Quality Distribution Inc. Reports Operating Results (10-Q)

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Aug 07, 2009
Quality Distribution Inc. (QLTY, Financial) filed Quarterly Report for the period ended 2009-06-30.

Quality Distribution operates approximately tractors and trailers through three principal transportation subsidiaries: Quality Carriers TransPlastics and Quebec-based Levy Transport. The Company also provides other bulk transportation services including tank cleaning and freight brokerage. Quality Distribution Inc. has a market cap of $79.7 million; its shares were traded at around $4.06 with a P/E ratio of 29 and P/S ratio of 0.1.

Highlight of Business Operations:

Goodwill and Intangible Assets We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually during the second quarter with a measurement date of June 30, and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise, in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (SFAS 142). We evaluate goodwill for impairment by determining the fair value based on criteria in SFAS 142 for each reporting unit, our trucking segment and our container services segment. These reporting units contain goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets as a result of previous business acquisitions. As of March 31, 2009, we had total goodwill of $173.5 million, of which $144.3 million was allocated to trucking and $29.2 million was allocated to container services. As a result of our annual impairment test, we concluded a total impairment charge of $148.6 million was necessary at June 30, 2009, of which $144.3 million of goodwill was related to our trucking segment, $1.9 million was related to our container services segment and $2.4 million was related to the tradename of our container services segment.

At December 31, 2008 we had an estimated $98.0 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards, $2.3 million in alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards and $2.9 million in foreign tax credit carryforwards. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire in the years 2018 through 2027, while the alternative minimum tax credits may be carried forward indefinitely and the foreign tax credits may be carried forward for ten years.

Accident claims reservesWe currently maintain liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage claims, covering all employees, owner-operators and affiliates, and workers compensation insurance coverage on our employees and company drivers. This insurance includes deductibles of $2.0 million per incident for bodily injury and property damage and $1.0 million for workers compensation for periods after March 31, 2008. From September 15, 2002 to March 30, 2008, our insurance deductible was $5.0 million per incident for bodily injury and property damage. As such, we are subject to liability as a self-insurer to the extent of these deductibles under the policy. We are self-insured for damage to the equipment we own or lease, for cargo losses and for non-trucking pollution legal liability. As of June 30, 2009, we have $40.1 million in an outstanding letter of credit to our insurance administrator to guarantee the self-insurance portion of our liability. If we fail to meet certain terms of our agreement, the insurance administrator may draw down the letter of credit. In developing liability reserves, we rely on professional third party claims administrators, insurance company estimates and the judgment of our own safety department personnel, and independent professional actuaries and attorneys. The most significant assumptions used in the estimation process include determining the trends in loss costs, the expected consistency in the frequency and severity of claims incurred but not yet reported to prior year claims and expected costs to settle unpaid claims. Management believes reserves are reasonable given known information, but as each case develops, estimates may change to reflect the effect of new information.

Stock compensation plansStock compensation is determined by the assumptions required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R)). The fair values of stock option grants are based upon the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and amortized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Restricted stock awards are issued and measured at market value on the date of grant and related compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the grants. Stock-based compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock was $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 and was $0.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. As of June 30, 2009, there was approximately $2.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the unvested portion of our stock-based awards. The recognition period for the remaining unrecognized stock-based compensation cost is approximately four years. For further discussion on stock-based compensation, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this report.

Assumed discount rates and expected return on plan assets have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the pension plan. At December 31, 2008, our projected benefit obligation (PBO) was $45.6 million. Our projected 2009 net periodic pension expense is $2.2 million. A 1.0% decrease in our assumed discount rate would increase our PBO to $50.3 million and increase our 2009 net periodic pension expense less than $0.1 million. A 1.0% increase in our assumed discount rate would decrease our PBO to $41.8 million and decrease our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $2.1 million. A 1.0% decrease in our assumed rate of return would not change our PBO but would increase our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $2.4 million. A 1.0% increase in our assumed rate of return would not change our PBO but would decrease our 2009 net periodic pension expense to $1.9 million.

RestructuringWe account for restructuring costs associated with one-time termination benefits, costs associated with lease and contract terminations and other related exit activities in accordance with SFAS No. 146 Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities. We have made estimates of the costs to be incurred as part of our restructuring plan. During the quarter ended June 30, 2008, we committed to a plan of restructure resulting in the termination of non-driver positions and the consolidation or closure of underperforming company terminals. We continued our plan of restructure throughout 2008 which resulted in a restructuring charge of $5.3 million of which the majority related to our trucking segment. The total restructuring charge for 2008 represents $2.0 million of severance costs, $0.6 million in contract termination costs and $2.7 million related to other exit costs. Our restructuring plan is continuing in 2009, and in the first six months we recorded a charge of $1.8 million related to employee termination benefits and other related exit activities. As of June 30, 2009, approximately $0.8 million was accrued related to the restructuring charges, the majority of which is expected to be paid during the remainder of 2009.

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