Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]

ECM Acquisition

On July 1, 2021, pursuant to a Unit Purchase Agreement, we acquired an 80% ownership interest in ECM Associated, LLC ("ECM”) for $141.3 million after net working capital changes and net of cash acquired. We have an exclusive option to purchase the remaining 20% ownership interest in ECM upon the occurrence of certain events or after a period of five years following transaction close, based on a fixed multiple of ECM’s average annual adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. The noncontrolling interest holder also has an option to put the remaining 20% ownership interest to us on the same terms. We record the 20% remaining interest in temporary equity – redeemable noncontrolling interest in the consolidated condensed balance sheets. We recorded net income attributable to noncontrolling interest of $1.3 million and a distribution to the noncontrolling interest holder of $35 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2021.

ECM, through its ECM Transport, LLC (“ECM Transport”) and Motor Carrier Service (“MCS”) subsidiaries, provides regional truckload carrier services in the Mid-Atlantic, Ohio, and Northeast regions of the United States and operates nearly 500 trucks and 2,000 trailers in its network of eight terminals and 18 drop yard facilities. The primary reason for this acquisition was to expand our fleet size, terminal network, geographic market presence, and short-haul expertise in a segment in which consumer demand and supply chain needs are growing.

We financed the cash transaction through a combination of cash on hand, existing credit facilities, and the addition of a $100.0 million unsecured fixed-rate term loan commitment with BMO Harris Bank N.A. on June 30, 2021. For more information regarding our debt, see Note 7 – Credit Facilities.

The results of operations for ECM are included in our consolidated financial statements beginning July 1, 2021. We incurred transaction costs related to the acquisition, such as legal and professional fees, of $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, which is included in other operating expenses on the consolidated statements of income.

Provisional Purchase Price Allocation

We accounted for the purchase of ECM using the acquisition method of accounting under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed using market data and valuation techniques. The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are considered provisional, pending the completion of the valuation of acquired tangible assets, an independent valuation of certain acquired intangible assets, and the calculation of deferred taxes based upon the underlying tax basis of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The determination of estimated fair values requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions. We believe that the information available provides a reasonable basis for estimating the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed; however, these provisional estimates may be adjusted upon the availability of new information regarding facts and circumstances which existed at the acquisition date, and such adjustments may impact future earnings. We expect to finalize the valuation of assets and liabilities as soon as practicable, but not later than one year from the acquisition date. Any adjustments to the initial

estimates of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities assumed will be recorded as adjustments to the respective assets and liabilities, with the residual amounts allocated to goodwill.

The provisional purchase price allocation for ECM is summarized as follows (in thousands):


Purchase Price
Cash consideration paid (1)	$	155,686
Cash and cash equivalents acquired	(13,327)
Working capital surplus (deficiency)	(1,068)
Total purchase price (fair value of consideration)	141,291

Provisional Purchase Price Allocation
Accounts receivable, trade	16,170
Other receivables	43
Inventories and supplies	204
Prepaid taxes, licenses and permits	700
Other current assets	351
Property and equipment	68,772
Intangible assets	52,200
Other non-current assets	3,644
Total assets acquired	142,084

Accounts payable	(510)
Insurance and claims accruals	(890)
Accrued payroll	(2,130)
Accrued expenses	(3,006)
Other current liabilities	(1,185)
Other long-term liabilities	(2,460)
Total liabilities assumed	(10,181)
Temporary equity - redeemable noncontrolling interest in ECM	(35,322)
Goodwill	$	44,710
(1) At closing, $0.8 million and $0.7 million of the cash consideration was placed in escrow to cover post-closing adjustments and to secure certain indemnification obligations of the sellers, respectively. As of September 30, 2021, the indemnification escrow payment remains subject to adjustment.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized. Goodwill is reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of a potential impairment exist. Goodwill associated with the acquisition was primarily attributable to acquiring and retaining the existing ECM network and the anticipated synergies from combining the operations of the Company and ECM. The goodwill associated with the acquisition is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. All goodwill is assigned to our Truckload Transportation Services (“TTS”) segment.

We have allocated $52.2 million of the purchase price to finite-lived intangible assets, consisting of customer relationships and trade names. The estimated fair values of the intangible assets were determined, with the assistance of an independent third-party valuation firm, using the multi-period excess earnings method for customer relationships and the relief-from-royalty method for trade names. All methods are forms of the income approach, which require a forecast of all the expected future cash flows.

Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on the straight-line method. Amortization expense on acquired intangible assets was $1.2 million for three and nine months ended September 30, 2021. The following table summarizes the major classes of intangible assets and the respective weighted-average estimated amortization periods:


	Estimated Fair Value (in thousands)		Weighted-Average Estimated Amortization Period (Years)
Customer relationships	$	33,200	10
Trade names	19,000		12
Total intangible assets	$	52,200