<PAGE> 1
FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(1)
FILE NO. 333-16865
PROSPECTUS
3,500,000 SHARES
SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO., INC.
[LOGO]
COMMON STOCK
($.001 PAR VALUE)
Of the shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value per share (the "Common Stock"),
being offered (the "Shares"), 2,500,000 Shares are being sold by Swift
Transportation Co., Inc. (the "Company" or "Swift") and 1,000,000 Shares are
being sold by a stockholder of the Company (the "Selling Stockholder"). See
"Selling Stockholder." The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of shares by the Selling Stockholder.
The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"SWFT." On December 17, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Common Stock
on the Nasdaq National Market was $22.00 per share. See "Price Range of Common
Stock."
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN MATTERS THAT
SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY POTENTIAL INVESTORS.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PROCEEDS TO
PRICE UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO SELLING
TO PUBLIC DISCOUNT COMPANY(1) STOCKHOLDER
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share................. $21.75 $0.98 $20.77 $20.77
Total(2).................. $76,125,000 $3,430,000 $51,925,000 $20,770,000
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
(1) Before deducting offering expenses payable by the Company estimated at
$235,000.
(2) The Company and Selling Stockholder have granted the Underwriters a 30-day
option to purchase up to 525,000 additional shares of Common Stock solely to
cover over-allotments, if any. If the Underwriters exercise this option in
full, the total Price to Public, Underwriting Discount, Proceeds to Company
and Proceeds to Selling Stockholder will be $87,543,750, $3,944,500,
$59,713,750 and $23,885,500, respectively. See "Underwriting."
The Shares are offered subject to receipt and acceptance by the Underwriters, to
prior sale and to the Underwriters' right to reject any order in whole or in
part and to withdraw, cancel or modify the offer without notice. It is expected
that delivery of the Shares will be made at the office of Salomon Brothers Inc,
Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York, or through the facilities of The
Depository Trust Company, on or about December 20, 1996.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
ALEX. BROWN & SONS
INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
MORGAN KEEGAN & COMPANY, INC.
The date of this Prospectus is December 17, 1996.
<PAGE> 2
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company has filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Commission") with respect to the shares offered by this Prospectus. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration
Statement and the exhibits and schedules thereto. Statements contained herein
concerning the provisions of any documents are not necessarily complete and, in
each instance, reference is made to the copy of such documents filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement, and each such statement shall be deemed
qualified in its entirety by such reference.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports and other information with the Commission. A copy of
the reports and other information filed by the Company in accordance with the
Exchange Act may be inspected without charge at the offices of the Commission,
Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and will also be
available for inspection and copying at the Commission's Regional Offices
located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048, and
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. Copies of such material may also be obtained by writing to the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549. The Commission maintains a web site (http://www.sec.gov)
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants, such as the Company, that file electronically with the
Commission. Information concerning the registrant is also available for
inspection at the offices of the Nasdaq National Market, Reports Section, 1735 K
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006.
INFORMATION INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated herein by reference: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995; (ii) the Company's Quarterly
Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 1996, June 30, 1996
and September 30, 1996; and (iii) the description of the Company's Common Stock
contained in the Company's Form 8-A filed under the Exchange Act. All documents
filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the
termination of the offering of the Common Stock registered hereby shall be
deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the
dates of filing of such documents. Any statements contained in a document
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement and this
Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus. The
Company will provide, without charge, to each person to whom this Prospectus is
delivered, upon written or telephonic request of such person, a copy of any or
all of the foregoing documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus
(other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus). Requests should be delivered in
writing to the Secretary, Swift Transportation Co., Inc., P.O. Box 29243,
Phoenix, Arizona 85038-9243 or by telephone at (602) 269-9700.
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AND SELLING GROUP
MEMBERS, IF ANY, MAY ENGAGE IN PASSIVE MARKET MAKING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON
STOCK OF THE COMPANY ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE
10b-6A UNDER THE EXCHANGE ACT. SEE "UNDERWRITING."
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK OF
THE COMPANY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
2
<PAGE> 3
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information (including the consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto) included elsewhere in this Prospectus and incorporated by reference
herein. Potential investors should carefully consider the factors set forth
herein under the caption "Risk Factors" and are urged to read this Prospectus in
its entirety. Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus
assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. See
"Underwriting."
THE COMPANY
Swift Transportation Co., Inc. (with its subsidiaries, "Swift" or the
"Company") is the fourth largest publicly-held, national truckload carrier in
the United States. Swift operates primarily throughout the continental United
States, combining strong regional operations with a transcontinental van
operation. The principal types of freight transported by Swift include retail
and discount department store merchandise, paper products, non-perishable food,
tires, beverages and beverage containers and building materials.
By meeting its customers' specific needs for both regional and
transcontinental service and through selective acquisitions, Swift has been able
to achieve significant growth in revenues over the past five years. Operating
revenue has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 24.6% from $190.3 million
in 1991 to $458.2 million in 1995. During that same period, net earnings have
grown at a compound annual growth rate of 37.4% from $6.5 million to $23.0
million. During the nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996, respectively,
operating revenue increased from $337.1 million to $408.5 million and net
earnings increased from $17.8 million to $18.8 million.
OPERATING STRATEGY
Swift focuses on achieving high density for service-sensitive customers in
short-to-medium-haul traffic lanes. Through its network of 23 service terminals,
Swift is able to provide regional service on a nationwide basis. Swift's
terminal network establishes a local market presence in the regions Swift serves
and enables Swift to respond more rapidly to its customers' changing
requirements. This regional network also enables Swift to enhance driver
recruitment and retention by returning drivers to their homes regularly, reduce
its purchases of higher priced fuel at truck stops and expedite lower cost,
in-house equipment maintenance. With an average length of haul of 577 miles,
Swift is able to limit its direct competition with railroads, intermodal
services and longer-haul, less specialized truckload carriers.
Swift seeks to provide premium service with commensurate rates, rather than
compete primarily on the basis of price. The principal elements of Swift's
premium service include: regional terminals to facilitate single and multiple
pick-ups and deliveries and maintain local contact with customers; well-
maintained, late model equipment; a fully-integrated computer system to monitor
shipment status and variations from schedule; an onboard communication system
that enables the Company to dispatch and monitor traffic; timely deliveries; and
extra equipment to respond promptly to customers' varying requirements.
To manage the higher costs and greater logistical complexity inherent in
operating in short-to-medium haul traffic lanes, Swift employs sophisticated
computerized management control systems to monitor key aspects of its
operations, such as availability of equipment, truck productivity and fuel
consumption. Swift has a three-year replacement program for substantially all of
its tractors, which allows Swift to maximize equipment utilization and fuel
economy by capitalizing on improved engine efficiency and vehicle aerodynamics
and to minimize maintenance expense. For 1994 and 1995, Swift maintained an
operating ratio of 88.8% and 89.9%, respectively. For the nine months ended
September 30, 1995 and 1996, Swift's operating ratio was 89.3% and 90.8%,
respectively.
GROWTH STRATEGY
Major shippers continue to reduce the number of carriers that they use for
their regular freight needs. This has resulted in a relatively small number of
financially stable "core carriers" and has contributed to consolidation in the
truckload industry in recent years. The truckload industry remains highly
fragmented,
3
<PAGE> 4
and management believes that overall growth in the truckload industry and
continued industry consolidation will present opportunities for well managed,
financially stable carriers such as Swift to expand. The Company intends to take
advantage of growth opportunities through a combination of internal growth and
selective acquisitions.
The key elements of Swift's growth strategy are:
- Strengthen Core Carrier Relationships. Swift intends to continue to
strengthen its core carrier relationships, expand its services to its
existing customers and pursue new customer relationships. By
concentrating on expanding its services to its existing customers,
Swift's revenues from its top 25 customers nearly doubled from 1993 to
1995. The largest 25, 10 and 5 customers, respectively, accounted for
48%, 30% and 19% of revenues in 1993 and 51%, 37% and 26% of revenues in
1995, with no one customer accounting for more than 8% of Swift's gross
revenues during that period. Revenues generated by Swift's top 25
customers for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 have increased
13.4% for these customers over the same period last year. In addition to
expanding its services to existing customers, Swift actively pursues new
traffic commitments from high volume, financially stable shippers for
whom it has not previously provided services.
- Pursue Strategic Acquisitions. Swift's revenue growth has been
attributable, in significant part, to seven acquisitions completed in the
last eight years. These acquisitions have enabled Swift to expand from
its historical operations base in the Western United States and develop a
strong regional presence in the Midwestern, Eastern and Southeastern
United States. Swift generally limits its consideration of acquisitions
to those it believes will be accretive to earnings within six months, and
historically all of its acquisitions have met this objective. Most
recently, in September 1996, Swift augmented its western operations by
acquiring the dry freight van division of Navajo Shippers, Inc., Digby
Leasing, Inc. and Digby-Ringsby Truck Line, Inc. This acquisition added
287 tractors to Swift's fleet.
- Exploit Private Fleet Outsourcing. A number of large companies maintain
their own private trucking fleets to facilitate distribution of their
products. Swift believes that nearly 82% of private fleet traffic is
short-to-medium haul in nature, traveling an average of 1,000 miles or
less per round trip, with 72% of such traffic traveling 500 miles or
less. In order to reduce operating costs associated with private fleets,
a number of large companies have begun to outsource their transportation
and logistics requirements. Swift believes that its strong regional
operations and average length of haul of less than 600 miles position it
to take advantage of this trend, and Swift already serves as a preferred
supplier or "core carrier" to many major shippers who are considering, or
may in the future consider, outsourcing their transportation and
logistics requirements.
Swift Transportation Co., Inc., a Nevada corporation headquartered in
Sparks, Nevada, is a holding company for the Arizona operating corporation also
named Swift Transportation Co., Inc. These companies are collectively referred
to herein as the "Company." The Company's headquarters are located at 2200 South
75th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85043, and its telephone number is (602) 269-9700.
THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company................... 2,500,000 shares
Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder....... 1,000,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the Offering..... 27,502,084 shares(1)
Use of proceeds....................................... To reduce indebtedness and for
general corporate and working capital
purposes.
Nasdaq National Market symbol......................... SWFT
</TABLE>
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(1) Based on shares outstanding at December 17, 1996. Excludes up to 1,656,600
shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding, of
which 53,500 are immediately exercisable at a weighted average exercise
price of $3.82.
4
<PAGE> 5
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------
1991(1) 1992 1993(2) 1994(3) 1995 1995 1996(4)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ---------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AND OPERATING DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA:
Operating revenue........... $190,337 $233,409 $276,982 $365,889 $458,165 $337,118 $408,473
Earnings before income
taxes..................... $ 10,866 $ 16,414 $ 21,409 $ 39,309 $ 40,070 $ 30,894 $ 32,584
Net earnings................ $ 6,466 $ 9,834 $ 12,274 $ 22,629 $ 23,040 $ 17,764 $ 18,794
Net earnings per common and
equivalent share.......... $ .30 $ .43 $ .48 $ .89 $ .91 $ .70 $ .74
OPERATING STATISTICS:
Operating ratio............. 93.1% 92.2% 92.1% 88.8% 89.9% 89.3% 90.8%
Pre-tax margin(5)........... 5.7% 7.0% 7.7% 10.7% 8.7% 9.2% 8.0%
Average line haul revenue
per mile.................. $ 1.07(6) $ 1.07 $ 1.10 $ 1.12 $ 1.11 $ 1.11 $ 1.10(6)
Empty mile percentage....... 12.7% 13.6% 13.4% 13.2% 13.9% 14.0% 13.9%
Average length of haul
(in miles)................ 736 711 608 590 591 584 577
Total tractors at end of
period:
Company-operated.......... 1,636 1,882 2,338 3,286 3,472 3,399 4,015
Owner-operator............ 43 29 44 188 477 447 659
Trailers at end of period... 3.989 4,235 5,215 8,957 8,788 8,785 10,592
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1996
----------------------
AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED(7)
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<S> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital........................................................................... $ 16,588 $ 38,278
Total assets.............................................................................. $388,577 $396,267
Long-term obligations, excluding current portion.......................................... $ 92,010 $ 62,010
Stockholders' equity...................................................................... $156,723 $208,413
</TABLE>
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(1) Includes the results of operations from the acquisition of Arthur H. Fulton,
Inc. beginning September 9, 1991.
(2) Includes the results of operations from the acquisition of West's Best
Freight Systems, Inc. beginning June 1, 1993.
(3) Includes the results of operations from the asset acquisitions of East-West
Transportation, Inc. beginning on July 1, 1994 and Missouri-Nebraska
Express, Inc. beginning October 2, 1994.
(4) Includes the results of operations from the asset acquisition of the dry
freight van division of Navajo Shippers, Inc., Digby Leasing, Inc. and
Digby-Ringsby Truck Line, Inc. beginning September 12, 1996.
(5) Pre-tax margin represents earnings before income taxes as a percentage of
operating revenue. Because of the impact that equipment financing methods
can have on the operating ratio (operating expenses as a percentage of
operating revenue), the Company believes that the most meaningful
comparative measure of its operating efficiency is its pre-tax margin, which
takes into consideration both the Company's total operating expenses and net
interest expense as a percentage of operating revenue.
(6) Excludes fuel surcharge.
(7) Adjusted to reflect the issuance and sale of 2,500,000 shares Common Stock
offered by the Company and the application of the estimated net proceeds
therefrom.
5
<PAGE> 6
RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Company's Common Stock involves a significant degree
of risk. In determining whether to make an investment in the Common Stock,
potential investors should consider carefully all of the information set forth
in and incorporated into this Prospectus and, in particular, the following
factors.
GENERAL ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS FACTORS
The Company's business is dependent upon a number of factors that may have
a material adverse effect on its results of operations, many of which are beyond
the Company's control. These factors include excess capacity in the trucking
industry, significant increases or rapid fluctuations in fuel prices, interest
rates, fuel taxes, tolls, license and registration fees and insurance premiums,
to the extent not offset by increases in freight rates or fuel surcharges, and
difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified drivers and owner operators.
The Company's results of operations also are affected by recessionary economic
cycles and downturns in customers' business cycles, particularly in market
segments and industries (such as retail and paper products) in which the Company
has a significant concentration of customers. In addition, the Company's results
of operations are affected by seasonal factors. Customers tend to reduce
shipments after the winter holiday season and the Company's operating expenses
tend to be higher in the winter months primarily due to increased operating
costs in colder weather and higher fuel consumption due to increased idle time.
COMPETITION
The trucking industry is extremely competitive and fragmented. The Company
competes with many other truckload carriers of varying sizes and, to a lesser
extent, with railroads. Competition has created downward pressure on the
truckload industry's pricing structure. There are several trucking companies
with which the Company competes that have greater financial resources than the
Company, own more revenue equipment and carry a larger volume of freight than
the Company.
CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The trucking industry is very capital intensive. The Company depends on
cash from operations, operating leases and debt financing for funds to expand
the size of its fleet and maintain modern revenue equipment. If the Company were
unable in the future to enter into acceptable financing arrangements, it would
have to limit its growth and might be required to operate its revenue equipment
for longer periods, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results.
ACQUISITIONS
The growth of the Company has been, and will continue to be, dependent in
significant part upon the acquisition of small-to-medium-sized trucking
companies throughout the United States. To date, the Company has been successful
in identifying trucking companies to acquire and in integrating such companies'
operations into the Company's operations. The Company may face competition from
transportation companies or other third parties for acquisition opportunities
that become available. There can be no assurance that the Company will identify
acquisition candidates that will result in successful combinations in the
future. Any future acquisitions by the Company may result in the incurrence of
additional debt and amortization of expenses related to goodwill and intangible
assets, which could adversely affect the Company's profitability, or could
involve the potentially dilutive issuance of additional equity securities. In
addition, acquisitions involve numerous risks, including difficulties in
assimilation of the acquired company's operations particularly in the period
immediately following the consummation of such transactions, the diversion of
the attention of the Company's management from other business concerns, risks of
entering into markets in which the Company has had no or only limited direct
experience, and the potential loss of customers, key employees and drivers of
the acquired company, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operating results. Although
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<PAGE> 7
the Company does not have any commitments with respect to any acquisitions as of
the date of this Prospectus, the Company continually evaluates acquisition
opportunities as part of its growth strategy.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL AND INFLUENCE OF PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDER
The Company is highly dependent upon the services of Mr. Jerry Moyes,
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William F.
Riley, III, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Robert W.
Cunningham, Executive Vice President, and Mr. Rodney K. Sartor, Executive Vice
President. Although the Company believes it has an experienced and talented
management group, the loss of the services of Mr. Moyes, Mr. Riley, Mr.
Cunningham or Mr. Sartor could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operations and future profitability. The Company does not have employment
agreements with nor does it maintain key man life insurance on Messrs. Moyes,
Riley, Cunningham or Sartor. Additionally, the trusts established for the
benefit of Mr. Moyes and his family will beneficially own approximately 29.0% of
the outstanding Common Stock immediately after completion of the offering
(approximately 28.1% if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full). Accordingly, Mr. Moyes will continue to be able to influence the election
of members of the Company's Board of Directors and decisions requiring
stockholder approval. This concentration of ownership, as well as the ability of
the Board to establish the terms of and issue Preferred Stock of the Company
without stockholder approval, may have the effect of delaying or preventing a
change in control of the Company.
REGULATION
The Company is regulated by the United States Department of Transportation
and by various state agencies. These regulatory authorities exercise broad
powers, generally governing activities such as authorization to engage in motor
carrier operations, rates and charges, operations, safety, financial reporting,
and certain mergers, consolidations and acquisitions. In addition, the Company's
operations are subject to various environmental laws and regulations dealing
with the transportation, storage, presence, use, disposal and handling of
hazardous materials, discharge of stormwater and underground fuel storage tanks.
If the Company should be involved in a spill or other accident involving
hazardous substances or if the Company were found to be in violation of
applicable laws or regulations, it could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and operating results.
CLAIMS EXPOSURE; INSURANCE
The Company currently self-insures in the amount of $75,000 per occurrence
for liability resulting from cargo loss, $500,000 for each claim for personal
injury and property damage and $300,000 per claim for worker's compensation, and
maintains insurance above these amounts with licensed insurance companies. To
the extent the Company were to experience an increase in the number of claims
for which it is self-insured, the Company's operating results would be
materially adversely affected. In addition, significant increases in insurance
costs, to the extent not offset by freight rate increases, would reduce the
Company's profitability.
POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
The market price of the Common Stock could be subject to significant
fluctuations in response to certain factors, such as, among others, variations
in the anticipated or actual results of operations of the Company or other
companies in the transportation industry, changes in conditions affecting the
economy generally, analyst reports, or general trends in the industry, as well
as other factors unrelated to the Company's operating results.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY CUSTOMERS
A significant portion of the Company's revenue is generated from key
customers. During 1995, the Company's top 25, 10 and 5 customers accounted for
51%, 37% and 26% of revenues, respectively. The
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<PAGE> 8
Company does not have long-term contractual relationships with many of its key
customers, and there can be no assurance that the Company's relationships with
its key customers will continue as presently in effect. A reduction in or
termination of the Company's services by a key customer could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business and operating results.
DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Prospectus, including all documents incorporated herein by reference,
contains forward-looking statements. Additional written or oral forward-looking
statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or otherwise. The words "believe," "expect,"
"anticipate," and "project" and similar expressions identify forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date the statement is made. Such
forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements may include, but not be
limited to, projections of revenues, income or loss, capital expenditures,
acquisitions, plans for future operations, financing needs or plans, the impact
of inflation and plans relating to products or services of the Company, as well
as assumptions relating to the foregoing. Forward-looking statements are
inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted
or quantified. Future events and actual results could differ materially from
those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking
statements. Statements in this Prospectus, including those set forth in "Risk
Factors," and in "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995, which is incorporated by
reference herein, describe factors, among others, that could contribute to or
cause such differences.
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<PAGE> 9
USE OF PROCEEDS
The net proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock offered by the Company are estimated to be
approximately $51.7 million (approximately $59.5 million if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting underwriting
discounts and estimated expenses of the offering. Of these net proceeds, the
Company intends to use approximately $44 million to reduce debt and the
remainder for general corporate and working capital purposes. The debt to be
repaid was incurred primarily to acquire revenue equipment, bears interest at a
weighted average rate of 6.193% (ranging from 5.656% to 7.75%) and has an
average remaining maturity of approximately 31 months (ranging from 3 to 43
months). Pending the use of proceeds as described above, the net proceeds will
be invested in short-term interest bearing securities. The Company will not
receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Selling
Stockholder.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under
the trading symbol "SWFT." The following table sets forth the quarterly high and
low sales prices of the Company's Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq
National Market. The last sale price of the Common Stock on December 17, 1996
was $22.00 per share.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HIGH LOW
----- -----
<S> <C> <C>
1994
First Quarter....................................................... $13 1/2 $9 3/4
Second Quarter...................................................... 17 3/8 12 5/8
Third Quarter....................................................... 21 1/2 15 5/8
Fourth Quarter...................................................... 23 1/8 17 3/4
1995
First Quarter....................................................... $25 3/4 $15 1/4
Second Quarter...................................................... 17 3/4 13
Third Quarter....................................................... 20 3/4 14 1/2
Fourth Quarter...................................................... 17 3/4 14 3/4
1996
First Quarter....................................................... $21 1/4 $15
Second Quarter...................................................... 21 1/8 17 1/4
Third Quarter....................................................... 22 1/2 18 5/8
Fourth Quarter (through December 17, 1996).......................... 24 1/2 20 1/4
</TABLE>
As of December 17, 1996, there were 25,002,084 shares of Common Stock
outstanding, which were held by approximately 916 stockholders of record.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has never paid any cash dividends and does not anticipate
paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. It is the current intention
of management to retain earnings to finance the growth and development of the
Company's business and to repay indebtedness. Future payment of cash dividends
will depend upon the financial condition, results of operations, and capital
requirements of the Company as well as other factors deemed relevant by the
Board of Directors.
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<PAGE> 10
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth the selected consolidated financial data for
the Company. The selected "Statement of Earnings Data" and "Balance Sheet Data"
presented below for, and as of the end of, each of the years in the five-year
period ended December 31, 1995 are derived from the consolidated financial
statements of the
Company, which consolidated financial statements have been audited by KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants. The selected "Statement
of Earnings Data" and "Balance Sheet Data" presented below for, and as of, the
nine months ended September 30, 1995 and 1996 are derived from the unaudited
interim consolidated condensed financial statements of the Company which, in the
opinion of management, have been prepared on the same basis as the audited
consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments, consisting only
of normal recurring adjustments, which management considers necessary for a fair
presentation of the financial data shown. The results of operations for the nine
months ended September 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results to
be expected for the year ending December 31, 1996. This information should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto incorporated herein by reference and "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and in
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30,
1996, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
---------------------------------------------------- -------------------
1991(1) 1992 1993(2) 1994(3) 1995 1995 1996(4)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS DATA:
Operating revenue....................... $190,337 $233,409 $276,982 $365,889 $458,165 $337,118 $408,473
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee
benefits............................ 77,908 93,180 110,139 136,997 169,805 126,470 145,071
Operating supplies and expenses....... 18,666 23,197 25,500 31,630 40,582 29,850 37,830
Fuel.................................. 31,181 36,935 42,122 50,434 60,697 44,690 55,176
Purchased transportation.............. 4,756 3,609 8,004 19,809 42,592 28,600 50,538
Rental expense........................ 16,442 23,675 24,470 25,166 26,633 18,997 21,788
Insurance and claims.................. 4,989 8,221 11,983 15,273 13,121 9,630 14,886
Depreciation and amortization......... 12,278 12,466 15,676 24,649 31,726 23,335 25,539
Communication and utilities........... 2,513 3,220 3,978 4,014 7,547 5,655 6,052
Operating taxes and licenses.......... 8,541 10,741 13,261 17,069 19,377 14,001 14,188
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating expenses....... 177,274 215,244 255,133 325,041 412,080 301,228 371,068
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Operating income............... 13,063 18,165 21,849 40,848 46,085 35,890 37,405
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense...................... 2,948 2,382 1,102 3,101 6,728 5,421 5,269
Interest income....................... (265) (194) (106) (78) (75) (53) (48)
Other................................. (486) (437) (556) (1,484) (638) (372) (400)
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Other (income) expenses, net........ 2,197 1,751 440 1,539 6,015 4,996 4,821
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Earnings before income taxes........ 10,866 16,414 21,409 39,309 40,070 30,894 32,584
Income taxes............................ 4,400 6,580 9,135 16,680 17,030 13,130 13,790
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Net earnings................... $ 6,466 $ 9,834 $ 12,274 $ 22,629 $ 23,040 $ 17,764 $ 18,794
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Net earnings per common and equivalent
share................................. $ .30 $ .43 $ .48 $ .89 $ .91 $ .70 $ .74
======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
Shares used in per share calculations... 21,900 22,662 25,364 25,325 25,348 25,342 25,488
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Includes the results of operations from the acquisition of Arthur H. Fulton,
Inc. beginning September 9, 1991.
(2) Includes the results of operations from the acquisition of West's Best
Freight Systems, Inc. beginning June 1, 1993.
(3) Includes the results of operations from the asset acquisitions of East-West
Transportation, Inc. beginning on July 1, 1994 and Missouri-Nebraska
Espress, Inc. beginning October 2, 1994.
(4) Includes the results of operations from the asset acquisitions of the dry
freight van division of Navajo Shippers, Inc., Digby Leasing, Inc. and
Digby-Ringsby Truck Line, Inc. beginning September 12, 1996.
10
<PAGE> 11
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AS OF
AS OF DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------------------------ ---------------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Working capital............. $ 6,679 $ 13,862 $ 14,156 $ 14,012 $ 6,735 $ 9,362 $ 16,588
Total assets................ $108,944 $119,009 $172,220 $275,991 $311,308 $312,953 $388,577
Long-term obligations, less
current portion........... $ 21,147 $ 8,997 $ 23,379 $ 77,715 $ 68,954 $ 75,480 $ 92,010
Stockholders' equity........ $ 46,131 $ 71,842 $ 88,973 $111,342 $134,835 $128,021 $156,723
</TABLE>
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated certain statement
of earnings data as a percentage of operating revenue:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS
ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
--------------------------------------------- ---------------
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenue.................................. 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages and employee benefits............ 40.9 39.9 39.8 37.4 37.1 37.5 35.5
Operating supplies and expenses.................. 9.8 9.9 9.2 8.6 8.9 8.9 9.3
Fuel............................................. 16.4 15.8 15.2 13.8 13.2 13.2 13.5
Purchased transportation......................... 2.5 1.6 2.9 5.4 9.3 8.5 12.4
Rental expense................................... 8.6 10.1 8.8 6.9 5.8 5.6 5.3
Insurance and claims............................. 2.6 3.5 4.3 4.2 2.9 2.9 3.6
Depreciation and amortization.................... 6.5 5.4 5.7 6.7 6.9 6.9 6.3
Communications and utilities..................... 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.1 1.6 1.7 1.4
Operating taxes and licenses..................... 4.5 4.6 4.8 4.7 4.2 4.1 3.5
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Total operating expenses......................... 93.1 92.2 92.1 88.8 89.9 89.3 90.8
Net interest expense............................... 1.4 1.0 0.4 0.9 1.5 1.6 1.3
Other (income) expense, net........................ (0.2) (0.2) (0.2) (0.4) (0.1) (0.1) (0.1)
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Earnings before income taxes....................... 5.7 7.0 7.7 10.7 8.7 9.2 8.0
Income taxes....................................... 2.3 2.8 3.3 4.5 3.7 3.9 3.4
----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- -----
Net earnings....................................... 3.4% 4.2% 4.4% 6.2% 5.0% 5.3% 4.6%
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ===== =====
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE> 12
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information with respect to the directors
and executive officers of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- -------------------------------- --- ----------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jerry C. Moyes(1)(2)............ 52 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer
William F. Riley, III........... 50 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer, Secretary and Director
Robert W. Cunningham............ 41 Executive Vice President and Director
Rodney K. Sartor................ 41 Executive Vice President and Director
Lou A. Edwards(2)............... 83 Director
Alphonse E. Frei(1)(2).......... 58 Director
Earl H. Scudder, Jr.(1)......... 54 Director
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Member of Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
(2) Member of Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.
JERRY C. MOYES has served as the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company since 1984. Mr. Moyes joined the Company in
1966 as a Vice President and served in that capacity until 1984. Mr. Moyes was
President of the Arizona Motor Transport Association from 1987 to 1988.
WILLIAM F. RILEY, III has served as an Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and a Director of the Company since March 1990 and
as a Vice President of Cooper Motor Lines and Swift Leasing Co., Inc. since
April 1988 and May 1986, respectively. Prior to joining Swift in February 1986,
Mr. Riley was employed by Armour Food Co. from 1978 to January 1986, serving in
various transportation and distribution assignments, principally Manager of
Business Planning of Armour Food Express, its truckload motor carrier.
ROBERT W. CUNNINGHAM has served as an Executive Vice President and a
Director of the Company since March 1990. Mr. Cunningham joined Swift in July
1985 as a Division Manager of its Southern California operations and served as
its Vice President of Sales and Marketing from September 1988 to February 1990.
From January 1980 to July 1985, Mr. Cunningham served as the Vice President of
Sales and Marketing for Motor Cargo Freight Lines, a less-than-truckload carrier
based in Salt Lake City, Utah.
RODNEY K. SARTOR has served as an Executive Vice President and a Director
of the Company since May 1990. Mr. Sartor joined Swift in May 1979. He served as
Director of Operations from May 1982 until August 1988 and as a Regional Vice
President from August 1988 until May 1990.
LOU A. EDWARDS has served as a Director of the Company since May 1990. Mr.
Edwards is the President of Sundance Truck Centers, a truck dealership, which he
founded in 1975, and has 40 years of experience in the trucking industry.
ALPHONSE E. FREI has served as a Director of the Company since May 1990.
Mr. Frei served in various capacities, including as Chief Financial Officer,
with America West Airlines from 1983 to 1994 and served as a director of America
West Airlines from 1986 to September 1993. In 1991, America West filed for
bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws, and
emerged from Chapter 11 protection in August 1994. Since 1994, Mr. Frei has
served in various executive capacities or as a consultant to a number of
business organizations.
EARL H. SCUDDER, JR. has served as a Director of the Company since May
1993. Mr. Scudder has been President of the Scudder Law Firm, P.C. in Lincoln,
Nebraska since February 1990, and has engaged in the private practice of law
since 1966. Mr. Scudder also served as a director of Heartland Express, Inc., a
publicly-held trucking company, until December 1996.
12
<PAGE> 13
SELLING STOCKHOLDER
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company's Common Stock by the Selling Stockholder and all
directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BENEFICIAL BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP OWNERSHIP
PRIOR TO OFFERING NUMBER OF AFTER THE OFFERING
------------------- SHARES -------------------
NUMBER BEING NUMBER
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES PERCENT OFFERED OF SHARES PERCENT
- ----------------------------------------- --------- ------- --------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jerry C. Moyes(1)........................ 8,997,152 35.9 1,000,000 7,997,152 29.0
All directors and executive
officers as a group (7 persons)(2)..... 9,341,248 37.2 1,000,000 8,341,248 30.2
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) The shares beneficially owned by Jerry C. Moyes are held by him, as follows:
(i) 8,852,152 shares are held as a co-trustee of the Jerry and Vickie Moyes
Family Trust (ii) 15,000 shares are held by a limited liability company of
which Mr. Moyes has controlling interest, and (iii) 130,000 shares are held
by SME Industries Inc. of which Jerry C. Moyes is the majority shareholder.
The shares shown for Jerry C. Moyes do not include the 4,008,157 shares held
by seven irrevocable trusts for the benefit of six children of Jerry and
Vickie Moyes and by an irrevocable trust for the benefit of Jerry and Vickie
Moyes and six of their children, the sole trustee of each of which is Ronald
Moyes, who has sole investment and voting power over the trusts. The shares
shown for Jerry C. Moyes also do not include 160,000 shares held by an
irrevocable trust for the children of Jerry and Vickie Moyes, the sole
trustee of which is Gerald F. Ehrlich, who has sole investment and voting
power. All of the shares held by the Jerry and Vickie Moyes Family Trust
have been pledged to secure loans with lending institutions and brokerage
firms. If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full, an
additional 150,000 shares will be sold by Mr. Moyes, and, thereafter, Mr.
Moyes will beneficially own 7,847,152 shares, representing 28.1% of the
total shares outstanding after the offering.
(2) Includes 88,000 shares subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
December 17, 1996. If the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised
in full, an additional 150,000 shares will be sold by Jerry C. Moyes, and,
thereafter, all directors and executive officer of the Company will
beneficially own 8,191,248 shares, representing 29.3% of the total shares
outstanding after the offering.
13
<PAGE> 14
UNDERWRITING
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement
among the Company, the Selling Stockholder and the Underwriters (the
"Underwriting Agreement"), the Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed
to sell to each of the Underwriters named below (the "Underwriters"), and each
of the Underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from the Company and the
Selling Stockholder, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock set forth
opposite its name below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF
UNDERWRITERS SHARES
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ---------
<S> <C>
Salomon Brothers Inc ................................................... 700,000
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated......................................... 700,000
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....................................... 700,000
Schroder Wertheim & Co. Incorporated.................................... 700,000
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. .......................................... 700,000
---------
Total......................................................... 3,500,000
=========
</TABLE>
In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have severally agreed,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein, to purchase all of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those subject to the
over-allotment option described below) if any are purchased.
The Company has been advised by the Underwriters that the Underwriters
propose initially to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at the
public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to
certain dealers at such price less a concession not in excess of $0.59 per
share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession
not in excess of $0.10 per share to certain other dealers. After commencement of
the offering, the price to public and concessions to dealers may be changed.
The Company and the Selling Stockholder have granted the Underwriters an
option, exercisable within 30 days of the date of this Prospectus, to purchase
up to 525,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-allotments, if
any, at the price to the public less the underwriting discount set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus. To the extent that the Underwriters exercise such
option, in whole or in part, each Underwriter will have a firm commitment,
subject to certain conditions, to purchase the same proportion of the option
shares that the number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased by such
Underwriter in the above table bears to the total number of shares of Common
Stock offered by the Underwriters hereby.
The Underwriting Agreement provides that the Company and the Selling
Stockholder will indemnify the several Underwriters against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments the
Underwriters may be required to make in respect thereof.
The Company and the Selling Stockholder have each agreed with the
Underwriters that they will not offer, sell or contract to sell, or otherwise
dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any shares of
Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of
Common Stock for a period of 120 days from the date of this Prospectus, without
the prior written consent of Salomon Brothers Inc, except for (a) in the case of
the Company, grants of options and issuances and sales of Common Stock issued
pursuant to any existing stock option or other benefit or incentive plans
maintained for its officers, directors or employees or the issuance of Common
Stock in connection with acquisitions; and (b) in the case of the Selling
Stockholder, shares of Common Stock disposed of as bona fide gifts or pledges
where the recipients of such gifts or the pledges, as the case may be, agree in
writing with the Underwriters to be bound by the terms of such agreement.
In connection with this offering, certain Underwriters may engage in
passive market making transactions in the Common Stock on the Nasdaq National
Market in accordance with Rule 10b-6A under the Exchange Act, during the two
business day period before commencement of offers or sales of the Common Stock
offered hereby. Passive market making transactions must comply with certain
volume and
14
<PAGE> 15
price limitations and be identified as such. In general, a passive market maker
may display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for
the security, and if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market
maker's bid then such bid must be lowered when certain purchase limits are
exceeded.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Common Stock and certain other legal matters in
connection with the offering will be passed upon for the Company and the Selling
Stockholder by Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., Phoenix, Arizona. Certain legal matters
relating to this offering will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Piper &
Marbury L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Swift Transportation Co., Inc. as
of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1995, have been incorporated by reference herein and
in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
15
<PAGE> 16
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN OR
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE
BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY, THE SELLING
STOCKHOLDER, OR ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS
NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATES AS OF WHICH INFORMATION IS GIVEN IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN
WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING
SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO SO OR TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM IT
IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH SOLICITATION.
------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
----
<S> <C>
Available Information................. 2
Information Incorporated by
Reference........................... 2
Prospectus Summary.................... 3
Risk Factors.......................... 6
Use of Proceeds....................... 9
Price Range of Common Stock........... 9
Dividend Policy....................... 9
Selected Consolidated Financial
Data................................ 10
Management............................ 12
Selling Stockholder................... 13
Underwriting.......................... 14
Legal Matters......................... 15
Experts............................... 15
</TABLE>
3,500,000 SHARES
SWIFT
TRANSPORTATION
CO., INC.
COMMON STOCK
($.001 PAR VALUE)
[LOGO]
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
ALEX. BROWN & SONS
INCORPORATED
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
INCORPORATED
SCHRODER WERTHEIM & CO.
MORGAN KEEGAN & COMPANY, INC.
PROSPECTUS
DATED DECEMBER 17, 1996
