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 March 31, 1998 [ ] 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, Olathe, Kansas 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 1,835,955 (Number of shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 1998) PART 1 FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OTR EXPRESS, INC. BALANCE SHEETS March 31 December 31 1998 1997 (Unaudited) ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash $ 99,383 $ 318,760 Accounts receivable, freight 7,211,680 7,542,557 Accounts receivable, other 297,749 193,803 Inventory 631,739 687,303 Prepaid expenses and other 1,210,251 480,976 TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 9,450,802 9,223,399 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 46,100,855 46,810,777 TOTAL ASSETS $55,551,657 $56,034,176 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES Accounts payable, trade $ 2,018,214 $ 1,603,654 Accrued payroll and taxes 1,495,215 861,857 Other accrued expenses 1,359,737 1,414,721 Current portion of long-term debt 13,271,486 14,259,700 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 18,144,652 18,139,932 NOTE PAYABLE, BANK 2,802,244 3,481,312 LONG-TERM DEBT 23,428,347 23,207,045 DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 1,937,000 1,859,803 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 9,239,414 9,346,084 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $55,551,657 $56,034,176 OTR EXPRESS, INC. STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended March 31 (Unaudited) 1998 1997 OPERATING REVENUE Freight revenue $15,759,958 $12,872,476 Brokerage revenue 987,396 958,515 Total operating revenue 16,747,354 13,830,991 OPERATING EXPENSES Salaries, wages and benefits 6,498,210 5,523,603 Purchased transportation 1,390,237 940,411 Fuel 1,588,549 1,824,402 Maintenance 1,074,117 855,824 Depreciation 1,876,068 1,716,390 Insurance and claims 546,360 316,518 Taxes and licenses 1,608,973 1,454,675 Supplies and other 1,123,672 806,734 Total operating expenses 15,706,186 13,438,557 Operating income 1,041,168 392,434 Interest expense 838,418 720,642 Income (loss) before income taxes 202,750 (328,208) Income tax expense (benefit) 77,197 (124,719) Net income (loss) $ 125,553 $ (203,489) Weighted average number of shares Basic 1,836,342 1,841,205 Diluted 1,850,656 1,841,205 Earnings (loss) per share Basic $ 0.07 $ (0.11) Diluted 0.07 (0.11) OTR EXPRESS, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended March 31 (Unaudited) 1998 1997 OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES $2,629,275 $1,053,151 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Acquisition of property and equipment (1,209,072) (4,044,607) Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment 43,873 1,360,000 NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES (1,165,199) (2,684,607) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 5,140,552 7,291,017 Repayments of long-term debt (5,907,464) (6,759,453) Net increase (decrease) in bank note payable (859,068) 1,137,000 Other (57,473) (9,649) NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (1,683,453) 1,658,915 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH (219,377) 27,459 CASH, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 318,760 43,107 CASH, END OF PERIOD $ 99,383 $ 70,566 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest $ 838,418 $ 720,436 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES Guarantee of executive officers stock purchase plan loans $ 180,000 $ - 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, 1997. NOTE 2 - LONG-TERM DEBT AND COMMITMENTS During the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company financed the purchase of revenue equipment through the issuance of long-term debt totaling $1,100,000. This debt bears interest at effective rate of 7.14%. The Company refinanced encumbered revenue equipment through the issuance of long-term debt totaling $4,040,000. This debt bears interest at an effective rate of 7.45%. At March 31, 1998, the Company had purchase and finance commitments outstanding for additional revenue equipment approximately $6,600,000. The Company anticipates receiving proceeds from the sale or trade-in of 34 tractors in association with these commitments. NOTE 3 - EARNINGS PER SHARE In February, 1997 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", effective for periods ending after December 15, 1997, requiring presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. SFAS 128 supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 15 and related pronouncements and replaces the computations of primary and fully diluted earnings per share (EPS) with basic and diluted EPS, respectively. Basic earnings per share is based upon the weighted average common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share is based upon the weighted average common and common equivalent shares outstanding during each year. Employee stock options are the company's only common stock equivalents; there are no other potentially dilutive securities. There was no effect of this accounting change on previously reported earnings per share. NOTE 4 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES As more fully described below in Item 5, the Company has agreed to guaranty payment of two key executive stock loans for such executives' private purchase of a total of 49,380 shares of the Company's common stock. The Company has agreed to guaranty payment of the stock loans to the extent that the pledged value of the stock purchase (equal to one-half of its market value) is less than the outstanding principal balance of such loans. The amount of the Company's guaranty as of March 31, 1998 was $180,000. Stockholders'equity was reduced by this amount and long-term debt was increased by this amount to record the guaranty. 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 OPERATIONS 		First Quarter Ended March 31		 1998 1997 Operating Revenue $16,747,354 $13,830,991 Operating Expenses 15,706,186 13,438,557 Interest Expense 838,418 720,642 Net Income (Loss) 125,553 (203,489) 1st Quarter 1998 v. 1997 Operating Revenue. Operating revenue improved by 21.1% to $16.7 million in the first quarter ended March 31, 1998 from $13.8 million in 1997. Freight revenue increased by 22.4% and brokerage revenue increased by 3.0%. Freight revenue improved due to an increase in the rate per mile to $1.041 in the first quarter of 1998 compared to $1.012 in 1997. The higher rate is primarily a result of a higher level of direct shipper miles in 1998 compared to 1997. The average number of tractors in service was 548 in the first quarter of 1998 compared to 506 in 1997. The average number of tractors in service in 1998 includes 27 owner operator drivers. There were no owner operator drivers in the first quarter of 1997. Average miles per truck per week also increased to 2,161 from 1,974 due to improved demand from the Company's direct shipper customers. The Company's empty mile percent increased to 8.5% from 7.3% in 1997. Brokerage revenue decreased to 5.9% of revenue from 6.9% in 1997. Operating Expenses. The operating ratio (total operating expenses as a percent of operating revenue) improved to 93.8% in the first quarter of 1998 compared to 97.2% in 1997. Salaries, wages and benefits decreased to 38.8% of revenue in 1998 from 39.9% in 1997 primarily because of increased revenue rates per mile. Purchased transportation, which represents payments to other trucklines for hauling loads contracted through the Company's freight brokerage division, and the cost of owner operator drivers, increased to 8.3% of revenue in 1998 from 6.8% in 1997. The increase is a result of the addition of owner operators to the fleet beginning in September 1997. Fuel was 9.5% of revenue in 1998 compared to 13.2% in 1997. This is a result of lower diesel fuel prices nationwide in the first quarter of 1998 and higher revenue rates per mile. Insurance and claims represented 3.3% and 2.3% of operating revenue in the first quarter of 1998 and 1997, 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 11.2% in 1998 from 12.4% in 1997 as a result of higher revenue per truck per week. Taxes and licenses as a percent of revenue decreased from 10.5% in 1997 to 9.6% in 1998 as a result of the increased revenue per mile. Supplies and other expenses increased to 6.7% of revenue in 1998 from 5.8% in 1997 as a result of an increase in advertising costs for new drivers and an increase in commissions paid to independent sales agents. Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to 5.0% of revenue in 1998 from 5.2% in 1997 as a result of lower debt levels per unit. Net Income. The Company reported net income of $126,000, or $0.07 per share, for the first quarter of 1998 compared to a net loss of $203,000, or $0.11 per share, in 1997. The effective income tax rate was 38.0% in 1997 and 1998. 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 $1,100,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998. The Company received $44,000 in proceeds from the disposition of revenue equipment. The Company has outstanding purchase commitments for 34 replacement tractors at a cost of $2.7 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 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, it was management's belief that these factors were 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. This method of financing can be expected to continue to produce working capital deficits in the future. The Company's working capital deficit at March 31, 1998 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 was $7.0 million through December 31, 1997. Since the Company's tangible net worth exceeded $9.0 million based on the December 31, 1997 audited financial statements, under the terms of the credit agreement the maximum borrowing on the line increased to $8.0 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 March 31, 1998. The Company had borrowings of $2.8 million under this line at March 31, 1998. A total of $1.5 million of the available credit line was committed for letters of credit issued by the financial institution. At March 31, 1998, the Company owned 26 tractors 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 $1.0 million. 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...............* ITEM 5 - Other Information Guaranty of Executive Officer Stock Loans The Company has entered into certain agreements designed to help facilitate increased investments in the Company's common stock by certain key executive officers in order to better align such officers' interests with those of stockholders and to provide incentives for such officers to remain with the Company for the next several years. In relation to personal loans of $240,000 and $120,000 (the "Stock Loans") obtained from HSBC Business Loans, Inc. ("HSBC") by Gary J. Klusman, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Steven W. Ruben, the Company's Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, for such officers' private purchase of 32,920 shares and 16,460 shares, respectively, of Company common stock, the Company has agreed to guaranty payment of the Stock Loans to the extent that the pledge value of the stock purchased (equal to one-half of its market value) is less than the outstanding principal balance of such loans. Copies of the Guaranty Agreement dated February 27, 1998 by the Company in favor of HSBC as secured party evidencing such guaranties are filed as exhibits hereto and incorporated by reference. In addition, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Assistance Agreements ("Assistance Agreements") dated February 27, 1998 between the Company and Messrs. Klusman and Ruben, respectively (copies of which are filed as exhibits hereto and incorporated by reference), the Company has agreed to pay to such officers during the six year term of the Stock Loans the amount of principal owed from time to time under their respective Stock Loans (I) for such periods as such officer remains employed by the Company in an officer position or (ii) if such officer's employment is terminated without cause by the Company (or by a successor entity after a change of control). Such officers remain the primary obligors under their respective Stock Loans, however, and to the extent the Company is required to pay amounts to HSBC under Guaranty Agreements described in the preceding paragraph, such officer's have agreed to reimburse the Company and failure by either such officer to make such reimbursement entitles the Company to terminate officer's employment for cause (thereby eliminating the Company's obligations to make further payments under such officer's Assistance Agreement). ITEM 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K (a) Exhibits Exhibit 10 (p) - Guaranty Agreement dated February 2 , 1998 by the Company in favor of HSBC Business Loans, Inc. as secured party relating to payment of $240,000 principal amount loan to Gary J. Klusman. Exhibit 10 (q) - Guaranty Agreement dated February 27, 1998 by the Company in favor of HSBC Business Loans, Inc. as secured party relating to payment of $120,000 principal amount loan to Steven W. Ruben. Exhibit 10(r) - Stock Purchase Assistance Agreement dated February 27, 1998 between the Company and Gary J. Klusman. Exhibit 10(s) - Stock Purchase Assistance Agreement dated February 27, 1998 between the Company and Steven W. Ruben. (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 March 31, 1998. 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: May 11, 1998 /s/ Gary J. Klusman By: Gary J. Klusman President and Principal Executive Officer Date: May 11, 1998 /s/ Steven W. Ruben By: Steven W. Ruben Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer