UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 29, 2018

OR

For the transition period from                  to                 

Commission File Number: 0-21238

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

13410 Sutton Park Drive South, Jacksonville, Florida

(Address of principal executive offices)

32224

(Zip Code)

(904) 398-9400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files):

Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes  ☐     No  ☒

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of the close of business on October 22, 2018 was 41,114,477.

Index

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

The interim consolidated financial statements contained herein reflect all adjustments (all of a normal, recurring nature) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the periods presented. They have been prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X and do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Operating results for the thirty nine weeks ended September 29, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire fiscal year ending December 29, 2018.

These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Thirty Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2018

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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LANDSTAR SYSTEM, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc., and reflect all adjustments (all of a normal, recurring nature) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary are herein referred to as “Landstar” or the “Company.” Significant intercompany accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Landstar owns, through various subsidiaries, a controlling interest in Landstar Metro, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a transportation logistics company (“Landstar Metro”), and Landstar Metro Servicios S.A.P.I. de C.V., a services company (“Landstar Servicios”), each based in Mexico City, Mexico. Given Landstar’s controlling interest in each of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios, the accounts of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios have been consolidated herein and a noncontrolling interest has been recorded for the noncontrolling investors’ interests in the net assets and operations of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios.

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09—Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). The new comprehensive revenue recognition standard supersedes all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 on December 31, 2017 under the modified retrospective transition method resulting in a $773,000 cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The Company has updated our revenue recognition policy included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2017, as set forth below in footnote 1 to our unaudited financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

The nature of the Company’s freight transportation services and its performance obligations to customers, regardless of the mode of transportation used to perform such services, relate to the safe and on-time pick-up and delivery of a customer’s freight on a shipment-by-shipment basis. Landstar customers are typically invoiced on a shipment-by-shipment basis at a pre-defined rate, payable thirty to sixty (30-60) days after the customer’s receipt of such invoice. Payment terms to customers do not contain a significant financing component and the amount owed by the customer does not contain variable terms, embedded or otherwise. We have determined that revenue recognition over the transit period provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of services to the customer as our obligation for which we are primarily responsible for fulfilling is performed over the transit period. Accordingly, transportation revenue billed to a customer for the physical transportation of freight and related direct freight expenses are recognized on a gross basis over the transit period as the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company determines the transit period for a given shipment based upon the pick-up date and the delivery date, which may be estimated if delivery has not occurred as of the reporting date. Determining the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of a given reporting date may therefore require management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. With respect to shipments with a pick-up date in one reporting period and a delivery date in another, the Company recognizes such transportation revenue based on relative transit time in each reporting period. A days in transit output method is used to measure the progress of the performance of the Company’s freight transportation services as of the reporting date and a portion of the total revenue that will be billed to the customer once a load is delivered is recognized in each reporting period based on the percentage of total transit time that has been completed at the end of the applicable reporting period.

During 2017, the Company incorporated each of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios. On September 20, 2017, Landstar Metro acquired substantially all of the assets of the asset-light transportation logistics business of Fletes Avella, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican transportation logistics company (the “Mexican Asset Acquisition”). At December 30, 2017, there was approximately $1,900,000 in liabilities outstanding consisting of additional contingent purchase price and associated indirect taxes. In connection with the Mexican Asset Acquisition, individuals affiliated with the seller subscribed in the aggregate for equity interests in Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios and, as of September 29, 2018, own in the aggregate approximately 21% of the equity interests of each of them. The Mexican Asset Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business

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Combinations (“ASC 805”). The resulting goodwill arising from the acquisition was approximately $7,900,000 as of September 29, 2018. A significant portion of this goodwill is expected to be deductible by the Company for U.S. income tax purposes, and following a purchase of the noncontrolling interests by the Company, up to 100% of this goodwill would be expected to be deductible by the Company. Pro forma financial information for prior periods is not presented as the Company does not believe the Mexican Asset Acquisition to be material to our consolidated results. The results of operations from Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios are presented as part of the Company’s transportations logistics segment.

As it relates to the noncontrolling interests of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios, the Company has the option to purchase, and the minority equityholders have the option to sell, during the period commencing on the third anniversary of September 20, 2017, the closing date of the subscription by the minority equityholders (the “Closing Date”), and at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, at fair value all but not less than all of the noncontrolling interests in Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios. The noncontrolling interests are also subject to customary restrictions on transfer, including a right of first refusal in favor of the Company.    

As of September 29, 2018, the Company had two employee equity incentive plans, the 2002 employee stock option and stock incentive plan (the “ESOSIP”) and the 2011 equity incentive plan (the “2011 EIP”). No further grants can be made under the ESOSIP. The Company also has a stock compensation plan for members of its Board of Directors, the Amended and Restated 2013 Directors Stock Compensation Plan (as amended and restated as of May 17, 2016, the “2013 DSCP”). 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2011 EIP and 115,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for issuance under the 2013 DSCP. The ESOSIP, 2011 EIP and 2013 DSCP are each referred to herein as a “Plan,” and, collectively, as the “Plans.” Amounts recognized in the financial statements with respect to these Plans are as follows (in thousands):

Included in income tax benefits recognized in the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were income tax benefits of $80,000 and $310,000, respectively, recognized on disqualifying dispositions of the Company’s common stock by employees who obtained shares of common stock through exercises of incentive stock options. Also included in income tax benefits recognized in the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 were excess tax benefits from stock-based awards of $2,046,000 and $868,000, respectively.

As of September 29, 2018, there were 72,742 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance under the 2013 DSCP and 4,439,761 shares of the Company’s common stock reserved for issuance in the aggregate under the ESOSIP and 2011 EIP.

Restricted Stock Units

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards with either a performance condition or a market condition under the Plans:

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During the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018, the Company granted RSUs with a performance condition and RSUs with a market condition, as further described below. Outstanding RSUs at both December 30, 2017 and September 29, 2018 include RSUs with a performance condition and RSUs with a market condition, as further described in the Company’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

RSUs with a performance condition granted on February 2, 2018 may vest on January 31 of 2021, 2022 and 2023 based on growth in operating income and pre-tax income per share from continuing operations attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary as compared to the results from the 2017 fiscal year.

On April 24, 2018, the Company granted 9,324 RSUs that vest based on a market condition. These RSUs may vest on June 30 of 2022, 2023 and 2024 based on the Company’s total shareholder return (“TSR”) compound annual growth rate over the vesting periods, adjusted to reflect dividends (if any) paid during such periods and capital adjustments as may be necessary. The maximum number of common shares available for issuance under the April 24, 2018 grant equals 150% of the number of RSUs granted. The fair value of this RSU award was determined at the time of grant based on the expected achievement of the market condition at the end of each vesting period. With respect to these RSU awards, the Company reports compensation expense ratably over the life of the award based on an estimated number of units that will vest over the life of the award, multiplied by the fair value of the RSU. Previously recognized compensation cost would be reversed only if the employee terminated employment prior to completing the requisite service period.

The Company recognized approximately $11,303,000 and $2,254,000 of share-based compensation expense related to RSU awards in the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. As of September 29, 2018, there was a maximum of $23.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSU awards granted under the Plans with an expected average remaining life of approximately 3.3 years. With respect to RSU awards with a performance condition, the amount of future compensation expense to be recognized will be determined based on future operating results.

Stock Options

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding stock options under the Plans:

The total intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 was $6,584,000 and $5,303,000, respectively.

As of September 29, 2018, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plans.

Non-vested Restricted Stock and Deferred Stock Units

The following table summarizes information regarding the Company’s outstanding shares of non-vested restricted stock and Deferred Stock Units (defined below) under the Plans:

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The fair value of each share of non-vested restricted stock issued and Deferred Stock Unit granted under the Plans is based on the fair value of a share of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Shares of non-vested restricted stock are generally subject to vesting in three equal annual installments either on the first, second and third anniversary of the date of the grant or the third, fourth and fifth anniversary of the date of the grant, or 100% on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. For restricted stock awards granted under the 2013 DSCP plan, each recipient may elect to defer receipt of shares and instead receive restricted stock units (“Deferred Stock Units”), which represent contingent rights to receive shares of the Company’s common stock on the date of recipient separation from service from the Board of Directors, or, if earlier, upon a change in control event of the Company. Deferred Stock Units become vested 100% on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. Deferred Stock Units do not represent actual ownership in shares of the Company’s common stock and the recipient will not have voting rights or other incidents of ownership until the shares are issued. However, Deferred Stock Units do contain the right to receive dividend equivalent payments prior to settlement into shares.

As of September 29, 2018, there was $3,756,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested shares of restricted stock and Deferred Stock Units granted under the Plans. The unrecognized compensation cost related to these non-vested shares of restricted stock and Deferred Stock Units is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.3 years.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) permanently reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate, effective January 1, 2018. The provisions for income taxes for the 2018 and 2017 thirty-nine-week periods were based on estimated annual effective income tax rates of 24.5% and 37.8%, respectively, adjusted for discrete events, such as benefits resulting from stock-based awards. The applicable effective income tax rates for the 2018 and 2017 thirty-nine-week periods were 23.1% and 34.5%, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the 2018 thirty-nine week period was higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of state taxes, the elimination of the performance-based compensation exception under Section 162(m) included in the Tax Reform Act and the meals and entertainment exclusion, partially offset by excess tax benefits realized on stock based awards and favorable adjustments recognized during the 2018 period relating to federal domestic production activities deductions and research and development credits during the thirteen-week period ended September 29, 2018. The effective income tax rate for the 2017 thirty-nine week period was lower than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily as a result of federal domestic production activities deductions and research and development credits recognized as discrete items during the thirteen-week period ended September 30, 2017, partially offset by the effect of state taxes and the meals and entertainment exclusion.

Earnings per common share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding, including outstanding non-vested restricted stock and outstanding Deferred Stock Units. Diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary are based on the weighted average number of common shares and Deferred Stock Units outstanding plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of all dilutive stock options.

The following table provides a reconciliation of the average number of common shares outstanding used to calculate earnings per common share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary to the average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding used to calculate diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary (in thousands):

For both of the thirty-nine-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, no options outstanding to purchase shares of common stock were antidilutive. Outstanding RSUs were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary for all periods because the performance metric requirements or market condition for vesting had not been satisfied.

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During the 2018 thirty-nine-week period, Landstar paid income taxes and interest of $56,083,000 and $2,737,000, respectively. During the 2017 thirty-nine-week period, Landstar paid income taxes and interest of $65,688,000 and $2,981,000, respectively. Landstar acquired operating property by entering into capital leases in the amounts of $21,397,000 and $14,760,000 in the 2018 or 2017 thirty-nine-week periods. During the 2018 thirty-nine-week period, Landstar paid $2,162,000 relating to the completion of its freight staging and transload facility in Laredo, Texas, for which the Company accrued a corresponding liability included in accounts payable at December 30, 2017. Capital expenditure purchases are recorded as cash outflows from investing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows in the period in which they are paid.

The following table summarizes information about the Company’s reportable business segments as of and for the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (in thousands):

In the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenue.

The following table presents the components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary, net of related income taxes, as of and for the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018 (in thousands):

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Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to investment income due to the realization of previously unrealized gains and losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income were not significant for the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018.

Investments include primarily investment-grade corporate bonds having maturities of up to five years (the “bond portfolio”) and money market investments. Investments in the bond portfolio are reported as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value. Investments maturing less than one year from the balance sheet date are included in short-term investments and investments maturing more than one year from the balance sheet date are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Management performs an analysis of the nature of the unrealized losses on available-for-sale investments to determine whether such losses are other-than-temporary. Unrealized losses, representing the excess of the purchase price of an investment over its fair value as of the end of a period, considered to be other-than-temporary, are to be included as a charge in the statement of income, while unrealized losses considered to be temporary are to be included as a component of equity. Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets are classified within Level 1. Investments that trade in markets that are not considered to be active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, are classified within Level 2. As Level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in active markets, valuations may be adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally based on available market information. Any transfers between levels are recognized as of the beginning of any reporting period. Fair value of the bond portfolio was determined using Level 1 inputs related to money market investments and Level 2 inputs related to investment-grade corporate bonds, asset-backed securities and direct obligations of government agencies. Unrealized losses, net of unrealized gains, on the investments in the bond portfolio were $1,299,000 and $223,000 at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively.

The amortized cost and fair values of available-for-sale investments are as follows at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017 (in thousands):    

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For those available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses at September 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, the following table summarizes the duration of the unrealized loss (in thousands):

The Company believes unrealized losses on investments were primarily caused by rising interest rates rather than changes in credit quality. The Company expects to recover the amortized cost basis of these securities as it does not intend to sell, and does not anticipate being required to sell, these securities before recovery of the cost basis. For these reasons, the Company does not consider the unrealized losses on these securities to be other-than-temporary at September 29, 2018.

Short-term investments include $40,203,000 in current maturities of investments held by the Company’s insurance segment at September 29, 2018. The non-current portion of the bond portfolio of $71,489,000 is included in other assets. The short-term investments, together with $29,194,000 of non-current investments, provide collateral for the $62,457,000 of letters of credit issued to guarantee payment of insurance claims. As of September 29, 2018, Landstar also had $34,370,000 of additional letters of credit outstanding under the Company’s Credit Agreement.

During 2017, the Company incorporated each of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios. On September 20, 2017, Landstar Metro acquired substantially all of the assets of the asset-light transportation logistics business of Fletes Avella, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican transportation logistics company. In connection with the Mexican Asset Acquisition, individuals affiliated with the seller subscribed in the aggregate for equity interests in Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios and, as of September 29, 2018, own in the aggregate approximately 21% of the equity interests of each of them. As it relates to the noncontrolling interests of Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios, the Company has the option to purchase, and the minority equityholders have the option to sell, during the period commencing on the third anniversary of September 20, 2017, the closing date of the subscription by the minority equityholders (the “Closing Date”), and at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date, at fair value all but not less than all of the noncontrolling interests in Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios. The noncontrolling interests are also subject to customary restrictions on transfer, including a right of first refusal in favor of the Company.

The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising from the normal conduct of business. Many of these claims are covered in whole or in part by insurance. Based on knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, opinions of outside counsel, management believes that adequate provisions have been made for probable losses with respect to the resolution of all such claims and pending litigation and that the ultimate outcome, after provisions therefor, will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company, but could have a material effect on the results of operations in a given quarter or year.

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Landstar provides for the estimated costs of self-insured claims primarily on an actuarial basis. The amount recorded for the estimated liability for claims incurred is based upon the facts and circumstances known on the applicable balance sheet date. The ultimate resolution of these claims may be for an amount greater or less than the amount estimated by management. The Company continually revises its existing claim estimates as new or revised information becomes available on the status of each claim. Historically, the Company has experienced both favorable and unfavorable development of prior years’ claims estimates.

The following table summarizes the effect of the increase in the cost of insurance claims resulting from unfavorable development of prior year self-insured claims estimates on operating income, net income attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary and earnings per share attributable to Landstar System, Inc. and subsidiary amounts in the consolidated statements of income for the thirty-nine-week and thirteen-week periods ended September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

The unfavorable development of prior years’ claims in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018 was primarily attributable to five claims.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09. ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition model requiring a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount reflecting the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The standard requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 became effective for us December 31, 2017 and permits either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective transition approach. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 for our transportation services using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of this standard has changed the timing of revenue recognition for most of our transportation business from at delivery to over the transit period as the performance obligation is completed. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company had no material contract assets, contract liabilities or deferred contract costs recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at December 30, 2017 or September 29, 2018. During the thirty nine weeks ended September 29, 2018, revenue generated by BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers and railroads represented approximately 44%, 49% and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Collectively, revenue generated by air and ocean cargo carriers represented approximately 2% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018. Included in truck transportation revenue generated by BCO Independent Contractors and Truck Brokerage Carriers during the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018 was $2,086,523,000 hauled via van equipment, $1,039,784,000 hauled via unsided/platform equipment and $76,448,000 of less-than-truckload. As of September 29, 2018, the Company had no material remaining performance obligations. The Company does not expect the adoption of the new standard to have a material impact on its net income in future periods.

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The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated December 31, 2017 balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 was as follows (in thousands):

In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the impact of adoption on our consolidated income statement and balance sheet was as follows (in thousands):

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Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 – Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires a company to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. Companies are required to use a modified retrospective transition approach to recognize leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods therein, and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13– Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires measurement and recognition of expected versus incurred credit losses for financial assets held. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-13 on its financial statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the interim consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included herein, and with the Company’s audited financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2017 and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The following is a “safe harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this document that are not based on historical facts are “forward-looking statements.” This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and other sections of this Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements, such as statements which relate to Landstar’s business objectives, plans, strategies and expectations. Terms such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intention,” “expects,” “plans,” “predicts,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” the negative thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are by nature subject to uncertainties and risks, including but not limited to: an increase in the frequency or severity of accidents or other claims; unfavorable development of existing accident claims; dependence on third party insurance companies; dependence on independent commission sales agents; dependence on third party capacity providers; decreased demand for transportation services; U.S. foreign trade relationships; substantial industry competition; disruptions or failures in the Company’s computer systems; cyber and other information security incidents; dependence on key vendors; changes in fuel taxes; status of independent contractors; regulatory and legislative changes; regulations focused on diesel emissions and other air quality matters; catastrophic loss of a Company facility; intellectual property; unclaimed property; and other operational, financial or legal risks or uncertainties detailed in Landstar’s Form 10-K for the 2017 fiscal year, described in Item 1A “Risk Factors”, in this report or in Landstar’s other Securities and Exchange Commission filings from time to time. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results or events to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated. Investors should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Introduction

Landstar System, Inc. and its subsidiary, Landstar System Holdings, Inc. (together, referred to herein as “Landstar” or the “Company”), is a worldwide asset-light provider of integrated transportation management solutions. The Company offers services to its customers across multiple transportation modes, with the ability to arrange for individual shipments of freight to enterprise-wide solutions to manage all of a customer’s transportation needs. Landstar provides services principally throughout the United States and to a lesser extent in Canada and Mexico, and between the United States and Canada, Mexico and other countries around the world. The Company’s services emphasize safety, information coordination and customer service and are delivered through a network of independent commission sales agents and third party capacity providers linked together by a series of technological applications which are provided and coordinated by the Company. The nature of the Company’s business is such that a significant portion of its operating costs varies directly with revenue.

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Landstar markets its integrated transportation management solutions primarily through independent commission sales agents and exclusively utilizes third party capacity providers to transport customers’ freight. Landstar’s independent commission sales agents enter into contractual arrangements with the Company and are responsible for locating freight, making that freight available to Landstar’s capacity providers and coordinating the transportation of the freight with customers and capacity providers. The Company’s third party capacity providers consist of independent contractors who provide truck capacity to the Company under exclusive lease arrangements (the “BCO Independent Contractors”), unrelated trucking companies who provide truck capacity to the Company under non-exclusive contractual arrangements (the “Truck Brokerage Carriers”), air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and railroads. Through this network of agents and capacity providers linked together by Landstar’s information technology systems, Landstar operates an integrated transportation management solutions business primarily throughout North America with revenue of $3.6 billion during the most recently completed fiscal year. The Company reports the results of two operating segments: the transportation logistics segment and the insurance segment.

The transportation logistics segment provides a wide range of integrated transportation management solutions. Transportation services offered by the Company include truckload and less-than-truckload transportation, rail intermodal, air cargo, ocean cargo, expedited ground and air delivery of time-critical freight, heavy-haul/specialized, U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico cross-border, intra-Mexico, intra-Canada, project cargo and customs brokerage. Examples of the industries serviced by the transportation logistics segment include automotive products, building products, metals, chemicals, foodstuffs, heavy machinery, retail, electronics and military equipment. In addition, the transportation logistics segment provides transportation services to other transportation companies, including third party logistics and less-than-truckload service providers. Each of the independent commission sales agents has the opportunity to market all of the services provided by the transportation logistics segment. Billings for freight transportation services are typically charged to customers on a per shipment basis for the physical transportation of freight and are referred to as transportation revenue. During the thirty nine weeks ended September 29, 2018, revenue generated by BCO Independent Contractors, Truck Brokerage Carriers and railroads represented approximately 44%, 49% and 3%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenue. Collectively, revenue generated by air and ocean cargo carriers represented approximately 2% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018.

During 2017, the Company incorporated Landstar Metro, S.A.P.I. de C.V., a transportation logistics company (“Landstar Metro”), and Landstar Metro Servicios S.A.P.I. de C.V., a services company (“Landstar Servicios”), each based in Mexico City, Mexico. On September 20, 2017, Landstar Metro acquired substantially all of the assets of the asset-light transportation logistics business of a Mexican transportation logistics company. In connection with the acquisition, individuals affiliated with the seller subscribed for equity interests in Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios, and as of September 29, 2018, own in the aggregate approximately 21% of the equity interests of each of them. Landstar Metro provides freight and logistics services within the country of Mexico and in conjunction with Landstar’s U.S./Mexico cross-border services. Landstar Servicios provides various administrative, financial, operational, safety and compliance services to Landstar Metro. The results of operations from Landstar Metro and Landstar Servicios are presented as part of the Company’s transportation logistics segment. Revenue from Landstar Metro represented less than 1% of the Company’s transportation logistics segment revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018.

The insurance segment is comprised of Signature Insurance Company, a wholly owned offshore insurance subsidiary (“Signature”), and Risk Management Claim Services, Inc. The insurance segment provides risk and claims management services to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. In addition, it reinsures certain risks of the Company’s BCO Independent Contractors and provides certain property and casualty insurance directly to certain of Landstar’s operating subsidiaries. Revenue at the insurance segment represents reinsurance premiums from third party insurance companies that provide insurance programs to BCO Independent Contractors where all or a portion of the risk is ultimately borne by Signature. Revenue at the insurance segment represented approximately 1% of the Company’s consolidated revenue for the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018.

Changes in Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Management believes the Company’s success principally depends on its ability to generate freight through its network of independent commission sales agents and to safely and efficiently deliver that freight utilizing third party capacity providers. Management believes the most significant factors to the Company’s success include increasing revenue, sourcing capacity and controlling costs, including insurance and claims.

While customer demand, which is subject to overall economic conditions, ultimately drives increases or decreases in revenue, the Company primarily relies on its independent commission sales agents to establish customer relationships and generate revenue opportunities. Management’s emphasis with respect to revenue growth is on revenue generated by independent commission sales agents who on an annual basis generate $1 million or more of Landstar revenue (“Million Dollar Agents”). Management believes future revenue

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growth is primarily dependent on its ability to increase both the revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents and the number of Million Dollar Agents through a combination of recruiting new agents, increasing the revenue opportunities generated by existing independent commission sales agents and providing its independent commission sales agents with technology-based tools they may use to grow revenue and increase efficiencies at their businesses. During the 2017 fiscal year, 542 independent commission sales agents generated $1 million or more of Landstar revenue and thus qualified as Million Dollar Agents. During the 2017 fiscal year, the average revenue generated by a Million Dollar Agent was $6,191,000 and revenue generated by Million Dollar Agents in the aggregate represented 92% of consolidated revenue.

Management monitors business activity by tracking the number of loads (volume) and revenue per load by mode of transportation. Revenue per load can be influenced by many factors other than a change in price. Those factors include the average length of haul, freight type, special handling and equipment requirements, fuel costs and delivery time requirements. For shipments involving two or more modes of transportation, revenue is generally classified by the mode of transportation having the highest cost for the load. The following table summarizes this information by trailer type for truck transportation and by mode for all others:

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Also critical to the Company’s success is its ability to secure capacity, particularly truck capacity, at rates that allow the Company to profitably transport customers’ freight. The following table summarizes the number of available truck capacity providers on the dates indicated:

The Company incurs costs that are directly related to the transportation of freight that include purchased transportation and commissions to agents. The Company incurs indirect costs associated with the transportation of freight that include other operating costs and insurance and claims. In addition, the Company incurs selling, general and administrative costs essential to administering its business operations. Management continually monitors all components of the costs incurred by the Company and establishes annual cost budgets which, in general, are used to benchmark costs incurred on a monthly basis.

Purchased transportation represents the amount a BCO Independent Contractor or other third party capacity provider is paid to haul freight. The amount of purchased transportation paid to a BCO Independent Contractor is primarily based on a contractually agreed-upon percentage of revenue generated by loads hauled by the BCO Independent Contractor. Purchased transportation paid to a Truck Brokerage Carrier is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or, to a lesser extent, a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate per load. Purchased transportation paid to railroads is based on either a negotiated rate for each load hauled or a contractually agreed-upon fixed rate per load. Purchased transportation paid to air cargo carriers is generally based on a negotiated rate for each load hauled and purchased transportation paid to ocean cargo carriers is generally based on contractually agreed-upon fixed rates. Purchased transportation as a percentage of revenue for truck brokerage, rail intermodal and ocean cargo services is normally higher than that of BCO Independent Contractor and air cargo services. Purchased transportation is the largest component of costs and expenses and, on a consolidated basis, increases or decreases as a percentage of consolidated revenue in proportion to changes in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated through BCO Independent Contractors and other third party capacity providers and external revenue from the insurance segment, consisting of reinsurance premiums. Purchased transportation as a percent of revenue also increases or decreases in relation to the availability of truck brokerage capacity and with changes in the price of fuel on revenue generated by Truck Brokerage Carriers. The Company passes 100% of fuel surcharges billed to customers for freight hauled by BCO Independent Contractors to its BCO Independent Contractors. These fuel surcharges are excluded from revenue and the cost of purchased transportation. Purchased transportation costs are recognized over the transit period as the performance obligation is completed.

Commissions to agents are based on contractually agreed-upon percentages of revenue or net revenue, defined as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation, or net revenue less a contractually agreed upon percentage of revenue retained by Landstar. Commissions to agents as a percentage of consolidated revenue will vary directly with fluctuations in the percentage of consolidated revenue generated by the various modes of transportation and reinsurance premiums and with changes in net revenue margin, defined as net revenue divided by revenue, on services provided by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads, air cargo carriers and ocean cargo carriers. Commissions to agents are recognized over the transit period as the performance obligation is completed.

The Company defines gross profit as revenue less the cost of purchased transportation and commissions to agents. Gross profit divided by revenue is referred to as gross profit margin. The Company’s operating margin is defined as operating income divided by gross profit.

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In general, gross profit margin on revenue generated by BCO Independent Contractors represents a fixed percentage of revenue due to the nature of the contracts that pay a fixed percentage of revenue to both the BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents. For revenue generated by Truck Brokerage Carriers, gross profit margin is either fixed or variable as a percent of revenue, depending on the contract with each individual independent commission sales agent. Under certain contracts with independent commission sales agents, the Company retains a fixed percentage of revenue and the agent retains the amount remaining less the cost of purchased transportation (the “retention contracts”). Gross profit margin on revenue generated by railroads, air cargo carriers, ocean cargo carriers and Truck Brokerage Carriers, other than those under retention contracts, is variable in nature as the Company’s contracts with independent commission sales agents provide commissions to agents at a contractually agreed upon percentage of net revenue for these types of loads. Approximately 51% of the Company’s consolidated revenue in the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018 was generated under contracts that have a fixed gross profit margin while 49% was under contracts that have a variable gross profit margin.

Maintenance costs for Company-provided trailing equipment and BCO Independent Contractor recruiting and qualification costs are the largest components of other operating costs. Also included in other operating costs are trailer rental costs, the provision for uncollectible advances and other receivables due from BCO Independent Contractors and independent commission sales agents and gains/losses, if any, on sales of Company-owned trailing equipment.

With respect to insurance and claims cost, potential liability associated with accidents in the trucking industry is severe and occurrences are unpredictable. For commercial trucking claims, Landstar retains liability up to $5,000,000 per occurrence. In addition, for commercial trucking claims exceeding its $5,000,000 per occurrence self-insured retention, the Company retains liability up to an additional $700,000 in the aggregate on any claims incurred on or after May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017, up to an additional $500,000 in the aggregate on any claims incurred on or after May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018 and up to an additional $350,000 in the aggregate on any claims incurred on or after May 1, 2018 through April 30, 2019. The Company also retains liability of up to $1,000,000 for each general liability claim, up to $250,000 for each workers’ compensation claim and up to $250,000 for each cargo claim. The Company’s exposure to liability associated with accidents incurred by Truck Brokerage Carriers, railroads and air and ocean cargo carriers who transport freight on behalf of the Company is reduced by various factors including the extent to which such carriers maintain their own insurance coverage. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, cargo claims or workers’ compensation claims or the material unfavorable development of existing claims could have a material adverse effect on Landstar’s cost of insurance and claims and its results of operations.

During the thirty-nine-week period ended September 29, 2018, employee compensation and benefits accounted for approximately seventy percent of the Company’s selling, general and administrative costs.

Depreciation and amortization primarily relate to depreciation of trailing equipment and information technology hardware and software.

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of purchased transportation and commissions to agents, both being direct costs, to revenue and indirect costs as a percentage of gross profit for the periods indicated: