v3.25.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Saia, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (together, the Company or Saia). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit by the independent registered public accounting firm. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the interim periods included herein have been made. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information, the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from these statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Business

The Company provides national less-than-truckload (LTL) services through a single integrated organization. While more than 97 percent of its revenue has been derived from transporting LTL shipments across the contiguous United States, the Company also offers customers a wide range of other value-added services, including non-asset truckload, expedited transportation and logistics services across North America. The Company’s customer base is diversified across numerous industries.

Revenue Recognition

The Company’s revenues are derived primarily from the transportation of freight as it satisfies performance obligations that arise from contracts with its customers. The Company’s performance obligations arise when it receives a bill of lading (BOL) to transport a customer's commodities at negotiated prices contained in either a transportation services agreement or a publicly disclosed tariff rate. Once a BOL is received and accepted, a legally-enforceable contract is formed whereby the parties are committed to perform and the rights of the parties, shipping terms and conditions, and payment terms have been identified. Each shipment represents a distinct service that is a separately identified performance obligation.

The typical transit time to complete a shipment is from one to five days. Billing for transportation services normally occurs after completion of the service and payment is generally due within 30 days after the invoice date. The Company recognizes revenue related to the Company’s LTL, non-asset truckload and expedited transportation services over the transit time of the shipment as it moves from origin to destination based on the transit status at the end of each reporting period.

Key estimates included in the recognition and measurement of revenue and related accounts receivable are as follows:

Revenue associated with shipments in transit is recognized ratably over the transit time; and
Adjustments to revenue for billing adjustments and collectability.

The portion of the gross invoice related to interline transportation services that involve the services of another party, such as another LTL service provider, is not recorded in the Company’s revenues. Revenue from logistics services is recognized as the services are provided.

Claims and Insurance Accruals

The Company maintains insurance coverage with third-party insurance carriers that provides various levels of protection for covered risk exposure, including in the areas of workers’ compensation, bodily injury and property damage, casualty, cargo loss and damage and group health, with coverage limits and retention and deductible amounts that vary based on policy periods and claim type. Claims and insurance accruals related to workers’ compensation, bodily injury and property damage, casualty, cargo loss and damage and group health are established by management based on estimates of losses that the Company will ultimately incur on reported claims and on claims that have been incurred but not yet reported. Accruals are calculated on reported claims based on an evaluation of the nature and severity of the claim, historical loss experience and on legal, economic and other factors. Actuarial analysis is also used in calculating the accruals for workers’ compensation and bodily injury and property damage claims.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. The Company periodically evaluates estimated useful lives of property and equipment considering its planned and actual usage, planned and actual maintenance and replacement, and other relevant physical and economic factors that may affect our use of the assets. During the second quarter of 2024, the Company determined that the estimated useful lives of certain of its trailers and dollies should be extended from 14 years to 20 years. This change is recognized prospectively. The changes in estimates resulted in an increase in income from continuing operations of approximately $2.9 million (a $2.2 million increase in net income) for the three months ended March 31, 2025.

Segment Reporting

Saia is comprised of a single reportable segment organized around its transportation services. The measure of segment assets is reported on the balance sheet as total consolidated assets.

 

The following table presents selected financial information with respect to the Company’s single reportable segment (in thousands):

 

 

 

First Quarter

 

 

 

2025

 

 

2024

 

Revenue

 

$

787,575

 

 

$

754,775

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wages (a)

 

 

233,528

 

 

 

207,426

 

Salaries (a)

 

 

51,676

 

 

 

45,199

 

Purchased Transportation

 

 

59,849

 

 

 

52,507

 

Other Segment items (b)

 

 

313,668

 

 

 

282,094

 

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

59,043

 

 

 

48,849

 

Interest Expense

 

 

4,285

 

 

 

542

 

Interest Income

 

 

(39

)

 

 

(755

)

Income Tax Expense

 

 

15,755

 

 

 

28,218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment and Consolidated Net Income

 

$

49,810

 

 

$

90,695

 

 

(a) Wages includes payroll costs for non-management employees generally paid on an hourly or per-mile basis. Salaries includes payroll costs for exempt employees.

 

(b) Other segment items include employees' benefits, fuel, operating expenses and supplies, operating taxes and licenses and claims and insurance.