UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2024
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No. 000-22490
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FORWARD AIR CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Tennessee62-1120025
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1915 Snapps Ferry RoadBuilding NGreenevilleTN37745
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (423) 636-7000
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par valueFWRDThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. 
Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes x  No ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filerxAccelerated filer¨Non-accelerated filer¨Smaller reporting company☐Emerging growth company☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
Yes ¨  No x

 The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, as of November 1, 2024 was 28,954,411.


Table of Contents
Forward Air Corporation
   
  Page
  Number
Part I: Financial Information 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements 
   
 
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
   
Part II: Other Information
   
Item 1.
   
Item 2.
   
Item 3.
   
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.
   

2

Part I.Financial Information
  
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited).
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited and in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
 September 30, 2024December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$136,616 $121,969 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents1,540 39,604 
   Accounts receivable, less allowance of $2,782 in 2024 and $2,206 in 2023
361,003 153,267 
Other receivables1,695 5,408 
Prepaid expenses31,174 25,682 
Other current assets13,053 1,098 
Total current assets545,081 347,028 
Noncurrent restricted cash equivalents— 1,790,500 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $281,636 in 2024 and $250,185 in 2023
324,782 258,095 
Operating lease right-of-use assets355,139 111,552 
Goodwill716,071 278,706 
Other acquired intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $190,369 in 2024 and $127,032 in 2023
1,033,352 134,789 
Other assets81,415 58,863 
Total assets$3,055,840 $2,979,533 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$157,230 $45,430 
Accrued expenses135,590 62,948 
Other current liabilities49,571 71,727 
Current portion of debt and finance lease obligations16,741 12,645 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities89,566 44,344 
Total current liabilities448,698 237,094 
Finance lease obligations, less current portion32,731 26,736 
Long-term debt, less current portion1,673,292 — 
Long-term debt held in escrow— 1,790,500 
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion275,843 71,598 
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement36,797 — 
Other long-term liabilities42,423 47,144 
Deferred income taxes209,522 42,200 
Shareholders' equity:  
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 5,000,000; no shares issued or outstanding in 2024 and 2023
— — 
Preferred stock, Class B, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 15,000; issued and outstanding shares - 11,130 in 2024 and none in 2023
— — 
Common stock, $0.01 par value: Authorized shares - 50,000,000; issued and outstanding shares - 28,689,172 in 2024 and 25,670,663 in 2023
287 257 
Additional paid-in capital528,255 283,684 
Retained (deficit) earnings(301,634)480,320 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(824)— 
Total Forward Air shareholders' equity226,084 764,261 
Noncontrolling interest110,450 — 
Total shareholders' equity336,534 764,261 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$3,055,840 $2,979,533 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

    
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
 Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Operating revenue$655,937 $340,976 
Operating expenses: 
Purchased transportation332,469 148,706 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits133,516 75,373 
Operating leases48,810 19,536 
Depreciation and amortization25,893 14,209 
Insurance and claims17,382 12,969 
Fuel expense4,855 5,845 
Other operating expenses55,564 52,649 
Impairment of goodwill14,751 — 
Total operating expenses633,240 329,287 
Income from continuing operations22,697 11,689 
Other income and expenses: 
Interest expense, net(52,770)(2,655)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain(2,812)— 
Other income (expense), net(11)— 
Total other expense(55,593)(2,655)
(Loss) income before income taxes(32,896)9,034 
Income tax (benefit) expense1,302 2,541 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(34,198)6,493 
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax(1,137)2,795 
Net (loss) income(35,335)9,288 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest38,073 — 
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air$(73,408)$9,288 
Basic net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
Continuing operations$(2.62)$0.25 
Discontinued operations(0.04)0.11 
Net (loss) income per basic share$(2.66)$0.36 
Diluted net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
Continuing operations$(2.62)$0.25 
Discontinued operations(0.04)0.11 
Net (loss) income per diluted share$(2.66)$0.36 
Dividends per share$— $0.24 
Net (loss) income$(35,335)$9,288 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments176 — 
Comprehensive (loss) income(35,159)9,288 
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest38,073 — 
Comprehensive income attributable to Forward Air
$(73,232)$9,288 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statement
4

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Operating revenues$1,841,416 $1,032,307 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation931,072 435,844 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits406,382 215,983 
Operating leases133,871 66,505 
Depreciation and amortization106,321 39,826 
Insurance and claims44,961 38,988 
Fuel expense15,960 16,733 
Other operating expenses234,175 133,218 
Impairment of goodwill
1,107,465 — 
Total operating expenses2,980,207 947,097 
(Loss) income from continuing operations
(1,138,791)85,210 
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense, net(140,788)(7,595)
Foreign exchange (loss) gain(1,912)— 
Other income (expense), net38 — 
Total other expense(142,662)(7,595)
(Loss) income before income taxes(1,281,453)77,615 
Income tax (benefit) expense(191,990)20,091 
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(1,089,463)57,524 
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax(6,013)8,083 
Net (loss) income(1,095,476)65,607 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest(314,923)— 
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air$(780,553)$65,607 
Basic net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
Continuing operations$(28.73)$2.20 
Discontinued operations(0.22)0.31 
Net (loss) income per basic share$(28.95)$2.51 
Diluted net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
Continuing operations$(28.73)$2.19 
Discontinued operations(0.22)0.31 
Net (loss) income per diluted share$(28.95)$2.50 
Dividends per share$— $0.72 
Net (loss) income$(1,095,476)$65,607 
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments(824)— 
Comprehensive (loss) income(1,096,300)65,607 
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(314,923)— 
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Forward Air$(781,377)$65,607 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited and in thousands)
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
 
Operating activities:
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(1,089,463)$57,524 
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income of continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations
Depreciation and amortization106,321 39,826 
Impairment of goodwill1,107,465 — 
Share-based compensation expense8,088 8,570 
Provision for revenue adjustments2,761 4,026 
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense(197,156)2,199 
Other4,296 (1,045)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from the purchase of acquired businesses:
Accounts receivable(34,050)20,967 
Other receivables6,159 — 
Other current and noncurrent assets(18,215)3,609 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses58,024 6,444 
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations(45,770)142,120 
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment2,493 3,275 
Purchases of property and equipment(29,810)(22,080)
Purchase of a business, net of cash acquired(1,565,242)(56,703)
Other(319)— 
Net cash used in investing activities of continuing operations(1,592,878)(75,508)
Financing activities:
Repayments of finance lease obligations(15,339)(6,840)
Proceeds from credit facility— 45,000 
Payments on credit facility(80,000)(31,125)
Payment of debt issuance costs(60,591)— 
Payment of earn-out liability(12,247)— 
Payments of dividends to shareholders— (18,798)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock— (93,811)
Proceeds from common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan355 421 
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards(1,572)(4,315)
Contributions from subsidiary held for sale— 15,877 
Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations(169,394)(93,591)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash138 — 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents from continuing operations(1,807,904)(26,979)
Cash from discontinued operation:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of discontinued operation(6,013)17,311 
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operation— (1,338)
Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operation— (15,973)
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents(1,813,917)(26,979)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents at beginning of period of continuing operations 1,952,073 45,822 
Cash at beginning of period of discontinued operation — — 
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents(1,813,917)(26,979)
6

Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents at end of period of continuing operations$138,156 $18,843 
Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents$136,616 $18,843 
Restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents1,540 — 
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents shown in the statement of cash flow:$138,156 $18,843 
Non-Cash Transactions:
Equipment acquired under finance leases$10,976 $18,394 
 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
7



Forward Air Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(unaudited and in thousands)
 Common StockPreferred Stock -
Class B Amount		Preferred Stock -
Class C Amount		Additional Paid-in
Capital		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Retained (Deficit) Earnings
Noncontrolling Interest
Total Shareholders'
Equity
 SharesAmountSharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 202325,671 $257 — $— — $— $283,684 $— $480,320 $— $764,261 
Net loss— — — — — — — — (61,712)(27,082)(88,794)
Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — — — — — (151)— — (151)
Shares issued - acquisition700 7 4 — 1 — 223,425 — — 433,449 656,881 
Share-based compensation expense— — — — — — 1,567 — — — 1,567 
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards(33)— — — — — — — (1,326)— (1,326)
Issuance of share-based awards100 1 — — — — (1)— — — — 
Balance at March 31, 202426,438 $265 4 $— 1 $— $508,675 $(151)$417,282 $406,367 $1,332,438 
Net loss— — — — — — — — (645,433)(325,914)(971,347)
Foreign currency translation adjustments— — — — — — — (849)— — (849)
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan21 — — — — — 355 — — — 355 
Conversion of preferred C series
1,210 12 8 — (1)— (12)— — — — 
Share-based compensation expense— — — — — — 3,620 — — — 3,620 
Issuance of share-based awards30 — — — — — — — — — — 
Balance at June 30, 202427,699 $277 12 $— — $— $512,638 $(1,000)$(228,151)$80,453 364,217 
Net loss— — — — — — — — (73,408)38,073 (35,335)
Foreign currency translation adjustment— — — — — — — 176 — — 176 
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan— — — — — — — — — — — 
Series B - Share Conversions967 10 (1)— — — 8,066 — — (8,076)— 
Share-based compensation expense— — — — — — 2,901 — — — 2,901 
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards(1)— — — — — — — (75)— (75)
Tax receivable agreement liability
— — — — — — 4,650 — — — 4,650 
Issuance of share-based awards24 — — — — — — — — — 
Balance at September 30, 202428,689 $287 11 $— — $— $528,255 $(824)$(301,634)$110,450 336,534 



8

 Common StockAdditional
Paid-in
Capital		Retained
Earnings
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 SharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 202226,462 $265 $270,855 $436,124 $707,244 
Net income— — — 36,368 36,368 
Share-based compensation expense— — 3,149 — 3,149 
Payment of dividends to shareholders— — 4 (6,349)(6,345)
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards(40)— — (4,292)(4,292)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock(474)(5)— (50,486)(50,491)
Issuance of share-based awards105 1 (1)— — 
Balance at March 31, 202326,053 $261 $274,007 $411,365 $685,633 
Net income— — — 19,951 19,951 
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan4 — 421 — 421 
Share-based compensation expense— — 3,160 — 3,160 
Payment of dividends to shareholders— — 5 (6,260)(6,255)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock(285)(3)— (29,298)(29,301)
Issuance of share-based awards14 — — — — 
Balance at June 30, 202325,786 $258 $277,593 $395,758 $673,609 
Net income— — — 9,288 9,288 
Stock options exercised— — — — — 
Common stock issued under employee stock purchase plan— — — — — 
Share-based compensation expense— — 3,043 — 3,043 
Payment of dividends to shareholders— — 4 (6,202)(6,198)
Payment of minimum tax withholdings on share-based awards— — — (23)(23)
Repurchases and retirement of common stock(124)(1)— (14,018)(14,019)
Issuance of share-based awards— — — — — 
Balance at September 30, 202325,662 $257 $280,640 $384,803 $665,700 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

1.    Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Forward Air Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Forward Air” or the “Company”) is a leading asset-light freight and logistics company. The Company has three reportable segments: Expedited Freight, Intermodal and Omni Logistics. The Company conducts business in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

The Expedited Freight segment provides expedited regional, inter-regional and national less-than-truckload (“LTL”) and truckload services. Expedited Freight also offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage and other handling services.

The Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and container freight station (“CFS”) warehouse and handling services.

The Omni Logistics segment provides a full suite of global logistics services. Services include air and ocean freight consolidation and forwarding, custom brokerage, warehousing and distribution, time-definite transportation services and other supply chain solutions.

The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements include Forward Air Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. A noncontrolling interest in a consolidated subsidiary represents the portion of equity (net assets) in a subsidiary, attributable, directly or indirectly, to the Company. Noncontrolling interests are presented as a separate component of equity in the consolidated balance sheet and the presentation of net loss presents losses attributable to controlling and noncontrolling interests.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company held interests in two wholly-owned subsidiaries of Omni Newco, LLC (“Omni”), GN Bondco, LLC and GN Loanco, LLC, that were considered Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”). VIEs are legal entities in which equity investors do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to independently finance its activities, or as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk lack the power through voting or similar rights to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact its economic performance, or do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the entity. Consolidation of a VIE is required if a reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of the VIE.

Interests in these VIEs are evaluated to determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary. This evaluation gives appropriate consideration to the design of the entity and the variability that the entity was designed to create and pass along, the relative power of each party, and to the Company’s obligation to absorb losses or receive residual returns of the entity. The Company concluded that the VIEs should be consolidated as of December 31, 2023 because the Company had (i) the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive benefits, which could potentially be significant. On January 25, 2024 (“the Closing”), the Company completed the acquisition of Omni (“the Omni Acquisition”) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of August 10, 2023 (the “Merger Agreement”) and amended by Amendment No. 1, dated as of January 22, 2024 (the “Amended Merger Agreement”). The VIEs were acquired as part of the Omni Acquisition and assumed into the Company's consolidated subsidiaries as of January 25, 2024. Refer to Note 4, Acquisitions, for additional disclosures regarding the Company’s previously held VIEs.
10
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year.

Foreign Currency

Foreign currency amounts attributable to foreign operations have been translated into United States dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated to United States dollars at period-end exchange rates and income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in stockholders’ equity within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and gains and losses, which result from foreign currency transactions, are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

Restricted Cash

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had restricted cash in the amount of $1,540 related to a letter of credit, which guarantee the Company’s obligations for potential claims exposure for insurance coverage.

Immaterial Correction of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company's fiscal year 2023 consolidated financial statements, the Company identified errors in the application of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 835, "Debt Issuance Costs" and in the cut-off of certain payables. In connection with debt issued in the prior year for the Omni Acquisition, approximately $8,200 of debt issuance costs were expensed and not capitalized. The correction of this error resulted in an out of period adjustment to reduce Other operating expense by $8,200, with an offset of $7,400 to debt issuance costs (a reduction of Long-term debt) and approximately $800 of Interest expense, net in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. Additionally, the nine months ended September 30, 2024 also includes $3,200 of out-of-period adjustments to increase Other operating expense related to incremental payables for services incurred prior to December 31, 2023 that were not accrued at December 31, 2023.

Also, approximately $47,400 of year-to-date incurred losses were allocated to the noncontrolling interest associated with the goodwill impairment recorded in the previous three-month period ended June 30, 2024. A correction resulted in approximately net $38,000 of income to noncontrolling interest during the three-month period ended September 30, 2024. Refer to the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) Income.

The Company has evaluated the effects of the corrections described above, in accordance with guidance in ASC 250, "Accounting Change and Error Correction". The Company concluded such corrections to be immaterial to previously issued financial statements and for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

2.     Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies the performance obligation by the delivery of a shipment in accordance with contractual agreements, bills of lading (“BOLs”) and general tariff provisions. The amount of revenue recognized is measured as the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services pursuant to a contract with a customer. A contract exists once the Company enters into a contractual agreement with a customer. The Company does not recognize revenue in cases where collectability is not probable, and defers recognition until collection is probable or payment is received.

11
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
The Company generates revenue from the delivery of a shipment and the completion of related services. Revenue for the delivery of a shipment is recorded over time to coincide with when customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the delivery services. Accordingly, revenue billed to a customer for the transportation of freight are recognized over the transit period as the performance obligation to the customer is satisfied. The Company determines the transit period for a shipment based on the pick-up date and the delivery date, which may be estimated if delivery has not occurred as of a reporting period. The determination of the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of a given reporting date may require the Company to make judgments that impact the timing of revenue recognized. For delivery of shipments with a pick-up date in one reporting period and a delivery date in another reporting period, the Company recognizes revenue based on relative transit time in each reporting period. A portion of the total revenue to be billed to the customer after completion of a delivery is recognized in each reporting period based on the percentage of total transit time that has been completed at the end of the applicable reporting period. Upon delivery of a shipment or related service, customers are billed according to the applicable payment terms. Related services are a separate performance obligation and include accessorial charges such as terminal handling, storage, equipment rentals and customs brokerage.

Revenue is classified based on the line of business as the Company believes that best depicts the nature, timing and amount of revenue and cash flows. For all lines of business, the Company records revenue on a gross basis as it is the principal in the transaction as the Company has discretion to determine the amount of consideration. Additionally, the Company has the discretion to select drivers and other vendors for the services provided to customers. These factors, discretion in the amount of consideration and the selection of drivers and other vendors, support revenue recognized on a gross basis.

3.    Discontinued Operation

As previously disclosed, in December 2023, the Company made a decision to divest of the Final Mile business and the sale was completed on December 20, 2023. As a result, the results of operations of Final Mile, have been presented under the caption “(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Settlement payment of $6,013 have been incurred in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 in relation to this disposal.
Summarized Discontinued Operation Financial Information
A summary of the results of operations classified as a discontinued operation, net of tax, in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 is as follows:

 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30, 2023September 30, 2023
Operating revenue$72,471 $210,388 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation42,060 121,782 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits12,786 38,382 
Operating leases3,126 9,589 
Depreciation and amortization1,297 3,828 
Insurance and claims657 1,780 
Fuel expense72 242 
Other operating expenses8,669 23,782 
Total operating expenses68,667 199,385 
Income from discontinued operation before income taxes3,804 11,003 
Income tax expense1,009 2,920 
Income from discontinued operation, net of tax$2,795 $8,083 

12
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
4.    Acquisitions

Expedited Freight Acquisition

In January 2023, the Company acquired certain assets of Land Air Express, Inc. (“Land Air”) for $56,567. Land Air, headquartered in Bowling Green, Kentucky, offers a variety of less-than-truckload services including guaranteed, standard, exclusive, same day, hot shot and pickup and delivery, and operates in over 25 terminals across the United States. The acquisition of Land Air is expected to accelerate the expansion of the Company’s national terminal footprint, particularly in the middle part of the United States, and strategically position the Company to better meet the current and future needs of customers. The acquisition was funded using cash flow from operations and proceeds from the Company’s credit facility. The results of Land Air have been included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and from the date of acquisition. The associated goodwill has been included in the Company’s Expedited Freight reportable segment.

Acquisition of Omni

On January 25, 2024, the Company completed the Omni Acquisition pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as amended by the Amended Merger Agreement. Omni, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an asset-light, high-touch logistics and supply chain management company with customer relationships in high-growth end markets. Omni delivers domestic and international freight forwarding, fulfillment services, customs brokerage, distribution, and value-added services for time-sensitive freight to U.S.-based customers operating both domestically and internationally. Pursuant to the Amended Merger Agreement, through a series of transactions involving the Company’s direct and indirect subsidiaries (collectively, with the other transactions contemplated by the Amended Merger Agreement and the other Transaction Agreements referred to therein, the “Transactions”), the Company acquired Omni for a combination of (a) $100,499 in cash (which includes pre-acquisition Omni costs of approximately $80 million) and (b) 14,015 shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, on an as-converted and as-exchanged basis (the “Equity Consideration”) consisting of: (i) 1,910 shares of common stock (of which 1,210 were issued upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Units upon approval of the Company’s shareholders at the 2024 Annual Shareholders Meeting held on June 3, 2024 (the “Conversion Approval”)) and (ii) 12,105 Opco Class B Units (as defined below) and corresponding Series B Preferred Units (as defined below), which are exchangeable into shares of Common Stock (of which 7,670 units were issued upon conversion of the units of Opco (defined below) designated as “Opco Series C-2 Preferred Units” upon the Conversion Approval. The Equity Consideration represents, as of September 30, 2024, 34% of the Company’s outstanding common stock on a fully-diluted and as-exchanged basis.

Prior to the consummation of the Transactions, the Company completed a restructuring, pursuant to which, among other things, the Company contributed all of its operating assets to Clue Opco LLC, a newly formed subsidiary of the Company (“Opco”). Opco has been structured as an umbrella partnership C corporation through which the existing direct and certain indirect equity holders of Omni (“Omni Holders”) hold a portion of the Equity Consideration in the form of units of Opco designated as “Class B Units” (“Opco Class B Units”) and corresponding Series B Preferred Units. Effective as of the Closing, the Company operates its business through Opco, which indirectly holds all of the assets and operations of the Company and Omni. Opco is governed by an amended and restated limited liability company agreement of Opco that became effective at the Closing (“Opco LLCA”).

At the Closing, the Company, Opco, Omni Holders and certain other parties entered into a tax receivable agreement (the “Tax Receivable Agreement”), which sets forth the agreement among the parties regarding the sharing of certain tax benefits realized by the Company as a result of the Transactions. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company is generally obligated to pay certain Omni Holders 83.5% of (a) the total tax benefit that the Company realizes as a result of increases in tax basis in Opco’s assets resulting from certain actual or deemed distributions and the future exchange of units of Opco for shares of securities of the Company (or cash) pursuant to the Opco LLCA, (b) certain pre-existing tax attributes of certain Omni Holders that are corporate entities for tax purposes, (c) the tax benefits that the Company realizes from certain tax allocations that correspond to items of income or gain required to be recognized by certain Omni Holders, and (d) other tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement.
13
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
As of December 31, 2023, the Company consolidated the activities of GN Bondco, LLC (VIE) and GN Loanco, LLC (VIE) with the proceeds from the Notes (as defined below) and New Term Loan (as defined below) recorded in “Noncurrent restricted cash equivalents” and the corresponding long-term debt recorded in “Long-term debt held in escrow” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company deposited the appropriate funds into escrow on behalf of GN Bondco, LLC and GN Loanco, LLC in connection with the interest accrued through the Closing. For the interest funded but unpaid as of December 31, 2023, the corresponding amounts were recorded in “Restricted cash equivalents” and “Accrued expenses” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, while held in escrow, the proceeds from the Notes and New Term Loan were invested in a liquid, short-term instrument. The receivable for the interest earned through December 31, 2023 was recorded in “Restricted cash equivalents” and “Other receivables” on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

At the Closing, the funds held in escrow were released, the aforementioned VIEs were dissolved, and the proceeds were distributed to the Company to affect the Transactions. The Notes and New Term Loans are discussed in Note 6, Indebtedness.

The Omni Acquisition enables the Company to provide a differentiated service offering and expanded geographic footprint to customers. In addition, the combination of these complementary businesses positions the Company to deliver integrated global supply chain solutions for customers’ most service-sensitive logistics needs. Goodwill recognized related to the preliminary purchase price represents planned operational synergies, expanded geographic reach of our services, and strategic market positioning. The results of Omni have been included in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as of and from the date of acquisition. The associated goodwill has been included in the Omni reportable segment and is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.

Consideration transferred of Omni

The acquisition-date fair value sources of the consideration transferred consists of the followings:
Omni
Cash$100,499 
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement13,270 
Common shares32,795 
Series B preferred shares (each issued with a corresponding Opco class B unit)207,880 
Series C preferred shares56,713 
Opco C-2 preferred units359,493 
Extinguishment of Omni's indebtedness1,543,003 
Preliminary consideration transferred$2,313,653 
14
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
Fair Value of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed

Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date are presented in the following table:
Land AirOmni
January 31, 2023January 25, 2024
Tangible assets:
Cash$— $78,260 
Accounts receivable— 181,570 
Property and equipment738 75,292 
Other assets— 35,639 
Operating lease right-of-use assets— 234,025 
Total tangible assets738 604,786 
Intangible assets:
Customer relationships35,200 915,400 
Non-compete agreements— 23,400 
Trademarks and other— 23,100 
Goodwill20,629 1,544,830 
Total intangible assets55,829 2,506,730 
Total assets acquired56,567 3,111,516 
Liabilities assumed:
Current liabilities— 156,002 
Finance lease obligations— 14,606 
Operating lease liabilities— 234,025 
Other liabilities— 643 
Deferred income taxes— 392,587 
Total liabilities assumed— 797,863 
Net assets acquired$56,567 $2,313,653 

The estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed including the consideration transferred are based on the Company’s best estimates and assumptions using the information available as of the acquisition date through the date of this filing. As a part of the Omni Acquisition, the interest in Opco not owned by Company was valued to be $433,449 on January 25, 2024 and is disclosed in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity. The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this acquisition on its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The primary areas of the acquisition accounting that are not yet finalized include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) finalizing the review and valuation of the acquired tangible and intangible assets and liabilities (including the key assumptions, inputs, and estimates) and (2) finalizing the identification of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed and identified. Actual values may differ (possibly materially) when final information becomes available that differs from our current estimates. We believe that the information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the preliminary fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company expects to finalize the valuation as soon as practicable, but no later than one year from the acquisition date.

15
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded measurement period adjustments to decrease Customer Relationships by $147.3 million, decrease Non-compete Agreements by $19.1 million, and decrease Trademarks and other by $19.4 million. As a result of the adjusted acquisition-date fair value of assets acquired, the Company recorded an increase of $185.8 million to the Goodwill recognized. The measurement period adjustments were recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and were made to reflect facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date. The Company initially recorded the purchase price allocation on initial estimates, and in the three months ended September 30, 2024 an updated valuation was performed. The effects of the remeasuring the intangible assets resulted in a reduction of $11.8 million in amortization expense for the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2024, recognized in Depreciation and amortization on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss) income.

The fair value estimates of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is pending the completion of various items and is anticipated to be completed in the last three months of the fiscal year.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded $(549) and $71,393 of transactions and integration costs incurred in connection with the Omni Acquisition. The transaction and integration costs were recorded in “Other operating expenses” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The preliminary estimated useful life of acquired intangible assets as of the acquisition date are summarized in the following table:
Estimated Useful Lives
Land AirOmni
Customer relationships15 years14 years
Non-compete agreements—4 years
Trademarks and other—5 years

Supplemental Pro Forma Information

The following table represents the pro forma financial information as if Omni had been included in the consolidated results of the Company since January 1, 2023 (unaudited and in thousands):

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Pro forma revenue$1,923,416 $2,002,935 
Pro forma net loss from continuing operations(1,155,014)(133,216)

The pro forma financial information adjusts the net loss for amortization of the intangible assets and the fair value adjustments of the assets acquired in connection with the Omni Acquisition as if the Closing had occurred on January 1, 2023.
    

16
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
5.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are summarized as follows:
Expedited FreightIntermodalOmni LogisticsConsolidated
Balance as of December 31, 2023$141,720 $136,986 $— $278,706 
Acquisition— — 1,544,830 1,544,830 
Impairment— — (1,107,465)(1,107,465)
Balance as of September 30, 2024$141,720 $136,986 $437,365 $716,071 

The Company's accumulated impairment loss for the Omni Logistics segment is $1,107,465 as of September 30, 2024. The Company’s accumulated goodwill impairment also includes $25,686 related to impairment charges the Company recorded during 2016 pertaining to its Truckload Services reporting unit. The Truckload Services reporting unit operates within the Expedited Freight reportable segment.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually as of June 30 and when events or circumstances indicate that fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, for example, a component. If the fair value of the reporting unit is below its carrying value, the difference between the total fair value of the reporting unit and the carrying value is recognized as an impairment to the reporting unit's goodwill.

The Company’s annual impairment analyses were performed as of June 30, 2024 for all reporting units. For the reporting units in the Expedited Freight and Intermodal reportable segments, we performed a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis and these reporting units continue to result in an excess of fair value over carrying value.

The Omni reporting unit’s fair value was calculated using a DCF model and a guideline public company method, with each method weighted equally. Under the DCF model, the fair value of a reporting unit is the present value of estimated future cash flows and is based on all known or knowable information at the measurement date. Under the guideline public company method, the fair value is based upon market multiples derived from publicly-traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics of the reporting unit. The inputs to both the DCF and the guideline public company method are Level 3 valuation inputs. Primarily due to a decrease in the market value of the Company’s common stock during the second quarter of 2024, as a result of many factors including, but not limited to, general market factors, credit rating downgrades, and changes in executive leadership, and the inherent uncertainty associated with the combined enterprise, the Omni Logistics reporting unit’s fair value was determined to be less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1,092,714 during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Due to measurement period adjustments in the three months ended September 30, 2024, an additional $14,751 of goodwill impairment was recorded. The cumulative goodwill impairment through the nine months ended September 30, 2024 is $1,107,465. The goodwill impairment expense was recorded in the Impairment of goodwill caption on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Additionally, as qualifying measurement-period adjustments are made to the Omni purchase price allocation, which is not yet finalized (See Note 4, Acquisitions), further adjustments to the goodwill impairment may be required.
17
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

Other Intangible Assets

Changes in the carrying amount of acquired intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 are summarized as follows:

Gross Carrying Amount
Customer Relationships1
Non-Compete AgreementsTrade NamesTotal
Balance as of December 31, 2023$253,914 $6,407 $1,500 $261,821 
Acquisition915,400 23,400 23,100 961,900 
Balance as of September 30, 2024$1,169,314 $29,807 $24,600 $1,223,721 

Accumulated Amortization
Customer Relationships1
Non-Compete AgreementsTrade NamesTotal
Balance as of December 31, 2023$118,993 $6,539 $1,500 $127,032 
Amortization expense55,373 4,884 3,080 63,337 
Balance as of September 30, 2024$174,366 $11,423 $4,580 $190,369 
1 Carrying value as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is inclusive of $16,501 of accumulated impairment.


18
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

6.    Indebtedness

Long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

September 30, 2024December 31, 2023
Term Loan, expiring 2030 1
$1,045,000 $— 
Senior Secured Notes, maturing 2031 1
725,000 — 
Debt issuance discount(55,601)— 
Debt issuance costs 2
(41,107)— 
Total long-term debt$1,673,292 $— 
1 On December 31, 2023 the debt instruments and related proceeds were consolidated but were restricted under an escrow agreement contingent upon the Closing of the Omni Acquisition.
2 Debt issuance costs of $9,835 related to the Revolving Credit Facility are recorded in Other Assets.

Senior Secured Notes

In order to finance a portion of the cash consideration payable for the Omni Acquisition and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transaction, GN Bondco, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omni, (the “Escrow Issuer” and consolidated VIE) completed a private offering of $725,000 aggregate principal amount of its 9.5% senior secured notes due 2031 (the “Notes”) in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). As of December 31, 2023, the Notes were included in Long-term debt held in escrow on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon the Closing, Opco assumed the Escrow Issuer’s obligations under the Notes. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum, payable semiannually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2024. The Notes were issued at 98.0% of the face amount and will mature on October 15, 2031. Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of October 2, 2023, between the Escrow Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent.

The Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $100,000. Prior to October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable “make-whole” premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. On or after October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem some or all of the Notes at the following prices (expressed as a percentage of principal), plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date: (a) in the case of a redemption occurring during the 12-month period commencing October 15, 2026, at a redemption price of 104.750%; (b) in the case of a redemption occurring during the 12-month period commencing on October 15, 2027, at a redemption price of 102.375%; and (c) in the case of a redemption occurring on or after October 15, 2028, at a redemption price of 100.000%. In addition, at any time prior to October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem up to 40.000% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes in an amount not to exceed the amount of net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.5% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control”, Opco will be required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes at a purchase price of 101.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase.

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility

In order to finance a portion of the cash consideration payable for the Omni Acquisition and the costs and expenses incurred in connection with the transaction, GN Loanco, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Omni, (the “Escrow Loan Borrower” and consolidated VIE), entered into a credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent and as initial term loan lender on December 19, 2023. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Escrow Loan Borrower obtained senior secured term B loans in an aggregate principal amount of $1,125,000 (the “New Term Loans”) and the ability to draw down up to $400,000 under a line of credit (the “Revolving Credit Facility”).
19
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
The New Term Loans bear interest based, at Opco’s election, on (a) SOFR plus an applicable margin or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate is equal to the highest of the following: (i) the prime rate; (ii) 0.50% above the overnight federal funds rate; and (iii) the one-month Term SOFR plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for Term SOFR loans is 4.50% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 3.50%. The New Term Loans are subject to customary amortization of 1.00% per year. The New Term Loans were issued at 96.0% of the face amount and will mature on December 19, 2030.

No borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were made in connection with the Omni Acquisition. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on January 25, 2029. Loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest based, at Opco’s election, on (a) SOFR plus an applicable margin or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin. Until delivery of a compliance certificate in respect of the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024, the applicable margin for SOFR loans is 4.25% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 3.25%. Thereafter, the applicable margin can range from 3.75% to 4.25% for SOFR loans and from 2.75% to 3.25% for base rate loans, in each case depending on Opco’s first lien net leverage ratio, as set forth in the Credit Agreement. Upon closing of the Omni Acquisition, Opco assumed the Escrow Loan Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement, which were further secured by certain guarantors. Opco’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by the Company and each of Opco’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries (subject to customary exceptions).

On February 12, 2024, Opco and the parties to the Credit Agreement entered into Amendment No. 2 (“Amendment No. 2”) to the Credit Agreement, which (a) modifies the financial performance covenant in the Credit Agreement by temporarily increasing the 4.50:1.00 maximum consolidated first lien net leverage ratio permitted by the covenant to (i) 6.00:1.00 (for the second and third quarters of 2024), (ii) 5.50:1.00 (for the fourth quarter of 2024), (iii) 5.25:1.00 (for the first quarter of 2025), (iv) 5.00:1.00 (for the second quarter of 2025) and (v) 4.75:1.00 (for the third quarter of 2025) and (b) reduces the revolving credit commitments available under the Credit Agreement from an aggregate principal amount of $400,000 to an aggregate principal amount of $340,000. If the financial performance covenant is not met, the Company will lose access to the Revolving Credit Facility. Amendment No. 2 also amends certain other terms of the Credit Agreement.

Prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 2, on February 12, 2024, Opco repaid $80,000 aggregate principal amount of the New Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

Both the Notes and Revolving Credit Facility contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of the Company, without the approval of the required lenders, to engage in certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, dividends and stock repurchases, investments, and other transactions or to incur liens or indebtedness in excess of agreed thresholds, as set forth in the Credit Agreement. As of the date of this report, the Company was in compliance with these aforementioned covenants.
20
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
As of September 30, 2024 the Company had no outstanding borrowings under this revolving credit facility.

Former Credit Facility

In September 2017, the Company entered into a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) with a maximum aggregate principal amount of $150,000, with a sublimit of $30,000 for letters of credit and a sublimit of $30,000 for swing line loans. The maturity date of the Facility was September 29, 2022. In April 2020, the Company entered into the first amendment to the Facility, which increased the maximum aggregate principal amount to $225,000. The Facility could have been increased by up to $25,000 to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $250,000 pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement, subject to the lenders’ agreement to increase their commitments or the addition of new lenders extending such commitments. In July 2021, the Company entered into the second amendment to the Facility, which extended the maturity date to July 20, 2026 and changed the interest rate options available under the Facility. In December 2021, the Company entered into the third amendment to the Facility, which increased the amount available for borrowing under the Facility to $450,000, consisting of a $300,000 revolving line of credit and a term loan of $150,000. In connection with the third amendment, the Company borrowed $150,000 under the term loan and simultaneously repaid $150,000 on the revolving line of credit from the borrowings received. Under the third amendment, the Facility could have been increased by up to $75,000 to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $525,000 pursuant to the terms of the amended credit agreement, subject to the lenders’ agreement to increase their commitments or the addition of new lenders extending such commitments. Such increases to the Facility could have been in the form of additional revolving credit loans, term loans or a combination thereof, and were contingent upon there being no events of default under the Facility.

As of December 31, 2023 the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Facility. No borrowings were made under the Facility prior to the extinguishment upon the Closing.

Letters of Credit

The Company had an arrangement to issue a letter of credit, which guarantee the Company’s obligations for potential claims exposure for insurance coverage. As of December 31, 2023 and September 30, 2024, the outstanding letter of credit totaled $19,834 and $1,540, respectively. Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the outstanding letter of credit totaled $17,688 as of September 30, 2024.

21
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

7.    Net (Loss) Income Per Share

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Restricted shares have non-forfeitable rights to dividends and as a result, are considered participating securities for purposes of computing net income per common share pursuant to the two-class method. Diluted net income per common share assumes the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of performance share awards using the treasury stock method when the effects of such assumptions are dilutive.

A reconciliation of net income attributable to Forward Air and weighted-average common shares outstanding for purposes of calculating basic and diluted net income per share during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:
 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Numerator:  
Net (loss) income from continuing operations$(72,271)$6,493 $(774,540)$57,524 
Net (loss) income from discontinued operation(1,137)2,795 (6,013)8,083 
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air(73,408)9,288 (780,553)65,607 
Income allocated to participating securities from continuing operations— (40)— (313)
Income allocated to participating securities from discontinued operation— (17)— (44)
Income allocated to participating securities— (57)— (357)
Numerator for basic and diluted net (loss) income per share for continuing operations$(73,101)$6,453 $(775,347)$57,211 
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share for discontinued operation$(1,137)$2,778 $(6,013)$8,039 
Denominator:  
Denominator for basic net (loss) income per share - weighted-average number of common shares outstanding27,941 25,697 26,983 25,995 
Dilutive stock options and performance share awards— 74 — 101 
Denominator for diluted net (loss) income per share - weighted-average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding27,941 25,771 26,983 26,096 
Basic net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
     Continuing operations$(2.62)$0.25 $(28.73)$2.20 
     Discontinued operation(0.04)0.11 (0.22)0.31 
Net (loss) income per basic share$(2.66)$0.36 $(28.95)$2.51 
Diluted net (loss) income per share attributable to Forward Air:
     Continuing operations$(2.62)$0.25 $(28.73)$2.19 
     Discontinued operation(0.04)0.11 (0.22)0.31 
Net (loss) income per diluted share1
$(2.66)$0.36 $(28.95)$2.50 

1Rounding may impact summation of amounts.
22
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
The number of shares that were not included in the calculation of net income per diluted share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Anti-dilutive stock options287 112 287 105 
Anti-dilutive performance shares7 18 13 16 
Anti-dilutive restricted shares and deferred stock units166 72 166 61 
Total anti-dilutive shares460 202 466 182 

8.    Income Taxes

The Company is taxed as a C corporation and is subject to federal and state income taxes. The Company’s sole material tax asset is Opco, which is a limited liability company that is taxed as a partnership for federal and certain state and local income tax purposes. Opco’s net taxable income and related tax credits, if any, are passed through to its partners and included in the partner’s tax returns. The income tax burden on the earnings taxed to the noncontrolling interest holders is not reported by the Company in its condensed consolidated financial statements. As a result, the Company’s effective tax rate differs materially from the statutory rate. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $191,990 and income tax expense of $20,091, respectively. The effective tax rate of 15.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 varied from the statutory United States federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the effect of the tax impact of the goodwill impairment charge, noncontrolling interest, partially offset by state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, and foreign taxes. The effective tax rate of 25.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 varied from the statutory United States federal income tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, net of the federal benefit, and non-deductible executive compensation, partially offset by excess tax benefits realized on share-based awards.

The Company recognizes income tax benefits from uncertain tax positions where the realization of the ultimate benefit is uncertain. As of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had $153 of unrecognized income tax benefits, all of which would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. As of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits of $82. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or Canadian examinations by tax authorities for years before 2017.

The Company also maintains a valuation allowance to reserve against its state net operating loss carryforwards of $395. A valuation allowance is established when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company assessed the likelihood that its deferred tax assets would be recovered from estimated future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. In making this assessment, all available evidence was considered including economic climate, as well as reasonable tax planning strategies. The Company believes it is more likely than not that it will realize its remaining net deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance, in future years.

In connection with the Omni Acquisition, the Company entered into a Tax Receivable Agreement with certain Omni Holders. As of September 30, 2024, the Company recorded a Tax Receivable Agreement liability of approximately $36,797, after concluding that such Tax Receivable Agreement payments would be probable based on estimates of future taxable income over the term of the Tax Receivable Agreement. The determination of the Tax Receivable Agreement liability requires the Company to make judgments in estimating the amount of tax attributes as of the date of exchanges (such as cash to be received by the Company on a hypothetical sale of assets and allocation of gain or loss to the Company at the time of the exchanges taking into consideration partnership tax rules). The amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreement will also vary depending upon a number of factors, including tax rates in effect, as well as the amount, character, and timing of the taxable income of Opco in the future and the expected realization of tax benefits with respect to deferred tax assets related to tax attributes subject to Tax Receivable Agreement, which may result in a valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets. If other tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreement are determined to be payable, additional Tax Receivable Agreement liabilities may be considered probable at that time.
23
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development enacted model rules for a new global minimum tax framework, also known as Pillar Two, and certain governments globally have enacted, or are in the process of enacting, legislation considering these model rules. These rules did not have a material impact on our taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”), continues to put forth various initiatives, including Pillar Two rules which include the introduction of a global minimum tax at a rate of 15%. European Union member states agreed to implement the OECD’s Pillar Two rules with effective dates of January 1, 2024 and January 1, 2025, for different aspects of the directive and most have already enacted legislation. A number of other countries are also implementing similar legislation. As of September 30, 2024, based on the countries in which we do business that have enacted legislation effective January 1, 2024, the impact of these rules to our financial statements was not material. This may change as other countries enact similar legislation and further guidance is released. We continue to closely monitor regulatory developments to assess potential impacts.

9.    Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities into one of three levels based on the assumptions used in valuing the asset or liability. Estimates of fair value financial assets and liabilities are based on a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. In accordance with this guidance, fair value measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

•Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

•Level 3 - Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized below:

As of September 30, 2024
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement$— $— $36,797 $36,797 
As of December 31, 2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Liabilities under tax receivable agreement$— $— $— $— 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable, other receivables and accounts payable are valued at their carrying amounts in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.

In connection with the Omni acquisition noted in Note 4 and the deal structure, Preferred B shares totaling 966,764 were converted into common stock during the quarter and as a result, Tax Receivable Agreement liability increased to $36.8 million from $13.3 million. See Note 8 for more information on the Tax Receivable Agreement.
24
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
As of September 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of the Company’s finance lease obligation, based on current borrowing rates, was $48,097, compared to its carrying value of $49,472. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated fair value of the Company’s finance lease obligation, based on current borrowing rates, was $38,926, compared to its carrying value of $39,381.

The carrying value of the long-term debt approximates fair value based on the borrowing rates currently available for a loan with similar terms and average maturity.
10.    Shareholders’ Equity

Series B Preferred Stock

Pursuant to Articles of Amendment to the Restated Charter of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Tennessee at the Closing (the “Charter Amendment”), the Company established the terms of a new series of preferred stock of the Company designated as “Series B Preferred Stock” (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), and, at the Closing, certain Omni Holders received fractional units (the “Series B Preferred Units”) each representing one one-thousandth of a share of the Company Series B Preferred Stock. Each Series B Preferred Unit is, together with a corresponding Opco Class B Unit, exchangeable at the option of the holder thereof into one share of the Company’s common stock.

Holders of Series B Preferred Units and holders of the Company’s common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by the Company’s shareholders, subject to limited exceptions. Each holder of record of Series B Preferred Units is entitled to cast one vote for each such unit.

Pursuant to the Charter Amendment, the Series B Preferred Units have a liquidation preference of $0.01 per unit and are not entitled to receive any dividends independent of their corresponding Opco Class B Units. A Series B Preferred Unit and its corresponding Opco Class B Unit may only be transferred together as a single, combined unit.

Stock Repurchase Program

On February 5, 2019, the Board approved a stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to 5,000 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “2019 Repurchase Plan”). The 2019 Repurchase Plan expires when the shares authorized for repurchase are exhausted or the 2019 Repurchase Plan is canceled.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock through open market transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased through open market transactions 883 shares of common stock for $93,811, or an average of $106.21 per share. All shares received were retired upon receipt, and the excess of the purchase price over the par value per share was recorded to “Retained (Deficit) Earnings” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of September 30, 2024, the remaining shares permitted to be repurchased under the 2019 Repurchase Plan were approximately 1,349 shares.
25
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024

11.    Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

On September 26, 2023, Rodney Bell, Michael A. Roberts and Theresa Woods, (collectively, the "Plaintiffs"), three of our shareholders, filed a complaint against us and certain of its directors and officers in the Third District Chancery Court sitting in Greeneville, Tennessee (the "Shareholder Complaint"). The Shareholder Complaint alleges, among other things, that our shareholders have the right to vote on certain transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and sought an injunction against the consummation of the transaction until a shareholder vote was held. The court initially granted a temporary restraining order enjoining the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement but later dissolved it on October 25, 2023. Thereafter and as described below, on the Closing, the parties to the Amended Merger Agreement completed the Omni Acquisition. On May 2, 2024, Plaintiff Michael Roberts, together with the Cambria County Employees Retirement System filed a stipulation and proposed order seeking leave of court to file an amended class action complaint seeking damages, among other forms of relief. Upon receiving leave of the court, on May 15, 2024, the Plaintiffs filed the amended complaint. Like the earlier complaints, it challenges our determination not to subject the Omni Acquisition to a shareholder vote. We disagree with the allegations of the amended complaint and are in the process of defending the matter.

The Company is party to various legal claims and actions incidental to its business, including claims related to vehicle liability, workers’ compensation, property damage and employee medical benefits. The Company accrues for the uninsured portion of contingent losses from these and other pending claims when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on the knowledge of the facts, the Company believes the resolution of claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict, and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and related events unfold.

Insurance coverage provides the Company with primary and excess coverage for claims related to vehicle liability, workers’ compensation, property damage and employee medical benefits.
26
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
For vehicle liability, the Company retains a portion of the risk. Below is a summary of the Company’s risk retention on vehicle liability insurance coverage maintained by the Company up to $10,000 (in thousands):

Company
Risk Retention		FrequencyLayerPolicy Term
Expedited Freight¹
LTL business$5,000 Occurrence/Accident¹
$0 to $5,000
10/1/2023 to 10/1/2024
Truckload business$5,000 Occurrence/Accident¹
$0 to $5,000
10/1/2023 to 10/1/2024
LTL, Truckload and Intermodal businesses$5,000 Policy Term Aggregate²
$5,000 to $10,000
10/1/2023 to 10/1/2024
Intermodal$1,000 Occurrence/Accident¹
$0 to $1,000
10/1/2023 to 10/1/2024
¹ For each and every accident/incident, the Company is responsible for damages and defense up to these amounts, regardless of the number of claims associated with any accident/incident.
² During the Policy Term, the Company is responsible for damages and defense within the stated Layer up to the stated, aggregate amount of Risk Retention before insurance will continue.

Also, from time to time, when brokering freight, the Company may face claims for the “negligent selection” of outside, contracted carriers that are involved in accidents, and the Company maintains third-party liability insurance coverage with a $100 deductible per occurrence for most of its brokered services. The Company maintains workers’ compensation insurance with a self-insured retention of $500 per occurrence.

Insurance coverage in excess of the self-insured retention limit is an important part of the Company’s risk management process. The Company accrues for the costs of the uninsured portion of pending claims within the self-insured retention based on the nature and severity of individual claims and historical claims development trends. The Company believes the recorded reserves are sufficient for all incurred claims up to the self-insured retention limits, including an estimate for claims incurred but not reported. However, estimating the number and severity of claims, as well as related judgment or settlement amounts is inherently difficult, and the Company may fail to establish sufficient insurance reserves and adequately estimate for future insurance claims. Since the ultimate resolution of outstanding claims as well as claims incurred but not reported is uncertain, it is possible that the reserves recorded for these losses could change materially in the near term. Although, an estimate cannot be made of the range of additional loss that is at least reasonably possible.
27
Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024
12.    Segment Reporting

The Company has three reportable segments: Expedited Freight, Intermodal and Omni Logistics. The Company evaluates segment performance based on income from operations. Segment results include intersegment revenues and shared costs.  Costs related to the corporate headquarters, shared services and shared assets, such as trailers, are allocated to each segment based on usage. Shared assets are not allocated to each segment, but rather the shared assets, such as trailers, are allocated to the Expedited Freight segment. Corporate includes revenues and expenses as well as assets that are not attributable to any of the Company’s reportable segments.

The accounting policies applied to each segment are the same as those described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies as disclosed in Note 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, except for certain self-insurance loss reserves related to vehicle liability and workers’ compensation. Each segment is allocated an insurance premium and deductible that corresponds to the self-insured retention limit for that particular segment. Any self-insurance loss exposure beyond the deductible allocated to each segment is recorded in Corporate.

Segment results from operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2024
 Expedited FreightIntermodalOmni LogisticsCorporateEliminationsConsolidated
External revenues$264,129 $57,270 $334,538 $— $— $655,937 
Intersegment revenues20,578 142 — — (20,720)— 
Depreciation9,029 2,020 3,346 — — 14,395 
Amortization1,452 2,562 7,484 — — 11,498 
Income (loss) from operations19,269 4,091 1,136 (1,799)— 22,697 
Purchases of property and equipment7,577 79 2,758 — — 10,414 
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
 Expedited FreightIntermodalOmni LogisticsCorporateEliminationsConsolidated
External revenues$278,841 $62,135 $— $— $— $340,976 
Intersegment revenues34 48 — — (82)— 
Depreciation8,018 2,626 — — — 10,644 
Amortization1,004 2,561 — — — 3,565 
Income (loss) from operations32,547 4,744 — (25,602)— 11,689 
Purchases of property and equipment5,223 21 — — — 5,244 

Revenue from the individual services within the Expedited Freight segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

 Three Months EndedNine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024September 30, 2023September 30, 2024September 30, 2023
Expedited Freight revenues:  
Network$217,289 $216,977 $655,116 $628,670 
Truckload43,635 38,800 125,368 120,976 
Other23,783 23,098 68,800 68,242 
Total$284,707 $278,875 $849,284 $817,888 

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Forward Air Corporation
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited and in thousands, except per share data)
September 30, 2024


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024
 Expedited FreightIntermodalOmni LogisticsCorporateEliminationsConsolidated
External revenues$797,483 $172,701 $871,232 $— $— $1,841,416 
Intersegment revenues51,801 302 — — (52,103)— 
Depreciation27,282 6,234 9,468 — — 42,984 
Amortization4,181 7,687 51,469 — — 63,337 
Income (loss) from operations60,713 12,994 (1,133,323)(79,175)— (1,138,791)
Purchases of property and equipment16,502 1,629 11,679 — — 29,810 
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
 Expedited FreightIntermodalOmni LogisticsCorporateEliminationsConsolidated
External revenues$817,785 $214,522 $— $— $— $1,032,307 
Intersegment revenues103 81 — — (184)— 
Depreciation22,123 7,056 — — — 29,179 
Amortization2,964 7,683 — — — 10,647 
Income (loss) from operations89,295 20,259 — (24,344)— 85,210 
Purchases of property and equipment21,496 584 — — — 22,080 
Total Assets
As of September 30, 2024$674,896 $261,081 $1,971,503 $148,378 $(18)$3,055,840 
As of December 31, 2023661,270 270,421 — 2,047,901 (59)2,979,533 


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Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Overview
 
We are a leading asset-light freight provider of transportation services, including LTL, truckload and intermodal drayage services and freight brokerage and supply chain services across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. We offer premium services that typically require precision execution, such as expedited transit, delivery during tight time windows and special handling. We utilize an asset-light strategy to minimize our investments in equipment and facilities and to reduce our capital expenditures.

Our services are classified into three reportable segments: Expedited Freight, Intermodal and Omni Logistics.

Our Expedited Freight segment provides expedited regional, inter-regional and national LTL services. Expedited Freight also offers customers local pick-up and delivery and other services including truckload, shipment consolidation and deconsolidation, warehousing, customs brokerage and other handling. We plan to grow our LTL geographic footprint through greenfield start-ups as well as through acquisitions.

Our Intermodal segment provides first- and last-mile high value intermodal container drayage services both to and from seaports and railheads. Intermodal also offers dedicated contract and CFS warehouse and handling services, and in select locations, linehaul and LTL services. We plan to grow our Intermodal geographic footprint through acquisitions as well as through greenfield start-ups where no suitable acquisition is available.

Our Omni Logistics segment provides a full suite of global logistics services. Services include air and ocean freight consolidation and forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing and distribution, time-definite transportation services and other supply chain solutions.

Our operations, particularly our network of hubs and terminals, represent substantial fixed costs. Consequently, our ability to increase our earnings depends in significant part on our ability to increase the amount of freight and the revenue per pound or shipment for the freight shipped or moved through our network. Additionally, our earnings depend on the growth of other services, such as LTL pickup and delivery, which will allow us to maintain revenue growth in a challenging freight environment. We continue to focus on creating synergies across our services, particularly with services offered in our Expedited Freight reportable segment. Synergistic opportunities include the ability to share resources, in particular our fleet resources.

We monitor and analyze a number of key operating statistics in order to manage our business and evaluate our financial and operating performance. These key operating statistics are defined below and are referred to throughout the discussion of the financial results of our Expedited Freight and Intermodal reportable segments. Our key operating statistics should not be interpreted as better measurements of our results than income from operations as determined under GAAP.

Within our Expedited Freight reportable segment, our primary revenue focus is to increase density, which is shipment and tonnage growth within our existing LTL network. Increases in density allow us to maximize our asset utilization and labor productivity, which we measure over many different functional areas of our operations including linehaul load factor and door pounds handled per hour. In addition to our focus on density and operating efficiencies, it is critical for us to obtain an appropriate yield, which is measured as revenue per hundredweight, on the shipments we handle to offset our cost inflation and support our ongoing investments in capacity and technology. Revenue per hundredweight is also a commonly-used indicator for general pricing trends in the LTL industry and can be influenced by many other factors, such as changes in fuel surcharges, weight per shipment and length of haul. Therefore, changes in revenue per hundredweight may not necessarily indicate actual changes in underlying base rates. We regularly monitor the components of our pricing, including base freight rates, accessorial charges and fuel surcharges. The fuel surcharge is generally designed to offset fluctuations in the cost of the petroleum-based products used in our operations and is indexed to diesel fuel prices published by the U.S. Department of Energy. The impact of fuel on our results of operations depends on the relationship between the applicable surcharge, the fuel efficiency of our Company drivers, and the load factor achieved by our operation. Fluctuations in fuel prices in either direction could have a positive or negative impact on our margins, particularly in our LTL business where the weight of a shipment subject to the fuel surcharge on a given trailer can vary materially. We believe our yield management process focused on account level profitability, and ongoing improvements in operating efficiencies, are both key components of our ability to grow profitably.

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The key operating statistics necessary to understand the operating results of our Expedited Freight reportable segment are described below in more detail:

Tonnage - Total weight of shipments in pounds. The level of freight tonnage is affected by economic cycles and conditions, customers’ business cycles, changes in customers’ business practices and capacity in the truckload market.

Weight Per Shipment - Total pounds divided by the number of shipments. Fluctuations in weight per shipment can indicate changes in the mix of freight we receive from our customers, as well as changes in the number of units included in a shipment. Generally, increases in weight per shipment indicate higher demand and overall increased economic activity. Changes in weight per shipment can also be influenced by shifts between LTL and other modes of transportation, such as truckload, in response to capacity, service and pricing issues. Fluctuations in weight per shipment generally have an inverse effect on our revenue per hundredweight, as a decrease in weight per shipment will typically cause an increase in revenue per hundredweight.

Revenue Per Hundredweight - Network revenue per every 100 pounds of shipment weight. Our LTL transportation services are generally priced based on weight, commodity, and distance. Our pricing policies are reflective of the services we provide, and can be influenced by competitive market conditions. Changes in the freight profile factors such as average shipment size, average length of haul, freight density, and customer and geographic mix can impact the revenue per hundredweight. Fuel surcharges and intercompany revenue between Network and Truckload are included in this measurement.

Revenue Per Shipment - Network revenue divided by the number of shipments. Fuel surcharges and intercompany revenue between Network and Truckload are included in this measurement.

Average Length of Haul - Total miles between origin and destination service centers for all shipments, with miles based on the size of shipments. Length of haul is used to analyze our tonnage and pricing trends for shipments with similar characteristics. Changes in length of haul generally have a direct effect on our revenue per hundredweight, as an increase in length of haul will typically cause an increase in revenue per hundredweight.

Within our Intermodal reportable segment, our primary revenue focus is to increase the number of shipments. The key operating statistic necessary to understand the operating results of our Intermodal reportable segment is described below in more detail:

Drayage Revenue Per Shipment - Intermodal revenue divided by the number of drayage shipments. Revenue derived from container freight station warehouse and handling, and linehaul and LTL services is excluded from this measurement. Fuel surcharges and accessorial charges are included in this measurement.

Trends and Developments

Economy

Our business is highly susceptible to changes in economic conditions. Our products and services are directly tied to the production and sale of goods and, more generally, to the global economy. Participants in the transportation industry have historically experienced cyclical fluctuations in financial results due to economic recessions, downturns in the business cycles of customers, volatility in the prices charged by third-party carriers, interest rate fluctuations and other U.S. and global macroeconomic developments. During economic downturns, reductions in overall demand for transportation services will likely reduce demand for our services and exert downward pressure on our rates and margins. In periods of strong economic growth, overall demand may exceed the available supply of transportation resources. While this may present an opportunity to increase economies of scale in our network and enhanced pricing and margins, these benefits may be lessened by increased network congestion and operating inefficiencies.


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Like other providers of freight transportation services, our business has been impacted by the macroeconomic conditions of the past year. International trade is influenced by many factors, including economic and political conditions in the United States and abroad, currency exchange rates, laws and policies relating to tariffs, trade restrictions and foreign investment. Periodically, governments consider a variety of changes to tariffs and impose trade restrictions. We cannot predict the outcome of changes in tariffs, or interpretations, and trade restrictions and the effects they will have on our business. Doing business in foreign locations also subjects us to a variety of risks and considerations not normally encountered by domestic enterprises. In addition to being influenced by governmental policies, our business may also be negatively affected by political developments and changes in government personnel or policies in the United States and other countries, as well as economic turbulence, political unrest and security concerns in the nations and on the trade shipping lanes in which we conduct business and the future impact that these events may have on international trade.

Our ability to provide services to our customers is highly dependent on good working relationships with a variety of entities, including airlines, ocean carrier lines and ground transportation providers. We consider our current working relationships with these entities strong and beneficial to the Company. However, changes in the financial stability and operating capabilities and capacity of asset-based carriers, capacity allotments available from carriers could affect our business in unpredictable ways. When the market experiences seasonal peaks or any sort of disruption, the carriers often increase their pricing suddenly. This carrier behavior creates pricing volatility that could impact our ability to maintain historical profitability.

The global economic and trade environments remain uncertain, including inflation remaining higher than historical levels, greater volatility in oil prices and high interest rates. Starting in the second quarter of 2022 and continuing through most of 2023, we saw a slowdown in the global economy and a softening of customer demand resulting in declines in rates. As demand remains soft, available transportation capacity continues to exceed demand. These conditions have continued to impact our rates negatively in 2024. We also expect that pricing volatility will continue as carriers adapt to lower demand, changing fuel prices, security risks and react to governmental trade policies and other regulations.

Fuel

We depend heavily upon the availability of adequate diesel fuel supplies, and recently, fuel availability and prices have fluctuated significantly. Fuel availability and prices can be impacted by factors beyond our control, such as natural or man made disasters, adverse weather conditions, political events, economic sanctions imposed against oil-producing countries or specific industry participants, disruptions or failure of technology or information systems, price and supply decisions by oil producing countries and cartels, terrorist activities, armed conflict, tariffs, sanctions, other changes to trade agreements and world supply and demand imbalance. Through our fuel surcharge programs, we have been able to mitigate the impact of fluctuations in fuel prices. Our fuel surcharge rates are set weekly based on the national average for fuel prices as published by the U.S. Department of Energy and our fuel surcharge table. In periods of changing fuel prices, our fuel surcharges vary by different degrees and may not fully offset fuel price fluctuations or may result in higher than expected increases in revenue. Fuel shortages, changes in fuel prices, and the potential volatility in fuel surcharge revenue may impact our results of operations and overall profitability. Fuel surcharge revenue as a percentage of operating revenues decreased to 9.2% for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 compared to 19.6% for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 as a result of the inclusion of Omni in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.





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Recent Events and Factors Affecting Comparability

Omni Acquisition

On January 25, 2024, we completed the Omni Acquisition pursuant to which we acquired Omni for a combination of
(a) $100,499 in cash (which includes pre-acquisition Omni costs of approximately $80 million) (b) 14,015 shares of common stock on an as-converted and as-exchanged basis consisting of: (i) 1,910 shares of common stock (of which 1,210 were issued upon conversion of the Series C Preferred Units upon the Conversion Approval) and (ii) 12,105 Opco Class B Units and corresponding Series B Preferred Units, which are exchangeable into shares of common stock (of which 7,670 units were issued upon conversion of the units of Opco designated as “Opco Series C-2 Preferred Units” upon the Conversion Approval).

See Note 4, Acquisitions, to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information about our acquisitions.

Omni Logistics revenues and segment income from January 25, 2024 through September 30, 2024 are included in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The changes in our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are primarily driven by the inclusion of the results of operations of Omni Logistics. The following table sets forth the financial data of our Omni Logistics segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 (unaudited and in thousands):

Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of Revenue
Operating revenue$334,538 100.0 %
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation194,853 58.2 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits55,151 16.5 
Operating leases27,586 8.2 
Depreciation and amortization10,830 3.2 
Insurance and claims3,488 1.0 
Fuel expense800 0.2 
Other operating expenses25,943 7.8 
Impairment of goodwill14,751 4.4 
Total operating expenses333,402 99.7 
Income from operations$1,136 0.3 %
33

Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of Revenue
Operating revenue$871,232 100.0 %
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation517,951 59.5 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits161,462 18.5 
Operating leases73,464 8.4 
Depreciation and amortization60,937 7.0 
Insurance and claims8,386 1.0 
Fuel expense2,286 0.3 
Other operating expenses72,604 8.3 
Impairment of goodwill1,107,465 127.2 
Total operating expenses2,004,555 230.1 
Loss from operations$(1,133,323)(130.1)%

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Results from Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated financial data for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited and in thousands):

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023ChangePercent Change
Operating revenues:
Expedited Freight$284,707 $278,875 $5,832 2.1 %
Intermodal57,412 62,183 (4,771)(7.7)
Omni Logistics334,538 — 334,538 — 
Eliminations and other operations(20,720)(82)(20,638)NM
Operating revenues655,937 340,976 314,961 92.4 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation332,469 148,706 183,763 123.6 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits133,516 75,373 58,143 77.1 
Operating leases48,810 19,536 29,274 149.8 
Depreciation and amortization25,893 14,209 11,684 82.2 
Insurance and claims17,382 12,969 4,413 34.0 
Fuel expense4,855 5,845 (990)(16.9)
Other operating expenses55,564 52,649 2,915 5.5 
Impairment of goodwill14,751 — 14,751 — 
Total operating expenses633,240 329,287 303,953 92.3 
Income (loss) from continuing operations:
Expedited Freight19,269 32,547 (13,278)(40.8)
Intermodal4,091 4,744 (653)(13.8)
Omni Logistics1,136 — 1,136 — 
Other Operations(1,799)(25,602)23,803 (93.0)
Income from continuing operations22,697 11,689 11,008 94.2 
Other income and expenses:
Interest expense, net(52,770)(2,655)(50,115)1,887.6 
Foreign exchange (loss) gain(2,812)— (2,812)— 
Other income (expense), net(11)— (11)— 
Total other expense(55,593)(2,655)(52,938)1,993.9 
(Loss) income before income taxes(32,896)9,034 (41,930)(464.1)
Income tax (benefit) expense1,302 2,541 (1,239)(48.8)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations(34,198)6,493 (40,691)(626.7)
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax(1,137)2,795 (3,932)(140.7)
Net (loss) income(35,335)9,288 (44,623)(480.4)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest38,073 — 38,073 — 
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air$(73,408)$9,288 $(82,696)(890.4)%
NM=Not Meaningful

35

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased $314,961, or 92.4%, to $655,937 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $340,976 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of $334,538 from the Omni Logistics segment and an increase in our Expedited Freight segment of $5,832 due to increased Truckload revenue, offset by a decrease from our Intermodal segment of $4,771. The results for our reportable segments are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $303,953, or 92.3%, to $633,240 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $329,287 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of the $333,402 of operating expenses from the Omni Logistics segment and a $19,110 increase in operating expenses from the Expedited Freight segment due to margin compression, partially offset by a $4,118 volume driven decrease in operating expenses from the Intermodal segment. Purchased transportation expense, given our asset-light model, is our largest expense which includes our independent contractor fleet owners and owner-operators, who lease their equipment to our motor carriers (“Leased Capacity Providers”), third-party motor carriers and capacity secured by transportation intermediaries, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and employee benefits.
Income from Continuing Operations and Segment Operations
Income from operations decreased $11,008, or 94.2%, to a $22,697 loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a $11,689 of income for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in Omni Logistics segment of $1,136, and Expedited Freight segment of $13,278.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net was $52,770 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $2,655 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was primarily due to higher borrowings outstanding during the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023 and an increase in the average interest rate. In connection with the Omni Acquisition, the outstanding borrowings remained steady in the third quarter of 2024. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings were 9.56% and 6.62% during the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Income Taxes on a Continuing Basis

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2024 was (4.0)% compared to 28.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate varied from the statutory United States federal rate of 21% in the third quarter of 2024 primarily due to the cumulative effect of the noncontrolling interest, and to a lesser extent foreign earnings and state income taxes, net of the federal benefit.

Income from Discontinued Operations, net of Tax

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax increased $3,932 or 140.7% to net loss of $1,137 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to income of $2,795 for the same period in 2023. The increase was due to the final net working capital settlement following the sale of our Final Mile business in December 2023.
Net (Loss) Income

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income decreased $44,623, to a $35,335 loss for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $9,288 income for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

36

Expedited Freight - Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table sets forth the financial data of our Expedited Freight segment for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited and in thousands):

Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of RevenueSeptember 30, 2023Percent of RevenueChangePercent Change
Operating revenues:
Network1
$217,289 76.3 %$216,977 77.8 %$312 0.1 %
Truckload43,635 15.3 38,800 13.9 4,835 12.5 
Other23,783 8.4 23,098 8.3 685 3.0 
Total operating revenues284,707 100.0 278,875 100.0 5,832 2.1 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation140,035 49.2 129,850 46.6 10,185 7.8 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits59,426 20.9 56,682 20.3 2,744 4.8 
Operating leases15,556 5.5 14,392 5.2 1,164 8.1 
Depreciation and amortization10,481 3.7 9,022 3.2 1,459 16.2 
Insurance and claims11,672 4.1 9,533 3.4 2,139 22.4 
Fuel expense2,113 0.7 2,954 1.1 (841)(28.5)
Other operating expenses26,155 9.1 23,895 8.5 2,260 9.5 
Total operating expenses265,438 93.2 246,328 88.3 19,110 7.8 
Income from operations$19,269 6.8 %$32,547 11.7 %$(13,278)(40.8)%
1 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and Truckload revenue.



37

Expedited Freight Operating Statistics
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023Percent Change
Business days64 63 1.6 %
Tonnage1,2
    Total pounds713,212 685,756 4.0 
    Pounds per day11,144 10,885 2.4 
Shipments1,2
    Total shipments831 835 (0.5)
    Shipments per day13.0 13.3 (2.3)
Weight per shipment858 821 4.5 
Revenue per hundredweight3
$30.47 $31.66 (3.8)
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel3
$24.09 $24.20 (0.5)
Revenue per shipment3
$261.55 $259.94 0.6 
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel3
$206.73 $198.71 4.0 
1 In thousands
2 Excludes accessorial and Truckload products
3 Includes intercompany revenue between the Network and Truckload revenue streams


38

Operating Revenues
Expedited Freight operating revenues increased $5,832, or 2.1%, to $284,707 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $278,875 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased Truckload revenue. Truckload revenue increased $4,835, primarily due to increased customer demand for our services as compared to the same period in 2023. Network revenue increased due to a 4.0% increase in pounds per day, offset by a 0.5% decrease in revenue per hundredweight excluding fuel as compared to the same period in 2023. The increase in tonnage reflects an increase in weight per shipment of 4.5% on 0.5% less shipments per day. The increase in weight per shipment was the result of more dense freight in our network driven by a change in the mix of freight in our network. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased $5,499, or 9.4% as a result of the higher tonnage in our Network as compared to the same period in 2023.
Purchased Transportation
Expedited Freight purchased transportation increased $10,185, or 7.8%, to $140,035 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $129,850 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Purchased transportation was 49.2% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 46.6% for the same period in 2023. Expedited Freight purchased transportation includes Leased Capacity Providers and third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and employee benefits. The increase in purchased transportation was primarily due to higher volumes in Network, and the change in the mix of freight capacity purchased from Leased Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries and Company-employed drivers for Truckload services. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, 63.5%, 33.1% and 3.4% of our freight capacity was purchased from Leased Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries and Company-employed drivers, respectively, for Network and Truckload. This compares to 62.4%, 32.5% and 5.1%, respectively, in the same period in 2023.
Salaries, Wages and Employee Benefits
Expedited Freight salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $2,744, or 4.8%, to $59,426 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $56,682 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 20.9% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 20.3% for the same period in 2023. The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense was primarily due to higher salaries and wages as compared to the same period in 2023.
Operating Leases
Expedited Freight operating leases increased $1,164, or 8.1%, to $15,556 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $14,392 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Operating leases were 5.5% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 5.2% for the same period in 2023. The increase in operating lease expense was primarily due to higher leasing costs associated lease renewals in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited Freight depreciation and amortization increased $1,459, or 16.2%, to $10,481 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $9,022 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation and amortization was 3.7% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.2% for the same period in 2023. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily as the result of purchasing and placing in service new equipment in the second half of 2023 and first half of 2024.
Insurance and Claims
Expedited Freight insurance and claims increased $2,139, or 22.4%, to $11,672 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $9,533 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Insurance and claims was 4.1% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.4% for the same period in 2023. The increase in insurance and claims expense was primarily due to higher vehicle liability claims in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
39

Fuel Expense

Expedited Freight fuel expense decreased $841, or 28.5%, to $2,113 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $2,954 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Fuel expense was 0.7% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 1.1% and for the same period in 2023.  Expedited Freight fuel expense decreased primarily from a 10.6% lower average price of fuel in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
Other Operating Expenses
Expedited Freight other operating expenses increased $2,260, or 9.5%, to $26,155 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $23,895 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Other operating expenses were 9.1% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 8.5% for the same period in 2023. Other operating expenses include contract labor, equipment maintenance, facility expenses, legal and professional fees, and other over-the-road costs. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily due to an increase in software license and subscription fees, and utility and communication fees, partially offset by a decrease in supply parts,and professional fees, in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
Income from Operations
Expedited Freight income from operations decreased $13,278, or 40.8%, to $19,269 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $32,547 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Income from operations was 6.8% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 11.7% for the same period in 2023. The change was due primarily from a decrease in revenue per hundredweight without an offsetting decrease in purchased transportation costs for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

40

Intermodal - Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table sets forth the financial data of our Intermodal segment for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited and in thousands):

Three Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of RevenueSeptember 30, 2023Percent of RevenueChangePercent Change
Operating revenues$57,412 100.0 %$62,183 100.0 %$(4,771)(7.7)%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation18,300 31.9 18,945 30.5 (645)(3.4)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits14,506 25.3 16,118 25.9 (1,612)(10.0)
Operating leases5,668 9.9 5,144 8.3 524 10.2 
Depreciation and amortization4,582 8.0 5,187 8.3 (605)(11.7)
Insurance and claims2,528 4.4 2,758 4.4 (230)(8.3)
Fuel expense1,942 3.4 2,892 4.7 (950)(32.8)
Other operating expenses5,795 10.0 6,395 10.3 (600)(9.4)
Total operating expenses53,321 92.9 57,439 92.4 (4,118)(7.2)
Income from operations$4,091 7.1 %$4,744 7.6 %$(653)(13.8)%

Intermodal Operating Statistics
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023Percent Change
Drayage shipments62,616 68,576 (8.7)%
Drayage revenue per shipment$824 $823 0.1 %



41

Operating Revenues

Intermodal operating revenues decreased $4,771, or 7.7%, to $57,412 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $62,183 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to a 8.7% decrease in drayage shipments as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in drayage shipments, lower fuel and storage revenue, and lower accessorial revenues to support customers was primarily due to the challenged market conditions that led to decreased customer demand for our services in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Purchased Transportation

Intermodal purchased transportation decreased $645, or 3.4%, to $18,300 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $18,945 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Purchased transportation was 31.9% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 30.5% for the same period in 2023.  Intermodal purchased transportation includes Leased Capacity Providers and third-party motor carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and employee benefits. The increase in purchased transportation was primarily due to the change in the mix of freight capacity purchased from Leased Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and Company-employed drivers compared to the same period in 2023.

Salaries, Wages and Employee Benefits

Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased $1,612, or 10.0%, to $14,506 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $16,118 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 25.3% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 25.9% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense was primarily due to fewer Company-employed drivers and office employees in response to the lower volumes, as compared to the same period in 2023.

Operating Leases

Intermodal operating leases increased $524, or 10.2%, to $5,668 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $5,144 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Operating leases were 9.9% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 8.3% for the same period in 2023. The increase in operating lease expense was primarily due to higher leasing costs associated lease renewals in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Depreciation and Amortization

Intermodal depreciation and amortization decreased $605, or 11.7%, to $4,582 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $5,187 for the three months ended September 30, 2023. Depreciation and amortization was 8.0% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 8.3% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to the lower amount of depreciable equipment.

Fuel Expense

Intermodal fuel expense decreased $950, or 32.8%, to $1,942 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $2,892 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Fuel expense was 3.4% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 4.7% for the same period in 2023. Intermodal fuel expense decreased due to lower volumes and a decrease in the average price of fuel as compared to the same period in 2023.

Other Operating Expenses

Intermodal other operating expenses decreased $600, or 9.4%, to $5,795 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 from $6,395 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Other operating expenses were 10.0% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 10.3% for the same period in 2023. Other operating expenses include contract labor, equipment maintenance, facility expenses, legal and professional fees, and accessorial storage costs. The decrease in other operating expenses was primarily due to lower accessorial storage costs incurred as a result of decreased accessorial revenues in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
42

Income from Operations

Intermodal income from operations decreased $653, or 13.8%, to $4,091 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $4,744 for the three months ended September 30, 2023.  Income from operations was 7.1% of Intermodal operating revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 7.6% for the same period in 2023.  The decrease in income from operations as a percentage of operating revenues was primarily due to higher rents as compared to revenues.

Other Operations - Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Other operations included a $1,799 operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $25,602 of operating loss during the three months ended September 30, 2023. The change in the operating loss was primarily due to $549 of professional fees incurred for transaction and integration costs in the third quarter of 2024 as compared to $22,371 in the third quarter of 2023 which included costs in connection with the Omni Acquisition, higher group health insurance claims, and higher reserves for vehicle liability claims.


43

Results from Operations

The following table sets forth our consolidated financial data for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 (unaudited and in thousands):

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023ChangePercent Change
Operating revenues:
Expedited Freight$849,284 $817,888 $31,396 3.8 %
Intermodal173,003 214,603 (41,600)(19.4)
Omni Logistics871,232 — 871,232 — 
Eliminations and other operations(52,103)(184)(51,919)NM
Operating revenues1,841,416 1,032,307 809,109 78.4 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation931,072 435,844 495,228 113.6 
Salaries, wages, and employee benefits406,382 215,983 190,399 88.2 
Operating leases133,871 66,505 67,366 101.3 
Depreciation and amortization106,321 39,826 66,495 167.0 
Insurance and claims44,961 38,988 5,973 15.3 
Fuel expense15,960 16,733 (773)(4.6)
Other operating expenses234,175 133,218 100,957 75.8 
Impairment of goodwill1,107,465 — 1,107,465 — 
Total operating expenses2,980,207 947,097 2,033,110 214.7 
Income (loss) from operations:
Expedited Freight60,713 89,295 (28,582)(32.0)
Intermodal12,994 20,259 (7,265)(35.9)
Omni Logistics(1,133,323)— (1,133,323)— 
Other Operations(79,175)(24,344)(54,831)NM
(Loss) income from operations(1,138,791)85,210 (1,224,001)NM
Other expense:
Interest expense, net(140,788)(7,595)(133,193)1,753.7 
Foreign exchange loss(1,912)— (1,912)— 
Other income, net38 — 38 — 
Total other expense(142,662)(7,595)(135,067)1,778.4 
(Loss) income from operations before income taxes(1,281,453)77,615 (1,359,068)(1,751.0)
Income tax (benefit) expense(191,990)20,091 (212,081)(1,055.6)
Net income from continuing operations(1,089,463)57,524 (1,146,987)(1,993.9)
(Loss) income from discontinued operation, net of tax(6,013)8,083 (14,096)(174.4)
Net (loss) income (1,095,476)65,607 (1,161,083)(1,769.8)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(314,923)— (314,923)— 
Net (loss) income attributable to Forward Air$(780,553)$65,607 $(846,160)(1,289.7)%
NM=Not Meaningful


44

Operating Revenues

Operating revenues increased $809,109, or 78.4% to $1,841,416 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,032,307 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of $871,232 from the Omni Logistics segment and an increase in our Expedited Freight segment revenue of $31,396 due to increased Network revenue, offset by a decrease from our Intermodal segment of $41,600, The results for our reportable segments are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased $2,033,110, or 214.7%, to $2,980,207 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $947,097 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to the inclusion of the $2,004,555 of operating expenses from the Omni Logistics segment which includes a goodwill impairment charge of $1,107,465 and a $59,978 increase in operating expenses from the Expedited Freight segment, partially offset by a $34,335 decrease in operating expenses from the Intermodal segment.
Loss from Operations and Segment Operations

Loss from operations changed by $1,224,001, to $1,138,791 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to income of $85,210 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The loss was primarily driven by Omni Logistics segment of $1,133,323 as a result of a goodwill impairment charge of $1,107,465, Other Operations of $54,831, Expedited Freight segment of $28,582, and our Intermodal segment of $7,265.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net was $140,788 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $7,595 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in interest expense was due to higher variable interest rates during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 on outstanding debt balances as compared to the same period in 2023. The weighted-average interest rate on the borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility was 9.56% and 6.24% during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Income Taxes on a Continuing basis

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 15.0% compared to a rate of 25.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The effective tax rate for the current nine months is much lower than historical rate due to the goodwill impairment charge in the current year.

(Loss) Income from Discontinued Operations, net of Tax

Loss from discontinued operations of $6,013, net of tax increased, resulted in an unfavorable change of $14,096 or 174% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to income of $8,083 during the same period in 2023. The loss was due to final net working capital settlement following the sale of our Final Mile business in December 2023.
Net (Loss) Income

As a result of the foregoing factors, net income decreased $1,161,083, or 1,769.8%, to a loss of $1,095,476 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $65,607 income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

45

Expedited Freight - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table sets forth the financial data of our Expedited Freight segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Expedited Freight Segment Information
(unaudited and in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of RevenueSeptember 30, 2023Percent of RevenueChangePercent Change
Operating revenues:
Network 1
$655,116 77.1 %$628,670 76.9 %$26,446 4.2 %
Truckload125,368 14.8 120,976 14.8 4,392 3.6 
Other68,800 8.1 68,242 8.3 558 0.8 
Total operating revenues849,284 100.0 817,888 100.0 31,396 3.8 
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation410,307 48.3 379,166 46.4 31,141 8.2 
Salaries, wages and employee benefits185,824 21.9 170,237 20.8 15,587 9.2 
Operating leases45,268 5.3 46,331 5.7 (1,063)(2.3)
Depreciation and amortization31,463 3.7 25,087 3.1 6,376 25.4 
Insurance and claims33,293 3.9 28,856 3.5 4,437 15.4 
Fuel expense7,128 0.8 7,978 1.0 (850)(10.7)
Other operating expenses75,288 9.0 70,938 8.6 4,350 6.1 
Total operating expenses788,571 92.9 728,593 89.1 59,978 8.2 
Income from operations$60,713 7.1 %$89,295 10.9 %$(28,582)(32.0)%
1 Network revenue is comprised of all revenue, including linehaul, pickup and/or delivery, and fuel surcharge revenue, excluding accessorial and Truckload revenue.

46

Expedited Freight Operating Statistics
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023Percent Change
Business days192 191 0.5 %
Tonnage 1,2
    Total pounds2,112,126 1,988,713 6.2 
    Pounds per day11,001 10,412 5.7 
Shipments 1,2
    Total shipments2,529 2,494 1.4 
    Shipments per day13.2 13.1 0.8 
Weight per shipment835 798 4.6 
Revenue per hundredweight 3
$31.03 $31.90 (2.7)
Revenue per hundredweight, ex fuel 3
$24.21 $24.65 (1.8)
Revenue per shipment 3
$259.13 $254.42 1.9 
Revenue per shipment, ex fuel 3
$202.16 $196.58 2.8 
1 In thousands
2 Excludes accessorial and Truckload products
3 Includes intercompany revenue between the Network and Truckload revenue streams

47

Operating Revenues
Expedited Freight operating revenues increased $31,396, or 3.8%, to $849,284 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $817,888 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was driven by increased Network revenue and Truckload revenue. Network revenue increased due to a 6.2% increase in tonnage, offset by a 1.8% decrease in revenue per hundredweight ex fuel as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in tonnage reflects an increase in weight per shipment of 4.6% on 1.4% more shipments. The increase in shipments is due to higher demand for our services while the increase in weight per shipment was the result of more dense freight in our network driven by a change in the mix of services provided to customers. Truckload revenue increased $4,392, primarily due to increased customer demand for our services as compared to the same period in 2023. Higher tonnage, higher shipment count, and higher revenue per shipment contributed to the overall increase in operating revenues for the Expedited Freight segment.

Purchased Transportation
Expedited Freight purchased transportation increased $31,141, or 8.2%, to $410,307 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $379,166 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Purchased transportation was 48.3% of Expedited Freight operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 46.4% for the same period in 2023. Expedited Freight purchased transportation includes Leased Capacity Providers and third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and employee benefits. The increase in purchased transportation was primarily due to higher volumes in the Network and the change in the mix of freight capacity purchased from Leased Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries and Company-employed drivers for Network and Truckload services. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we purchased 63.8%, 33.2% and 4.0% of our freight capacity from Leased Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and transportation intermediaries and Company-employed drivers, respectively. This compares to 65.1%, 30.1% and 4.8% in the same period in 2023.
Salaries, Wages, and Employee Benefits
Expedited Freight salaries, wages and employee benefits increased $15,587, or 9.2%, to $185,824 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $170,237 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 21.9% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 20.8% for the same period in 2023.  The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense was primarily due to higher Company-employed driver count in response to the higher volumes and an increase in salaries and wage rates compared to the same period in 2023.
Operating Leases
Expedited Freight operating leases decreased $1,063, or 2.3%, to $45,268 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $46,331 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Operating leases were 5.3% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 5.7% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in operating leases expense was primarily due to fewer equipment leases for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023.
Depreciation and Amortization
Expedited Freight depreciation and amortization increased $6,376, or 25.4%, to $31,463 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $25,087 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Depreciation and amortization was 3.7% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.1% for the same period in 2023. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily the result of purchasing and placing in service new equipment in the second half of 2023 and first half of 2024.
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Insurance and Claims
Expedited Freight insurance and claims increased $4,437, or 15.4%, to $33,293 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $28,856 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Insurance and claims were 3.9% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 3.5% for the same period in 2023. The increase in insurance and claims expense was primarily due to an increase in equipment repair claims, vehicle liability and cargo claims, and insurance premiums, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
Other Operating Expenses
Expedited Freight other operating expenses increased $4,350, or 6.1%, to $75,288 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $70,938 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Other operating expenses were 9.0% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 8.6% for the same period in 2023. Other operating expenses include contract labor, equipment maintenance, facility expenses, legal and professional fees, and other over-the-road costs. The increase in other operating expenses was primarily driven by an increase in software license and subscription fees and utilities and communications expenses, partially offset by a decrease in professional fees, maintenance and repair expense and supply parts, for nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.
Income from Operations
Expedited Freight income from operations decreased $28,582, or 32.0%, to $60,713 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $89,295 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Income from operations was 7.1% of Expedited Freight operating revenues for nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 10.9% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in income was primarily a result of 8.2% higher purchased transportation and wage and benefits expenses without sufficient increase in total operating revenue of 3.8% growth.
Intermodal - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

The following table sets forth the financial data of our Intermodal segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:

Intermodal Segment Information
(unaudited and in thousands)
Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2024Percent of RevenueSeptember 30, 2023Percent of RevenueChangePercent Change
Operating revenue$173,003 100.0 %$214,603 100.0 %$(41,600)(19.4)%
Operating expenses:
Purchased transportation54,916 31.7 56,868 26.5 (1,952)(3.4)
Salaries, wages and employee benefits44,487 25.7 51,682 24.1 (7,195)(13.9)
Operating leases15,136 8.7 20,174 9.4 (5,038)(25.0)
Depreciation and amortization13,921 8.0 14,739 6.9 (818)(5.5)
Insurance and claims7,753 4.5 7,922 3.7 (169)(2.1)
Fuel expense6,546 3.8 8,756 4.1 (2,210)(25.2)
Other operating expenses17,250 10.1 34,203 15.9 (16,953)(49.6)
Total operating expenses160,009 92.5 194,344 90.6 (34,335)(17.7)
Income from operations$12,994 7.5 %$20,259 9.4 %$(7,265)(35.9)%

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Intermodal Operating Statistics
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024September 30, 2023Percent Change
Drayage shipments190,152 209,221 (9.1)%
Drayage revenue per shipment$824 $941 (12.4)%

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Operating Revenues

Intermodal operating revenues decreased $41,600, or 19.4%, to $173,003 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $214,603 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to a 9.1% decrease in drayage shipments and a decrease in drayage revenue per shipment of 12.4% as compared to the same period in 2023. The decrease in drayage shipments and lower accessorial revenue to support customers was primarily due to challenged market demand for our services driven by an extended weak freight environment for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Purchased Transportation

Intermodal purchased transportation decreased $1,952, or 3.4%, to $54,916 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $56,868 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Purchased transportation was 31.7% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 26.5% for the same period in 2023.  Intermodal purchased transportation includes Leased Capacity Providers and third-party motor carriers, while Company-employed drivers are included in salaries, wages and employee benefits. The decrease in purchased transportation was primarily due to fewer drayage shipments and the change in the mix of freight capacity purchased from Lease Capacity Providers, third-party motor carriers and Company-employed drivers compared to the same period in 2023.

Salaries, Wages, and Employee Benefits

Intermodal salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased $7,195, or 13.9%, to $44,487 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $51,682 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Salaries, wages and employee benefits were 25.7% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 24.1% for the same period in 2023.  The decrease in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense was primarily due to fewer Company-employed drivers in response to lower volumes as compared to the same period in 2023.

Operating Leases

Intermodal operating leases decreased $5,038, or 25.0%, to $15,136 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $20,174 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Operating leases were 8.7% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 9.4% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in operating leases expense was primarily due to decreased equipment rental expense incurred to support the decreased accessorial revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Depreciation and Amortization

Intermodal depreciation and amortization decreased $818, or 5.5%, to $13,921 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $14,739 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Depreciation and amortization was 8.0% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 6.9% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily due to minimal new asset additions during the period and some equipment disposals and assets having reached their full depreciable lives.

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Fuel Expense

Intermodal fuel expense decreased $2,210, or 25.2%, to $6,546 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $8,756 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Fuel expense was 3.8% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 4.1% for the same period in 2023.  Intermodal fuel expense decreased due to fewer miles driven by Company-employed drivers and a decrease in the average price of fuel for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Other Operating Expenses

Intermodal other operating expenses decreased $16,953, or 49.6%, to $17,250 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $34,203 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Other operating expenses were 10.1% of Intermodal operating revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 15.9% for the same period in 2023. Other operating expenses include contract labor, equipment maintenance, facility expenses, legal and professional fees, and accessorial storage costs. The decrease in other operating expenses was primarily driven by lower accessorial storage costs incurred to support the decreased accessorial revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Income from Operations

Intermodal income from operations decreased by $7,265, or 35.9%, to $12,994 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $20,259 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.  Income from operations was 7.5% of Intermodal operating revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 9.4% for the same period in 2023. The decrease in income from operations as a percentage of operating revenues was driven by 12.4% lower drayage revenue per shipment on 9.1% fewer drayage shipments and 1.90% higher overall operating expenses as a percentage of revenue for the nine month period ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Other Operations - Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023

Other operations included a $79,175 operating loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a $24,344 operating loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change in the operating loss was primarily driven by $71,393 of post-acquisition transaction and integration costs incurred in connection with the Omni Acquisition.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates estimates, including those related to allowance for doubtful accounts and revenue adjustments, deferred income taxes and uncertain tax positions, goodwill, other intangible and long-lived assets, and self-insurance loss reserves. Management bases these estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A description of critical accounting policies and related judgments and estimates that affect the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2023. The following supplements the 2023 Annual Form 10-K.

Goodwill

We test goodwill at the reporting unit level for impairment annually as of June 30 and on an interim basis when events occur or circumstances exist that carrying value may not be recoverable. We estimate the fair value of a reporting unit using a discounted cash flow (DCF), or as appropriate, a combination of the DCF and market approach known as the guideline public company approach. Under the DCF model, we calculate the fair value of a reporting unit under the present value of estimated cash flows. The significant assumptions in the DCF model primarily include, but are not limited to, forecast of annual revenue growth rates, annual operating income margin, and the terminal growth rate and the discount rate used to present value the cash flow projections. When determining these assumptions and preparing these estimates, we consider historical performance trends, and the reporting units underlying business and other market trends that may affect the reporting unit. The discount rate is based on the estimated weighted average cost of capital as of the test date of market participants in the industry in which the reporting unit operates. Under the guideline public company method, we estimate the fair value based upon market multiples of revenue and earnings derived from publicly traded companies with similar operating and investment characteristics as the reporting unit.
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Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit involves uncertainties because it requires management to develop numerous assumptions, including assumptions about the future growth and potential volatility in revenues and costs, capital expenditures, industry economic factors and future business strategy. Changes in projected revenue growth rates, projected operating income margins or estimated discount rates due to uncertain market conditions, loss of one or more key customers, changes in our strategy, changes in technology or other factors could negatively affect the fair value in one or more of our reporting units and result in a material impairment charge in the future.

To assess the reasonableness of the calculated fair values of our reporting units, we also compare the sum of the reporting units’ fair values to our market capitalization and calculate an implied control premium.

2024 Annual Goodwill Analysis

The annual test of goodwill was performed for each of the reporting units with goodwill balances as of June 30, 2024. To complete the Omni Logistics goodwill test, we determined the fair value of the reporting unit using the DCF model and a guideline public company approach with 50% of the value determined using the DCF and 50% of the value using the market approach. As a result of the annual test, we recorded goodwill impairment charges totaling $1,092,714 million which all related to our Omni Logistics reporting unit. This reporting unit was acquired on January 25, 2024. Primarily due to a decrease in the market value of the Company’s common stock during the second quarter of 2024, as a result of many factors including, but not limited to, general market factors, credit rating downgrades, and changes in executive leadership, and the inherent uncertainty associated with the combined enterprise, the Omni Logistics reporting unit’s fair value was determined to be less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $1,092,714 during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Due to measurement period adjustments in the three months ended September 30, 2024, an additional $14,751 of goodwill impairment was recorded. The cumulative goodwill impairment through the nine months ended September 30, 2024 is $1,107,465. The goodwill impairment expense was recorded in the Impairment of goodwill caption on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. To complete the Omni Logistics goodwill test, we determined the fair value of the reporting unit using the DCF model and a guideline public company approach with 50% of the value determined using the DCF and 50% of the value using the market approach.

Fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to changes in underlying assumptions and factors. Purchase price allocation of Omni Logistics is not yet complete, and as a result, there can be no assurance that there will not be a material impairment charge in the future.

Finite-Lived Intangible Assets and Other Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, which include intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The evaluation for recoverability is performed at a level where independent cash flows may be attributed to either an asset or asset group. The analysis differs from our goodwill impairment test in that an intangible or other long-lived asset is only deemed to have occurred if the sum of the forecasted undiscounted cash flows related to the assets being evaluated is less than the carrying value of the assets. If the forecasted net cash flows are less than the carrying value, then the assets are written down to estimated value. We did not identify any impairments of definite-lived assets in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Changes in the estimates of forecasted net cash flows may result in future asset impairments that could be material to our results of operations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We have historically financed our working capital needs, including capital expenditures, with available cash, cash flows from operations and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. In the first quarter of 2024, our then existing credit facility was repaid and extinguished in tandem with the Omni Acquisition. We believe that availability of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and our New Term Loans, together with available cash and internally generated funds, will be sufficient to support our working capital, capital expenditures and debt service requirements over the next twelve months. As previously disclosed and more fully described below and in Note 4, Acquisitions, to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we incurred significant indebtedness in connection with the Omni Acquisition. This substantial level of debt could have important consequences to our business, including, but not limited to the factors as more fully discussed in the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” - “Risks Relating to our Indebtedness”. In addition, we frequently utilize operating leases to acquire revenue equipment.

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Senior Secured Notes
In order to finance a portion of the cash consideration payable for the Omni Acquisition and the costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, GN Bondco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Omni (the “Escrow Issuer” and consolidated VIE at December 31, 2023) launched a private offering of $725,000 aggregate principal amount of the Notes, in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act. Upon the closing of the Omni Acquisition, Opco assumed the Escrow Issuer’s obligations under the Notes. The Notes bear interest at a rate of 9.5% per annum, payable semiannually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2024. The Notes were issued at 98.0% of the face amount and will mature on October 15, 2031. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of October 2, 2023, between the Escrow Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent.

The Notes are guaranteed on a senior secured basis in an aggregate principal amount in excess of $100,000. Prior to October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time and from time to time at a redemption price equal to 100.000% of the principal amount thereof plus the applicable “make-whole” premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. On or after October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem some or all of the Notes at the following prices (expressed as a percentage of principal), plus in each case accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date: (a) in the case of a redemption occurring during the 12-month period commencing October 15, 2026, at a redemption price of 104.750%; (b) in the case of a redemption occurring during the 12-month period commencing on October 15, 2027, at a redemption price of 102.375%; and (c) in the case of a redemption occurring on or after October 15, 2028, at a redemption price of 100.000%. In addition, at any time prior to October 15, 2026, Opco may redeem up to 40.000% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes in an amount not to exceed the amount of net cash proceeds from one or more equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 109.5 % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control”, Opco will be required to offer to repurchase all of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes at a purchase price of 101.000% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase.

Senior Secured Term Loan Facility
In order to finance a portion of the cash consideration payable for the Omni Acquisition and the costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith, GN Loanco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of Omni (the “Escrow Loan Borrower” and consolidated VIE at December 31, 2023), entered into the Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, the Escrow Loan Borrower obtained the New Term Loans and the ability to draw down up to $400,000 under the Revolving Credit Facility. The New Term Loans bear interest based, at Opco’s election, on (a) SOFR plus an applicable margin or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The base rate is equal the highest of the following: (i) the prime rate; (ii) 0.50% above the overnight federal funds rate; and (iii) the one-month SOFR plus 1.00%. The applicable margin for SOFR loans is 4.50% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 3.50%. The New Term Loans are subject to customary amortization of 1.00% per year. The New Term Loans were issued at 96.0% of the face amount and will mature on December 19, 2030.

No borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were made in connection with the Omni Acquisition. The Revolving Credit Facility will mature on January 25, 2029. Loans made under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest based, at Opco’s election, on (a) SOFR plus an applicable margin or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin. Until delivery of a compliance certificate in respect of the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2024, the applicable margin for SOFR loans is 4.25% and the applicable margin for base rate loans is 3.25%. Thereafter, the applicable margin can range from 3.75% to 4.25% for SOFR loans and from 2.75% to 3.25% for base rate loans, in each case depending on Opco’s first lien net leverage ratio, as set forth in the Credit Agreement. Upon the closing of the Omni Acquisition, Opco assumed the Escrow Loan Borrower’s obligations under the Credit Agreement, which were further secured by certain guarantors. Opco’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed on a senior secured basis by us and each of Opco’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries (subject to customary exceptions).

On January 25, 2024, the date of the Omni Acquisition, both GN Bondco, LLC and GN Loanco, LLC ceased operations and their debt and related funds were transferred to Opco, a consolidated subsidiary of us.

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On February 12, 2024, Opco and the parties to the Credit Agreement entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Credit Agreement, which (a) modifies the financial performance covenant in the Credit Agreement by temporarily increasing the 4.50:1.00 maximum consolidated first lien net leverage ratio permitted by the covenant to (i) 6.00:1.00 (for the second and third quarters of 2024), (ii) 5.50:1.00 (for the fourth quarter of 2024), (iii) 5.25:1.00 (for the first quarter of 2025), (iv) 5.00:1.00 (for the second quarter of 2025) and (v) 4.75:1.00 (for the third quarter of 2025) and (b) reduces the revolving credit commitments available under the Credit Agreement from an aggregate principal amount of $400,000 to an aggregate principal amount of $340,000. Amendment No. 2 also amends certain other terms of the Credit Agreement in connection with the foregoing. Prior to the effectiveness of Amendment No. 2 on February 12, 2024, Opco repaid $80,000 aggregate principal amount of the New Term Loans outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon.

Both the Notes and Revolving Credit Facility contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of us, without the approval of the required lenders, to engage in certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales, dividends and stock repurchases, investments, and other transactions or to incur liens or indebtedness in excess of agreed thresholds, as set forth in the credit agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility’s terms also include a financial covenant which requires us to maintain a specific leverage ratio. As of the date of this report, we were in compliance with all aforementioned covenants.

Tax Receivable Agreement

In connection with the Omni Acquisition, we, Opco, Omni Holders and certain other parties entered into the Tax Receivable Agreement, which sets forth the agreement among the parties regarding the sharing of certain tax benefits realized by us as a result of the Omni Acquisition. Pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreement, we are generally obligated to pay certain Omni Holders 83.5% of (a) the total tax benefit that we realize as a result of increases in tax basis in Opco’s assets resulting from certain actual or deemed distributions and the future exchange of units of Opco for shares of securities of us (or cash) pursuant to Opco’s operating agreement that became effective as of the Closing, (b) certain pre-existing tax attributes of certain Omni Holders that are corporate entities for tax purposes, (c) the tax benefits that we realize from certain tax allocations that correspond to items of income or gain required to be recognized by certain Omni Holders, and (d) other tax benefits attributable to payments under the Tax Receivable Agreement. Payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreement rank pari passu with all unsecured obligations but senior to any future tax receivable or similar agreement entered into by us.

The term of the Tax Receivable Agreement will continue until all such tax benefits have been utilized or expired unless we elect to terminate the Tax Receivable Agreement early (or it is terminated early due to a change of control or insolvency event with respect to us or a material breach by us of a material obligation under the Tax Receivable Agreement).

Upon such an early termination, we will be required to make a payment equal to the present value of the anticipated future payments to be made by it under the Tax Receivable Agreement (based upon certain assumptions and deemed events set forth in the Tax Receivable Agreement). In the event of a change of control, under certain circumstances, we may elect to pay the early termination payment over a period of 15 years, with the payments increased to reflect the time value of money.

Cash Flows

Continuing Operations

Net cash used in operating activities of continuing operations was $45,770 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $142,120 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net cash used in operating activities was primarily due to the change in net income from operations after consideration of non-cash items and the increase in accounts receivable and other current and noncurrent assets, partially offset by the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Net cash used in investing activities was $1,592,878 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $75,508 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2024 were $29,810, which primarily related to the purchase of technology and operating equipment. Capital expenditures for the first nine months of 2023 were $22,080, which also primarily related to the purchase of technology and operating equipment. Investing activities of continuing operations for the first nine months of 2024 included the Omni Acquisition for a preliminary purchase price of $2,313,653, of which $1,565,242 was cash consideration and the remainder non-cash equity shares. Further, investing activities for the first nine months of 2023 included the acquisition of Land Air for a preliminary purchase price of $56,567.

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Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations was $169,394 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $93,591 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change in the net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations was primarily due to the payment of debt issuance costs, payments on the New Term Loans, payment of finance lease obligations, and payment of an earn-out liability.

Discontinued Operation

Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued operation was $6,013 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities for discontinued operations of $17,311 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change in net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operation was primarily related to a decrease in net income of discontinued operation after consideration of non-cash items. The sale of Final Mile was completed on December 20, 2023.

Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operation was $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $1,338 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The change in the net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operation was due to the sale of Final Mile, which was completed on December 20, 2023.

Net cash used in financing activities of discontinued operation was $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $15,973 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Stock Repurchase Program

During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased 883 shares of our common stock for approximately $93,811, through open market transactions. All shares received were retired upon receipt, and the excess of the purchase price over the par value per share was recorded to “Retained (Deficit) Earnings” in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains “forward-looking statements,” as defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements are statements other than historical information or statements of current condition and relate to future events or our future financial performance. Some forward-looking statements may be identified by use of such terms as “believes,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects” or “expects.” In this Form 10-Q, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statements regarding In this Form 10-Q, forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statements regarding: (i) any projections of earnings, revenues, other financial items or related accounting treatment, or cost reduction measures, including any impact of the Omni Acquisition on our financial statements; (ii) future performance, including any expectations about our ability to increase shipments; (iii) our ability to maintain compliance with the covenants of our indebtedness instruments; (iv) our yield management process, any improvements in operating efficiencies and our ability to create synergies across our services; (v) fuel shortages, changes in fuel prices and volatility in fuel surcharge revenue, and the impact on our business; (vi) consumer demand and inventory levels, and the impact on freight volumes; (vii) future insurance, claims and litigation and any associated estimates or projections; (viii) our ability to accelerate the expansion of the Company’s terminal footprint; (ix) certain tax and accounting matters, including the impact on our financial statements and our ability realize remaining net deferred tax assets; (x) intended expansion through acquisitions or greenfield startups, and the impact of any such acquisition on our business; (xi) our ability to use key performance metrics to gauge growth strategies; (xii) future business, economic conditions or performance, as well as industry projections; (xiii) competition, including our specific advantages, the capabilities of our segments, including the integration of services and our geographic location; (xiv) expectations regarding plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations and (xv) any belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing.

Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The following is a list of factors, among others, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements: economic factors such as recessions, inflation, higher interest rates and downturns in customer business cycles, the outcome and related impact of the Omni Acquisition, continued weakening of the freight environment, future debt and financing levels, the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the Omni Acquisition, our substantial indebtedness, our ability to manage our growth and ability to grow, in part, through acquisitions while being able to successfully integrate such acquisitions, our ability to secure terminal facilities in desirable locations at reasonable rates, more limited liquidity than expected which limits our ability to make key investments, the creditworthiness of our customers and their ability to pay for services rendered, our inability to maintain our historical growth rate because of a decreased volume of freight or decreased average revenue per pound of freight moving through our network, the availability and compensation of qualified Leased Capacity Providers and freight handlers as well as contracted, third-party motor carriers needed to serve our customers’ transportation needs, our inability to manage our information systems and inability of our information systems to handle an increased volume of freight moving through our network, the occurrence of cybersecurity risks and events, market acceptance of our service offerings, claims for property damage, personal injuries or workers’ compensation, enforcement of and changes in governmental regulations, environmental, tax, insurance and accounting matters, the handling of hazardous materials, changes in fuel prices, loss of a major customer, increasing competition and pricing pressure, our dependence on our senior management team and the potential effects of changes in employee status, seasonal trends, the occurrence of certain weather events, restrictions in our charter and bylaws, the cost of new equipment, the impact and efficacy of our disclosure controls and procedures, and the risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. As a result of the foregoing, no assurance can be given as to future financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward­ looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks, see “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in Item 7A of Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and Item 3 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. As of the first quarter of 2024, there were no material changes in our exposure to market risk.


Item 4.Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain controls and procedures designed to ensure that we are able to collect the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file with the SEC, and to process, summarize and disclose this information within the time periods specified in the rules of the SEC. Based on an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report conducted by management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer believe that these controls and procedures are effective to ensure that we are able to collect, process and disclose the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file with the SEC within the required time periods.

Changes in Internal Control

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Subsequent to the Omni Acquisition, we have begun integration and controls assessment activities. In accordance with the SEC’s published guidance, because we acquired these operations during the fiscal year, we plan to exclude these operations from our efforts to comply with Section 404 Rules for fiscal 2024.

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Part II.Other Information
  
Item 1.Legal Proceedings.

On September 26, 2023, Rodney Bell, Michael A. Roberts and Theresa Woods, (collectively, the "Plaintiffs"), three of our shareholders, filed a complaint against us and certain of its directors and officers in the Third District Chancery Court sitting in Greeneville, Tennessee (the "Shareholder Complaint"). The Shareholder Complaint alleges, among other things, that our shareholders have the right to vote on certain transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and sought an injunction against the consummation of the transaction until a shareholder vote was held. The court initially granted a temporary restraining order enjoining the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement but later dissolved it on October 25, 2023. Thereafter and as described below, on the Closing, the parties to the Amended Merger Agreement completed the Omni Acquisition. On May 2, 2024, Plaintiff Michael Roberts, together with the Cambria County Employees Retirement System filed a stipulation and proposed order seeking leave of court to file an amended class action complaint seeking damages, among other forms of relief. Upon receiving leave of the court, on May 15, 2024, the Plaintiffs filed the amended complaint. Like the earlier complaints, it challenges our determination not to subject the Omni Acquisition to a shareholder vote. We disagree with the allegations of the amended complaint and are in the process of defending the matter.

The Company is party to various legal claims and actions incidental to its business, including claims related to vehicle liability, workers’ compensation, property damage and employee medical benefits. The Company accrues for the uninsured portion of contingent losses from these and other pending claims when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on the knowledge of the facts, the Company believes the resolution of claims and pending litigation, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material adverse effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict, and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and related events unfold. For information regarding our insurance program and legal proceedings, see Note 11, Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) set forth in Part 1 of this report.

Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The Company did not repurchase any of its equity securities during the three months ended September 30, 2024.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.


Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.


Item 5. Other Information.

Shareholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Our proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 20, 2024, contained an inconsistency solely related to the dates by which a shareholder must submit a shareholder proposal for consideration at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, but which is not being considered for inclusion in the related proxy statement. In particular, in the case of the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, director nominations can be submitted by shareholders in accordance with the provisions of our Bylaws no earlier than February 3, 2025 and the deadline to submit nominations is March 5, 2025. Accordingly, the Company is hereby confirming the following with respect to shareholder proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders:




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Shareholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Any proposal intended to be presented for action at the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders by any shareholder of the Company must be received by the Secretary of the Company at its principal executive offices not later than February 3, 2025 in order for such proposal to be considered for inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Statement and form of proxy relating to its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to require the Company to include any shareholder proposal which does not meet all the requirements for such inclusion established by Rule 14a-8 of the Exchange Act.

Any shareholder proposal must also meet all other requirements contained in our Bylaws, including the advance notice provisions. For other shareholder proposals (including director nominations) to be timely (but not considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders), a shareholder’s notice must be received by the Secretary of the Company between February 3, 2025 and March 5, 2025 and the proposal and the shareholder must comply with Rule 14a-4 under the Exchange Act. In the event that a shareholder proposal intended to be presented for action at the next annual meeting does not comply with the aforementioned requirements, the shareholder proposal will be excluded from the annual meeting.

Any shareholder proposal must also meet all other requirements contained in our Bylaws.

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no director or officer of the Company adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as each term is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.





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Item 6.Exhibits.
No. Exhibit
3.1 
3.2 
3.3
*31.1 
*31.2 
*32.1 
*32.2 
101.INS 
The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema 
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 
104Cover Page Interactive File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

* Filed herewith
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Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  Forward Air Corporation
November 8, 2024By: /s/ Shawn Stewart
  Shawn Stewart
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)

  Forward Air Corporation
November 8, 2024By: /s/ Jamie Pierson
  Jamie Pierson
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Duly Authorized Officer)



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