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Note 10 - Equity Method Investment

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Equity Method Investment [Abstract]

Equity Method Investment

10. EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENT

In May 2011, we acquired a 49.0% interest in Transport Enterprise Leasing, LLC ("TEL") for $1.5 million in cash. Additionally, TEL’s majority owners were eligible to receive an earn-out of up to $4.5 million for TEL’s results through December 31, 2012, of which $1.0 million was earned based on TEL’s 2011 results and $2.4 million was earned based on TEL’s 2012 results. At December 31, 2013, there were no amounts included in accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet related to amounts earned but not paid as a result of TEL’s results and at December 31, 2012, there was $0.5 million. The earn-out payment increased our investment balance and there are no additional earn-outs payable for future results.

TEL is a tractor and trailer equipment leasing company and used equipment reseller. We have not guaranteed any of TEL’s debt and have no obligation to provide funding, services, or assets. Under the agreement, we have an option to acquire 100% of TEL until May 31, 2016, by purchasing the majority owners’ interest based on a multiple of TEL’s average earnings before interest and taxes, adjusted for certain items including cash and debt balances as of the acquisition date. Subsequent to May 31, 2016, TEL’s majority owners have the option to acquire our interest based on the same terms detailed above. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we sold tractors and trailers to TEL for $16.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively, and received $2.4 million and $2.1 million, respectively, for providing various maintenance services, certain back-office functions, and for miscellaneous equipment. We deferred gains totaling $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, representing 49% of the gains on units sold to TEL less any gains previously deferred and recognized when the equipment was sold to a third party. Deferred gains totaling $0.8 million at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, are being carried as a reduction in our investment in TEL. We had a receivable from TEL for 2013 and 2012 of $1.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively, related to cash disbursements made pursuant to our performance of certain back-office and maintenance functions on TEL's behalf.

We have accounted for our investment in TEL using the equity method of accounting and thus our financial results include our proportionate share of TEL’s net income since May 31, 2011, or $2.8 million in 2013, $1.9 million in 2012, and $0.7 million in 2011. We received an equity distribution from TEL for less than $0.1 million in 2013, $0.3 million in 2012, and $0.2 million in 2011, which was distributed to each member based on its respective ownership percentage in order to satisfy estimated tax payments resulting from TEL’s earnings. The distribution is the result of TEL being a limited liability company and thus its earnings pass through to the members and are taxed for federal and certain state income on their respective tax returns. Our investment in TEL, totaling $8.7 million and $6.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, is included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

See TEL’s summarized financial information subsequent to our investment below.

(in thousands)		As of the years ended December 31,
		2013				2012
Current Assets		$	9,160			$	6,898
Non-current Assets			40,296				21,150
Current Liabilities			13,456				9,988
Non-current Liabilities			26,101				13,670
Total Equity		$	9,899			$	4,390

(in thousands)		For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013				For the twelve months ended December 31, 2012				For the seven months ended December 31, 2011
Revenue		$	58,484			$	53,459			$	31,070
Operating Expenses			50,878				48,382				29,426
Operating Income			7,606				5,077				1,644
Net Income		$	5,643			$	3,850			$	1,331