8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 Or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

May 23, 2017

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

DASEKE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation) 001-37509
(Commission
File Number) 47-3913221
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

15455 Dallas Parkway, Suite 440 Addison, Texas	75001
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (972) 248-0412

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions

o     Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o     Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o     Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

x    Emerging growth company

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   o

Item 7.01.Regulation FD Disclosure

On May 23, 2017, Daseke, Inc. (the “Company”) will post a new investor presentation titled “Daseke, Inc. — Consolidating North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market” to the Company’s website at  investor.daseke.com.  The investor presentation may be viewed on the Company’s website by first selecting “Investors,” then “Events & Presentations.”  A copy of the investor presentation is also furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01.             Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)Exhibits

99.1Investor Presentation titled “Daseke, Inc. — Consolidating North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market,” dated May 2017.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	DASEKE, INC.
May 23, 2017	By:	/s/ R. Scott Wheeler
	Name:	R. Scott Wheeler
	Title:	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Investor Presentation titled “Daseke, Inc. — Consolidating North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market,” dated May 2017.

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Investor Presentation Daseke, Inc. – Consolidating North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market May 2017

Forward-Looking Statements This presentation includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "forecast," "intend," "seek," "target," “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “estimate,” “plan,” “outlook,” and “project” and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. Projected financial information are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements, including those with respect to revenues, earnings, performance, strategies, prospects and other aspects of the business of Daseke, are based on current expectations that are subject to risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, general economic risks (such as downturns in customers’ business cycles and disruptions in capital and credit markets), driver shortages and increases in driver compensation or owner-operator contracted rates, loss of senior management or key operating personnel, Daseke’s ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of recent acquisitions, Daseke’s ability to identify and execute future acquisitions successfully, seasonality and the impact of weather and other catastrophic events, fluctuations in the price or availability of diesel fuel, increased prices for, or decreases in the availability of, new revenue equipment and decreases in the value of used revenue equipment, Daseke’s ability to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness, restrictions in Daseke’s existing and future debt agreements, increases in interest rates, the impact of governmental regulations and other governmental actions related to Daseke and its operations, litigation and governmental proceedings, and insurance and claims expenses. For additional information regarding known material factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements, please see Daseke’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov, including Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. II’s definitive proxy statement dated February 6, 2017, particularly the section “Risk Factors—Risk Factors Relating to Daseke’s Business and Industry,” and Daseke’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2017 and amended May 4, 2017. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Daseke undertakes no commitment to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This presentation includes non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDAR and free cash flow. Daseke defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus (i) depreciation and amortization, (ii) interest expense, including other fees and charges associated with indebtedness, net of interest income, (iii) income taxes, (iv) acquisition-related transaction expenses (including due diligence costs, legal, accounting and other advisory fees and costs, retention and severance payments and financing fees and expenses), (v) non-cash impairments, (vi) losses (gains) on sales of defective revenue equipment out of the normal replacement cycle, (vii) impairments related to defective revenue equipment sold out of the normal replacement cycle, (viii) withdrawn initial public offering-related expenses, and (ix) expenses related to the business combination that was consummated in February 2017 and related transactions. Adjusted EBITDAR is defined as Adjusted EBITDA plus tractor operating lease charges. You can find the reconciliation of these measures to net income (loss), the nearest comparable GAAP measure, elsewhere in the appendix of this presentation. We have not reconciled non-GAAP forward-looking measures to their corresponding GAAP measures because certain items that impact these measures are unavailable or cannot be reasonably predicted without unreasonable efforts. Daseke’s board of directors and executive management team use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR as key measures of its performance and for business planning. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR assist them in comparing Daseke’s operating performance over various reporting periods on a consistent basis because they remove from Daseke’s operating results the impact of items that, in their opinion, do not reflect Daseke’s core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR also allows Daseke to more effectively evaluate its operating performance by allowing it to compare the results of operations against its peers without regard to its or its peers’ financing method or capital structure. Adjusted EBITDAR is used to view operating results before lease charges as these charges can vary widely among trucking companies due to differences in the way that trucking companies finance their fleet acquisitions. Daseke’s management does not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP and instead relies primarily on Daseke’s GAAP results and uses non-GAAP measures supplementally. Daseke believes its presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR is useful because they provide investors and industry analysts the same information that Daseke uses internally for purposes of assessing its core operating performance. However, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are not substitutes for, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, operating income or any other measure prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital, tax structure and the historic costs of depreciable assets. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDAR should not be considered measures of the income generated by Daseke’s business or discretionary cash available to it to invest in the growth of its business. Other companies in Daseke’s industry may define these non-GAAP measures differently than Daseke does, and as a result, it may be difficult to use these non-GAAP measures to compare the performance of those companies to Daseke’s performance. Daseke defines free cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less net capital expenditures (capital expenditures less proceeds from equipment sales). Its board of directors and executive management team use free cash flow to assess its performance and ability to fund operations and make additional investments. Free cash flow represents the cash that its business generates from operations, before taking into account cash movements that are non-operational. Daseke believes its presentation of free cash flow is useful because it is one of several indicators of its ability to service debt, make investments and/or return capital to its stockholders. Daseke also believes that free cash flow is one of several benchmarks used by investors and industry analysts for comparison of performance in its industry, although its measure of free cash flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Furthermore, free cash flow is not a substitute for, or more meaningful than, net income (loss), cash flows from operating activities, operating income or any other measure prescribed by GAAP, and there are limitations to using non-GAAP measures such as free cash flow. Accordingly, free cash flow should not be considered a measure of the income generated by its business or discretionary cash available to it to invest in the growth of its business. Daseke’s management compensates for these limitations by relying primarily on the Daseke’s GAAP results and using free cash flow supplementally. Industry and Market Data This presentation includes market data and other statistical information from third party sources, including independent industry publications, government publications and other published independent sources. Although Daseke believes these third party sources are reliable as of their respective dates, Daseke has not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of this information. Important Disclaimers

Presenters Scott Wheeler Executive Vice President, CFO, and Director Don Daseke President, CEO, and Chairman John Michell Director of Finance Greg Hirsch Vice President

3 Consolidating North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market

Daseke – Executing our Consolidation Strategy 59% CAGR Pro Forma Revenue Growth ($ in millions) Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Growth ($ in millions) Calculated by adding Daseke’s 2016 figures with the 2 recently acquired companies’ 2016 figures (based on such companies’ internally prepared financial statements). Does not give effect to synergies. Net loss of $8.7 million plus: depreciation and amortization of $75.2 million, interest of $24.3 million, provision for income taxes of $ 0.2 million, acquisition-related transaction expenses of $0.6 million, impairment of $2.0 million, withdrawn initial public offering-related expenses of $3.0 million, net losses on sales of defective revenue equipment out of the normal replacement cycle of $0.7 million, impairments related to defective revenue equipment sold out of the normal replacement cycle of $0.2 million and expenses related to the business combination and related transactions of $3.5 million results in Adjusted EBITDA of $101 million. 48% CAGR (1) (1)(2) $30 $ 770 2009 (First Year of Operations) Pro Forma 2016 $6 $101 2009 (First Year of Operations) Pro Forma 2016

What is Open Deck Step Deck Over Dimensional Super Heavy Haul High Value Customized RGN Flatbed

What is Not Open Deck Traditional Dry Van Refrigerated Truck

Investment Highlights Significant Opportunity Improving Industry Environment Scale Offers Significant Advantage Executing our Consolidation Strategy Proven Track Record Highly Fragmented $133 Billion Market(1) Significant Opportunity Massive Opportunity Exceptional Growth On Track for 2017 Target Source: FTR, 2016.

100-999 Tractors 357 companies 0.7% 1,000+ Tractors 29 companies <0.1% Highly Fragmented $133 Billion Market U.S. Open Deck Freight Market(1) Open Deck Primarily Served by Sub-Scale Companies(1) <100 Tractors 51,506 companies 99.2% <1% $133 Billion Market Daseke is the Largest Owner and a Leading Consolidator of North America’s Open Deck Transportation & Logistics Market Source: FTR, 2016. Tractor count includes owner operators. Daseke has over 3,500 tractors(2) and 7,300 open deck trailers

National customers want to work with national carriers (vendor consolidation) Large insurance liability coverage (unavailable to smaller carriers) Customers expect carriers to have sophisticated technology systems National sales presence More attractive acquirer Greater capacity and higher service levels Stronger purchasing power Highly diverse equipment Small carriers are challenged by personal guarantees and heavy customer concentrations More favorable terms for capital Access to public markets Daseke already has strong compliance practices; challenging for those who do not Better prepared with capital, people, and processes to deal with increasing safety and environmental regulations Operations Regulatory Compliance Capital Requirements Customer Demands Scale Matters Advantages of Scale Operations Capital Requirements Regulatory Compliance Customer Demands

Improving Industry Environment Favorable supply / demand dynamics: Load-to-Truck Ratio up significantly both YoY and YTD Sequential uptick in Flatbed Spot Rates throughout 2017 after nearly 24 months of declining rates 3-6 month lag between increase in Flatbed Spot Rates and a corresponding movement in Flatbed Contract Rates Momentum coming out of Q1 2017 into Q2 2017 and back half of 2017 Favorable Industry Tailwinds Spot Rate Grades as of Q1 2017(1) Van Flatbed Refrigerated C+ A- D Flatbed Load-to-Truck Ratio(1) Flatbed Spot Rate YoY Growth as of April 2017(1) 8.9% Growth Source: DAT. Note: Flatbed Load-to-Truck Ratio represents the number of loads posted for every truck posted on DAT Load Boards.

Asset Right Operating Model Revenue by Segment 50% 50% Flatbed Specialized Asset-Based Company Equipment Asset-Light Brokerage Owner Operator One of the fastest-growing U.S. trucking companies(1), having acquired and integrated 11 companies Daseke is a leading consolidator of North America’s open deck transportation & logistics market Largest owner of open deck equipment in North America Over 3,500 tractors(2) and 7,300 open deck trailers Offers services across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico $100 million liability insurance coverage (Q1 2017) (Q1 2017) Of the largest 50 U.S. trucking companies in 2015, according to Journal of Commerce, April 2016. Tractor count includes owner operators. 34% 66%

Daseke’s Well-Diversified End-Markets Metals Other Lumber Building Materials Heavy Equipment & Energy Aircraft Parts Concrete Products PVC Products Revenue Mix by End-Market (Q1 2017) 24% 19% 16% 16% 10% 9% 4% 2%

Top 10 customers No single customer accounted for greater than 8% of total revenues Approximately 95% direct customer relationships(1) Top 10 customer relationships average over 20 years (FY 2016) Blue Chip Industrial Customer Base Revenue by Customer Top Customers As of 2015. 64% 36%

Daseke Acquired & Integrated 11 Companies 59% CAGR Pro Forma Revenue Growth ($ in millions) Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Growth ($ in millions) Calculated by adding Daseke’s 2016 figures with the 2 recently acquired companies’ 2016 figures (based on such companies’ internally prepared financial statements). Does not give effect to synergies. 48% CAGR (1) (1) Acquired in 2008 Est. 1979 Smokey Point Acquired in 2011 Est. 1938 E.W. Wylie Acquired in 2013 Est. 1935 J.Grady Randolph Acquired in 2013 Est. 1992 Central Oregon Lone Star Acquired in 2014 Est. 1988 Bulldog Acquired in 2015 Est. 1959 Hornady Acquired in 2015 Est. 1928 Acquired in 2013 Est. 1956 / 1989 Boyd Bros. & WTI Acquired in 2017 Est. 1961 The Schilli Companies Acquired in 2017 Est. 1948 Big Freight Systems YTD Acquisitions $30 $ 770 2009 (First Year of Operations) Pro Forma 2016 $6 $101 2009 (First Year of Operations) Pro Forma 2016

Alignment of Management & Investors Don Daseke has agreed to a 3 year lockup(1) Earnout structure aligns interests with all stockholders Daseke management owns nearly 50% of the combined company(2) Mr. Daseke intends to donate shares to educational institutions or charities and accordingly 10% of Mr. Daseke’s shares will not be subject to the three-year lock-up but will instead be subject to a 180-day lock-up (from donation date) in the event of such donation. Does not give effect to the payout of 15 million potential earnout shares and assumes no exercise of outstanding warrants or conversion of convertible preferred to HCAC common stock.

Earnout Details Daseke pre-SPAC merger stockholders, including Daseke’s management, are eligible to receive up to 15 million shares of common stock based on the achievement of both (i) established annualized Adjusted EBITDA targets and (ii) future share price targets Daseke and Public Stockholders are Fully Aligned through a Unique Earnout Structure Focused on Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Share Price Performance Earnout begins at >90% of target and increases pro rata up to the full 5 million shares at the target. For example, if $133 million annualized Adjusted EBITDA (giving effect to acquisitions during 2017) is achieved for fiscal year 2017, and the Stock Price Target is achieved during the year, 2.5 million shares would be issued in the earnout for 2017. For purposes of the earnout, “Annualized Adjusted EBITDA (giving effect to acquisitions)” is defined as consolidated net income (loss) of Daseke for the applicable year, plus consolidated net income of any business acquired by Daseke during such year for the period beginning on January 1 of such year and ending on the date of such acquisition, plus, in each case: (i) depreciation and amortization, (ii) interest expense, including other fees and charges associated with indebtedness, net of interest income, (iii) income taxes, (iv) acquisition-related transaction expenses, (v) non-cash impairments, (vi) losses (gains) on sales of defective revenue equipment out of the normal replacement cycle, (vii) impairments related to defective revenue equipment sold out of the normal replacement cycle, (viii) expenses related to the merger and related transaction, (ix) non-cash stock and equity compensation expense, and (x) costs paid or incurred in connection with being a public company. In addition, as a one-time only adjustment for purposes of calculating 2017 Adjusted EBITDA, up to $4.2 million of the 2017 equipment rental expenses of one of the businesses acquired during 2017 will be added to net income (loss). For any 20 trading days within any consecutive 30 trading day period during such fiscal year. Annualized Stock Adjusted EBITDA Stock Price Year Award Target (1) Target (2) 2017 Up to 5 million shares $140 million $12.00 2018 Up to 5 million shares $170 million $14.00 2019 Up to 5 million shares $200 million $16.00 Earnout Structure

Reaffirming 2017 Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Target Daseke Remains on Track to Achieve its 2017 Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA Target of $140 million(1) Adjusted EBITDA Expected organic growth in second half of 2017 supported by key Company and leading industry metrics Acquisition pipeline remains robust, active, and actionable As of March 31, Daseke has ~$60 million of undrawn capacity on its delayed draw term loan(2), a ~$70 million undrawn revolving line of credit and ~$35 million of cash on its balance sheet ($ in millions) (3) 2017 pro forma Adjusted EBITDA will be calculated by adding Daseke’s actual 2017 Adjusted EBITDA and the Adjusted EBITDA of any acquired business during 2017 for the period beginning on January 1, 2017 and ending on the acquisition date. Giving effect to the ~$40 million draw from the delayed draw term loan facility to accomplish the acquisition of The Schilli Companies and Big Freight Systems Inc. Calculated by adding Daseke’s 2016 figures with the acquired companies’ 2016 figures (based on such companies’ internally prepared financial statements). Does not give effect to synergies. $88 $101 $140 $70 $90 $110 $130 $150 2016 Pro Forma 2016 2017T

Adjusted EBITDA Revenue Key Metrics & Financials ($ in millions) ($ in millions) (1) (1) (2) (2) Calculated by adding Daseke’s 2016 figures with the acquired companies’ 2016 figures (based on such companies’ internally prepared financial statements). Does not give effect to synergies. Targets based on annualized run rate, including planned 2017 acquisitions, which is also aligned with earnout target. Represents midpoint of 2017E revenue and Adjusted EBITDA ranges of $713 - $733 million and $95 - $104 million, respectively. $770 $979 $101 $140 (3) (3) Standalone Acquired Post Q1 2017 Standalone Acquired Post Q1 2017 $88 $88 $100 $13 $40 $- $40 $80 $120 $160 2016 Pro Forma 2016 2017T $652 $652 $723 $119 $256 $- $300 $600 $900 $1,200 2016 Pro Forma 2016 2017T

Key Metrics & Financials (continued) Adjusted EBITDA Revenue ($ in millions) ($ in millions) (1) (1) Targets based on annualized run rate, including planned 2017 acquisitions, which is also aligned with earnout target. Free Cash Flow defined as Adjusted EBITDA less net capital expenditures (capital expenditures less proceeds from equipment sales). 2017 Net Capital Expenditures as a % of Revenue is expected to be 7% on a standalone basis (i.e., without giving effect to any planned acquisitions). Net Capital Expenditures as a % of Revenue Free Cash Flow(2) ($ in millions) (1) (3) $3 $0 $30 $57 $75 $- $25 $50 $75 $100 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017T 10% 13% 10% 5% 7% 3% 7% 10% 14% 17% 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017E $207 $543 $679 $652 $979 $- $300 $600 $900 $1,200 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017T $24 $70 $97 $88 $140 $- $40 $80 $120 $160 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017T

Questions Conclusion

Appendix

Appendix: Public Company Valuation Benchmarking Public company valuations as of May 19, 2017. Sources: SEC filings, Capital IQ. (1) Asset Right valuation based on weighted average of public company comparables employing 66% asset-based / 34% asset-light proration. Asset-Based: 66% Asset Right Mix EV / 2017E Adjusted EBITDA Mean: 8.5x Mean: 9.7x Asset Right: 8.9x(1) (Q1 2017) Asset-Light: 34% Asset-Based Asset-Light 7.7x 10.0x 7.8x 11.0x 9.6x 8.2x 11.8x 8.0x 3.0x 6.0x 9.0x 12.0x 15.0x HTLD KNX SWFT ECHO FWRD HUBG LSTR XPO

Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow Reconciliation Appendix: Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow ($ in thousands) 2009 2013 2014 2015 2016 Net income (loss) $ (381) $ (2,976) $ 1,300 $ 3,263 $ (12,279) Depreciation and amortization 4,132 18,666 48,575 63,573 67,500 Interest income - (101) (73) (69) (44) Interest expense 2,751 6,402 15,978 20,602 23,124 Provision for income taxes (47) 99 1,784 7,463 163 Acquisition-related transaction expenses - 1,815 944 1,192 296 Impairment - - 1,838 - 2,005 Withdrawn initial public offering-related expenses - - - 1,280 3,051 Transaction expenses - - - - 3,516 Other - - - - 908 Adjusted EBITDA $ 6,455 $ 23,905 $ 70,346 $ 97,304 $ 88,240 Net capital expenditures 548 20,725 70,678 66,969 31,669 Free Cash Flow $ 5,907 $ 3,180 $ (332) $ 30,335 $ 56,571 Year Ended December 31,