.2%. Freight revenue improved primarily due to an increase in the rate per mile to $1.039 in the third quarter of 1997 compared to $0.998 in 1996. The higher rate is primarily a result of a higher level of direct shipper miles in 1997 compared to 1996. The average number of tractors in service was 535 in the third quarter of 1997 compared to 510 in 1996. Average miles per truck per week increased to 2,217 from 2,045 due to improved demand from the Company's direct shipper customers. The Company's empty mile percent increased to 8.0% from 6.5% in 1996. Brokerage revenue increased to 5.7% of revenue from 5.6% in 1996. Operating Expenses. The operating ratio (total operating expenses as a percent of operating revenue) improved to 91.6% in the third quarter of 1997 compared to 93.7% in 1996. Salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 39.9% of revenue in 1997 from 40.3% in 1996 primarily because of increased revenue rates. Purchased transportation represents payments to other trucklines for hauling loads contracted through the Company's freight brokerage division. Purchased transportation increased to 5.5% of revenue in 1997 from 4.9% in 1996. Fuel was 11.2% of revenue in 1997 compared to 11.7% in 1996. The Company's blended average cost per gallon was $1.078 in 1997 compared to $1.156 in 1996, as a result of lower diesel fuel prices nationwide in the third quarter of 1997. Insurance and claims represented 3.2% and 2.9% of operating revenue in the third quarter of 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's insurance program for liability, physical damage, cargo damage and worker's compensation involves insurance with varying deductible levels. Claims in excess of these deductible levels are covered by insurance in the amounts management considers adequate. The Company accrues the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims. These accruals are estimated based on management's evaluation of the nature and severity of individual claims and an estimate of future claims development based on historical claims development trends. Depreciation as a percent of revenue decreased to 11.4% in 1997 from 12.0% in 1996 as a result of higher revenue per mile. Taxes and licenses as a percent of revenue decreased from 10.7% in 1996 to 9.4% in 1997 as a result of the increased revenue per mile. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to 5.3% of revenue in 1997 from 5.0% in 1996 as a result of higher debt levels per unit. Net Income. The Company reported net income of $326,000, or $0.18 per share, for the third quarter of 1997 compared to net income of $104,000, or $0.06 per share, in 1996. The effective income tax rate was 38.0% in 1997 compared to 43.9% in 1996. Nine Months Comparison 1997 v. 1996 Operating Revenue. Operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 increased by 13.8% to $46.5 million from $40.9 million in 1996. Freight income increased by 13.4% during the period while brokerage income increased by 20.6%. Average revenue per mile increased from $0.989 in 1996 to $1.028 in 1997. Average miles per week per truck increased to 2,103 in 1997 from 1,976 in 1996. The average number of tractors increased for the first nine months of 1997 to 522 units in service from 507 in 1996. In addition, empty miles were 7.6% of total miles in the first nine months of 1997 compared to 6.6% in 1996. Operating Expenses. The operating ratio for the first nine months of 1997 improved to 93.9% compared to 95.3% in 1996. Salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 39.8% of revenue for the first nine months of 1997 compared to 40.3% in 1996 as a result of the higher revenue per mile. Fuel decreased slightly to 12.1% of revenue in 1997 from 12.3% in 1996 as a result of higher revenue per mile. The Company's blended average cost per gallon was $1.134 in 1997 compared to $1.133 in 1996. Insurance and claims represented 3.0% and 2.9% of operating revenue in the first nine months of 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company's insurance program for liability, physical damage, cargo damage and worker's compensation involves insurance with varying deductible levels. Claims in excess of these deductible levels are covered by insurance in the amounts management considers adequate. The Company accrues the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims. These accruals are estimated based on management's evaluation of the nature and severity of individual claims and an estimate of future claims development based on historical claims development trends. Depreciation as a percent of revenue decreased to 11.7% in 1997 from 12.7% as a result of the higher revenue per mile. Taxes and licenses as a percent of revenue declined from 11.0% in 1996 to 9.8% as a result of higher revenue per mile. Supplies and other expenses were 5.7% of revenue in 1997 compared to 5.1% in 1996 as a result of an increase in advertising for drivers and service costs of on-board communications. Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to 5.2% of revenue in 1997 from 5.0% in 1996 as a result of increased borrowings per unit in 1997. Net Income (Loss). For the first nine months of 1997, the Company reported net income of $271,000, or $0.15 per share, compared to a net loss of $81,000, or $0.04 per share, in 1996. The effective income tax rate for the first six months of 1997 was 38.0% compared to 42.9% in 1996. Inflation. The effect of inflation on the Company has not been significant during the last three years. An extended period of inflation could be expected to have an impact on the Company's earnings by causing interest rates, fuel and other operating costs to increase. Unless freight rates could be increased on a timely basis, operating results could be adversely affected. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The growth of the Company's business has required significant investments in new revenue equipment, which has been acquired primarily through secured borrowings. Capital expenditures for revenue equipment purchases totaled $16,142,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1997. The Company received $5,671,000 in proceeds from the disposition of revenue equipment. The Company has outstanding purchase commitments for 73 replacement trailers at a cost of $1.3 million. The Company has finance commitments for 100% of the equipment purchases at rates that will be fixed at time of origination. The Company's other capital expenditures will be financed through internally generated funds and secured borrowings. Historically, the Company has obtained loans for revenue equipment which are of shorter duration (three years for trailers, four years for tractors) than the economic useful lives of the equipment. While such loans have current maturities that tend to create working capital deficits that could adversely affect cash flows, management believes that these factors are mitigated by the more attractive interest rates and terms available on these shorter maturities. This financing practice has been a significant cause of the working capital deficit which has existed since the Company's inception. However, in 1997 the Company began financing tractors over fifty-four months to reflect a longer holding period for the tractors. Trailers will be financed over sixty months. This method of financing can be expected to continue to produce working capital deficits in the future. The Company's working capital deficit at September 30, 1997 was $8.7 million. Primarily due to the Company's equity position and the potential for refinancing of both unencumbered and encumbered assets, working capital deficits historically have not been a barrier to the Company's ability to borrow funds for operations and expansion. In June 1997, the Company entered into a new revolving line of credit agreement with a financial institution. The maximum borrowing on the line is $7 million through December 31, 1997. Should the Company's tangible net worth exceed $9 million based on the December 31, 1997 audited financial statements, the maximum borrowing on the line increases to $8 million. The line bears interest at a variable rate, based upon the prime rate or LIBOR, at the Company's election, expires June 9, 2000 and is secured by accounts receivable of the Company. The agreement allows for maximum advances of 85% of eligible accounts receivable less than 60 days past invoice date. The agreement contains certain covenants relating to tangible net worth, leverage ratios, debt service coverage and other factors. The Company was in compliance with all required covenants at September 30, 1997. The Company had borrowings of $3.1 million under this line at September 30, 1997. A total of $1.5 million of the available credit line was committed for letters of credit issued by the financial institution. At September 30, 1997, the Company owned 27 tractors, 16 trailers which were not pledged as collateral for any liabilities and were free and clear of any debt obligations. This equipment has an approximate market value of $1,351,000. In management's opinion, the Company has adequate liquidity for the foreseeable future based upon funds expected to be generated from operations, the availability of equity in the Company's assets and the Company's ability to obtain secured equipment financing. PART II OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1 - Legal Proceedings........................................* ITEM 2 - Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds...........................................* ITEM 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities.........................................* ITEM 4 - Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders The annual meeting of shareholders of the registrant was held on May 1, 1997. In addition to the election of three Class B directors to serve three-year terms, the shareholders approved the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors for the Company. Stockholders representing 1,367,568 shares or 74% were present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting. A tabulation with respect to each nominee and the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP as independent auditors for 1997 is as follows: Votes Votes Votes Against or Cast For Withheld Frank J. Becker 1,359,056 1,352,382 6,674 Dr. Ralph E. MacNaughton 1,337,366 1,330,632 6,674 William P. Ward 1,367,568 1,360,894 6,674 Appointment of Arhtur Andersen LLP as independent auditors 1,334,443 1,305,593 28,850 ITEM 5 - Other Information..........................................* ITEM 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............* (a) Exhibits (b) Reports on Form 8-K * No information submitted under this caption. The Company did not file any exhibits or reports on Form 8-K during the three months ended September 30, 1997. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. OTR EXPRESS, INC. (Registrant) Date: November 12, 1997 /s/ William P. Ward By: William P. Ward Chairman of the Board, President and Principal Executive Officer Date: November 12, 1997 /s/ Steven W. Ruben By: Steven W. Ruben Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer