Quality Distribution, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Results: Positive Quarterly Net Income and Net Cash from Operations


TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 3, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quality Distribution, Inc. (Nasdaq:QLTY) ("Quality") today reported the results for its third quarter and the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Quality recorded net income for the third quarter of 2009 of $1.4 million, or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $0.7 million, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same quarter in 2008. Quality generated $6.7 million of net cash from operating activities in the current quarter. Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was $(185.1) million, or $(9.55) per diluted share, compared to net loss of $(0.9) million, or $(0.04) per diluted share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Revenue excluding fuel surcharge was down 13.5% for the third quarter of 2009, compared to the third quarter of 2008, and down 19.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2008, reflecting continued pressure from the current economic environment.

Applying a normalized tax rate of 39% and excluding adjustment items, Quality had adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.06 for the third quarter of 2009, compared to adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.10 for the third quarter of 2008. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 includes a pre-tax restructuring charge of $0.3 million. Net income for the third quarter of 2008 contains a $1.7 million pre-tax restructuring charge.

As previously announced, on October 10, 2009, Quality sold substantially all of the operating assets of its Quala Systems, Inc. ("QSI") tank wash subsidiary for $13.0 million, of which $10.0 million was paid in cash and the remaining $3.0 million in a subordinated note. The QSI business that was sold generated approximately $21.0 million of revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from tank wash and related operations.

Gary Enzor, Chief Executive Officer, stated, "This is an exciting time for our company. We have made significant progress this year in transforming Quality's platform to a leaner, stronger and more efficient model. Sequentially, our revenue excluding fuel surcharge was up approximately 7% this quarter and we continue to generate solid cash flows. We're still cautious in terms of this economic environment in the near term; however, we believe we are well positioned to take on the challenges and opportunities that 2010 will bring."

Also, on October 15, 2009, Quality announced the completion of the previously announced private exchange offer and retail tender offer of its subsidiaries' 9% Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Floating Rate Notes. Steve Attwood, Chief Financial Officer, commented further, "Restructuring our debt pushed all major debt maturities out to 2013, eliminating any questions about our economic viability. Our new debt structure, coupled with positive cash flow from operations, and current availability under our ABL facility in excess of $50.0 million, provide the company with the flexibility to take full advantage of opportunities that present themselves as we move forward into 2010."

Quality will host a conference call for investors to discuss these results on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The toll free dial-in number is 877-548-7911; the toll number is 719-325-4826; the passcode is 4350413. A replay of the call will be available through December 3, 2009, by dialing 888-203-1112; passcode: 4350413. A webcast of the conference call may be accessed in the Investor Relations section of Quality's website at www.qualitydistribution.com or http://investor.shareholder.com/qualitydistribution/events.cfm. Copies of this earnings release and other financial information about Quality may be accessed in the Investor Relations section of Quality's website at www.qualitydistribution.com. The Company regularly posts or otherwise makes available information on the Investor Relations section that may be important to investors.

Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Quality Distribution, Inc. through its subsidiaries, Quality Carriers, Inc. and Boasso America Corporation, and through its affiliates and owner-operators, provides bulk transportation and related services. Quality Distribution is a core carrier for many of the Fortune 500 companies that are engaged in chemical production and processing.

The Quality Distribution, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5285

This release contains certain forward-looking information that is subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or projected in the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, additional risks and uncertainties regarding forward-looking statements include the effect of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and on the industries in which we operate in particular; recent turmoil in credit and capital markets; access to available and reasonable financing on a timely basis; the availability of diesel fuel; adverse weather conditions; competitive rate fluctuations; our substantial leverage and restrictions contained in our debt arrangements and interest rate fluctuations in our floating rate indebtedness; the cyclical nature of the transportation industry due to various economic factors such as excess capacity in the industry, the availability of qualified drivers, changes in fuel and insurance prices, interest rate fluctuations, and downturns in customers' business cycles and shipping requirements; changes in demand for our services due to the cyclical nature of our customers' businesses; potential disruption at U.S. ports of entry; our dependence on affiliates and owner-operators and our ability to attract and retain drivers; changes in the future, or our inability to comply with, governmental regulations and legislative changes affecting the transportation industry; our material exposure to both historical and changing environmental regulations and the increasing costs relating to environmental compliance; our liability as a self-insurer to the extent of our deductibles, as well as our ability or inability to reduce our claims exposure through insurance due to changing conditions and pricing in the insurance marketplace; the cost of complying with existing and future anti-terrorism security measures enacted by federal, state and municipal authorities; increased unionization, which could increase our operating costs or constrain operating flexibility; changes in senior management; our ability to successfully manage workforce restructurings; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and converted affiliates; and interests of Apollo, our largest shareholder, which may conflict with your interests. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures, including but not limited to risk factors contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any forward-looking statement as a result of developments occurring after the date of this release.

QLTYE



             QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                   (In 000's) Except Per Share Data
                               Unaudited

                             Three months ended    Nine months ended
                               September 30,         September 30,
                            --------------------  --------------------
                              2009       2008       2009       2008
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
 OPERATING REVENUES
   Transportation           $ 120,444  $ 144,774  $ 343,554  $ 445,798
   Other service revenue       26,793     25,494     80,241     78,916
   Fuel surcharge              15,568     44,473     38,528    122,490
                            ------------------------------------------
     Total operating
      revenues                162,805    214,741    462,323    647,204
                            ------------------------------------------
 OPERATING EXPENSES:
   Purchased
    transportation            102,393    124,800    273,269    376,378
   Compensation                19,040     27,519     61,791     83,518
   Fuel, supplies
    and maintenance            16,129     30,031     49,591     93,199
   Depreciation
    and amortization            5,055      5,207     15,694     15,435
   Selling and
    administrative              5,592      8,699     19,614     26,515
   Insurance costs              3,081      3,202     11,076     11,629
   Taxes and licenses           1,023      1,583      3,096      4,042
   Communications
    and utilities               1,977      3,104      6,785     10,109
   Loss (gain) on disposal
    of property and
    equipment                     279       (867)        14     (2,832)
   Impairment charge               --         --    148,630         --
   Restructuring costs            340      1,700      2,105      4,075
                            ------------------------------------------
     Total operating
      expenses                154,909    204,978    591,665    622,068
                            ------------------------------------------

     Operating income
      (loss)                    7,896      9,763   (129,342)    25,136

    Interest expense            6,462      8,455     19,980     26,246
    Interest income               (25)      (128)      (211)      (333)
    Gain on early
     extinguishment
     of debt                       --         --       (675)        --
    Other (income) expense         (8)        15       (284)       171
                            ------------------------------------------
       Income (loss)
        before income taxes     1,467      1,421   (148,152)      (948)
    Provision for (benefit
     from) income taxes            41        704     36,951        (98)
                            ------------------------------------------
      Net income (loss)     $   1,426  $     717  $(185,103) $    (850)
                            ==========================================

 PER SHARE DATA:
     Net income (loss)
      per common share
        Basic               $    0.07  $    0.04  $   (9.55) $   (0.04)
                            ==========================================
        Diluted             $    0.07  $    0.04  $   (9.55) $   (0.04)
                            ==========================================

     Weighted average
      number of shares
        Basic                  19,458     19,387     19,373     19,377
        Diluted                19,653     19,556     19,373     19,377


             QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                              (In 000's)
                               Unaudited

                                                Sept. 30,     Dec. 31,
                                                   2009         2008
                                                ---------    ---------
 ASSETS
 Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                    $   2,831    $   6,787
   Accounts receivable, net                        80,728       81,612
   Prepaid expenses                                 6,382       12,922
   Deferred tax assets, net                         6,774       14,707
   Other                                            5,772        7,950
                                                ---------    ---------
     Total current assets                         102,487      123,978
   Property and
    equipment, net                                131,802      148,692
   Assets held-for-sale                             4,927           --
   Goodwill                                        27,289      173,519
   Intangibles, net                                18,859       22,698
   Non-current deferred
    tax asset, net                                     --       22,636
   Other assets                                     8,203       10,580
                                                ---------    ---------
      Total assets                              $ 293,567    $ 502,103
                                                =========    =========

 LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING
  INTEREST AND SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
 Current liabilities:
   Current maturities of indebtedness           $   3,538    $   8,361
   Current maturities of capital
    lease obligations                               6,063        7,994
   Accounts payable                                 9,646       16,126
   Affiliates and independent
    owner-operators payable                        11,052        7,649
   Accrued expenses                                22,937       25,357
   Environmental liabilities                        4,563        4,819
   Accrued loss and damage claims                   9,074        8,705
                                                ---------    ---------
       Total current liabilities                   66,873       79,011
   Long-term indebtedness, less
    current maturities                            316,547      330,409
   Capital lease obligations, less
    current maturities                             12,862       15,822
   Environmental liabilities                        6,695        6,035
   Accrued loss and damage claims                  11,152       12,815
   Other non-current liabilities                   30,430       25,158
                                                ---------    ---------
       Total liabilities                          444,559      469,250

 Redeemable noncontrolling interest                 1,833        1,833

 SHAREHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
   Common stock                                   363,365      362,945
   Treasury stock                                  (1,580)      (1,580)
   Accumulated deficit                           (299,137)    (114,034)
   Stock recapitalization                        (189,589)    (189,589)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss           (25,650)     (26,488)
   Stock subscriptions receivable                    (234)        (234)
                                                ---------    ---------
        Total shareholders' (deficit) equity     (152,825)      31,020
                                                ---------    ---------
       Total liabilities, redeemable
        noncontrolling interest and
        shareholders' (deficit) equity          $ 293,567    $ 502,103
                                                =========    =========


   RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO TAX EFFECTED AND ADJUSTED
    NET INCOME (LOSS) AND RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER
    SHARE TO TAX EFFECTED AND ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

            For the Three Months and the Nine Months Ended
                     September 30, 2009 and 2008
                              (In 000's)
                              Unaudited

  Tax Effected and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Tax Effected and
  Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per Share (as defined) are presented
  herein because they are important metrics used by management to
  evaluate and understand the performance of the ongoing operations
  of the Company's business. Management uses a 39% tax rate for
  calculating the benefit from income taxes to normalize the
  Company's tax rate to that of comparable transportation
  companies, and to compare Company periods with different
  effective tax rates. In addition, we adjust Net Income (Loss) for
  significant items that are not regularly recurring. These
  adjustments include restructuring charges related to a plan of
  restructure which began in the second quarter of 2008 and which
  we expect to conclude in 2010. Tax Effected and Adjusted Net
  Income (Loss) and Tax Effected and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per
  Share are not measures of financial performance or liquidity
  under United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
  ("GAAP"). Tax Effected and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and Tax
  Effected and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) per Share should not be
  considered in isolation or as a substitute for the consolidated
  statements of operations prepared in accordance with GAAP as an
  indication of the Company's operating performance or liquidity.


 Net Income (Loss)           Three months ended    Nine months ended
  Reconciliation:              September 30,          September 30,
                            --------------------  --------------------
                              2009       2008       2009       2008
                            ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

 Net income (loss)          $   1,426  $     717  $(185,103) $    (850)

   Net income (loss) per
    common share:
     Basic                  $    0.07  $    0.04  $   (9.55) $   (0.04)
                            ==========================================
     Diluted                $    0.07  $    0.04  $   (9.55) $   (0.04)
                            ==========================================

 Adjustments to net income
  (loss):
   Provision for (benefit
    from) income taxes             41        704     36,951        (98)
   Gain on extinguishment
    of debt                        --         --       (675)        --
   Restructuring costs            340      1,700      2,105      4,075
   Impairment charges              --         --    148,630         --
   Gains on property sales         --         --         --     (2,128)
                            ------------------------------------------
 Adjusted income before
  income taxes                  1,807      3,121      1,908        999
   Provision for income
    taxes at 39%                  705      1,217        744        390
                            ------------------------------------------
   Tax effected and
    adjusted net income     $   1,102  $   1,904  $   1,164  $     609
                            ==========================================

   Tax effected and
    adjusted net income
    per common share:
     Basic                  $    0.06  $    0.10  $    0.06  $    0.03
                            ==========================================
     Diluted                $    0.06  $    0.10  $    0.06  $    0.03
                            ==========================================
   Weighted average number
    of shares:
     Basic                     19,458     19,387     19,373     19,377
     Diluted                   19,653     19,556     19,373     19,377


            

Coordonnées