Note 15 - Business Segments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

15.    Business Segments

We have seven operating segments that have been aggregated into two reporting segments (Truckload and Logistics) for financial reporting purposes. The primary source of our operating revenue is truckload revenue, which we generate by transporting freight for our customers and report within our Truckload segment. Generally, we are paid by the mile for our services. We also derive truckload revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention and other ancillary services.

Our operating revenue also includes revenue reported within our Logistics segment, which consists of revenue from our internal brokerage and intermodal operations, and through our 45% interest in MWL, a third-party provider of logistics services to the transportation industry, until we deconsolidated MWL effective March 28, 2013. Brokerage services involve arranging for another company to transport freight for our customers while we retain the billing, collection and customer management responsibilities. Intermodal services involve the transport of our trailers on railroad flatcars for a portion of a trip, with the balance of the trip using our tractors or, to a lesser extent, contracted carriers.

The following table sets forth for the years indicated our operating revenue and operating income by segment. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment.

(Dollars in thousands)	2013		2012		2011
Operating revenue:
Truckload revenue, net of fuel surcharge revenue	$	400,324	$	378,383	$	357,787
Truckload fuel surcharge revenue		106,955		104,940		98,060
Total Truckload revenue		507,279		483,323		455,847
Logistics revenue, net of intermodal fuel surcharge revenue(1)		131,186		138,960		132,890
Intermodal fuel surcharge revenue		20,749		16,173		14,942
Total Logistics revenue		151,935		155,133		147,832
Total operating revenue	$	659,214	$	638,456	$	603,679
Operating income:
Truckload	$	44,865	$	36,805	$	35,298
Logistics		7,130		9,048		7,732
Total operating income	$	51,995	$	45,853	$	43,030

(1) Logistics revenue is net of $2.1 million, $9.7 million and $9.0 million of inter-segment revenue in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for loads transported by our tractors and arranged by MWL that have been eliminated in consolidation. The inter-segment revenue in 2013 relates to loads transported prior to the deconsolidation of MWL effective March 28, 2013.

         Truckload segment depreciation expense was $59.3 million, $56.7 million and $54.4 million, and Logistics segment depreciation expense was $5.2 million, $4.2 million and $3.1 million, in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.