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Restructuring Activities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Restructuring Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring Activities
3. Restructuring Activities

During the periods presented, Con-way incurred expenses in connection with a number of restructuring activities. These expenses are reported as restructuring charges in the statements of consolidated operations. As detailed below, Con-way recognized restructuring charges of $2.0 million in 2011, $5.0 million in 2010, and $2.9 million in 2009, and does not expect to incur additional expense in 2012 in connection with these activities.

Con-way Other

Outsourcing Initiative

In 2009, as part of an ongoing effort to reduce costs and improve efficiencies, Con-way initiated a project to outsource a significant portion of its information-technology infrastructure function and a small portion of its administrative and accounting functions. Con-way completed the initiative in 2010. In connection with the outsourcing initiative, Con-way recognized expense of $2.5 million in 2010 and $3.4 million in 2009.
 
Consolidation of Executive Offices

In 2010, in an effort to more closely align corporate functions and better support the business, Con-way initiated a project to consolidate its executive offices located in San Mateo, California and Ann Arbor, Michigan. The consolidation was substantially completed in the second quarter of 2011 when the executive office in San Mateo closed. Con-way does not expect to incur additional restructuring charges for the consolidation of the executive offices.

The following table summarizes the effect of the initiative for year ended December 31, 2011:

(Dollars in thousands)
 
Employee-Separation Costs
   
Relocation and Other Costs
   
Total
 
2010 charges
  $ 2,496     $ --     $ 2,496  
Balance at December 31, 2010
    2,496       --       2,496  
     2011 charges
    1,122       859       1,981  
     Cash payments
    (3,493 )     (859 )     (4,352 )
 Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 125     $ --     $ 125  
                         
Total expense recognized to date
  $ 3,618     $ 859     $ 4,477  

Con-way Freight

Network Re-Engineering

In November 2008, Con-way Freight completed a major network re-engineering to reduce service exceptions, improve on-time delivery and bring faster transit times while deploying a lower-cost, more efficient service center network better aligned to customer needs and business volumes. The re-engineering did not change Con-way Freight's service coverage, but did involve the closure of  40 service centers, with shipment volumes from closing locations redistributed and balanced among more than 100 nearby service centers. For the periods presented, Con-way recognized $1.6 million of net adjustments that reduced expense in 2009.

Economic Workforce Reduction

In December 2008, Con-way Freight reduced its workforce by 1,450 positions. The workforce reduction was in response to a decline in year-over-year business volumes that accelerated during the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition to reducing the workforce at operating locations, the reduction also eliminated positions at Con-way Freight's general office and administrative center, and included a realignment of its area and regional division structure to streamline management. For the periods presented, Con-way recognized expense of $1.1 million in 2009.