XML 63 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.1.9

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2014
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS |
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS | NOTE P — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS, AND OTHER EVENTS The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company maintains liability insurance against certain risks arising out of the normal course of its business, subject to certain self-insured retention limits. The Company routinely establishes and reviews the adequacy of reserves for estimated legal, environmental, and self-insurance exposures. While management believes that amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements are adequate, estimates of these liabilities may change as circumstances develop. Considering amounts recorded, these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Environmental Matters The Company’s subsidiaries store fuel for use in tractors and trucks in 63 underground tanks located in 19 states. Maintenance of such tanks is regulated at the federal and, in most cases, state levels. The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with all such regulations. The Company’s underground storage tanks are required to have leak detection systems. The Company is not aware of any leaks from such tanks that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company has received notices from the Environmental Protection Agency and others that it has been identified as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act, or other federal or state environmental statutes, at several hazardous waste sites. After investigating the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ involvement in waste disposal or waste generation at such sites, the Company has either agreed to de minimis settlements or determined that its obligations, other than those specifically accrued with respect to such sites, would involve immaterial monetary liability, although there can be no assurances in this regard. Certain ABF Freight branch facilities operate with storm water permits under the federal Clean Water Act (“the CWA”). The storm water permits require periodic monitoring and reporting of storm water sampling results and establish maximum levels of certain contaminants that may be contained in such samples. ABF Freight received, in late March 2014, a sixty-day Notice of Intent to Sue under the provisions of the CWA from a citizens group alleging multiple violations since 2009 by ABF Freight of the requirements of a storm water permit in force at the ABF Freight branch located in Kent, Washington. On July 6, 2014, the citizens group filed suit against ABF Freight in the United States District Court in Seattle, Washington seeking to collect fines and obtain injunctive relief for the alleged violations. ABF Freight intends to vigorously defend against the claims in this matter. Due to the nature of the materials in the runoff samples taken at the site by Company representatives, it is unlikely that this matter will result in any requirement for remediation of contaminants. The litigation is in the very early stages and it is not possible to determine the likelihood of loss or the amount of any penalties which might be assessed against ABF Freight. Therefore, no liability has been established at December 31, 2014 in connection with this matter. ABF Freight received a similar Notice of Intent to Sue from another citizens group in December 2014 alleging CWA violations at its Brooklyn, New York branch. To date, no lawsuit has been filed in connection with this matter and the Company is in the early stages of assessing potential liability, if any. Therefore, no liability has been established at December 31, 2014 in connection with this matter. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company’s reserve for estimated environmental cleanup costs of properties currently or previously operated by the Company totaled $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively, which was included in accrued expenses. Amounts accrued reflect management’s best estimate of the future undiscounted exposure related to identified properties based on current environmental regulations, management’s experience with similar environmental matters, and testing performed at certain sites. Legal Proceedings Trademark Infringement On December 23, 2014, Jaguar Land Rover Limited filed suit against Panther in the Northern District of Ohio under various causes of action, collectively falling under a trademark infringement claim. Panther believes the claim is without merit and will vigorously defend itself against this claim. The litigation process is in the very early stages; therefore, it is not possible to determine the likelihood of loss or the amount of any damages that could be assessed against Panther in this matter. As such, no liability has been established in connection with this matter as of December 31, 2014.

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for legal proceedings, legal contingencies, litigation, regulatory and environmental matters and other contingencies. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LegalMattersAndContingenciesTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration