The $84.3 million in net cash provided by operations was primarily attributed to $6.0 million of net income, which reflects non-cash depreciation and amortization, noncash lease expense, gains on marketable equity securities, losses on equipment sales, amortization of debt issuance costs, stock-based compensation, provisions for credit losses, and a change in deferred income taxes totaling $40.9 million, net. Net cash provided by operating activities also reflects an aggregate decrease in net working capital totaling $37.4 million. The primary drivers behind the decrease in working capital were decreases in trade accounts receivable and contract assets, and increases in trade accounts payable, accruals for insurance and claims, and in income taxes payable. These were partially offset by principal reductions in operating lease liabilities during the period, increases in prepaid expenses and other receivables and decreases in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and in other long-term liabilities. Affiliate transactions increased net cash provided by operating activities by $1.2 million. The increase in net cash resulted from an increase in accounts payable to affiliates of $0.9 million and a decrease in accounts receivable from affiliates of $0.3 million.
The $51.5 million in net cash used in investing activities consisted of $52.6 million in capital expenditures, which was partially offset by $0.9 million in proceeds from the sale of equipment and $0.1 million in proceeds from the sale of marketable securities.
Financing activities used $25.4 million in net cash during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2025. We had outstanding borrowings totaling $740.0 million at March 29, 2025 compared to $762.6 million at December 31, 2024. During the period, we made payments on term loan and equipment and real estate notes totaling $42.4 million, borrowed $5.3 million for new equipment and had net borrowings on our revolving lines of credit totaling $14.5 million. During the period, we also paid cash dividends of $2.8 million.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 29, 2025, we had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future material effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies
A summary of critical accounting policies is presented in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Critical Accounting Policies,” of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. There have been no changes in our accounting policies during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2025.
Seasonality
Generally, demand for our value-added services delivered to existing customers increases during the second calendar quarter of each year as a result of the automotive industry’s spring selling season. Conversely, such demand generally decreases during the third quarter of each year due to the impact of scheduled OEM customer plant shutdowns in July for vacations and changeovers in production lines for new model years.
Our value-added services business is also impacted in the fourth quarter by plant shutdowns during the December holiday period. Prolonged adverse weather conditions, particularly in winter months, can also adversely impact margins due to productivity declines and related challenges meeting customer service requirements.
Additionally, our transportation services business, excluding dedicated transportation tied to specific customer supply chains, is generally impacted by decreased activity during the post-holiday winter season and, in certain states during hurricane season, because some shippers reduce their shipments and inclement weather impedes trucking operations or underlying customer demand.
ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
There have not been any material changes to the Company’s market risk during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2025. For additional information, please see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of March 29, 2025. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives of ensuring that information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures, and is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. There is no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will operate effectively under all circumstances.