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Hub Group Inc · 10-K · For 12/31/99

Filed On 3/29/00   ·   SEC File 0-27754   ·   Accession Number 940942-0-6

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  As Of               Filer                 Filing     As/For/On Docs:Pgs

 3/29/00  Hub Group Inc                     10-K       12/31/99    2:48

Annual Report   ·   Form 10-K
Filing Table of Contents

Document/Exhibit                   Description                      Pages   Size 

 1: 10-K        Form 10-K for Hub Group, Inc.                         47    176K 
 2: EX-27       12/31/99 Financials                                    1      4K 


10-K   ·   Form 10-K for Hub Group, Inc.
Document Table of Contents

Page (sequential) | (alphabetic) Top
 
11st Page
2Item 1. Business
7Item 2. Properties
8Item 3. Legal Proceedings
"Item 4. Submission of Matters to A Vote of Security Holders
9Executive Officers of the Registrant
11Item 5. Market for Registrants Common Equity and Related Shareholder Matters
12Item 6. Selected Financial Data
13Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
18Outlook, Risks and Uncertainties
"Year 2000
21Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
22Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
40Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
"Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
"Item 11. Executive Compensation
"Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
"Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
41Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules & Reports on Form 8-K
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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) [X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999 OR [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission File No. 0-27754 ------------------ HUB GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 36-4007085 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation of organization) Identification No.) 377 E. BUTTERFIELD ROAD, SUITE 700 LOMBARD, ILLINOIS 60148 (Address and zip code of principal executive offices) (630) 271-3600 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: CLASS A COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE (Title of Class) 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 __ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X] The aggregate market value of the Registrant's voting stock held by non-affiliates on March 27, 2000, based upon the last reported sale price on that date on the NASDAQ National Market of $15 7/8 per share, was $110,763,844. On March 27, 2000, the Registrant had 7,043,950 outstanding shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 662,296 outstanding shares of Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE The Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 17, 2000, (the "Proxy Statement") is incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Except with respect to information specifically incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, the Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as a part hereof. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS GENERAL Hub Group, Inc. ("Hub Group" or the "Company") is a Delaware corporation which was incorporated on March 8, 1995. Since its founding as an intermodal marketing company ("IMC") in 1971, Hub Group has grown to become the largest IMC in the United States and a full service transportation provider, offering intermodal, truck brokerage and comprehensive logistics services. The Company operates through an extensive nationwide network of 29 offices or "Hubs." Each Hub is strategically located in a market that has a significant concentration of shipping customers and one or more railheads. Each Hub functions essentially as a stand-alone business managed locally by an executive, known as a "Principal," with significant transportation experience. Local management is responsible for operations, customer service and regional marketing, while corporate management is responsible for group strategic planning and administration, financial services, relationships with the railroads and management information systems support. Hub Group also maintains a National Accounts sales force to provide centralized marketing of the Company's services to large and geographically diversified shippers. On March 18, 1996, Hub Group purchased Hub City Terminals, Inc. ("Hub Chicago") in a stock-for-stock acquisition. Concurrent with the acquisition of Hub Chicago, Hub Group completed the initial public offering of 4,261,250 shares of its Class A common stock (the "Class A Common Stock"), with net proceeds to Hub Group of $52.9 million. Simultaneously with the initial public offering, Hub Group, through its new wholly owned subsidiary, Hub Chicago, acquired with cash the general partnership interests in 26 operating partnerships, each with one or more offices. In addition, Hub Group directly acquired with cash a controlling interest in the Hub Group Distribution Services partnership ("Hub Distribution") which performs certain specialized logistics functions (each of the 26 operating partnerships and Hub Distribution are a "Hub Partnership" and collectively are the "Hub Partnerships"). With the exception of Hub Distribution, the Company had the continuing option, exercisable any time after the Principal currently associated with a Hub Partnership ceased to be an employee of that Hub Partnership, to purchase the limited partnership interest in that Hub Partnership. The decision as to whether or when to exercise an option to acquire the limited partnership interest in a Hub Partnership was made by the independent members of the Company's Board of Directors. Unless the context otherwise requires, references to "Hub Group" or the "Company" include Hub Chicago, the Hub Partnerships and their respective subsidiaries. On April 1, 1999, the Company exercised its option to acquire the remaining 70% minority interests in Hub City Alabama, L.P., Hub City Atlanta, L.P., Hub City Boston, L.P., Hub City Canada, L.P., Hub City Cleveland, L.P., Hub City Detroit, L.P., Hub City Florida, L.P., Hub City Indianapolis, L.P., Hub City Kansas City, L.P., Hub City Mid-Atlantic, L.P., Hub City New York-New Jersey, L.P., Hub City New York State, L.P., Hub City Ohio, L.P., Hub City Philadelphia, L.P., Hub City Pittsburgh, L.P., Hub City Portland, L.P. and Hub City St. Louis, L.P. (which purchase is referred to herein as the "April Purchase") for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $108.7 million in cash. Except for Hub Distribution, of which the Company owns 65%, the Company now wholly-owns all of the Hub Partnerships and the Company's operations in North America and Europe. On May 1, 1998, the Company formally launched its new Hub Group Premier Service Network in conjunction with the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company ("BNSF"). During 1998, the Company took on the management of approximately 2000 48' x 102" containers and approximately 180 53' x 102" containers from BNSF for dedicated use throughout the BNSF intermodal container network. On March 1 1999, the Company and BNSF entered into a multi-year extension and expansion of this program. In accordance with this new agreement, the Company and BNSF added an additional 1000 53' x 102" containers during 1999. On June 1, 1999, the Company and the Norfolk Southern Corporation ("NS") entered into a multi-year agreement expanding the Company's Premier Service Network onto NS's rail system. In accordance with this agreement, the Company took on the management of 675 53' x 102" containers from the NS during 1999. The BNSF containers and the NS containers are fully interchangeable across both the BNSF and NS rail networks. 1
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On December 31, 1999, each of the Hub Partnerships, except for Hub Distribution and Hub City Texas, L.P., converted to a limited liability company. Also on December 31, 1999, Hub Holdings, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hub Group, merged with and into Hub Chicago, making each limited liability company a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hub Chicago. On March 13, 2000, the Company signed a letter of intent pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell its 65% interest in Hub Distribution for $65 million in cash and warrants to purchase 5% of the outstanding shares of stock of Hub Distribution. The sale of this interest is subject to a number of customary conditions and there is therefore no guarantee that a transaction will ultimately be consummated. SERVICES PROVIDED The Company's transportation services can be broadly placed into the following categories: INTERMODAL As an IMC, the Company arranges for the movement of its customers' freight in containers and trailers over long distances. Hub Group contracts with railroads to provide transportation over the long-haul portion of the shipment and with local trucking companies, known as "drayage companies," for pickup and delivery. In markets where adequate service is not available, the Company supplements third party drayage services with Company-owned drayage operations. As part of its intermodal services, the Company negotiates rail and drayage rates, electronically tracks shipments in transit, consolidates billing and handles claims for freight loss or damage on behalf of its customers. The Company uses its Hub network, connected through its proprietary advanced intermodal management ("AIM") system, to access containers and trailers owned by leasing companies, railroads and steamship lines. The Company also has exclusive use of the containers in its Premier Service Network. Because each Hub not only handles its own outbound shipments but also handles inbound shipments from other Hubs, each Hub is able to track trailers and containers entering its service area and reuse that equipment to fulfill its customers' outbound shipping requirements. This effectively allows the Company to "capture" containers and trailers and keep them within the Hub network without having to make a capital investment in transportation equipment. HIGHWAY SERVICES The Company arranges for the transportation of freight by truck, providing customers another option for their transportation needs. This is accomplished by matching customers' needs with carriers' capacity to provide the appropriate service and price combination. The Company has contracts with a substantial base of carriers allowing it to meet the varied needs of its customers. The Company negotiates rates, tracks shipments in transit, consolidates billing and handles claims for freight loss and damage on behalf of its customers. The Company's brokerage operation also provides customers with specialized programs. Through the Dedicated Trucking program, certain carriers have informally agreed to move freight for Hub's customers on a continuous basis. This arrangement allows Hub to gain control of the trucking equipment to effectively meet its customer's needs without owning the equipment. Through the Core Carrier-Plus One program, Hub assumes the responsibility for over-the-road truckload shipments that the customer's core carriers cannot handle. This service supplements the customer's core carrier program and helps ensure the timely delivery of the customer's freight. LOGISTICS The Company has expanded its service capabilities as customers increasingly outsource their transportation needs. The Company currently offers various logistics services, including comprehensive transportation management, arranging for delivery to multiple locations at the shipment's destination, third party warehousing and other customized logistics services, as well as other non-traditional logistics services such as installation of point of sale merchandise displays. When providing complete transportation services, the Company essentially replaces the customer's transportation department. Once the Company is hired as a single source logistics provider, it negotiates with intermodal, railcar, truckload and less-than-truckload carriers to move the customer's product through the supply chain and then dispatches the move for the customer. Using its advanced transportation management software ("ATMS"), the Company consolidates orders into full truckload shipments, chooses a shipping route, electronically tenders loads to carriers and reports the move to the customer. 2
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HUB NETWORK Over the past 29 years, Hub Group has grown from a single office with two employees into a network of 27 Hubs in the United States, one Hub in Canada and one Hub in Mexico. Hub Group also has several satellite sales offices. In developing this network, the Company has carefully selected each location to ensure coverage in areas with significant concentrations of shipping customers and one or more railheads. Hub Group currently has Hubs in the following cities: Atlanta Houston Milwaukee St. Louis Baltimore Indianapolis New Orleans Salt Lake City Boston Jacksonville New York City San Francisco Chicago (3) Kansas City Philadelphia Seattle Cleveland Los Angeles Pittsburgh Toledo Detroit Memphis Portland Toronto Grand Rapids Mexico City Rochester The entire Hub network is interactively connected through the Company's AIM system. This enables Hub Group to move freight into and out of every major city in the United States and most locations in Canada and Mexico. Each Hub manages the freight originating in or destined for its service area. In a typical intermodal transaction, the customer contacts the local Hub to obtain shipping schedules and a price quote for a particular freight movement. The local Hub obtains the necessary intermodal equipment, arranges for it to be delivered to the customer by a drayage company and, after the freight is loaded, arranges for the transportation of the container or trailer to the rail ramp. Information is entered into the AIM system by the local Hub, which monitors the shipment to ensure that it will arrive as scheduled. This information is simultaneously transmitted through the AIM system to the Hub closest to the point of delivery, which arranges for and confirms delivery by a drayage company. This arrangement among the Hubs is transparent to the customer and allows the customer to maintain its relationship solely with the originating Hub. The Company provides brokerage services to its customers in a similar manner. In a typical brokerage transaction, the customer contacts the local Hub to obtain transit information and a price quote for a particular freight movement. The customer then provides appropriate shipping information to the local Hub. The local Hub makes the delivery appointment and arranges with the appropriate carrier to pick up the freight. Once it receives confirmation that the freight has been picked up, the local Hub monitors the movement of the freight until it reaches its destination and the delivery has been confirmed. If the carrier notifies Hub Group that after delivering the load it will need additional freight, the Hub located nearest the destination is notified of the carrier's availability. Although it is under no obligation to do so, the local Hub then may attempt, if requested by the carrier, to secure freight for the carrier. MARKETING AND CUSTOMERS The Company believes that fostering long-term customer relationships is critical to the Company's success. Through these long-term relationships, the Company is able to better understand its customer's needs and to tailor transportation services for a specific customer, regardless of the customer's size or volume. The Company has created a database of current and prospective customers, profiling each customer's shipping patterns, which the Company periodically updates. This database allows the Company to target its marketing to meet each customer's specific requirements. The Company currently has full time marketing representatives at each Hub with primary responsibility for servicing local and regional accounts. These sales representatives work from the 29 Hubs and the Company's satellite sales offices. This network provides a local marketing contact for small and medium shippers in most major metropolitan areas within the United States. 3
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In 1985, the Company established the National Accounts group to service the needs of the nation's largest shippers. The Company recognized that although large shippers originate freight from multiple locations throughout the country, their logistics function is usually centralized. The Company essentially mirrored this structure by servicing national accounts from a central location and parceling out the servicing of individual freight shipments to the appropriate Hub. There are currently 21 National Accounts sales representatives who report to the Company's Executive Vice President of National Accounts. The National Accounts sales representatives regularly call on the nation's largest shippers to develop business relationships and to expand the Company's participation in servicing their transportation needs. When a business opportunity is identified by a National Accounts sales representative, the Company's market development and pricing personnel and the local Hubs work together to provide a transportation solution tailored to the customer's needs. Local Hubs provide transportation services to National Accounts customers. After the plan is implemented, National Accounts' personnel maintain regular contact with the shipper to ensure customer satisfaction and to refine the process as necessary. This unique combination of local and regional marketing has produced a large, diverse customer base. The Company services customers in a wide variety of industries, including automotive, consumer products, printing, paper, retail, chemicals and electronics. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS A primary component of the Company's business strategy is the continued improvement of its AIM system and other technology to ensure that the Company will remain a leader among transportation providers in information processing for transportation services. The AIM system consists of a network of IBM AS/400 computers located at the Hubs and linked to a host computer at the Company's headquarters. Hub Group uses IBM's Global Network as the nucleus for linking its computers and databases. This configuration provides a real time environment for transmitting data among the Hubs and the Company's headquarters using electronic data interchange ("EDI"), electronic mail and other protocols. It also allows Hub to communicate electronically with each railroad, certain drayage companies and those customers with EDI capabilities. The Company's proprietary AIM system is the primary mechanism used by the Hubs to process customer transportation requests, schedule and track shipments, prepare customer billing, establish account profiles and retain critical information for analysis. The AIM system provides connectivity with each of the major rail carriers, enabling the Company to electronically schedule and track shipments in a real time environment. In addition, the AIM system's EDI features offer customers with EDI capability a completely paperless process, including load tendering, shipment dispatch, shipment tracking, customer billing and remittance processing. The Company aggressively pursues opportunities to establish EDI interfaces with its customers and carriers. To more effectively manage its highway services business, the Company utilizes software that is designed to automate the Company's highway services operations. This software processes customer transportation requests, schedules and tracks shipments, prepares customer billing, establishes account profiles and retains critical information for analysis. It also interfaces with the carrier by handling load tendering, shipment dispatch, shipment tracking, customer billing and remittance processing. During 1999 the Company began work on a number of web-based software applications. The Company began the process of implementing the first of these applications, Vendor Interface, in the fourth quarter of 1999. Vendor Interface was designed to allow the Company's drayage partners to interface with the Company using the internet rather than phone or faxes. Vendor Interface allows the Company to tender loads to draymen, captures event status and helps facilitate appropriate payment. Current internet applications are, and future internet applications will be, integrated with the AIM system. The Company also purchased a new software package in 1999 designed to replace its existing ATMS. This software may be used by the Company when offering logistics management services to customers that ship via multiple modes, including intermodal, truckload, and less than truckload, allowing the Company to optimize mode and carrier selection and routing for its customers. The Company has installed this software package and is currently preparing the software for its operational applications. 4
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RELATIONSHIP WITH RAILROADS A key element of the Company's business strategy is to strengthen its close working relationship with each of the major intermodal railroads in the United States. The Company views its relationship with the railroads as a partnership. Due to the Company's size and relative importance, many railroads have dedicated support personnel to focus on the Company's day-to-day service requirements. On a regular basis, senior executives of the Company and each of the railroads meet to discuss major strategic issues concerning intermodal transportation. Several of the Company's executive officers, including both the Company's Chairman and President, are former railroad employees, which makes them well-suited to understand the railroads' service capabilities. The Company has contracts with each of the following major railroads: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Kansas City Southern Canadian Pacific Norfolk Southern CSX Union Pacific Illinois Central The Company also has contracts with each of the following major fourth-party service providers: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (America) Inc., Pacer International, Inc. and K-Line America, Inc.. These contracts govern the transportation services and payment terms pursuant to which the Company's intermodal shipments are handled by the railroads. The contracts have staggered renewal terms with the earliest expiration occurring during 2000. While there can be no assurances that these contracts will be renewed, the Company has in the past successfully negotiated extensions of these contracts. Transportation rates are market driven and are typically negotiated between the Company and the railroads or fourth-party service providers on a customer specific basis. Consistent with industry practice, many of the rates negotiated by the Company are special commodity quotations ("SCQs"), which provide discounts from published price lists based on competitive market factors and are designed by the railroads or fourth-party service providers to attract new business or to retain existing business. SCQ rates are generally issued for the account of a single IMC. SCQ rates apply to specific customers in specified shipping lanes for a specific period of time, usually six to 12 months. RELATIONSHIP WITH DRAYAGE COMPANIES In 1990, the Company instituted its "Quality Drayage Program," which consists of agreements and rules that govern the framework pursuant to which the drayage companies perform services for the Company. Participants in the program commit to provide high quality service, clean and safe equipment, maintain a defined on-time performance level and follow specified procedures designed to minimize freight loss and damage. Whenever possible, the Company uses the services of drayage companies that participate in its Quality Drayage Program. However, during periods of high demand for drayage services or at the request of a customer, the Company will use the services of other drayage companies. The local Hubs negotiate drayage rates for transportation between specific origin and destination points. These rates generally are valid, with minor exceptions for fuel surcharge increases, for a period of one year. RELATIONSHIP WITH TRUCKLOAD CARRIERS The Company's brokerage operation has a large and growing number of active carriers in its database which it uses to transport freight. The local Hubs deal daily with these carriers on an operational level. Hub Highway Services, a partnership controlled by the Company, handles the administrative and regulatory aspects of the carrier relationship. Hub's relationships with its carriers are important since these relationships determine pricing, load coverage and overall service. 5
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RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE The Company requires all drayage companies participating in the Quality Drayage Program to carry at least $1.0 million in general liability insurance, $1.0 million in truckman's auto liability insurance and to obtain, either on their own or through the Company, $1.0 million in cargo insurance. Railroads, which are self insured, provide limited cargo protection, generally up to $250,000 per shipment, although higher coverage is available on a load-by-load basis. To cover freight loss or damage when a carrier's liability cannot be established or a carrier's insurance is insufficient to cover the claim, the Company carries its own cargo insurance with a limit of $2.0 million per container or trailer and a limit of $20 million per occurrence. The Company also carries general liability insurance with limits of $1.0 million per occurrence and $2.0 million in the aggregate with a companion $10.0 million umbrella policy on this general liability insurance. GOVERNMENT REGULATION Hub Highway Services is licensed by the Department of Transportation ("DOT") as a broker in arranging for the transportation of general commodities by motor vehicle. To the extent that the Hubs perform truck brokerage services, they do so under the license granted to Hub Highway Services. The DOT prescribes qualifications for acting in this capacity, including certain surety bonding requirements. While the DOT requires a $10,000 surety bond to maintain this license, the Company has voluntarily posted a $300,000 surety bond. To date, compliance with these regulations has not had a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations or financial condition. However, the transportation industry is subject to legislative or regulatory changes that can affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or influencing the demand for, and cost of providing, transportation services. COMPETITION The transportation services industry is highly competitive. The Company competes against other IMCs, as well as logistics companies, third party brokers, over-the-road truckload carriers and railroads that market their own intermodal services. There is an emerging trend for larger truckload carriers to enter into agreements with railroads to market intermodal services nationwide. In addition, many existing and start-up companies are using the internet to market transportation services. Competition is based primarily on freight rates, quality of service, reliability, transit time and scope of operations. Several transportation service companies and truckload carriers, and all of the major railroads, have substantially greater financial and other resources than the Company. GENERAL EMPLOYEES As of February 29, 2000, the Company had approximately 1,593 employees. The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreement and considers its relationship with its employees to be satisfactory. OTHER No material portion of the Company's operations is subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts at the election of the federal government. The Company has not spent a material amount on company sponsored research and development activities or on customer sponsored research activities. None of the Company's patents and trademarks is believed to be material to the Company. The Company's business is seasonal to the extent that certain customer groups, such as retail, are seasonal. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES The Company directly, or indirectly through the Hub Partnerships, operates 41 offices throughout the United States and in Canada and Mexico, including the Company's headquarters in Lombard, Illinois and its Company-owned drayage operations. On March 1, 1999, the Company relocated its National Accounts office in Stamford, Connecticut to corporate headquarters in Lombard, Illinois. The office building used by the Hub located in Toledo is owned, and the remainder are leased. Most office leases have initial terms of more than one year, and many include options to renew. While some of the Company's leases are month-to-month and others expire in the near term, the Company does not believe that it will have difficulty in renewing them or in finding alternative office space. The Company believes that its offices are adequate for the purposes for which they are currently used. 6
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The Company is a party to routine litigation incident to its business, primarily claims for freight lost or damaged in transit or improperly shipped. Most of the lawsuits to which the Company is party are covered by insurance and are being defended by the Company's insurance carriers. Management does not believe that the litigation to which it is currently a party, if determined adversely to the Company, would individually or in the aggregate have a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. See Item 1 Business - Risk Management and Insurance. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS There were no matters submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during the fourth quarter of 2000. 7
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT In reliance on General Instruction G to Form 10-K, information on executive officers of the Registrant is included in this Part I. The table sets forth certain information as of March 20, 2000 with respect to each person who is an executive officer of the Company. NAME AGE POSITION ------------------ ----- -------------------------------------------------- Phillip C. Yeager 72 Chairman of the Board of Directors David P. Yeager 47 Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Thomas L. Hardin 54 President, Chief Operating Officer and Director Mark A. Yeager 35 President- Field Operations Daniel F. Hardman 51 President-Chicago Region Jay E. Parker 35 Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer John T. Donnell 60 Executive Vice President-National Accounts Richard M. Rogan 60 President-Hub Highway Services, Executive Vice President-Marketing Daniel L. Sellers 44 Vice President-Information Services and Chief Information Officer David C. Zeilstra 30 Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel Phillip C. Yeager, the Company's founder, has been Chairman of the Board since October 1985. From April 1971 to October 1985, Mr. Yeager served as President of Hub Chicago. Mr. Yeager became involved in intermodal transportation in 1959, five years after the introduction of intermodal transportation in the United States, as an employee of the Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Central Railroads. He spent 19 years with the Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Central Railroads, 12 of which involved intermodal transportation. In 1991, Mr. Yeager was named Man of the Year by the Intermodal Transportation Association. In 1995, he received the Salzburg Practitioners Award from Syracuse University in recognition of his lifetime achievements in the transportation industry. In October 1996, Mr. Yeager was inducted into the Chicago Area Entrepreneurship Hall of Fame sponsored by the University of Illinois at Chicago. In March 1997, he received the Presidential Medal from Dowling College for his achievements in transportation services. In September 1998 he received the Silver Kingpin award from the Intermodal Association of North America and in February 1999 he was named Transportation Person of the Year by the New York Traffic Club. Mr. Yeager graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Mr. Yeager is the father of David P. Yeager and Mark A. Yeager. David P. Yeager has served as the Company's Vice Chairman of the Board since January 1992 and as Chief Executive Officer of the Company since March 1995. From October 1985 through December 1991, Mr. Yeager was President of Hub Chicago. From 1983 to October 1985, he served as Vice President, Marketing of Hub Chicago. Mr. Yeager founded the St. Louis Hub in 1980 and served as its President from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Yeager founded the Pittsburgh Hub in 1975 and served as its President from 1975 to 1977. Mr. Yeager received a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago in 1987 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Dayton in 1975. Mr. Yeager is the son of Phillip C. Yeager and the brother of Mark A. Yeager. Mr. Yeager also serves as a director of SPR Inc. Thomas L. Hardin has served as the Company's President since October 1985 and has served as Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Company since March 1995. From January 1980 to September 1985, Mr. Hardin was Vice President-Operations and from June 1972 to December 1979, he was General Manager of the Company. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Hardin worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad where he held various marketing and pricing positions. Mr. Hardin is presently Chairman of the Intermodal Association of North America. 8
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Mark A. Yeager has been the Company's President-Field Operations since July 1999. From November 1997 through June 1999 Mr. Yeager was Division President, Secretary and General Counsel. From March 1995 to November 1997, Mr. Yeager was Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel. From May 1992 to March 1995, Mr. Yeager served as the Company's Vice President-Quality. Prior to joining the Company in 1992, Mr. Yeager was an associate at the law firm of Grippo & Elden from January 1991 through May 1992 and an associate at the law firm of Sidley & Austin from May 1989 through January 1991. Mr. Yeager received a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University in 1989 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University in 1986. Mr. Yeager is the son of Phillip C. Yeager and the brother of David P. Yeager. Daniel F. Hardman has been the President-Chicago Region since February 1996. Mr. Hardman has been employed by the Hub Group since 1982, serving as President of Hub Chicago from December 1992 to February 1996, Vice President of Hub Chicago from January 1987 to December 1992, General Manager of Sales of Hub Chicago from August 1985 to January 1987, President of Hub Charlotte from June 1984 to August 1985 and Regional Sales Manager of Hub Chicago from December 1982 to June 1984. Mr. Hardman is a former Director of the Intermodal Transportation Association and is presently a member of the Chicago Traffic Club and the Chicago Intermodal Transportation Association. Mr. Hardman is a 1991 graduate of the Certificate Program in Business Administration from the University of Illinois. Jay E. Parker has been the Company's Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since June 1999. From July 1995 through May 1999 Mr. Parker was the Company's Corporate Controller. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Parker was the Director of Financial Reporting at Discovery Zone, Inc. from July 1994 through June 1995 and held various positions, including Audit Manager, with Arthur Andersen from December 1988 through June 1994. Mr. Parker received a Masters of Accounting Science from Northern Illinois University in 1988, became a Certified Public Accountant in 1987 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Northern Illinois University in 1986. John T. Donnell has been Executive Vice President of National Accounts since October 1993. From October 1985 through October 1993, Mr. Donnell served as Vice President of National Accounts. Prior to joining the Company in 1985, Mr. Donnell worked for Transamerica Leasing as Vice President of Marketing where he was responsible for marketing 40,000 intermodal trailers to the railroads and the intermodal marketing industry. Mr. Donnell received a Master of Business Administration degree from Northwestern University in 1981 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Northeast Louisiana University in 1961. Richard M. Rogan has been Executive Vice President of Marketing since November 1997 and President of Hub Highway Services since May 1995. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Rogan was Executive Vice President of National Freight, Inc. from May 1993 to April 1995. Prior to that, Mr. Rogan was with Burlington Motor Carriers, Inc., where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from March 1988 to April 1993 and as an Executive Vice President from July 1985 to February 1988. Mr. Rogan's transportation career spans 25 years and includes earlier assignments with the Illinois Central Railroad, North American Van Lines and Schneider National. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola University of Chicago in 1962 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1963. He has served on the Board of Directors of the ATA Foundation as well as the Interstate Truckload Carrier Conference ("ITCC"). He is a past Chairman of the ITCC Highway Policy Committee and has also served on the Advisory Board of the Trucking Profitability Strategies Conference at the University of Georgia. Daniel L. Sellers has been the Company's Vice President of Information Services and Chief Information Officer since December 1998. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Sellers was Vice President of Information Systems with Humana, Inc. from February 1997 to December 1998. Prior to that, Mr. Sellers was Vice President and General Manager of OmniTracs software with Qualcomm, Inc. from November 1993 to February 1997. Mr. Sellers also worked in the transportation industry for 15 years with Schneider National, Inc. in a variety of positions, including as Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Information Systems. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati in 1978 and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Business in 1983. Mr. Sellers is a past member of the American Trucking Association's Management Systems Council. 9
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David C. Zeilstra has been the Company's Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel since July 1999. From December 1996 through June 1999, Mr. Zeilstra was the Company's Assistant General Counsel. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zeilstra was an associate with the law firm of Mayer, Brown and Platt from September 1994 through November 1996. Mr. Zeilstra received a Juris Doctor degree from the Duke University School of Law in 1994 and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wheaton College in 1990. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANTS COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS The Class A Common Stock of the Company trades on the NASDAQ National Market tier of The NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "HUBG." Set forth below are the high and low prices for shares of the Class A Common Stock of the Company for each full quarterly period in 1998 and 1999. 1998 1999 ---------- ---------- HIGH LOW HIGH LOW -------- ------- -------- --------- First Quarter $ 30 $ 25 $23 3/4 $18 7/8 Second Quarter $ 28 1/8 $ 19 3/4 $27 7/8 $21 Third Quarter $ 24 $ 15 3/4 $27 1/16 $20 7/16 Fourth Quarter $ 20 1/4 $ 12 3/4 $21 $14 11/16 On March 27, 2000, there were approximately 42 stockholders of record of the Class A Common Stock and, in addition, there were an estimated 1,500 beneficial owners of the Class A Common Stock whose shares were held by brokers and other fiduciary institutions. On March 27, 2000, there were nine holders of record of the Company's Class B common stock (the "Class B Common Stock" together with the Class A Common Stock, the "Common Stock"). The Company was incorporated in 1995 and has never paid cash dividends on either the Class A Common Stock or the Class B Common Stock. The declaration and payment of dividends by the Company are subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors. Any determination as to the payment of dividends will depend upon the results of operations, capital requirements and financial condition of the Company, and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the Board of Directors will declare or pay dividends on the shares of Common Stock in the future. The certificate of incorporation of the Company requires that any cash dividends must be paid equally on each outstanding share of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The Company's credit facility and private placement debt prohibit the Company from paying dividends on the Common Stock if there has been, or immediately following the payment of a dividend would be, a default or an event of default under the credit facility or private placement debt. The Company is currently in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit facility and private placement debt. 10
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (in thousands except per share data) [Enlarge/Download Table] YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1999 1998 1997(1) 1996(2) 1995 -------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA: Revenue $ 1,296,799 $ 1,145,906 $1,064,479 $ 754,243 $ 81,408 Net revenue 162,415 138,334 129,855 91,564 6,266 Operating income 30,134 26,406 33,495 27,925 2,567 Income before minority interest and taxes 23,659 25,324 32,869 27,704 2,638 Income before taxes 18,384 15,205 15,874 11,338 2,638 Historical net income 10,846 8,908 9,525 7,044 2,599 Historical basic earnings per common share $ 1.41 $ 1.16 $ 1.48 $ 1.41 $ 1.56 Historical diluted earnings per common share $ 1.40 $ 1.15 $ 1.46 $ 1.39 $ 1.56 Pro forma provision for additional income taxes(3) 241 1,016 Pro forma net income $ 6,803 $ 1,583 Pro forma basic earnings per common share $ 1.36 $ 0.95 Pro forma diluted earnings per common share $ 1.35 $ 0.95 [Enlarge/Download Table] AS OF DECEMBER 31, ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1999 1998 1997(1) 1996(2) 1995 -------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ ----------- BALANCE SHEET DATA: Working capital $ 21,504 $ 20,313 $ 15,209 $ 15,877 $ 804 Total assets 441,609 304,791 267,826 201,225 9,083 Long-term debt, excluding current portion 131,414 29,589 22,873 28,714 - Stockholders' equity 131,124 119,673 110,462 46,124 1,165 (1) In September 1997, the Company issued 1,725,000 shares of Class A common stock through a secondary offering which resulted in net proceeds of approximately $54,763,000. These proceeds were used to purchase the remaining 70% minority interest in Hub City Los Angeles, L.P. and Hub City Golden Gate, L.P. See the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. (2) On March 18, 1996, Hub Group, Inc. purchased Hub City Terminals, Inc. ("Hub Chicago") in a stock-for-stock acquisition through the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock and 662,296 shares of the Company's Class B common stock. Hub Chicago has been accounted for similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting and has been included in all periods presented on a historical cost basis. Concurrent with the acquisition of Hub Chicago, the Company completed the initial public offering of 4,261,250 shares of its Class A common stock, with net proceeds to the Company of approximately $52,945,000. Coincident with the initial public offering, a selling stockholder sold 1,000,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock through a secondary offering. The Company did not receive any net proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholder. Concurrent with the initial public offering, the Company acquired with cash a controlling interest in each of 27 operating partnerships. On May 2, 1996, the Company acquired the rights to service the customers of American President Lines Domestic Distribution Services. See the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. (3) Prior to March 18, 1996, the Company was an S corporation and not subject to federal corporate income taxes. On March 18, 1996, the Company changed its status from an S corporation to a C corporation. The statement of operations data reflects a pro forma provision for income taxes as if the Company were subject to federal and state corporate income taxes for all periods presented. The pro forma provision reflects a combined federal and state tax rate of 40%. See the Notes to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. 11
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS CAPITAL STRUCTURE Hub Group, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated on March 8, 1995. On March 18, 1996, Hub Group, Inc. purchased Hub City Terminals, Inc. ("Hub Chicago") in a stock-for-stock acquisition through the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock and 662,296 shares of Class B common stock. Hub Chicago has been accounted for similar to the pooling of interests method of accounting and has been included in all periods presented on a historical cost basis. Concurrent with the acquisition of Hub Chicago in March 1996, Hub Group, Inc. completed the initial public offering of 4,261,250 shares of its Class A common stock. Coincident with the initial public offering, a selling stockholder sold 1,000,000 shares of Hub Group, Inc. Class A common stock through a secondary offering. In September 1997, Hub Group, Inc. completed a secondary offering of 1,725,000 shares of Hub Group, Inc.'s Class A common stock. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS On October 31, 1997, the Company acquired the 50% interest in its international joint venture, HLX Company, LLC ("HLX"), that it did not previously own. HLX offers point-to-point international transportation services with a focus on the North American movement of import and export freight. On April 1, 1998, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of Quality Intermodal Corporation ("Quality"). Quality primarily offered intermodal and truckload brokerage services with offices in Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia. The Company absorbed the Quality business directly into its existing operations. On August 1, 1998, the Company acquired the rights to service the customers of Corporate Express Distribution Services ("CEDS") as well as certain fixed assets. The CEDS business is being operated by Hub Group Distribution Services ("Hub Distribution"), the Company's niche logistic services provider. CEDS was a provider of niche logistic services including a pharmaceutical sample delivery operation. CALL OPTIONS On March 1, 1997, the Company exercised its option to purchase an approximate 44% minority interest in Hub Distribution. The Company paid $1.6 million in cash. On September 17, 1997, the Company exercised its call options to acquire the remaining 70% minority interests in Hub City Los Angeles, L.P. and Hub City Golden Gate, L.P. The Company paid $59.4 million in cash. On October 31, 1997, the Company exercised its call option to purchase the remaining 70% minority interest in Hub City New Orleans, L.P. for one dollar. On April 1, 1998, the Company exercised its call options to acquire the remaining 70% minority interests in Hub City Rio Grande, L.P., Hub City Dallas, L.P., and Hub City Houston, L.P. ("Texas Hubs"). The Company paid $6.2 million in cash. On April 1, 1999, Hub Group, Inc. exercised its call options to acquire the remaining 70% minority interests in Hub City Alabama, L.P., Hub City Atlanta, L.P., Hub City Boston, L.P., Hub City Canada, L.P., Hub City Cleveland, L.P., Hub City Detroit, L.P., Hub City Florida, L.P., Hub City Indianapolis, L.P., Hub City Kansas City, L.P., Hub City Mid-Atlantic, L.P., Hub City New York/New Jersey, L.P., Hub City New York State, L.P., Hub City Ohio, L.P., Hub City Philadelphia, L.P., Hub City Pittsburgh, L.P., Hub City Portland, L.P., and Hub City St. Louis, L.P. (collectively referred to as the "April 1999 Purchase"). The Company paid $108.7 million in cash. 12
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1999, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 REVENUE Revenue for the Company increased 13.2% to $1,296.8 million in 1999 from $1,145.9 million in 1998. Intermodal revenue increased 6.2% over 1998. Management believes that the service disruption from the split-up of Conrail which began on June 1, 1999 negatively impacted intermodal revenue growth. Truckload brokerage revenue increased 19.3% over 1998. The Company has successfully grown truckload brokerage by cross-selling to its intermodal customers and employing dedicated and experienced personnel in each Hub. Logistics revenue increased 88.3% compared to 1998. This increase was primarily due to the increase in revenue from the Company's niche logistic services performed by Hub Distribution. NET REVENUE Net revenue increased 17.4% to $162.4 million in 1999 from $138.3 million in 1998. Net revenue as a percentage of revenue increased to 12.5% from 12.1% in 1998. Management believes the primary cause of this increase is the growth in niche logistic services which earns a higher net revenue percentage of revenue than does the Company's core intermodal and brokerage service offerings. SALARIES AND BENEFITS Salaries and benefits increased 16.0% to $84.1 million in 1999 from $72.5 million in 1998. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and benefits increased to 6.5% from 6.3% in 1998. The increase in the percentage is primarily attributed to the increased headcount supporting the Company's information technology initiatives and growth in niche logistic services. The Company's niche logistic services requires a higher level of salaries and benefits as compared to revenue than does the Company's core intermodal and brokerage service offerings. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16.3% to $38.2 million in 1999 from $32.9 million in 1998. These expenses as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 2.9%. While the percentage of revenue is consistent with the prior year, the $5.3 million increase in expenses is primarily attributed to information systems, travel and outside services. The Company's increased information systems expenditures related to consulting, Year 2000 remediation and validation, and enhancements to the Company's operating system. Travel and related expenses increased due primarily to a national sales meeting held in 1999 that was not held in the previous year and increased expenditures to support growth in the Company's niche logistic services. Outside service expenditures relate to contracted temporary labor and other services to handle increased business for niche logistic services and outside sales commissions. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Depreciation and amortization increased 9.5% to $4.0 million in 1999 from $3.7 million in 1998. This expense as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 0.3%. AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL Amortization of goodwill increased 74.1% to $5.1 million from $2.9 million in 1998. The expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 0.4% from 0.3% in 1998. The increase in expense is primarily attributable to the amortization of the goodwill associated with the purchase of the remaining 70% minority interests in connection with the April 1999 Purchase. 13
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CHANGE IN ESTIMATE/IMPAIRMENT OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT In the second quarter of 1999, a $0.9 million pretax charge was recorded due to a change in estimate and an impairment loss relating to certain operating software applications. Specifically, $0.7 million of this charge was attributable to a change in estimate of the useful life for the Visual Movement software previously used primarily for brokerage. The Visual Movement software is no longer being used by the Company and was replaced with enhancements to the Company's proprietary intermodal operating software during the second quarter of 1999. These enhancements allow for greater network visibility of loads in a year 2000 compliant program. The $0.2 million impairment loss related to the write-down of a logistics software program. The fair value was determined based on the estimated future cash flows attributable to the single customer using this program. The Company has installed this software package and is currently preparing the software for its operational applications. This new software will provide enhanced functionality. OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense increased to $8.6 million in 1999 from $2.5 million in 1998. The increase in interest expense is due primarily to the additional debt required to fund the purchases of the remaining 70% minority interests in connection with the April 1999 Purchase. In addition, debt increased as a result of the acquisition of Quality and the purchase of the minority interest in the Texas Hubs in April 1998. Interest income decreased to $0.9 million in 1999 from $1.0 million in 1998. The primary cause for this decrease is the Company's increased concentration of its cash balances to reduce debt and minimize interest expense on borrowings. Other income of $1.2 million in 1999 is primarily due to non-recurring income recognized upon execution of an agreement with one of the Company's vendors. MINORITY INTEREST Minority interest decreased 47.9% to $5.3 million in 1999 from $10.1 million in 1998. Minority interest as a percentage of income before minority interest and provision for income taxes was 22.3% in 1999 compared to 40.0% in 1998. The decrease in the percentage is primarily attributed to the purchase of remaining 70% minority interest in connection with the April 1999 Purchase as well as the purchase of minority interest in the Texas Hubs in April 1998. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES The provision for income taxes increased 19.7% to $7.5 million compared to $6.3 million in 1998. The Company provided for income taxes using an effective rate of 41.0% in 1999 versus 41.4% in 1998. NET INCOME Historical net income increased 21.8% to $10.8 million in 1999 from $8.9 million in 1998. Historical net income as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 0.8%. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Basic earnings per common share increased 21.6% to $1.41 from $1.16 in 1998. Diluted earnings per common share increased 21.7% to $1.40 in 1999 from $1.15 in 1998. 14
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YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998, COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 REVENUE Revenue for the Company increased 7.6% to $1,145.9 million in 1998 from $1,064.5 million in 1997. Intermodal revenue increased 7.2% over 1997. Management believes that the well-publicized railroad service disruptions experienced by the intermodal industry during 1998 negatively impacted intermodal revenue growth. Truckload brokerage revenue increased 27.3% over 1997. The Company has successfully maintained its expansion into this service offering by employing dedicated and experienced personnel in each Hub. Logistics revenue decreased 17.4% over revenue for 1997. This decrease was due to the Company's cancellation of its contract to provide third-party logistics services to a significant customer in January 1998. This customer accounted for $32.5 million of the Company's revenue in 1997. NET REVENUE Net revenue increased 6.5% to $138.3 million in 1998 from $129.9 million in 1997. Net revenue as a percentage of revenue decreased slightly to 12.1% from 12.2% in 1997. Management believes the primary cause of this slight decrease is due to the increased transportation costs resulting from the service disruptions that were prevalent in 1998. At times the Company used higher cost alternative routing and incurred accessorials for detention and storage which were not passed on to the customer in an effort to maintain the long-term relationships the Company enjoys with many of its customers. SALARIES AND BENEFITS Salaries and benefits increased 12.7% to $72.5 million in 1998 over $64.3 million in 1997. As a percentage of revenue, salaries and benefits increased to 6.3% from 6.0% in 1997. The increase in the percentage is attributed to the increased number of personnel needed to handle the Company's intermodal business. Due to the service disruptions, personnel were required to spend significantly more time per load to operate and monitor the transit of freight. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 19.7% to $32.9 million in 1998 from $27.5 million in 1997. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 2.9% in 1998 from 2.6% in 1997. The increase in the percentage is principally attributable to increased spending related to information systems, rent and equipment leases. Expenditures for information systems included consulting costs related to the refinement of the Company's information systems strategy and costs for the Year 2000 project. Rent increased as many of the Company's Hubs were required to obtain larger office space to accommodate present operations and future growth. Expenditures for equipment leases increased as the Company moved towards leasing, as opposed to purchasing, more of its office and computer equipment. DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment increased 19.1% to $3.7 million in 1998 from $3.1 million in 1997. This expense as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 0.3%. AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL Amortization of goodwill increased 91.0% to $2.9 million in 1998 from $1.5 million in 1997. The expense as a percentage of revenue increased to 0.3% from 0.1% in 1997. This increase is attributed primarily to the increase in goodwill amortization related to the September 1997 purchase of the minority interest in Hub City Los Angeles, L.P. and Hub City Golden Gate, L.P., the April 1998 purchase of the minority interest in the Texas Hubs and the April 1998 acquisition of Quality. 15
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OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest expense increased 11.5% to $2.5 million in 1998 from $2.2 million in 1997. The increase is primarily attributed to the use of cash and a note issued in conjunction with the acquisition of Quality and the purchase of the minority interest in the Texas Hubs in April 1998. Interest income decreased 30.8% to $1.0 million in 1998 from $1.5 million in 1997. The primary cause of this decrease is the Company's increased concentration of its cash balances to reduce debt to minimize interest expense on borrowings. MINORITY INTEREST Minority interest decreased 40.5% to $10.1 million in 1998 from $17.0 million in 1997. Minority interest as a percentage of income before minority interest and provision for income taxes was 40.0% in 1998 as compared to 51.7% in 1997. The decrease in the percentage is attributed to purchases of minority interest in September 1997 and April 1998. PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES Provision for income taxes was $6.3 million in 1997 and 1998. The Company provided for income taxes at an effective rate of 41.4% in 1998 versus 40.0% in 1997. The increase in the effective rate was primarily the result of the purchases of minority interest in September 1997 and the Quality acquisition in April 1998. The goodwill related to the Quality acquisition is not tax deductible and therefore has the effect of increasing the Company's effective rate. NET INCOME Historical net income decreased 6.5% to $8.9 million in 1998 from $9.5 million in 1997. Because of the severe rail service disruptions in 1998, expenses grew faster than revenue in 1998. Although the decrease in minority interest offset a substantial portion of the increase in expenses, historical net income dropped to 0.8% of revenue in 1998 from 0.9% in 1997. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE Basic earnings per common share decreased 21.6% to $1.16 in 1998 from $1.48 in 1997. Diluted earnings per common share decreased 21.2% to $1.15 in 1998 from $1.46 in 1997. The decrease in net income coupled with the increase in shares outstanding due to the secondary equity offering in September 1997 caused the decrease. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES On April 30, 1999, the Company borrowed approximately $108 million of unsecured debt to pay for its purchase of the remaining 70% limited partnership interests in connection with the April 1999 Purchase. On April 30, 1999, the Company closed on a new bank facility with Harris Trust and Savings Bank ("Harris") which replaced the previous facility. The new facility is comprised of $50.0 million in term debt and a $50.0 million revolving line of credit. At December 31, 1999, there was $47.5 million of outstanding term debt and $34.0 million outstanding and $16.0 million unused and available under the new line of credit with Harris. Borrowings under the line of credit are unsecured and have a five-year term with a floating interest rate based upon the LIBOR (London Interbank Offered Rate) or Prime Rate. The term debt has quarterly payments ranging from $1,250,000 to $2,000,000 with a balloon payment of $19.0 million due on March 31, 2004. Additionally, the Company closed and drew down on a $40.0 million bridge facility with Harris on April 30, 1999. The bridge facility had a three-month term and bore interest at the bank's prime rate plus 1%. This bridge facility of $40.0 million was paid off on June 25, 1999 and replaced with the private placement debt described below. 16
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On June 25, 1999, the Company closed on $50.0 million of private placement debt (the "Notes"). These Notes are unsecured and have an eight-year average life with a coupon interest rate of 8.64% paid quarterly. These Notes mature on June 25, 2009, with annual payments of $10.0 million commencing on June 25, 2005. The Company maintains a bank line of credit with Cass Bank and Trust Company for $5.0 million. The interest rate is set at the bank's discretion at a rate less than or equal to the bank's prime rate. At December 31, 1999, the rate was 8.25%. The Company had no outstanding advances on the line at December 31, 1999. The Company had capital expenditures of approximately $11.2 million during 1999 and $4.0 million during 1998. Capital expenditures were principally made to enhance the Company's information systems capabilities. OUTLOOK, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES Except for historical data, the information contained in this Annual Report constitutes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to risks. Such statements should be viewed with caution. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors. Forward-looking statements in this report include, but are not limited to, those contained in this "Outlook, Risks and Uncertainties" section regarding expectations, hopes, beliefs, estimates, intentions or strategies regarding the future. The Company assumes no liability to update any such forward-looking statements. In addition to those mentioned elsewhere in this section, such risks and uncertainties include the impact of competitive pressures in the marketplace, including the entry of new, web-based competitors, the degree and rate of market growth in the intermodal, brokerage and logistics markets served by the Company, changes in rail and truck capacity, further consolidation of rail carriers, rail service conditions, changes in governmental regulation, adverse weather conditions, fuel shortages, changes in the cost of services from rail, drayage and other vendors and fluctuations in interest rates. YEAR 2000 "Year 2000" refers to the issue surrounding the compatibility of computer and other technology based systems with dates beyond December 31, 1999. This section will include an assessment of the Company's state of readiness, the risks the issues represent, the subsequent results of system assessments after December 31, 1999 and the costs to address the issues. STATE OF READINESS Management has broken down its Year 2000 program into four phases. Those phases are awareness, assessment, renovation and validation. The Company contracted with an outside consulting firm to perform a readiness review, which was completed in December 1998. This review was instrumental in identifying and addressing Year 2000 issues. Management believes that it has identified the risk areas facing the Company regarding Year 2000 and had broken those areas into seven categories. The seven categories are: (i) the Company's main operating system that has been created and enhanced in-house, (ii) the Company's ancillary operating software applications which were purchased, (iii) desktop hardware and software applications, (iv) the Company's financial reporting system, (v) the Company's telephone systems, (vi) embedded technology in the Company's office equipment, physical environment and drayage tractors and (vii) the state of readiness of the Company's customers, transportation service providers and other vendors. The Company's main operating system was renovated. The renovation, which consisted of reprogramming the source code, has been completed. No material failures resulted from the main operating system renovation subsequent to December 31, 1999. 17
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The Company believes all of its ancillary operating software applications have been assessed. All of the supporting vendors have stated that their products are Year 2000 compliant. No material failures resulted from ancillary operating software applications subsequent to December 31, 1999. The Company's financial reporting system vendor has stated that their application is Year 2000 compliant. No material failures resulted from the financial reporting system subsequent to December 31, 1999. The Company's desktop hardware and software application assessment is complete. The Company engaged an outside consulting firm to execute the renovation and validation phases. No material failures resulted from the desktop hardware and software applications subsequent to December 31, 1999. The Company assessed its many telephone systems. No material telephone system failures resulted subsequent to December 31, 1999. The Company did not experience any material issues regarding embedded technology in its office equipment, physical environment and drayage tractors subsequent to December 31, 1999. The Company identified four categories of key third parties with which the Company has a material relationship that were assessed. Those categories were: (i) significant customers who rely on their computer systems to determine their transportation needs, (ii) key vendors such as the railroads and significant providers of drayage and over-the-road services, (iii) the Company's information network communications provider and (iv) significant third party freight payment vendors utilized by the Company's customers. The Company experienced no material problems in the noted four categories related to Year 2000 issues subsequent to December 31, 1999. COSTS In 1999, the Company expensed approximately $1,900,000 related to Year 2000. In 2000, through January 31st, the Company has expensed an additional $69,000 related to testing and monitoring of its systems. These costs include not only amounts paid to outside parties but also the payroll costs for those employees spending significant amounts of time on Year 2000 issues. The Company has spent approximately $ 2.7 million in total related to Year 2000. The Company does not expect to continue to spend additional funds related to Year 2000 since no material systems problems were experienced. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS/DIVESTITURES Management believes that future acquisitions or dispositions made by the Company could significantly impact financial results. Financial results most likely to be impacted include but are not limited to revenue, net revenue, salaries and benefits, selling general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, minority interest, net income and the Company's debt level. In this regard, on March 13, 2000, the Company signed a letter of intent pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell its 65% interest in Hub Distribution for $65 million in cash and warrants to purchase 5% of the outstanding shares of stock of Hub Distribution. The sale of this interest is subject to a number of customary conditions and there is therefore no guarantee that a transaction will ultimately be consummated. Financial results may be impacted by additional factors as discussed below. REVENUE