10-K 1 echo-20171231x10k1.htm 10-K Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
________________________________________
FORM 10-K
_______________________________________
(Mark one)
 
x
Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or
 
 
o
Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from                        to                         
Commission file number 001-34470
ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
 
20-5001120
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
600 West Chicago Avenue, Suite 725
Chicago, Illinois
 
60654
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 354-7993
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
 
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o    No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o    No x
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 o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, 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 and post such files). Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting  company o
 
Emerging growth company o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller
reporting 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 o    No x


The aggregate market value of the common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2017, the last business day of the registrant's most recent completed second quarter, was $515,351,096 (based upon closing price of these shares on the Nasdaq Global Select Market).
The number of shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding as of the close of business on February 23, 2018 was 28,024,629.
Documents incorporated by reference:
Portions of the Registrant's Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, provided that if such Proxy Statement is not filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, an amendment to this Form 10-K shall be filed no later than the end of such 120-day period.




 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
Part I.
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part II.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part III.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Part IV.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Part I



Item 1.    Business
Unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires, references in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to "Echo Global Logistics," "Echo," the "Company," "we," "us" or "our" are to Echo Global Logistics, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and subsidiaries.
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors which could materially affect such forward-looking statements can be found in Part I, Item 1 "Business," Part I, Item 1A "Risk Factors" and Part II, Item 7 "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Investors are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating any forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements made herein are only made as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Our Company

Echo Global Logistics is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management solutions. We utilize a proprietary technology platform to compile and analyze data from our multi-modal network of transportation providers to satisfy the transportation and logistics needs of our clients. This model enables us to quickly adapt to and offer efficient and cost-effective solutions for our clients' shipping needs. We focus primarily on arranging transportation with truckload ("TL") and less than truckload ("LTL") carriers. We also offer intermodal (which involves moving a shipment by rail and truck), small parcel, domestic air, expedited and international transportation services. Our core logistics services include rate negotiation, shipment execution and tracking, carrier selection and management, routing compliance, freight bill payment and audit, payment and performance management, and reporting functions, including executive dashboard tools.

The success of our model and its ability to deliver a competitive value proposition to shippers (our clients) has been the main driver behind our historical growth and we believe will serve as the basis for our continued expansion. Our market share has grown within this market segment in recent years, primarily through organic growth with the addition of new customers, the expansion of relationships with existing customers, the addition of new services, and the development of a training program that enables better client service and the hiring of additional salespeople. We also have supplemented our organic growth through selective acquisitions.

We were formed as a Delaware limited liability company in January 2005 and converted our legal form to a Delaware corporation in June 2006. In October 2009, we completed an initial public offering of our shares of common stock. Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ECHO.”

Our Clients

We procure transportation and provide logistics services for clients across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, consumer products and retail. Our clients fall into two categories: Transactional and Managed Transportation.

Transactional Clients

We service Transactional clients on a shipment-by-shipment basis. Pricing is often quoted according to pre-existing price agreements maintained with our LTL carriers or pricing procured in the spot market for TL carriers. It is the objective of our sales representatives to expand client relationships by increasing the shipper's percentage of total freight spend directed to Echo. Transactional clients benefit from access to our advanced technology, service quality and competitive pricing.

Our revenue from Transactional clients was $1.5 billion in 2017, $1.4 billion in 2016 and $1.2 billion in 2015. Revenue from Transactional clients as a percentage of total revenue was 79.2%, 81.3% and 81.0%, in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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Managed Transportation Clients

We typically enter into multi-year contracts with our Managed Transportation clients, generally with terms of one to three years, to satisfy some, or substantially all, of their transportation management needs. Each Managed Transportation client is assigned one or more dedicated account executives. In limited instances, a Managed Transportation client will request that its account executives work on-site at the client's location.
Dedicated account executives, together with account management and technology staff, form our Solutions and Implementation team that initiates the on-boarding process for each new Managed Transportation client. This team reviews the client's existing business processes, develops a preliminary freight management plan and targets a percentage cost savings achievable for the client over the life of the contract. The team then develops an implementation plan that links the client's back office processes to our proprietary technology platform.
The Managed Transportation relationship is initially predicated on a high level of personalized service, cost savings and the improved efficiency, transparency and reporting achieved through reliance on our systems. Each client's dedicated account team seeks to become more knowledgeable about the client's supply chain operations through an ongoing series of quarterly business reviews. Through this process, additional opportunities for efficiency gains, operating improvements and cost savings are identified and recommended by account managers who generally have significant industry experience.
Managed Transportation contracts often are on an exclusive basis for a certain transportation mode or point of origin and may apply to one or more modes used by the client. These provisions help us secure, but do not guarantee, a significant portion of a Managed Transportation client's transportation spend. While the application of these contractual exclusivity provisions historically has varied, we work closely with our Managed Transportation clients to maintain our status as their exclusive provider of transportation management services for a particular mode or point of origin.
We also provide freight bill payment and audit services, claims processing and small parcel consulting services to a limited number of Managed Transportation clients. Under these arrangements, we review the client's small parcel shipping contracts and shipment data, analyzing their volumes, distribution, rates and savings opportunities, prepare negotiation strategies and directly or indirectly participate in negotiations with carriers to improve the client's rates, charges, services and commitments.
Our revenue from Managed Transportation clients was $404.3 million in 2017, $320.3 million in 2016 and $287.0 million in 2015. Revenue from Managed Transportation clients as a percentage of total revenue was 20.8%, 18.7% and 19.0% in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Our Proprietary Technology
Our proprietary technology platform ("Optimizer") is fundamental to our operating system and solutions offering. We run our business on a technology platform engineered and built from the ground up and believe its proprietary nature differentiates us from our competition in a number of critical ways. All parties to each transaction (clients, carriers and Echo employees) are unified on a single platform through access portals customized to each party's needs. We believe such integration yields critical synergies throughout our organization as well as with our clients and carriers. Equally important, internal integration ensures speed and accuracy of data capture, information exchange, shipment execution and back-end reporting capabilities.
When communicating their transportation needs to us, clients have the flexibility to do so electronically through our web portal ("EchoTrak"), by other computer protocols or by phone. Our system generates price and carrier options for our clients based on either rates pre-negotiated with preferred carriers or historical price and capacity data stored in our system. If a client enters its own shipment, EchoTrak automatically alerts the appropriate account executive. Once the carrier is selected, the client's account executive uses our system to manage all aspects of the shipping process through the life-cycle of the shipment. Our clients use Optimizer's "track and trace" tools to monitor shipment status through EchoTrak.
As our business has grown, our technology platform has continued to evolve in order to incorporate new multi-modal capabilities. We believe the agility of Optimizer is essential to keep pace with the changing needs of our business and offers us a critical advantage in the competitive transportation marketplace. Each mode involves different vendors exchanging unique order and price data that must be shared with multiple parties to any given transaction. Our technology engineers build mode-specific requirements into our system that support our ability to sell and service that mode on an enterprise-wide basis. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, we spent approximately $19.0 million, $14.6 million and $8.2 million, respectively, on the development of Optimizer and related technologies.
We believe our web-based suite of applications connects clients with every function required to run an efficient transportation and logistics program. Transportation solutions developed for Managed Transportation clients often involve

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back-end systems integration, and both the solution and the specific integration requirements vary by client. Optimizer affords us the flexibility to support the supply chain needs of each client, regardless of specifications of the client's own system.
We rely primarily on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, license agreements and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. Some of our intellectual property rights relate to proprietary business process enhancements. It is our practice to enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with all of our employees and independent contractors. Such agreements include a confidentiality undertaking by the employee or independent contractor; ensure that all new intellectual property developed in the course of our relationship with employees or independent contractors is assigned to us; and require the employee or independent contractor to cooperate with us to protect our intellectual property during and after his or her relationship with us.
Our Transportation Solutions
We satisfy the market demand for freight transportation solutions by delivering a competitive value proposition that combines advanced technology, exceptional client service, competitive pricing and highly customized transportation solutions to businesses seeking external transportation management expertise. As a non-asset based provider of technology-enabled transportation and logistics services, our solutions offerings take many forms, including multi-modal transportation brokerage and logistics services.
Mode-Specific Offerings
For our Transactional clients, Echo offers a wide array of shipping options from which to choose:
•
Truckload.    We provide TL service across all TL segments, including dry van, temperature-controlled and flatbed trucks. Our Truckload Quoting Tool technology uses our predictive pricing algorithms, industry relationships and historical lane-specific price and capacity data to quickly satisfy our clients' TL needs.
•
Less than Truckload.     We maintain relationships with, and utilize the vast majority of, LTL carriers in the market. Using our innovative RateIQ 2.0 technology, we obtain real-time price and transit time information for every LTL shipment we broker.
•
Small Parcel.    We provide small parcel services for packages of all sizes. Using our EchoPak technology, we often are able to deliver cost saving opportunities to those clients with significant small parcel freight spend.
•
Intermodal.    Intermodal transportation is the shipping of freight by multiple modes. We offer intermodal transportation services for our clients that utilize a combination of truck and rail. Our dedicated intermodal team can select the combination of truck and rail services that best satisfies each client's individual price and shipment criteria.
•
Domestic Air and Expedited Services.    We provide domestic air and expedited shipment services for our clients whose delivery requirements cannot be satisfied by traditional over-the-road service.
•
International.    For clients seeking the ease of a comprehensive international delivery option, we provide air and ocean transportation services. Dedicated account teams are able to consolidate shipments, coordinate routing, prearrange custom clearance and organize local pick-up and delivery, all in an effort to minimize the time and economic burdens associated with international shipping.
Logistics Services Offering
Many clients prefer a comprehensive and customized freight management solution that maximizes system-wide efficiencies as well as cost savings. In these instances, the shippers outsource their freight management needs to us. For these shippers, often part of our Managed Transportation group, we develop a plan involving a wide range of multi-modal freight brokerage services that often includes the redesign and reengineering of distribution networks that connect a client to its suppliers and customers.
Transportation management and logistics services that we provide to such clients can include:
•
Rate negotiation;
•
Procurement of transportation, both contractually and in the spot market;
•
Shipment execution and tracking;

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•
Carrier management, selection, reporting and compliance;
•
Executive dashboard presentations and detailed shipment reports;
•
Freight bill payment and audit;
•
Claims processing and service refund management;
•
Design and management of inbound client freight programs;
•
Individually configured web portals and self-service data warehouses;
•
Enterprise resource planning ("ERP") integration with transactional shipment data;
•
Integration of shipping applications into client e-commerce sites; and
•
Back-end reports customized to the internal reporting needs of the business.
Our Employees
As of December 31, 2017, Echo had 2,453 employees, of which 1,641 were sales representatives and agents.
Our sales representatives and agents are located in more than 30 offices throughout the United States. Sales representatives are employees focused on identifying and growing relationships with shippers and carriers. Sales agents work independently or in station offices and generally are experienced industry sales professionals managing their own client relationships. Both sales representatives and agents are primarily responsible for managing and servicing the client and carrier relationships whose business they secure.
Candidates for employment are identified and screened through traditional means, such as career fairs, search firms, job postings, advertisements in industry publications and referrals. The majority of hires within our sales and service organization are recent college graduates. We invest extensively in their training and ongoing development to ensure their long-term success as a part of our organization. Employees who join Echo as a result of an acquisition also participate in training tailored to their needs. We are confident that our employee training and development efforts contribute to longer tenure, increased productivity and a greater commitment to client satisfaction. None of our employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. We consider our relationships with our employees to be good.
Our Carrier Network
In 2017, we continued to enhance our vast carrier network of motor, rail, air and ocean freight transportation providers. We select our carriers on the basis of their capabilities, geographic coverage, quality of service and price. Carriers selected to join our network provide physical transportation services to our clients. In our capacity as intermediary, we track our clients' shipments from origin to destination. Since we do not own any transportation equipment and do not employ those directly involved in the delivery of our clients' shipments, the nature of our carrier relationships is essential to our success.
We believe we provide value to our carriers through our proprietary technology, which gives our carriers the flexibility to adjust pricing and freight by lane or season. Our carriers benefit by gaining access to our clients and our carrier communication tools, which allow us to match our clients’ freight with our carriers' excess capacity.
We maintain the quality of our carrier network by obtaining documentation from each carrier that ensures the carrier is properly licensed and insured and satisfies our safety requirements. Additionally, we continuously monitor data from our network on capacity, price trends, reliability, quality control standards and overall client service. We believe this quality control program helps to ensure shippers are provided the highest quality service, regardless of the specific carrier selected for an individual shipment.
The carriers in our network range in size from large national trucking companies to owner-operators of single trucks. We are not dependent on any one carrier. Our largest carrier accounted for less than 4% of our total 2017 transportation costs.
Competition
We operate in the highly competitive and fragmented market for commercial freight transportation and third-party logistics services. Primary competitors to our services include other national non-asset based third-party logistics companies, as well as regional or niche freight brokerages, asset-based carriers offering brokerage and/or logistics services, wholesale intermodal transportation service providers and rail carriers. In addition, we may from time to time compete against carriers' internal sales

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forces or shippers' internal transportation departments. We also buy transportation services from, and sell to, some of the companies with which we compete.
We believe we compete for business on the basis of service, reliability and price. Some of our competitors may have more clients, larger clients, more resources, and possibly greater expertise in a single transportation mode than we do. We compete successfully with these companies by delivering a multi-modal solution using advanced technology combined with excellent client service, competitive pricing and highly customized transportation solutions.
Our clients may choose not to outsource their transportation business to us in the future by performing formerly outsourced services for themselves, either in-house or through external partnerships or other arrangements. We believe our key advantage over in-house operations is our ability to simplify the transportation process for our clients by delivering volume-based pricing and service superior to what our clients can secure independent of Echo. In short, we provide companies the opportunity to focus on their core operations by providing our transportation buying power and expertise.
Government Regulation
We are licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a broker authorized to arrange for the transportation of general commodities by motor vehicle. Subject to applicable federal and state regulation, we arrange for the transportation of most types of freight to and from any point in the United States. We arrange transportation for United States domestic shipments by land that are mostly governed by federal regulation, such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (the “FMCSA”), which is an agency of the Department of Transportation; some shipments are also regulated by various state agencies. The FMCSA has broad regulatory powers in areas such as safety and insurance relating to interstate motor-carrier and property broker operations. The transportation industry is subject to possible changes in the governing law (such as the possibility of more stringent environmental, safety regulations or limits on vehicle weight and size) that could impact the economics of the industry.
Our international operations are impacted by a wide variety of United States regulations from various government departments, along with foreign regulatory authorities. Regulations set by these departments may cover matters such as the type of commodities that may be shipped and how certain commodities may be shipped. These departments also issue regulations regarding unfair international trade practices and limitations on entities with which we may engage in business.
We contract with indirect air carriers who have been approved by the Transportation Security Administration (the “TSA”) and the Department of Transportation to arrange for transportation by air for our customers. The air freight industry is subject to regulatory and legislative changes that could affect the economics of the industry by requiring changes in operating practices or influencing the demand for, and the costs of providing, services to clients.
Our ocean transportation business in the United States is subject to regulation by the Federal Maritime Commission (the “FMC”). We are not licensed as an ocean freight forwarder or a non-vessel operating common carrier operator. However, we do engage in business with entities who are licensed in ocean transportation so that we may arrange for transportation by sea for our customers.
Although Congress enacted legislation in 1994 that substantially preempts the authority of states to exercise economic regulation of motor-carriers and property brokers, some intrastate shipments for which we arrange transportation may be subject to additional licensing registration or permit requirements. Generally, we contractually require the carrier transporting the shipment to ensure compliance with these types of requirements. Although compliance with the regulations governing licenses in these areas has not had a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition in the past, there can be no assurance that such regulations or changes will not adversely impact our operations in the future. Violation of these regulations could also subject us to fines as well as increased claims liability.
Risk Management and Insurance

If a shipment is damaged during the delivery process, our customer may file a claim for the damaged shipment with us, which we will pursue directly with the carrier on our client's behalf. In the cases where we have agreed (either contractually or otherwise) to pay for claims for damage to freight while in transit, we may pay the claim to our client while we independently pursue reimbursement from the carrier. If we are unable to recover all or any portion of the claim amount from our carrier, or our carrier's insurance, we may bear the financial loss of such claim. We mitigate this risk by using our quality control program to carefully select carriers with adequate insurance, quality control procedures and safety ratings. We also take steps to ensure that the coverage we provide to our clients for damaged shipments is substantially similar to the coverage that our carriers provide.


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 We require all motor carriers we work with to carry at least $1 million in automobile liability insurance and $0.1 million in cargo insurance. We also maintain a broad cargo liability insurance policy to protect us against cargo damages that may not be recovered from the responsible motor-carrier. We carry various liability insurance policies, including automobile and general liability. Our contingent automobile liability coverage has a retention of $5 million per incident.

We extend credit to certain clients as part of our business model. These clients are subject to an approval process prior to any extension of credit or increase in their current credit limit. Our accounting department reviews each credit request and considers, among other factors, payment history, current billing status, recommendations by various rating agencies and capitalization. Clients that pass our credit review may receive a line of credit or an increase in their existing credit amount. We believe this review and approval process helps mitigate the risk of client defaults on extensions of credit and any related bad debt expense. Additionally, the Company maintains a credit insurance policy for certain accounts.

Our Website

Our website is http://www.echo.com. We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, including exhibits and any amendments to those reports, filed with or furnished to the SEC. We make these reports available through our website as soon as reasonably practical after our electronic filing of such materials with, or the furnishing of them to, the SEC. The information contained on our website is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other public filing made by us with the SEC.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors
Set forth below are certain risk factors that could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. You should carefully read the following risk factors, together with the financial statements, related notes and other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our business, financial condition and operating results may suffer if any of the following risks are realized. If any of these risks or uncertainties occur, the trading price of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that contain risks and uncertainties. Please refer to the discussion of "Forward-Looking Statements" on page three of this Annual Report on Form 10-K in connection with your consideration of the risk factors and other important factors that may affect future results described below.
Risks Related to Our Business
We operate in a highly competitive industry, and if we are unable to address factors that may adversely affect our operating results, it could substantially impair our business.
The transportation services industry is highly competitive. We compete against other national non-asset based third-party logistics companies, as well as regional or niche freight brokerages, asset-based carriers offering brokerage and/or logistics services, wholesale intermodal transportation service providers and rail carriers. In addition, we may from time to time compete against carriers' internal sales forces or shippers' internal transportation departments. At times, we buy transportation services from, and sell to, our competitors. Historically, competition has created a downward pressure on freight rates and continuation of this rate pressure may adversely affect our revenue and income from operations.
In addition, a software platform and database similar to Optimizer could be created over time by a competitor with sufficient financial resources and comparable experience in the transportation services industry. If our competitors are able to offer comparable services, we could lose clients, and our market share and profit margin could decline. Our competitors may also establish cooperative relationships to increase their ability to address client needs. Increased competition may lead to revenue reductions, reduced profit margins or loss of market share, any one of which could harm our business.
A decrease in levels of excess capacity in the U.S. transportation services industry could have an adverse impact on our business.
We believe that, historically, the U.S. transportation services industry has experienced significant levels of excess capacity. Our business seeks to capitalize on imbalances between supply and demand in the transportation services industry by obtaining favorable pricing terms from carriers in our network through a competitive bid process. Reduced excess capacity in the transportation services industry generally, and in our carrier network specifically, could have an adverse impact on our ability to execute our business strategy and on our business results and growth prospects.
A decrease in the number of carriers participating in our network could adversely affect our business.

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In 2017, we continued to enhance our sizable carrier network of motor, rail, air and ocean freight transportation providers. We expect to continue to rely on these carriers to fulfill our shipping orders in the future. However, these carriers are not contractually required to continue to accept orders from us. If shipping capacity tightens or the transportation industry experiences further consolidation among carriers, our ability to serve our clients on competitive terms could be significantly limited. In addition, we rely on price bids provided by our carriers to populate our database. If the number of our carriers decreases significantly, we may be unable to obtain sufficient pricing information to effectively utilize Optimizer, which could affect our ability to obtain favorable pricing for our clients.
If our carriers do not meet our needs or expectations, or those of our clients, our business could suffer.
The success of our business depends to a large extent on our relationships with our clients and our reputation for providing high-quality technology-enabled transportation and logistics services. We do not own or control the transportation assets that deliver our clients' freight, and we do not employ the people directly involved in delivering the freight. We rely on independent third parties to provide TL, LTL, small parcel, intermodal, domestic air, expedited and international carrier services and to report certain information to us, including information relating to delivery status and freight claims. This reliance could cause delays in providing our clients with important service data and in the financial reporting of certain events, including recognizing revenue and recording claims. If we are unable to secure sufficient transportation services to meet our commitments to our clients, our operating results could be adversely affected, and our clients could utilize the services of our competitors temporarily or permanently. Many of these risks are beyond our control and difficult to anticipate, including:
•
changes in rates charged by transportation providers;
•
supply shortages in the transportation industry, particularly among TL carriers;
•
interruptions in service or stoppages in transportation as a result of labor disputes; and
•
changes in regulations impacting transportation.
If any of the third parties we rely on do not meet our needs or expectations, or those of our clients, our professional reputation may be damaged and our business could suffer.
Higher carrier prices may result in decreased net revenue margin.
Carriers may charge higher prices if market conditions warrant, or to cover higher operating expenses. Our net revenues and income from operations may decrease if we are unable to correspondingly increase our pricing to our customers. Increased demand for TL services and pending changes in regulations may reduce available capacity and increase carrier pricing. Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenue minus transportation costs.
Changes in fuel prices may change carrier prices, and volatility in fuel prices may make it more difficult to pass through this cost to our clients, which may impair our operating results.
Fuel prices can be volatile and difficult to predict. Fuel prices have fluctuated significantly over the last three years. Our clients expect fuel savings to be passed along through lower prices. If carriers do not lower their prices to reflect declines in fuel costs, this could negatively impact our shipment volume, as our clients would seek other shipping options. This decrease in volume would negatively impact our gross profits and income from operations.
In the event of rising fuel prices, carriers can be expected to charge higher prices to cover higher operating expenses, and our gross profits and income from operations may decrease if we are unable to continue to pass through to our clients the full amount of these increased costs. Higher fuel costs could also cause material shifts in the percentage of our revenue by transportation mode, as our clients may elect to utilize alternative transportation modes. Any material shifts to transportation modes with respect to which we realize lower gross profit margins could impair our operating results.
Our obligation to pay our carriers is not contingent upon receipt of payment from our clients, and we extend credit to certain clients as part of our business model.
In most cases, we take full risk of credit loss for the transportation services we procure from carriers. Our obligation to pay our carriers is not contingent upon receipt of payment from our clients. If any of our key clients fail to pay for our services, our profitability would be negatively impacted.
We extend credit to certain clients in the ordinary course of business as part of our business model. By extending credit, we increase our exposure to uncollected receivables. A deterioration in the global or domestic economy could drive an increase in

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business failures, downsizing and delinquencies, which could cause an increase in our credit risk. If we fail to monitor and manage effectively any increased credit risk, our immediate and long-term liquidity may be adversely affected.
We are reliant on technology to operate our business and our continued success is dependent on our systems continuing to provide the necessary support to service our customers effectively.
We rely heavily on Optimizer to track and store externally and internally generated market data, analyze the capabilities of our carrier network and recommend cost-effective carriers in the appropriate transportation mode. To keep pace with changing technologies and client demands, we must correctly interpret and address market trends and enhance the features and functionality of our Optimizer platform in response to these trends, which may lead to significant ongoing research and development costs. We may be unable to accurately determine the needs of our clients and the trends in the transportation services industry or to design and implement the appropriate features and functionality of our Optimizer platform in a timely and cost-effective manner, which could result in decreased demand for our services and a corresponding decrease in our revenue. Despite testing, we may be unable to detect defects in existing or new versions of our proprietary software, or errors may arise in our software. Any failure to identify and address such defects or errors could result in loss of revenue or market share, liability to clients or others, diversion of resources, injury to our reputation, and increased service and maintenance costs. Correction of such errors could prove to be impossible or very costly, and responding to resulting claims or liability could similarly involve substantial cost.
The success of our business depends upon our ability to deliver time-sensitive, up-to-date data and information. We rely on our Internet access, computer equipment, software applications, database storage facilities and other office equipment, which are mainly located in our Chicago headquarters. Our operations and those of our carriers and clients are vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, wars, computer viruses, hackers, cyber-attacks, equipment failure, physical break-ins and other events beyond our control, including disasters affecting Chicago. We attempt to mitigate these risks through various means, including system backup and security measures, but our precautions will not protect against all potential problems. We maintain fully redundant off-site backup facilities for our Internet access, computer equipment, software applications, database storage and network equipment, but these facilities could be subject to the same interruptions that could affect our headquarters. If we suffer a database or network facility outage, our business could experience disruption, possibly resulting in reduced revenue and the loss of clients.
Our ability to deliver our services depends upon the capacity, reliability and security of services provided to us by our telecommunication service providers, our electronic delivery systems and the Internet. We have no control over the operation, quality or maintenance of these services or whether the vendors will improve their services or continue to provide services that are essential to our business. In addition, our telecommunication service providers may increase the prices at which they provide services, which would increase our costs. If our telecommunication service providers were to cease to provide essential services or to significantly increase their prices, we could be required to find alternative vendors for these services. With a limited number of vendors, we could experience significant delays in obtaining new or replacement services, which could significantly harm our reputation and could cause us to lose clients and revenue. Moreover, our ability to deliver information using the Internet may be impaired because of infrastructure failures, service outages at third-party Internet providers or increased government regulation. If disruptions, failures or slowdowns of our electronic delivery systems or the Internet occur, our ability to effectively provide technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services and to serve our clients may be impaired.
Breaches in data security could adversely affect our business.
Failure to prevent or mitigate data loss, or system intrusions, from cyber-attacks or other security breaches could expose us, our vendors, or our customers to a risk of loss or misuse of such information, adversely affecting our operating results, or result in litigation or potential liability for our business. Likewise, data privacy breaches by employees or others accessing our systems may pose a risk that sensitive vendor or customer data may be exposed to unauthorized persons or to the public, adversely impacting our customer service, employee relationships and reputation. While we believe that we have taken appropriate security measures to protect our data and information technology systems, and to prevent data loss, our precautions may not protect against all potential breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could have an adverse affect on our business.
We have not registered any patents or trademarks on our proprietary technology to date, and our inability to protect our intellectual property rights may impair our competitive position.
Our failure to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights could harm our competitive position. We rely on a combination of copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, as well as license agreements and other contractual provisions to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights. In addition, we attempt to protect our intellectual property and proprietary information by requiring all of our employees and independent contractors to enter into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements. To date, we have not pursued patent protection for our technology. We currently have six

10

registered trademarks to protect our brands. We cannot be certain that the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property rights will be adequate or will prevent third parties from infringing or misappropriating our rights, imitating or duplicating our technology, services or methodologies, including Optimizer, or using trademarks similar to ours. Should we need to resort to litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights or to determine the validity and scope of the rights of others, such litigation could be time-consuming and costly, and the result of any litigation is subject to uncertainty. In addition, Optimizer incorporates open source software components that are licensed to us under various public domain licenses. Although we believe that we have complied with our obligations under the various applicable licenses for the open source software that we use, there is little or no legal precedent governing the interpretation of many of the terms of these licenses, and the potential impact of such terms on our business is, therefore, difficult to predict.
We may not be able to identify suitable acquisition candidates, effectively integrate newly acquired businesses or achieve expected profitability from acquisitions.
Part of our growth strategy is to increase our revenue and the market regions that we serve through the acquisition of complementary businesses. There can be no assurance that suitable candidates for acquisitions can be identified or, if suitable candidates are identified, that acquisitions can be completed on acceptable terms, if at all. Even if suitable candidates are identified, any future acquisitions may entail a number of risks that could adversely affect our business and the market price of our common stock, including the integration of the acquired operations, diversion of management's attention, risks of entering new market regions in which we have limited experience, adverse short-term effects on our reported operating results, the potential loss of key employees of acquired businesses and risks associated with unanticipated liabilities.
We may use our common stock to pay for acquisitions. If the owners of potential acquisition candidates are not willing to receive our common stock in exchange for their businesses, our acquisition prospects could be limited. Future acquisitions could also result in accounting charges, potentially dilutive issuances of equity securities and increased debt and contingent liabilities, including liabilities related to unknown or undisclosed circumstances, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business and the market price of our common stock.
Our clients may terminate their relationships with us on short notice with limited or no penalties, and our clients are generally not obligated to spend a minimum amount with us.
Our Transactional clients, which accounted for 79.2% and 81.3% of our revenue in 2017 and 2016, respectively, use our services on a shipment-by-shipment basis rather than under long-term contracts. These clients have no obligation to continue using our services and may stop using them at any time without penalty or with only limited penalties. Our contracts with Managed Transportation clients typically have terms of one to three years and are subject to termination provisions negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. If we fail to adhere to the terms of the contract, the client can terminate the relationship. Managed Transportation contracts accounting for 5.8% and 4.9% of our total 2017 revenue are scheduled to expire (subject to possible renewal) in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
The volume and type of services we provide each client may vary from year to year and could be reduced if the client were to change its outsourcing or shipping strategy. Our Managed Transportation clients generally are not obligated to spend any particular amount with us, although our Managed Transportation contracts are typically exclusive with respect to point of origin or one or more modes of transportation, meaning that the client is obligated to use us if it ships from the point of origin or uses those modes. These contractual exclusivity provisions help ensure, but do not guarantee, we receive a significant portion of the amount that our Managed Transportation clients spend on transportation in the applicable mode or modes or from the applicable point of origin. In our experience, compliance with such provisions varies from client to client and over time. Our clients' failure to comply with these exclusivity provisions may adversely affect our revenue.
If a significant number of our Transactional or Managed Transportation clients elect to terminate or not renew their engagements with us, or if the shipping volume of a significant number of our clients decreases, our business, operating results and financial condition could suffer. If we are unable to renew our Managed Transportation contracts at favorable rates, our revenue may decline.
We have extensive selling and implementation cycles to secure a new Managed Transportation contract, which require significant investments of resources.
In the course of acquiring a Managed Transportation customer, we typically face extensive selling and implementation cycles to secure a new Managed Transportation contract, which requires significant investment of resources and time by both our clients and us. Before committing to use our services, potential Managed Transportation clients require us to spend time and resources educating them on the value of our services and assessing the feasibility of integrating our systems and processes with theirs. Our clients then evaluate our services before deciding whether to use them. Therefore, our Managed Transportation

11

selling cycle is subject to many risks and delays over which we have little control, including our clients' decisions to choose alternatives to our services and the timing of our clients' budget cycles and approval processes.
Implementing our Managed Transportation services, which can take from one to six months, involves a significant commitment of resources over an extended period of time from both our clients and us. Depending on the scope and complexity of the processes being implemented, these time periods may be significantly longer. Our current and future clients may not be willing or able to invest the time and resources necessary to implement our services, and we may fail to close sales with potential clients to which we have devoted significant time and resources. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, as we do not recognize significant revenue until after we have completed the implementation phase.
Our industry is subject to seasonal sales fluctuations. If our business experiences seasonality, it could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Our industry is subject to some degree of seasonal sales fluctuations as shipments generally are lower during and after the winter holiday season because many of our retail clients ship goods and stock inventories prior to the winter holiday season. If we were to experience lower than expected revenue during any such period, whether from a general decline in economic conditions or other factors beyond our control, our expenses may not be offset, which would have a disproportionately adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition for that period.
Our ability to appropriately staff and retain sales representatives and agents is important to our business.
Our ability to expand our business will depend, in part, on our ability to attract additional sales representatives and agents with established client relationships. Competition for qualified sales representatives and agents can be intense, and we may be unable to hire such persons. Any difficulties we experience in expanding the number of our sales representatives and agents could have a negative impact on our ability to expand our client base, increase our revenue and continue our growth.
In addition, we must retain our current sales representatives and agents and properly incentivize them to obtain new clients and maintain existing client relationships. If a significant number of our sales representatives and agents leave us, our revenue could be negatively impacted. We have entered into agreements with our sales representatives and agents that contain non-compete provisions to mitigate this risk, but we may need to litigate to enforce our rights under these agreements, which could be time-consuming, expensive and ineffective. A significant increase in the turnover rate among our current sales representatives and agents could also increase our recruiting costs and lead to a decline in the demand for our services.
We are subject to claims arising from our transportation operations.
We use the services of thousands of transportation companies and their drivers in connection with our transportation operations. From time to time, these drivers are involved in accidents, or goods carried by these drivers are lost or damaged and the carriers may not have adequate insurance coverage. Although these drivers are not our employees and all of these drivers are employees, or independent contractors, working for carriers, or are owner-operators, claims may be asserted against us for their actions or for our actions in retaining them. Claims against us may exceed the amount of our insurance coverage, or may not be covered by insurance at all. If a shipment is lost or damaged during the delivery process, a client may file a claim for the damaged shipment with us and we may bear the risk of recovering the claim amount from the carrier. If we are unable to recover all or any portion of the claim amount from the carrier, or the carrier's insurance, and to the extent each claim exceeds the amount which may be recovered from our own insurance, we will bear the financial loss. A material increase in the frequency or severity of accidents, claims for lost or damaged goods, liability claims or workers' compensation claims, or unfavorable resolutions of claims, could adversely affect our operating results. Significant increases in insurance costs or the inability to purchase insurance as a result of these claims could also reduce our profitability.
Our insurance coverage and self-insurance reserves may not cover future claims.

We maintain various insurance policies for employee health, worker’s compensation, general liability, property damage and automobile liability. We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance policies for our employee health plans.
    
For policies under which we are responsible for losses, we record a liability that represents our estimated cost of claims incurred and unpaid as of the balance sheet date. Our estimated liability is not discounted and is based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions and economic conditions, and is closely monitored and adjusted when warranted by changing circumstances. Our history of claims experience is short and our significant growth rate could affect the accuracy of estimates based on historical experience. If a greater amount of claims occurs compared to what we estimated, or if medical costs exceed what we expected, our accrued liabilities might not be sufficient and we may be

12

required to record additional expense. In addition, unanticipated changes may produce materially different amounts of expense than reported under these programs, which could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our business depends on compliance with many government regulations.
International and domestic transportation of goods is subject to a number of governmental regulations, including licensing and financial security requirements, import and export regulations, security requirements, packaging regulations and notification requirements. These regulations and requirements are subject to change based on new legislation and regulatory initiatives, which could affect the economics of the transportation industry by requiring changes in operating practices or influencing the demand for, and the cost of providing, transportation services.
We are licensed by the U.S. Department of Transportation as a broker authorized to arrange for the transportation of general commodities by motor vehicle. We must comply with certain insurance and surety bond requirements to act in this capacity.
We are currently providing customs broker services through contracts with licensed customs brokers. We contract with indirect air carriers that have been approved by the TSA, and are required to comply with air security regulations imposed by the TSA. In addition, our ocean transportation business is subject to regulation by the FMC.
We may experience an increase in operating costs, such as security costs, as a result of governmental regulations that have been and will be adopted in response to criminal, terrorist and potential terrorist activities. No assurances can be given that we will be able to pass these increased costs on to our clients in the form of rate increases or surcharges.
From time to time, we arrange for the movement of hazardous materials at the request of our clients. As a result, we are subject to various environmental laws and regulations relating to the handling, transport and disposal of hazardous materials. If our clients or carriers are involved in a spill or other accident involving hazardous materials, or if we are found to be in violation of applicable laws or regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or penalties, response or remediation costs and civil and criminal liability, any of which could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. In addition, current and future national laws and multilateral agreements relating to carbon emissions and the effects of global warming could have a significant impact on the transportation sector, including the operations and profitability of our carriers, which could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Our ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, and our failure to raise capital when needed could prevent us from growing.
In the future, we may be required to raise capital through public, private or other financing arrangements. Such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business. Additional equity financing may dilute the interests of our common stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile.
Since our initial public offering in October 2009 through February 23, 2018, the closing sale price of our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market has ranged from a low of $10.04 on November 11, 2010 to a high of $34.14 on June 23, 2015.
Certain factors may cause the market price of our common stock to fluctuate, including:
•
fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar to us;
•
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
•
success of competitors' products or services;
•
changes in our capital structure, such as future issuances of debt or equity securities;
•
announcements by us, our competitors, our clients or our suppliers of significant products or services, contracts, acquisitions or strategic alliances;

13

•
regulatory developments in the United States or foreign countries;
•
litigation involving our company, our general industry or both;
•
additions or departures of key personnel;
•
investors' general perception of us;
•
changes in general economic, industry and market conditions; and
•
the impact of our common stock and convertible note repurchase program.
In addition, if the stock market experiences a loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, operating results or financial condition. If any of the foregoing occurs, it could cause our stock price to fall and may expose us to class action lawsuits that, even if unsuccessful, could be costly to defend and distracting to management. As a result, you could lose all or part of your investment.
Our quarterly results are difficult to predict and may vary from quarter to quarter, which may result in our failure to meet the expectations of investors and increased volatility of our stock price.
The degree to which our clients continue to use our services depends in part on the business activities of our clients and our ability to continue to meet their cost saving needs. A significant percentage of our revenue is subject to the discretion of our Transactional clients, who may stop using our services at any time. In addition, the transportation industry in which we operate is subject to some degree of seasonal sales fluctuation, as shipments generally are lower during and after the winter holiday season because many of our retail clients ship goods and stock inventories prior to the winter holiday season. Therefore, the number, size and profitability of shipments may vary significantly from quarter to quarter. As a result, our quarterly operating results are difficult to predict and may fall below the expectations of current or potential investors in future quarters, which could lead to a significant decline in the market price of our stock and volatility in our stock price.
We do not currently intend to pay dividends, which may limit the return on stockholder investment in us.
We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and expansion of our business and do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
If our Board of Directors authorizes the issuance of preferred stock, holders of our common stock could be diluted and harmed.
Our Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to establish the preferred stock's voting powers, preferences and other rights and qualifications without any further vote or action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power and dividend liquidation rights of the holders of common stock. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or discourage a third-party from acquiring, a majority of our outstanding voting stock or otherwise adversely affect the market price of our common stock. It is possible that we may need, or find it advantageous, to raise capital through the sale of preferred stock in the future.
We may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to settle conversions of our 2.50% convertible notes due 2020 (the "Notes") or to repurchase the Notes upon a fundamental change, and our future debt may contain limitations on our ability to pay cash upon conversion or repurchase of the Notes.

Holders of our Notes have the right to require us to repurchase their Notes upon the occurrence of a fundamental change at a fundamental change repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any. In addition, upon conversion of our Notes, unless we elect to deliver solely shares of our common stock to settle such conversion (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we will be required to make cash payments in respect of the Notes being converted. However, we may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing at the time we are required to make repurchases of Notes surrendered therefor or Notes being converted. In addition, our ability to repurchase the Notes or to pay cash upon conversions of the Notes may be limited by law, by regulatory authority or by agreements governing our future indebtedness. Our failure to repurchase Notes at a time when the repurchase is required by the related indenture or to pay any cash payable on future conversions of the Notes as required by the related indenture would constitute a default under such indenture. A default under the indenture or the fundamental change itself could also lead to a default under agreements governing our current and future indebtedness. If the repayment of the related indebtedness were to be accelerated after any applicable notice or grace periods, we may not have sufficient funds to repay the indebtedness and repurchase the Notes or make cash payments upon conversions thereof.

14


The conditional conversion feature of the Notes, if triggered, may adversely affect our financial condition and operating results.

In the event certain conversion features of the Notes are triggered, holders of the Notes will be entitled to convert the Notes at any time during specified periods at their option. If one or more holders elect to convert their Notes, unless we elect to satisfy our conversion obligation by delivering solely shares of our common stock (other than paying cash in lieu of delivering any fractional share), we would be required to settle a portion or all of our conversion obligation through the payment of cash, which could adversely affect our liquidity. In addition, even if holders do not elect to convert their Notes, we could be required under applicable accounting rules to reclassify all or a portion of the outstanding principal of the Notes as a current rather than long-term liability, which would result in a material reduction of our net working capital.

The fundamental change repurchase feature of the Notes may delay or prevent an otherwise beneficial attempt to takeover our Company.

The terms of the Notes require us to repurchase the Notes in the event of a fundamental change. A takeover of our Company would trigger options by the respective holders of the applicable Notes to require us to repurchase such Notes. This may have the effect of delaying or preventing a takeover of our Company that would otherwise be beneficial to our stockholders.

Item 1B.    Unresolved staff comments
None.


15


Item 2.    Properties

Our corporate headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. As of December 31, 2017, we leased approximately 225,000 square feet for our corporate headquarters. Up until December 2016, we also leased space in Skokie, Illinois, the former headquarters of Command Transportation, LLC ("Command"), totaling approximately 25,000 square feet. The lease of the former Command headquarters in Skokie terminated on December 20, 2016.

As of December 31, 2017, we also operated over 30 branch sales offices and two data centers located across the contiguous United States. All of these facilities are leased, and none is larger than 20,000 square feet.

We consider these properties to be in good condition. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our operations and provide sufficient capacity to meet our anticipated requirements.

Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

Management does not believe that the outcome of any of the legal proceedings to which we are a party will have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.



16

Part II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "ECHO." The following table sets forth the high and low sales price for our common stock as reported by the Nasdaq Global Select Market for each of the periods listed.
2017
High
 
Low
First Quarter
$
25.95

 
$
20.03

Second Quarter
$
21.40

 
$
17.90

Third Quarter
$
20.70

 
$
13.00

Fourth Quarter
$
29.00

 
$
18.70

2016
High
 
Low
First Quarter
$
28.49

 
$
18.65

Second Quarter
$
27.17

 
$
20.52

Third Quarter
$
26.70

 
$
21.23

Fourth Quarter
$
28.90

 
$
20.25

Holders
As of February 23, 2018, there were five individual holders of record of our common stock. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share.
Dividends
We currently do not intend to pay any dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings for use in the operation and the expansion of our business. Any determination in the future to pay dividends will depend on our financial condition, capital requirements, operating results and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, including any contractual or statutory restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The table below gives information on a monthly basis regarding purchases made by us of our common stock and the number of shares delivered to us by employees to satisfy the mandatory tax withholding requirement upon vesting of restricted stock during the fourth quarter of 2017.
Date
 
Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Program(1)
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs(1)
10/1/17-10/31/17
 
12,212

 
$
19.58

 
—

 
$
30,181,701

11/1/17-11/30/17
 
—

 
$
—

 
—

 
$
30,181,701

12/1/17-12/31/17
 
79

 
$
26.85

 
—

 
$
30,181,701

Total
 
12,291

 
$
19.62

 
—

 


(1) 
On May 1, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to an aggregate of $50 million of the Company's outstanding common stock and Notes prior to its expiration on April 30, 2019. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time.





17

Securities Authorized For Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan
Plan Category
(a) Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options
 
Weighted Average
Exercise Price of
Outstanding Options
 
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance under
Equity Compensation
Plans (Excluding
Securities Reflected
in Column (a))
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)
431,331

 
$
11.16

 
1,488,515

(2) 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders(3)
—

 
—

 
—

 
Total
431,331

 
$
11.16

 
1,488,515

  
____________________
(1) 
Includes our 2005 Stock Option Plan, which was merged with our Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.
(2) 
Includes shares remaining available for future issuance under our Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan.
(3) 
In connection with the Command acquisition, on June 1, 2015, the Company adopted the 2015 Inducement and Retention Stock Plan for Command Employees pursuant to NASDAQ Stock Market Listing Rule 5635(c)(4), which provides an exception to the NASDAQ shareholder approval requirements for the issuance of securities with regard to grants to prospective employees of the Company, including without limitation grants to prospective employees in connection with a merger or other acquisition (the "Inducement Plan"). As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no securities available for future issuance under the Inducement Plan.


18

Item 6.    Selected Financial Data
The following tables present selected consolidated financial and other data as of and for the periods indicated. You should read the following information together with the more detailed information contained in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017(1)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated statements of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
1,943,086

 
$
1,716,152

 
$
1,512,299

 
$
1,173,383

 
$
884,193

Transportation costs
1,604,046

 
1,397,578

 
1,222,035

 
965,165

 
728,544

Net revenue (2)
339,041

 
318,574

 
290,264

 
208,218

 
155,649

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
103,088

 
95,631

 
85,957

 
57,678

 
39,481

Selling, general and administrative expenses
183,149

 
175,302

 
157,056

 
106,974

 
82,298

Contingent consideration expense (benefit)
991

 
(108
)
 
201

 
2,160

 
101

Depreciation and amortization
32,728

 
32,138

 
24,143

 
13,876

 
10,565

Total operating expenses
319,955

 
302,963

 
267,357

 
180,688

 
132,445

Income from operations
19,085

 
15,611

 
22,907

 
27,530

 
23,204

Interest expense
(14,768
)
 
(14,227
)
 
(11,276
)
 
(106
)
 
(1
)
Interest income and other expense
32

 
—

 
(103
)
 
(144
)
 
(355
)
Income before provision for income taxes
4,350

 
1,384

 
11,528

 
27,280

 
22,848

Income tax benefit (expense)
8,273

 
206

 
(3,682
)
 
(10,492
)
 
(8,645
)
Net income
12,623

 
1,590

 
7,846

 
16,788

 
14,203

 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income applicable to common stockholders
$
12,623

 
$
1,590

 
$
7,846

 
$
16,788

 
$
14,203

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.46

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.29

 
$
0.73

 
$
0.62

Diluted
$
0.45

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.28

 
$
0.71

 
$
0.61

Shares used in per share calculations (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
27,715

 
28,715

 
27,473

 
23,044

 
22,861

Diluted
28,023

 
29,302

 
28,110

 
23,634

 
23,404

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

(1) 2017 results included a tax benefit of $8.9 million resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act" or "TCJA").
(2) Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenue less transportation costs. We believe net revenue information is useful to investors because it provides information about the financial performance of the Company's ongoing business, and is one of the primary operational and financial measures used by management to evaluate the business. The following table presents a reconciliation of net revenue to revenue, the most comparable GAAP measure:
 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 (in thousands)
Revenue
$
1,943,086

 
$
1,716,152

 
$
1,512,299

 
$
1,173,383

 
$
884,193

Transportation costs
1,604,046

 
1,397,578

 
1,222,035

 
965,165

 
728,544

Net revenue
$
339,041

 
$
318,574

 
$
290,264

 
$
208,218

 
$
155,649





19

Employee Count

The number of employees on the last day of the applicable period were as follows:

 
Year ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Total employees
2,453

 
2,350

 
2,335

 
1,734

 
1,297



 
As of December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
(in thousands)
Consolidated balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
23,515

 
$
16,646

 
$
56,522

 
$
32,542

 
$
52,507

Working capital
113,973

 
100,360

 
123,432

 
58,421

 
87,674

Total assets
838,079

 
766,768

 
746,510

 
316,044

 
245,147

Total liabilities
479,207

 
408,618

 
351,260

 
134,170

 
85,917

Total stockholders' equity
$
358,872

 
$
358,150

 
$
395,250

 
$
181,874

 
$
159,230


20

Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

We are a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management solutions. We utilize a proprietary technology platform to compile and analyze data from our multi-modal network of transportation providers to satisfy the transportation and logistics needs of our clients. This model enables us to quickly adapt to and offer efficient and cost-effective solutions for our clients' shipping needs. We focus primarily on arranging transportation by TL and LTL carriers. We also offer intermodal (which involves moving a shipment by rail and truck), small parcel, domestic air, expedited and international transportation services. Our core logistics services include rate negotiation, shipment execution and tracking, carrier selection and management, routing compliance, freight bill payment and audit, payment and performance management and reporting functions, including executive dashboard tools.

We procure transportation and provide logistics services for clients across a wide range of industries, such as manufacturing, construction, food and beverage, consumer products and retail. Our clients fall into two categories, Transactional and Managed Transportation. We provide transportation and logistics services to our Transactional clients on a shipment-by-shipment basis, typically with individual, or spot market, pricing. We typically enter into multi-year contracts with our Managed Transportation clients, which are often on an exclusive basis for a specific transportation mode or point of origin. As part of our value proposition, we also provide core logistics services to these clients.



21

Results of Operations

The following table represents certain results of operations data:

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017(1)
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Consolidated statements of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
1,943,086

 
$
1,716,152

 
$
1,512,299

Transportation costs
1,604,046

 
1,397,578

 
1,222,035

Net revenue(2)
339,041

 
318,574

 
290,264

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions
103,088

 
95,631

 
85,957

Selling, general and administrative expenses
183,149

 
175,302

 
157,056

Contingent consideration expense (benefit)
991

 
(108
)
 
201

Depreciation and amortization
32,728

 
32,138

 
24,143

Total operating expenses
319,955

 
302,963

 
267,357

Income from operations
19,085

 
15,611

 
22,907

Interest expense
(14,768
)
 
(14,227
)
 
(11,276
)
Interest income and other expense
32

 
—

 
(103
)
Income before provision for income taxes
4,350

 
1,384

 
11,528

Income tax benefit (expense)
8,273

 
206

 
(3,682
)
Net income
$
12,623

 
$
1,590

 
$
7,846

 
 
 
 
 
 
Stated as a percentage of net revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenue(2)
100.0
%
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
%
Operating expenses:
 
 
 

 
 
Commissions
30.4
%
 
30.0
 %
 
29.6
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
54.0
%
 
55.0
 %
 
54.1
%
Contingent consideration expense (benefit)
0.3
%
 
(0.0
)%
 
0.1
%
Depreciation and amortization
9.7
%
 
10.1
 %
 
8.3
%
Total operating expenses
94.4
%
 
95.1
 %
 
92.1
%
Income from operations
5.6
%
 
4.9
 %
 
7.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
      Basic
$
0.46

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.29

      Diluted
$
0.45

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.28

Shares used in per share calculations (in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
      Basic
27,715

 
28,715

 
27,473

      Diluted
28,023

 
29,302

 
28,110

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

(1) 2017 results included a tax benefit of $8.9 million resulting from the enactment of the Act.
(2) Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenue less transportation costs. See Item 6, "Selected Financial Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a reconciliation of net revenue to revenue, the most comparable GAAP measure.



22


Revenue

We generate revenue through the sale of transportation and logistics services to our clients. Revenue is recognized when the client's product is delivered by a third-party carrier. Our revenue was $1.9 billion, $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, reflecting growth rates of 13.2% and 13.5% in 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to the corresponding prior year.

Our revenue is generated from two different types of clients: Transactional and Managed Transportation. Most of our clients are categorized as Transactional clients. We provide services to our Transactional clients on a shipment-by-shipment basis. We categorize a client as a Managed Transportation client if we have a contract with the client for the provision of services on a recurring basis. Our contracts with Managed Transportation clients typically have a multi-year term and are often exclusive for a certain transportation mode or point of origin. In several cases, we provide substantially all of a client's transportation and logistics requirements. Our Managed Transportation accounts typically generate higher dollar amounts and volume than our Transactional relationships. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, Transactional clients accounted for 79.2%, 81.3% and 81.0% of our revenue, respectively, and Managed Transportation clients accounted for 20.8%, 18.7% and 19.0% of our revenue, respectively. We expect to continue to expand both our Transactional and Managed Transportation client base in the future, although the rate of growth for each type of client will vary depending on opportunities in the marketplace.

Revenue recognized per shipment will vary depending on the transportation mode, fuel prices, shipment weight, density and mileage of the product shipped. The primary shipment modes that we transact in are TL, LTL and intermodal. Other transportation modes include domestic air, expedited services, international and small parcel. Material shifts in the percentage of our revenue by transportation mode could have a significant impact on our revenue growth. In 2017, TL accounted for 68.1% of our revenue, LTL accounted for 26.8% of our revenue, intermodal accounted for 3.5% of our revenue and other transportation accounted for 1.6% of our revenue.

The transportation industry has historically been subject to seasonal sales fluctuations as shipments generally are lower during and after the winter holiday season because many companies ship goods and stock inventories prior to the winter holiday season. While we experience some seasonality, differences in our revenue between periods have been driven primarily by growth in our client base.

Transportation costs and net revenue

We act primarily as a service provider to add value and expertise in the procurement and execution of transportation and logistics services for our clients. Our pricing structure is primarily variable, although we have entered into a limited number of fixed-fee arrangements that represent an insignificant portion of our revenue. Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure equal to revenue minus transportation costs. Our transportation costs consist primarily of the direct cost of transportation paid to the carrier.

Net revenue is considered by management to be an important measurement of our success in the marketplace. Our transportation costs are typically lower for an LTL shipment than for a TL shipment. In turn, our net revenue margin is typically higher for an LTL shipment than for a TL shipment. Material shifts in the percentage of our revenue by transportation mode could have a significant impact on our net revenue. The discussion of our results of operations below focuses on changes in our expenses as a percentage of net revenue. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, our net revenue was $339.0 million, $318.6 million and $290.3 million, respectively, reflecting growth rates of 6.4% and 9.8% in 2017 and 2016, respectively, compared to the corresponding prior year.

Operating expenses

Our costs and expenses, excluding transportation costs, consist of commissions paid to our sales personnel, general and administrative expenses to run our business, changes in our contingent consideration, acquisition-related transaction costs, and depreciation and amortization.

Commissions paid to our sales personnel, including employees and agents, are a significant component of our operating expenses. These commissions are based on the net revenue we collect from the clients for which the sales personnel have primary responsibility. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, commission expense was $103.1 million, $95.6 million and $86.0 million, respectively. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, commission expense as a percentage of net revenue was 30.4%, 30.0% and 29.6%, respectively. TL shipments typically have higher commission percentages than other modes. The percentage of net revenue paid

23

as commissions varies depending on the type of client, composition of the sales team and mode of transportation. Commission expense, stated as a percentage of net revenue, could increase or decrease in the future depending on the composition and sources of our revenue growth.

We accrue for commission expense when we recognize the related revenue. Some of our sales personnel receive a monthly advance to provide them with a more consistent income stream. Cash paid to our sales personnel in advance of commissions earned is recorded as a prepaid expense. As our sales personnel earn commissions, a portion of their commission payment is withheld and offset against their prepaid commission balance, if any.

Our selling, general and administrative expenses, which exclude commission expense and changes to contingent consideration, consist of compensation costs for our sales, operations, information systems, finance and administrative support employees as well as occupancy costs, professional fees, acquisition-related transaction costs, and other general and administrative expenses. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, our selling, general and administrative expenses were $183.1 million, $175.3 million and $157.1 million, respectively. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of net revenue were 54.0%, 55.0% and 54.1%, respectively.

Our contingent consideration expense or benefit is the change in the fair value of our contingent consideration assets and liabilities. The contingent consideration assets and liabilities presented on our consolidated balance sheets reflect the fair value of expected earn-out payments that may be paid to or received from the sellers of certain acquired businesses upon the achievement of certain performance measures. The fair value of the contingent consideration assets and liabilities are evaluated on a quarterly basis, and the change in fair value is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. In 2017, we recorded a charge of $1.0 million, compared to a net benefit of $0.1 million in 2016 and a charge of $0.2 million in 2015 due to fair value adjustments to our contingent consideration assets and liabilities.

Our depreciation expense is primarily attributable to our depreciation of computer equipment, software, including internal use software, furniture, fixtures and office equipment, and leasehold improvements. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, depreciation expense was $18.5 million, $16.3 million and $12.4 million, respectively.

Our amortization expense is attributable to our amortization of intangible assets acquired from business combinations, including customer and carrier relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, amortization expense was $14.2 million, $15.8 million and $11.7 million, respectively.

Interest expense

The interest expense included in our consolidated statements of operations consists of interest expense related to our $230 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2020 issued in May 2015 (the "Notes") and our senior secured revolving credit facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million entered into in June 2015 (the "ABL Facility"). We amortize the debt discount and issuance costs related to the Notes over the 5 year life of the Notes using the effective interest method. We amortize the issuance costs related to our ABL Facility over the 5 year life of the facility using straight-line amortization, as the amount drawn on the line (and thus the interest rate and commitment fee paid by Echo) will fluctuate from period to period. Interest expense was $14.8 million, $14.2 million and $11.2 million for 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605-20 Revenue Recognition - Services, transportation revenue and related transportation costs are recognized when the shipment has been delivered by a third-party carrier. Fee for service revenue is recognized when the services have been rendered. At the time of delivery or rendering of services, as applicable, our obligation to fulfill a transaction is complete and collection of revenue is reasonably assured.
In accordance with ASC Topic 605-45 Revenue Recognition - Principal Agent Considerations, we generally recognize revenue on a gross basis, as opposed to a net basis similar to a commission arrangement, because we bear the risks and benefits associated with revenue-generated activities by, among other things: (1) acting as a principal in the transaction; (2) establishing prices; (3) managing all aspects of the shipping process, including selection of the carrier; and (4) taking the risk of loss for collection, delivery, and returns. Certain transactions to provide specific services are recorded at the net amount charged to the client due to the following key factors: (a) we do not have latitude in carrier selection; (b) we do not establish rates with the carrier; and (c) we have credit risk for only the net revenue earned from our client while the carrier has credit risk for the transportation costs. Net revenue equals revenue minus transportation costs.

24

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. We extend credit to certain clients in the ordinary course of business based on the customers' credit history. Invoices require payment within 30 to 90 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Customer account balances with invoices past due 90 days are considered delinquent. We generally do not charge interest on past due amounts.
The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects management's best estimate of amounts that will not be collected. The allowance is based on historical loss experience and any specific risks identified in client collection matters. Accounts receivable are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is determined that the receivable is uncollectible.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Goodwill represents the excess of consideration transferred over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent any special circumstances that could require an interim test, we have elected to test for goodwill impairment during the fourth quarter of each year.
We manage the business as one operating segment and one reporting unit pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 280 Segment Reporting, which established accounting standards for segment reporting. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") approved Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment." This ASU permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. After assessing qualitative factors, if an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, no further testing is necessary. In October 2017, we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment of the reporting unit in accordance with ASC 350. As part of the qualitative assessment, the Company compared its current results to the forecasted expectations of our most recent quantitative analysis, along with analyzing macroeconomic conditions and industry trends. We concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.
ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with finite lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist in accordance with ASC Topic 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. Our intangible assets consist of customer relationships, carrier relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names, which are being amortized over their estimated weighted average useful lives of 14.8 years, 17.0 years, 6.7 years and 4.0 years, respectively. The customer relationships are being amortized using an accelerated method, while carrier relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements are being amortized using the straight-line method. Refer to Note 7.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based upon their fair values. Share-based employee compensation costs are recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. For more information about our stock-based compensation programs, see Note 14--Stock-Based Compensation Plans.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes, under which deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Any change in the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement.
On December 22, 2017, the Act was signed into legislation. The Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and imposes a one-time transition tax on certain foreign earnings, effective January 1, 2018.

25

On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Act's enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes. Since the Act was passed late in the fourth quarter of 2017, and ongoing guidance and accounting interpretation are expected over the next 12 months, we consider the deferred tax re-measurements and other items to be reasonable estimates, but provisional, due to the forthcoming guidance and our ongoing analysis of final year-end data and tax positions. We expect to complete our analysis within the measurement period in accordance with SAB 118. As of December 31, 2017, we have recorded a decrease in our net deferred tax liability of $8.9 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax benefit. No transition tax was recorded as we do not have any foreign subsidiaries.

Comparison of years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

Revenue

Revenue was $1.9 billion in 2017, an increase of 13.2% from $1.7 billion in 2016. The increase in revenue was attributable to an increase in shipment volume and an increase in revenue per shipment driven by an increase in TL rates.

Revenue from Transactional clients was $1.5 billion in 2017, an increase of 10.2% from $1.4 billion in 2016. The increase in Transactional revenue was driven by an increase in volume and an increase in revenue per shipment driven by an increase in TL rates. Our percentage of revenue from Transactional clients was 79.2% in 2017, a decrease from 81.3% in 2016. The decrease in Transactional revenue as a percent of total revenue was driven by an increase in Managed Transportation volume.

Revenue from Managed Transportation clients was $404.3 million in 2017, an increase of 26.2% from $320.3 million in 2016. This increase was driven by the addition of new clients, along with an increase in revenue from existing clients. In 2017, 20.8% of our revenue was generated from Managed Transportation clients, an increase from 18.7% in 2016.

Transportation costs

Transportation costs were $1.6 billion in 2017, an increase of 14.8% from $1.4 billion in 2016. The growth in the total number of shipments and higher carrier rates drove the increase in our transportation costs during this period. Our transportation costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 82.6% in 2017 from 81.4% in 2016 due to margin compression resulting from higher carrier rates.

Net revenue

Net revenue was $339.0 million in 2017, an increase of 6.4% from $318.6 million in 2016. The growth in the total number of shipments accounted for most of the increase in our net revenue during this period. Net revenue margins decreased to 17.4% in 2017 from 18.6% in 2016. The decline in both TL and LTL margins, primarily due to higher carrier rates, accounted for most of the decrease in our net revenue margin during the period.

Operating expenses

Commission expense was $103.1 million in 2017, an increase of 7.8% from $95.6 million in 2016. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net revenue. For 2017 and 2016, commission expense was 30.4% and 30.0%, respectively, of our net revenue. The modest increase in commission expense as a percentage of net revenue was due to the fluctuation in the composition of our net revenue by mode, as TL shipments typically have higher commission percentages than other modes.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $183.1 million in 2017, an increase of 4.5% from $175.3 million in 2016, due to an increased investment in our sales force and operating personnel. As a percentage of net revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 54.0% in 2017 from 55.0% in 2016, due to higher net revenue.

The contingent consideration fair value adjustment resulted in a net expense of $1.0 million and net benefit of $0.1 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The expense for 2017 was the result of adjustments made to the fair value of the contingent assets and liabilities, primarily due to financial performance of previous acquisition owners and the time value of money. The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation for each acquisition reflects updated probabilities as of December 31, 2017.
 

26

Depreciation expense was $18.5 million in 2017, an increase of 13.2% from $16.3 million in 2016. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily attributable to the depreciation of additional leasehold improvements, furniture and computer equipment for the new Chicago expansion space added in the fourth quarter of 2016.

Amortization expense in 2017 was $14.2 million, a decrease of 9.9% from $15.8 million in 2016, primarily attributable to the accelerated method of amortization of our acquired customer relationships along with the complete amortization of previously acquired intangible assets.

Income from operations

Income from operations was $19.1 million in 2017, an increase of 22.3% from $15.6 million in 2016. The increase in income from operations was attributable to the increase in net revenue in excess of the increase in operating expenses.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $14.8 million in 2017, an increase from $14.2 million in 2016. The interest expense in both years primarily related to our Notes and the ABL Facility.

Income tax benefit

We recognized income tax benefits of $8.3 million and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 was (190.2)%, compared to an effective tax rate of (14.9)% in the comparable period of 2016. The difference in our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2017 from our statutory federal tax rate of 35% was primarily due to the favorable impact of the federal rate change, as a result of the Act, and the related re-measurement of deferred tax liabilities, along with the favorable effects of a state tax credit and amended returns to claim domestic production tax deductions. These favorable items were partially offset by the share-based payment awards recognized as income tax expense, and higher pre-tax income.

Net Income

Net income was $12.6 million in 2017, compared to $1.6 million in 2016 as a result of the items previously discussed.

Comparison of years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015

Revenue

Revenue was $1.7 billion in 2016, an increase of 13.5% from $1.5 billion in 2015. The increase in revenue was attributable to a full year of revenue from Command and an increase in shipment volume, offset by a decline in TL rates. Command contributed $477.9 million of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2016. In the prior year, Command contributed $286.4 million of revenue from the acquisition date through December 31, 2015.

Revenue from Transactional clients was $1.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 13.9% from $1.2 billion in 2015. Our percentage of revenue from Transactional clients was 81.3% in 2016, an increase from 81.0% in 2015. The increase in Transactional revenue was driven by the full year impact of the Command acquisition, along with increases in both the number and productivity of client sales employees, offset by a decline in TL Rates.

Revenue from Managed Transportation clients was $320.3 million in 2016, an increase of 11.6% from $287.0 million in 2015. This increase was driven by an increase in the number of Managed Transportation clients and overall Managed Transportation shipment volume. In 2016, 18.7% of our revenue was generated from Managed Transportation clients, a decrease from 19.0% in 2015. This decrease was driven by the inclusion of a full year of Transactional revenue resulting from the acquisition of Command.

Transportation costs

Transportation costs were $1.4 billion in 2016, an increase of 14.4% from $1.2 billion in 2015. The growth in the total number of shipments, including the shipments attributable to a full year of results from the Command acquisition, drove the increase in our transportation costs during this period. Our transportation costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 81.4% in 2016 from 80.8% in 2015 due to a decline in TL margins.


27

Net revenue

Net revenue was $318.6 million in 2016, an increase of 9.8% from $290.3 million in 2015. The growth in the total number of shipments, including the shipments attributable to a full year of results from the Command acquisition, accounted for most of the increase in our net revenue during this period. Net revenue margins decreased to 18.6% in 2016 from 19.2% in 2015 due to a decline in TL margins.

Operating expenses

Commission expense was $95.6 million in 2016, an increase of 11.3% from $86.0 million in 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to the increase in net revenue, including the net revenue attributable to a full year of results from the Command acquisition. For 2016 and 2015, commission expense was 30.0% and 29.6%, respectively, of our net revenue. The marginal increase in commission expense as a percentage of net revenue was due to the fluctuation in the composition of our net revenue by mode, as TL shipments typically have higher commission percentages than other modes. The increase in TL net revenue as a percent of total net revenue was driven by a full year of results from the Command acquisition and by organic TL growth at Echo.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $175.3 million in 2016, an increase of 11.6% from $157.1 million in 2015. As a percentage of net revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 55.0% in 2016 from 54.1% in 2015. These increases are primarily attributable to integration costs resulting from the Command integration and lower net revenue margins.

The contingent consideration fair value adjustment resulted in a benefit of $0.1 million and expense of $0.2 million in 2016 and 2015, respectively. In the current year, the benefit is the result of adjustments made to the fair value of the contingent obligation due to previous acquisition owners as a result of financial performance and the time value of money. The benefit was offset by an increase in the fair value of the receivable due from the former owner of Command, as the likelihood of employee retention was adjusted along with the time value of money. The fair value of the contingent consideration obligation for each acquisition reflects updated probabilities as of December 31, 2016.
 
Depreciation expense was $16.3 million in 2016, an increase of 31.7% from $12.4 million in 2015. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily attributable to the leasehold improvements, addition of furniture and the addition of computer equipment for the new Chicago space, as the former Command employees located in Skokie moved to the Chicago headquarters in October 2016. The increase was also due to purchases of computer hardware and software, equipment, leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, and internally developed software.

Amortization expense in 2016 was $15.8 million, an increase of 34.6% from $11.7 million in 2015. The increase in amortization expense was attributable to the amortization of intangible assets for a full year of expense related to the 2015 acquisitions of Command and Xpress Solutions, Inc. ("Xpress").

Income from operations

Income from operations was $15.6 million in 2016, a decrease of 31.9% from $22.9 million in 2015. The decrease in income from operations was primarily due to the increase of Command integration expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses along with the lower net revenue margins.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $14.2 million in 2016, an increase from $11.2 million in 2015. The increase in interest expense was primarily related to a full year of interest expense on our Notes issued in May 2015 and the ABL Facility we entered into in June 2015.

Income tax benefit (expense)

An income tax benefit of $0.2 million was recognized in 2016, compared to an expense of $3.7 million in 2015. Our effective tax rate decreased to approximately (14.9)% in 2016 from 31.9% in 2015. Our effective tax rate decreased due to an increase of the research and development credit, a tax credit related to a state incentive program and lower pre-tax income.


28

Net Income

Net income was $1.6 million in 2016, compared to $7.8 million in 2015 as a result of the items previously discussed.

Quarterly Results of Operations
The following table represents our unaudited results of operations data for our most recent eight fiscal quarters. You should read the following table in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The results of operations of any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future period.
 
Three Months Ended
 
Dec. 31, 2017(1)
 
Sept. 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
Mar. 31, 2017
 
Dec. 31, 2016
 
Sept. 30, 2016
 
June 30, 2016
 
Mar. 31, 2016
 
(in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited)
Revenue
$
547,718

 
$
509,531

 
$
470,086

 
$
415,752

 
$
406,853

 
$
460,192

 
$
443,830

 
$
405,278

Net revenue(2)
96,229

 
86,701

 
81,613

 
74,498

 
71,708

 
80,863

 
85,178

 
80,827

Operating income (loss)
10,132

 
6,293

 
3,439

 
(777
)
 
(1,284
)
 
6,027

 
7,046

 
3,821

Net income (loss)
13,349

 
2,392

 
(245
)
 
(2,872
)
 
(2,966
)
 
2,362

 
1,931

 
263

Earnings (Loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     Basic
$
0.49

 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.01

     Diluted
$
0.48

 
$
0.09

 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.08

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.01

Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

(1)Fourth quarter 2017 results included a tax benefit of $8.9 million resulting from the enactment of the Act.
(2)Net revenue is a non-GAAP measure calculated as revenue less transportation costs. See Item 6, "Selected Financial Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for a reconciliation of net revenue to revenue, the most comparable GAAP measure.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2017, we had $23.5 million in cash and cash equivalents, $114.0 million in working capital and $199.2 million available under our ABL Facility.

Cash provided by operating activities

For the year ended December 31, 2017, $48.7 million of cash was provided by operating activities. This was a decrease from $59.7 million in 2016 and $70.8 million in 2015. In 2017, we generated $59.3 million in cash from net income, adjusted for noncash operating items, an increase from $58.9 million in 2016 and $51.1 million in 2015. Changes in working capital primarily relate to changes in accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expense balances.

Cash used in investing activities

Cash used in investing activities was $20.7 million, $46.9 million and $405.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In 2017 and 2016, the primary investing activities were capital expenditures. In 2015, the primary investing activities were the cash consideration transferred for the acquisitions of Command and Xpress, as well as capital expenditures.

Our capital expenditures were $20.7 million, $46.9 million and $14.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our capital expenditures decreased in 2017 due to the 2016 expansion of our office space at our Chicago headquarters, which included the purchases of computer equipment, software, including internal use software, furniture, fixtures and office equipment, and leasehold improvements.


29

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

Cash used in financing activities was $21.1 million and $52.7 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash provided by financing activities was $358.3 million in 2015.

In 2017, the primary financing activities were the purchases of $20.7 million of treasury stock as part of the share repurchase program (described in Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), the $0.7 million payments of contingent consideration, and the $1.8 million use of cash to satisfy employee tax withholdings upon the vesting of restricted stock. We also drew $84.0 million on our ABL Facility (all of which was repaid as of December 31, 2017). 

In 2016, the primary financing activities were the purchases of $49.1 million of treasury stock as part of the share repurchase program (described in Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), the $2.3 million payments of contingent consideration, and the $4.9 million use of cash to satisfy employee tax withholdings upon the vesting of restricted stock. We also drew $48.5 million on our ABL Facility (all of which was repaid as of December 31, 2016).

In 2015, we generated $223.1 million in cash from the issuance of the Notes (net of underwriting discounts and commissions) and $158.4 million from the issuance of our common stock (net of underwriting discounts and commissions). We also drew $40.0 million on our ABL Facility and $34.8 million on our LOC Facility (all of which was repaid as of December 31, 2015). See the "ABL Facility" section below for descriptions of our ABL Facility and LOC Facility. This cash generation was partially offset by 2015 payments of $17.5 million to the former owners of One Stop, $4.1 million of debt and equity issuance costs, $2.9 million to settle contingent consideration obligations and activities related to the exercise of employee stock options.

ABL Facility

On June 1, 2015, we entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement with PNC Bank (the "Credit Agreement"). The ABL Facility replaced our previous Credit Agreement dated May 2, 2014 with PNC Bank (the "LOC Facility"). The Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million. Our obligations under the ABL Facility are secured, on a first lien priority basis, by certain working capital assets.

At December 31, 2017, there was no outstanding balance on the ABL Facility. The issuance of letters of credit under the ABL Facility also reduces available borrowings. At December 31, 2017, there were $0.7 million of letters of credit outstanding. The total draw allowed under the ABL Facility at December 31, 2017, as determined by the working capital assets pledged as collateral, was $199.9 million. After adjusting for the letters of credit, our remaining availability for borrowing under the ABL Facility at December 31, 2017 was $199.2 million.

Anticipated uses of cash

Our priority is to continue to grow our revenue and net revenue. We anticipate that our operating expenses and planned expenditures will constitute material uses of cash, and we expect to use available cash to expand our sales force, to enhance our technology, to acquire or make strategic investments in complementary businesses, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

In 2018, we expect to use available cash to make approximately $0.9 million of potential contingent earn-out payments, as well as $5.8 million to satisfy the semi-annual Note coupon payments due May 1, 2018 and November 1, 2018. In addition, we currently expect to use approximately $22 million to $26 million for capital expenditures in 2018.

As discussed in Note 12 to our audited consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we may also opt to use cash to repurchase the remainder of the $50.0 million from our 2017 common stock and Notes repurchase program. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors. We expect our use of cash for working capital purposes and other purposes to be offset by the cash flow generated from operating activities during the same period.

Historically, our average accounts receivable life-cycle has been longer than our average accounts payable life-cycle, meaning that we have used cash to pay carriers in advance of collecting from our clients. We elect to provide this benefit to foster strong relationships with our clients and carriers. As our business grows, we expect this use of cash to continue. The amount of cash we use for these purposes will depend on the growth of our business.

30

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Contractual Obligations

On February 17, 2016, we signed an 11-year lease for an additional 132,000 square feet at our Chicago, Illinois headquarters, bringing our total leased square footage at our headquarters to 224,678 square feet. As of December 31, 2017, we continue to also lease over 30 branch sales offices, with average lease terms between 3-5 years.
As of December 31, 2017, we had the following contractual obligations (in thousands):
 
Total
 
Within 1 year
 
2-3 years
 
4-5 years
 
More than
5 years
Operating leases
$
62,643

 
$
8,171

 
$
15,965

 
$
11,814

 
$
26,693

Senior convertible notes, including interest
244,375

 
5,750

 
238,625

 
—

 
—

Contingent consideration obligations (1)
2,275

 
925

 
1,350

 
—

 
—

Total
$
309,293

 
$
14,846

 
$
255,940

 
$
11,814

 
$
26,693

____________________
(1) 
This represents the maximum undiscounted contingent consideration obligations that may become payable in each period. The actual payouts will be determined at the end of the applicable performance periods based on the acquired entities' achievement of the targets specified in the purchase agreements. See Note 5 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the fair values of these contingent consideration obligations as of December 31, 2017.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016 -09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The new standard provides for a change to accounting for stock compensation including: 1) excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards will be recognized as an income tax benefit or expense in the reporting period in which they occur; 2) excess tax benefits will be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows; 3) the option to elect to estimate forfeitures or account for them when they occur; and 4) an increase in the tax withholding requirements threshold to qualify for equity classification. We adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 prospectively (prior periods have not been restated). For the year ended December 31, 2017, a net excess tax deficiency was recognized as income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations and any excess tax benefits were classified as operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. We will continue to estimate forfeitures.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. This new standard requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. Two methods of adoption are permitted - a full retrospective method that applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented, or a modified retrospective approach that recognizes the cumulative effect of applying the new standard at the date of initial application.
We adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As a result of using this approach, we will recognize the cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of initial adoption. We evaluated our existing contracts and determined that this standard did not have a significant impact on our gross versus net revenue recognition policies for our Transactional and Managed Transportation revenues. The new standard required us to evaluate whether we transfer control of our performance obligations as of either (i) a point in time or (ii) over

31

time. The adoption of this new standard will adjust the revenue recognition timing of our brokerage and transportation management services performance obligation from point in time to over time, which will result in a cumulative transition adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, on January 1, 2018, of approximately $1.0 million to $1.5 million, net of tax. While this transition also effects the corresponding direct costs of revenue, including commissions, we do not expect this change to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements due to the short term nature of our performance obligations. As we continue our assessment of these matters, we are preparing to implement changes to our accounting policies, practices and internal controls over financial reporting to support the new standard. In addition, the new standard will expand our existing revenue recognition disclosures based on the new qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements upon adoption.
ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to provide guidance regarding which changes to a share-based payment award require modification accounting in Topic 718. The new accounting standard is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The impact of this guidance, which was applied prospectively on January 1, 2018, is dependent on future modifications, if any, to our share-based payment awards.
ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This new accounting standard will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the effects that the adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, to clarify the definition of a business to assist entities when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The new accounting standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The impact of this guidance, which was applied prospectively on January 1, 2018, may result in the accounting of future transactions as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses.
ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows, to clarify the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs and settlement of contingent consideration arising from an acquisition. An update to this standard was issued in November 2016 (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows). This update requires companies to explain a change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Full retrospective adoption is required. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, and we do not expect this adjustment to have a material effect on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

ASU 2016-02, Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, requiring a lessee to record, on the balance sheet, the assets and liabilities for the right-of-use assets and lease obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. This new accounting standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We plan to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019. Adoption will require a modified retrospective approach beginning with the earliest period presented, along with enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures. We anticipate that the adoption of this standard will materially affect our consolidated balance sheets. We have established an implementation team and are evaluating the accounting, transition and disclosure requirements of the new standard.

32

Item 7A.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Commodity Risk

We generally pass through fluctuations in fuel prices to our clients. As a result, we believe that there is no material risk exposure to fluctuations in fuel prices.

Interest Rate Risk

We have exposure to changes in interest rates on our ABL Facility. Borrowings bear interest at one of the following, plus an applicable margin: (1) the federal funds rate, (2) the base commercial lending rate of PNC Bank, or (3) the LIBOR rate, based on the Company's election for each tranche of borrowing. The interest rate on our line of credit fluctuates based on the rates described above. Assuming the $200 million ABL Facility was fully drawn, a 1.0% increase in the interest rate selected would increase our annual interest expense by $2.0 million.

Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, in particular because all of our investments are in cash equivalents. Due to the short-term nature of our investments, we believe that there is no material risk exposure.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Impact of Inflation

We believe that our results of operations are not materially impacted by moderate changes in the inflation rate. Inflation and changing prices did not have a material impact on our operations in 2017, 2016 and 2015.


33

Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND
SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

 



34

Management’s Assessment of
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


The Company's management is responsible for the preparation, integrity and objectivity of the financial statements and other financial information presented in this Annual Report. The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and reflect the effects of certain estimates and judgments made by management.

The Company's management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework).

Based on the Company's evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017. The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report, which is included herein.


Echo Global Logistics, Inc.
February 26, 2018



35

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 

To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2017 consolidated financial statements of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2018

36

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries


Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013) framework and our report dated February 26, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.


Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.



/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company‘s auditor since 2007.

Chicago, Illinois
February 26, 2018




37

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
23,514,818

 
$
16,646,089

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,745,104 and $3,018,995 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
309,733,156

 
231,430,645

Income taxes receivable
5,100,937

 
7,757,841

Prepaid expenses
6,191,392

 
7,856,366

Other current assets
3,760,431

 
4,609,933

Total current assets
348,300,734

 
268,300,874

Noncurrent assets:
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
63,061,890

 
57,450,059

Goodwill
307,314,171

 
307,314,171

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $56,834,038 and $42,590,238 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
117,483,941

 
131,727,741

Other noncurrent assets
1,917,902

 
1,975,071

Total noncurrent assets
489,777,904

 
498,467,042

Total assets
$
838,078,638

 
$
766,767,916

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
193,749,003

 
$
135,386,424

Due to seller, current
919,000

 
743,600

Accrued expenses
39,660,034

 
31,810,671

Total current liabilities
234,328,037

 
167,940,695

Noncurrent liabilities:
 
 
 
Convertible notes, net
210,918,935

 
203,564,011

Due to seller, noncurrent
1,156,000

 
956,400

Other noncurrent liabilities
20,301,082

 
19,487,942

Deferred income taxes
12,502,648

 
16,669,138

Total noncurrent liabilities
244,878,665

 
240,677,491

Total liabilities
479,206,702

 
408,618,186

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share,100,000,000 shares authorized; 30,768,050 shares issued and 27,241,180 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017; 30,421,273 shares issued and 28,131,479 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016
3,080

 
3,045

Treasury stock, 3,526,870 and 2,289,794 shares at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
(69,818,299
)
 
(49,148,912
)
Additional paid-in capital
337,445,078

 
328,676,749

Retained earnings
91,242,077

 
78,618,848

Total stockholders' equity
358,871,936

 
358,149,730

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
838,078,638

 
$
766,767,916

See accompanying notes.


38

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations

 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Revenue
$
1,943,086,192

 
$
1,716,152,159

 
$
1,512,298,686

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation costs
1,604,045,563

 
1,397,577,664

 
1,222,035,371

Selling, general and administrative expenses
287,227,430

 
270,826,387

 
243,214,264

Depreciation and amortization
32,727,727

 
32,137,592

 
24,142,527

Income from operations
19,085,472

 
15,610,516

 
22,906,524

Interest income
31,883

 
—

 
23,909

Interest expense
(14,767,621
)
 
(14,226,796
)
 
(11,276,207
)
Other expense
—

 
—

 
(126,295
)
Interest and other expense
(14,735,738
)
 
(14,226,796
)
 
(11,378,593
)
Income before provision for income taxes
4,349,734

 
1,383,720

 
11,527,931

Income tax benefit (expense)
8,273,495

 
205,958

 
(3,682,257
)
Net income
$
12,623,229

 
$
1,589,678

 
$
7,845,674

 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.46

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.29

Diluted
$
0.45

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.28

See accompanying notes.


39

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Treasury Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Total
Balance at January 1, 2015
23,207,051

 
$
2,322

 
$
112,688,360

 
—

 
$
—

 
$
69,183,496

 
$
181,874,178

Share compensation expense
—

 
—

 
14,023,751

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14,023,751

Exercise of stock options
150,701

 
15

 
1,057,868

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,057,883

Common stock issued for vesting of restricted stock
209,510

 
22

 
(22
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common stock issued for vesting of performance shares
17,375

 
2

 
(2
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common stock issued from Equity Offering
5,750,000

 
575

 
157,835,675

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
157,836,250

Equity component of convertible debt offering, net of issuance costs and deferred taxes
—

 
—

 
18,956,232

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
18,956,232

Common shares withheld and retired to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted stock
(72,941
)
 
(7
)
 
(1,922,140
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,922,147
)
Common shares issued for acquisition
503,829

 
50

 
14,745,950

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
14,746,000

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
—

 
—

 
1,616,582

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,616,582

Purchases of treasury stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
(37,937
)
 
(784,829
)
 
—

 
(784,829
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
7,845,674

 
7,845,674

Balance at December 31, 2015
29,765,525

 
2,979

 
319,002,254

 
(37,937
)
 
(784,829
)
 
77,029,170

 
395,249,574

Share compensation expense
—

 
—

 
13,134,402

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
13,134,402

Exercise of stock options
191,237

 
19

 
1,156,741

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,156,760

Common stock issued for vesting of restricted stock
638,003

 
64

 
(64
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common stock issued for vesting of performance shares
37,547

 
4

 
(4
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common shares withheld and retired to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted stock
(211,039
)
 
(21
)
 
(4,868,935
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(4,868,956
)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options
—

 
—

 
252,355

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
252,355

Purchases of treasury stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
(2,251,857
)
 
(48,364,083
)
 
—

 
(48,364,083
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,589,678

 
1,589,678

Balance at December 31, 2016
30,421,273

 
3,045

 
328,676,749

 
(2,289,794
)
 
(49,148,912
)
 
78,618,848

 
358,149,730

Share compensation expense
—

 
—

 
9,021,933

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
9,021,933

Exercise of stock options
146,950

 
15

 
1,539,317

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
1,539,332

Common stock issued for vesting of restricted stock
256,851

 
26

 
(26
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common stock issued for vesting of performance shares
28,804

 
3

 
(3
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

Common shares withheld and retired to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted stock
(85,828
)
 
(9
)
 
(1,792,892
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,792,901
)
Purchases of treasury stock
—

 
—

 
—

 
(1,237,076
)
 
(20,669,387
)
 
—

 
(20,669,387
)
Net income
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
12,623,229

 
12,623,229

Balance at December 31, 2017
30,768,050

 
$
3,080

 
$
337,445,078

 
(3,526,870
)
 
$
(69,818,299
)
 
$
91,242,077

 
$
358,871,936

See accompanying notes.

40

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
12,623,229

 
$
1,589,678

 
$
7,845,674

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income taxes
(4,166,490
)
 
4,149,089

 
(5,122
)
Noncash stock compensation expense
9,021,933

 
13,134,402

 
14,023,751

Noncash interest expense
8,065,111

 
7,614,220

 
4,867,364

Change in contingent consideration due to seller
1,069,533

 
(112,954
)
 
201,452

Change in contingent consideration due from seller
(78,728
)
 
5,145

 
—

Loss on disposal of assets
12,666

 
409,020

 
—

Depreciation and amortization
32,727,727

 
32,137,592

 
24,142,527

Change in assets, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(78,302,511
)
 
(35,010,031
)
 
12,508,623

Income taxes receivable
2,858,012

 
(8,533,585
)
 
(1,464,187
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
1,440,186

 
(5,528,243
)
 
(450,824
)
Change in liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
58,055,759

 
31,400,638

 
5,745,669

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
5,389,253

 
18,480,794

 
3,421,529

Net cash provided by operating activities
48,715,680

 
59,735,765

 
70,836,456

Investing activities
 
 
 

 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(20,729,462
)
 
(46,887,769
)
 
(14,744,850
)
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
—

 
—

 
(390,395,041
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(20,729,462
)
 
(46,887,769
)
 
(405,139,891
)
Financing activities
 

 
 

 
 
Tax benefit of stock options exercised
—

 
1,660,750

 
2,222,458

Receipt of contingent consideration due from seller
500,000

 
750,000

 
—

Payments of contingent consideration due to seller
(694,533
)
 
(2,273,743
)
 
(2,945,833
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
1,539,332

 
1,156,760

 
1,057,883

Employee tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based awards
(1,792,901
)
 
(4,868,956
)
 
(1,922,147
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(20,669,387
)
 
(49,148,912
)
 
—

Proceeds from borrowing on line of credit
—

 
—

 
34,782,500

Repayments of amounts borrowed on line of credit
—

 
—

 
(34,782,500
)
Proceeds from borrowing on ABL facility
84,000,000

 
48,500,000

 
40,000,000

Repayments of amounts borrowed on ABL facility
(84,000,000
)
 
(48,500,000
)
 
(40,000,000
)
Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of underwriting discounts and commissions
—

 
—

 
158,412,500

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes, net of underwriting discounts and commissions
—

 
—

 
223,100,000

Payment of common stock and debt issuance costs
—

 
—

 
(4,133,851
)
Payment to former owners of One Stop Logistics
—

 
—

 
(17,507,500
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(21,117,489
)
 
(52,724,101
)
 
358,283,510

Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
6,868,729

 
(39,876,105
)
 
23,980,075

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
16,646,089

 
56,522,194

 
32,542,119

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
23,514,818

 
$
16,646,089

 
$
56,522,194

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
 

 
 

 
 
Cash paid during the year for interest
$
6,719,959

 
$
6,913,056

 
$
5,450,509

Cash paid during the year for income taxes
258,879

 
3,100,284

 
3,074,254

Cash received during the year for income taxes refunded
6,658,834

 
—

 
—

Noncash investing activity
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of common stock in connection with Command acquisition
—

 
—

 
14,746,000

Noncash financing activity
 

 
 

 
 
Fair value of due to seller obligation at acquisition date
—

 
—

 
1,500,000

Liability for purchases of treasury stock not yet settled
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
784,829

See accompanying notes.

41

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

1. Description of Business
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. ("the Company") is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation and supply chain management services. These services are delivered on a proprietary technology platform that serves the transportation and logistics needs of the Company's clients. The Company provides services across all major transportation modes, including truckload ("TL"), less than truckload ("LTL"), small parcel, intermodal, domestic air, expedited and international. The Company's core logistics services include rate negotiation, shipment execution and tracking, carrier selection and management, routing compliance, freight bill payment and audit, and payment and performance management and reporting functions, including executive dashboard tools.

The Company's common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “ECHO.”

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation. The consolidated statements of operations include the results of entities or assets acquired from the effective date of the acquisition for accounting purposes.
Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results can differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying value of the Company's financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of the due to seller liabilities are determined based on the likelihood of the Company making contingent earn-out payments (see Note 5). The fair value of the due from seller asset related to the Command Transportation, LLC ("Command") acquisition was determined based on employee retention criteria which was settled in June 2017 (see Note 5). The fair value of the liability component of the Notes (as defined in Note 9) was determined using the discounted cash flow analysis discussed in Note 9.
Revenue Recognition
In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605-20 Revenue Recognition - Services, transportation revenue and related transportation costs are recognized on a gross basis when the shipment has been delivered by a third-party carrier. Fee for service revenue, recognized on a net basis, is recognized when the services have been rendered. At the time of delivery or rendering of services, as applicable, the Company's obligation to fulfill a transaction is complete and collection of revenue is reasonably assured.
In accordance with ASC Topic 605-45 Revenue Recognition - Principal Agent Considerations, the Company generally recognizes revenue on a gross basis, as opposed to a net basis similar to a commission arrangement, because it bears the risks and benefits associated with revenue-generated activities by, among other things: (1) acting as a principal in the transaction; (2) establishing prices; (3) managing all aspects of the shipping process, including the selection of the carrier; and (4) taking the risk of loss for collection, delivery, and returns. Certain transactions to provide specific services are recorded at the net amount charged to the client due to the following key factors: (a) we do not have latitude in carrier selection; (b) we do not establish rates with the carrier; and (c) we have credit risk for only the net revenue earned from our client while the carrier has credit risk for the transportation costs. Net revenue equals revenue minus transportation costs.

42
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Rebates
The Company has entered into agreements with certain clients to rebate to them a portion of the costs that they pay to the Company for transportation services, based on certain conditions and/or pricing schedules that are specific to each individual agreement, but that are typically constructed as a percentage of the costs that the client incurs.
Rebates are recognized at the same time that the related transportation revenue is recognized and are recorded as a reduction of transportation revenue.
Segment Reporting
For operating purposes, the Company is organized as one operating segment pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 820 Segment Reporting, which establishes accounting standards for segment reporting. The Company's chief operating decision-maker assesses performance and makes resource allocation decisions for the business as a single operating segment. There has been no change from prior periods in the Company's determination that it has one reportable segment for reporting purposes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms. Invoices require payment within 30 to 90 days from the invoice date. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Customer account balances with invoices 90 days past due are considered delinquent. The Company generally does not charge interest on past due amounts. Additionally, the Company maintains a credit insurance policy for certain accounts.
The carrying amount of accounts receivable is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects management's best estimate of amounts that will not be collected. The allowance is based on historical loss experience and any specific risks identified in client collection matters. Accounts receivable are charged off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is determined that the receivable is uncollectible. The Company recorded $1,894,485, $1,069,165 and $1,427,983 of bad debt expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements under operating leases are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the improvement or the remaining term of the lease, whichever is shorter. The estimated useful lives, by asset class, are as follows:
Computer equipment and software
3 years
Office equipment
5 years
Furniture and fixtures
5 - 7 years
Operating Leases
Certain operating leases include rent increases during the initial lease term. For these leases, we recognize the related rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, which includes any rent holiday period, and record the difference between the amounts charged to rent expense and amounts paid as deferred rent.
Internal Use Software
Certain costs incurred in the planning and evaluation stage of internal use computer software are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized and included in property and equipment. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized over the expected economic life of three years using the straight-line method. The total expense, included in depreciation expense, for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $10,013,198, $9,031,147 and $8,648,096, respectively. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the net book value of internal use software costs was $29,270,620 and $20,234,055, respectively.

43
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Goodwill and Other Intangibles
Goodwill represents the excess of consideration transferred over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of businesses acquired. In accordance with ASC Topic 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment, goodwill is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a possible impairment may exist. Absent any special circumstances that could require an interim test, the Company has elected to test for goodwill impairment during the fourth quarter of each year.
The Company manages the business as one operating segment and one reporting unit pursuant to the provisions of ASC Topic 280 Segment Reporting, which established accounting standards for segment reporting. In September 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") approved Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Testing Goodwill for Impairment." This ASU permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. After assessing qualitative factors, if an entity determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, no further testing is necessary. In October 2017, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment of the reporting unit in accordance with ASC 350. As part of the qualitative assessment, the Company compared its current results to the forecasted expectations of our most recent quantitative analysis, along with analyzing macroeconomic conditions and industry trends. The Company concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount.
ASC Topic 350 also requires that intangible assets with finite lives be amortized over their respective estimated useful lives and reviewed for impairment whenever impairment indicators exist in accordance with ASC Topic 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. The Company's intangible assets consist of customer relationships, carrier relationships, non-compete agreements and trade names, which are being amortized over their estimated weighted-average useful lives of 14.8 years, 17.0 years, 6.7 years and 4.0 years, respectively. The weighted-average useful life of total intangible assets is 14.4 years. The customer relationships are being amortized using an accelerated method, while carrier relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements are being amortized using the straight-line method.
Self-Insurance Liability
The Company is self-insured for its employee health plans and records a liability that represents its estimated cost of claims incurred and unpaid as of the balance sheet date. The Company's estimated liability is not discounted and is based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions and economic conditions. The total estimated self-insurance liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $919,344 and $1,127,177, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation which requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based upon their fair values. Share-based employee compensation costs are recognized as a component of selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. See Note 14—Stock-Based Compensation Plans for a description of the Company's accounting for stock-based compensation plans.
Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Act" or "TCJA") was signed into legislation. The Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and imposes a one-time transition tax on certain foreign earnings, effective January 1, 2018. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Act. The Company recorded a decrease in its deferred tax liabilities, with a corresponding net adjustment to the deferred income tax benefit. Refer to Note 11 for further information related to the Company's provisional estimate of the effects of the Act.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740 Income Taxes, under which deferred assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the carrying value of deferred tax assets if it is considered more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Any change in the valuation allowance would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

44
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement.

3. New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements

ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016 -09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The new standard provides for a change to accounting for stock compensation including: 1) excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payment awards will be recognized as an income tax benefit or expense in the reporting period in which they occur; 2) excess tax benefits will be classified as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows; 3) the option to elect to estimate forfeitures or account for them when they occur; and 4) an increase in the tax withholding requirements threshold to qualify for equity classification. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017 prospectively (prior periods have not been restated). For the year ended December 31, 2017, a net excess tax deficiency was recognized as income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations and any excess tax benefits were classified as operating activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company will continue to estimate forfeitures.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to clarify the principles used to recognize revenue for all entities. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. This new standard requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. Two methods of adoption are permitted - a full retrospective method that applies the new standard to each prior reporting period presented, or a modified retrospective approach that recognizes the cumulative effect of applying the new standard at the date of initial application.
The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. As a result of using this approach, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for initial application of the guidance at the date of initial adoption. The Company evaluated its existing contracts and determined that this standard did not have a significant impact on its gross versus net revenue recognition policies for its Transactional and Managed Transportation revenues. This new standard required the Company to evaluate whether it transfers control of its performance obligations as of either (i) a point in time or (ii) over time. The adoption of this new standard will adjust the revenue recognition timing of its brokerage and transportation management services performance obligation from point in time to over time, which will result in a cumulative transition adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings, on January 1, 2018, of approximately $1.0 million to $1.5 million, net of tax. While this adoption also effects the corresponding direct costs of revenue, including commissions, the Company does not expect this change to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements due to the short term nature of its performance obligations. As the Company continues its assessment of these matters, it is preparing to implement changes to its accounting policies, practices and internal controls over financial reporting to support the new standard. In addition, the new standard will expand the existing revenue recognition disclosures based on the new qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements upon adoption.

ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation to provide guidance regarding which changes to a share-based payment award require modification accounting in Topic 718. The new accounting standard is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. The new standard should be applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. The impact of this guidance, which was applied prospectively on January 1, 2018, is dependent on future modifications, if any, to the Company's share-based payment awards.


45
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This new accounting standard will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effects that the adoption of this guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, to clarify the definition of a business to assist entities when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The new accounting standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those periods. The impact of this guidance, which was applied prospectively on January 1, 2018, may result in the accounting of future transactions as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses.

ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 clarifies the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments in the statement of cash flows, including debt prepayment or extinguishment costs and the settlement of contingent consideration arising from an acquisition. An update to this standard was issued in November 2016 (ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows). This update requires companies to explain a change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This new accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Full retrospective adoption is required. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018 and does not expect this adjustment to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated statements of cash flows.

ASU 2016-02, Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, requiring a lessee to record, on the balance sheet, the assets and liabilities for the right-of-use assets and lease obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. This new accounting standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to adopt this standard on January 1, 2019. Adoption will require a modified retrospective approach beginning with the earliest period presented, along with enhanced qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The Company anticipates that the adoption of this standard will materially affect the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has established an implementation team and is evaluating the accounting, transition and disclosure requirements of the new standard.

4. Acquisitions

2015 Acquisitions

Xpress Solutions, Inc.

On February 1, 2015, the Company acquired Xpress Solutions, Inc. ("Xpress"), a non-asset based TL and LTL transportation brokerage based in Frankfort, Illinois, and the results of Xpress have been included in the Company's consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date. The Company purchased the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Xpress for $6,054,937 in cash, subject to working capital adjustments, and an additional $3,000,000 in contingent consideration that may become payable upon the achievement of certain performance measures on or prior to January 31, 2019.

The Company has recognized a $1,049,533 increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation for the year ended December 31, 2017, resulting in a contingent consideration obligation of $1,700,000 at December 31, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized a $192,091 decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligation, resulting in a contingent consideration obligation of $970,000 at December 31, 2016.


46
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Command Transportation, LLC

On June 1, 2015, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding membership units of Command Transportation, LLC ("Command"), one of the largest privately held TL brokers and non-asset based transportation providers in the United States. Command was headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, with satellite locations in Texas, Missouri and Kansas. In October 2016, the majority of Command employees previously located in Skokie moved to the Company's headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.

The Company financed the cash purchase price for the Command acquisition, in part, with the proceeds from the issuance of shares of its common stock and Notes, as defined in Note 9. The Company financed the remainder of the cash purchase price for the Command acquisition with drawings under its ABL Facility, also defined in Note 9. Additionally, a portion of the purchase price consisted of shares of Echo common stock issued to one of the sellers. The acquisition date fair value of the total consideration transferred was $407.7 million. The following table summarizes the allocation of the total consideration transferred for the acquisition of Command:

Cash
$
394,279,778

Echo common stock, fair value
14,746,000

Contingent consideration, fair value
(1,176,417
)
Working capital adjustment, December 2015
(142,969
)
Total consideration transferred
$
407,706,392


On June 1, 2015, the Company issued 335,882 shares of restricted common stock to 33 Command employees as employment inducement awards pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). This restricted common stock vested on June 1, 2016 and was recognized as compensation expense over the vesting period. Additionally, at the closing, the Company issued 100,766 and 67,178 shares of restricted common stock and performance stock, respectively, to two of the sellers who entered into new employment agreements with the Company as employment inducement awards pursuant to NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). As of December 31, 2017, there were no shares of restricted common stock and performance stock outstanding. As of December 31, 2016, 33,588 and 33,589 shares of restricted common stock and performance stock, respectively, were outstanding. The stock compensation expense related to these issuances for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $0.4 million, $5.3 million and $7.3 million, respectively.

5. Fair Value Measurement

The Company applies ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, for its financial assets and financial liabilities. The guidance requires disclosures about assets and liabilities measured at fair value. The Company's financial liabilities primarily relate to contingent earn-out payments due to sellers in connection with various acquisitions. The fair value of the due to seller liabilities at December 31, 2017 was $2.1 million. The potential earnout payments and performance are defined in the individual purchase agreement for each acquisition. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") is the performance target defined and measured to determine the earnout payment due, if any, after each defined measurement period.

The Company's financial assets related to contingent payments that were due from the seller of Command based upon certain employee retention criteria. As of December 31, 2017, there was no remaining balance of the due from seller asset as the employee retention criteria were met.

ASC Topic 820 includes a fair value hierarchy that is intended to increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures. The fair value hierarchy is based on observable or unobservable inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity's pricing based upon its own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels:

•
Level 1: Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

47
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

•
Level 2: Inputs are quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable and market-corroborated inputs, which are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.
•
Level 3: Inputs that are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or value drivers are unobservable.

The significant inputs used to derive the fair value of the amounts due to seller include financial forecasts of future operating results, the probability of reaching the forecast and an appropriate discount rate for each contingent liability. Probabilities are estimated by reviewing financial forecasts and assessing the likelihood of reaching the required performance measures based on factors specific to each acquisition as well as the Company’s historical experience with similar arrangements. If an acquisition reaches the required performance measure, the estimated probability would be increased to 100% and would still be classified as a contingent liability on the balance sheet. If the measure is not reached, the probability would be reduced to reflect the amount earned, if any, depending on the terms of the agreement. Discount rates used in determining the fair value of the contingent consideration due to seller ranged between 5% and 6%. Historical results of the respective acquisitions serve as the basis for preparing the financial forecasts used in the valuation.

Quantitative factors are also considered in these forecasts, including acquisition synergies, growth and sales potential and potential operational efficiencies gained. Changes to the significant inputs used in determining the fair value of the contingent consideration due to seller could result in a change in the fair value of the contingent consideration. However, the correlation and inverse relationship between higher projected financial results to the discount rate applied and probability of meeting the financial targets mitigates the effect of any changes to the unobservable inputs.

The following tables set forth the Company's financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the basis of measurement at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2017
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration due to seller
$
(2,075,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
$
(2,075,000
)

 
Fair Value Measurements as of December 31, 2016
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration due to seller
$
(1,700,000
)
 
—

 
—

 
$
(1,700,000
)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration due from seller
$
421,272

 
—

 
—

 
$
421,272


The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
Due to Seller Liability
Balance at January 1, 2016
$
(4,086,697
)
  Change in contingent consideration due to seller
112,954

  Payments of contingent consideration due to seller
2,273,743

Balance at December 31, 2016
(1,700,000
)
  Change in contingent consideration due to seller
(1,069,533
)
  Payments of contingent consideration due to seller
694,533

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
(2,075,000
)


48
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for the assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):
 
Due from Seller Asset
Balance at January 1, 2016
$
—

  Command purchase price adjustment
1,176,417

  Receipt of contingent consideration due from seller
(750,000
)
  Change in contingent consideration due from seller
(5,145
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
421,272

  Receipt of contingent consideration due from seller
(500,000
)
  Change in contingent consideration due from seller
78,728

Balance at December 31, 2017
$
—


For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recognized a net expense of $990,805 in selling, general and administrative expense due to the change in fair value determined by a level three valuation technique. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a net benefit of $107,809 and a net expense of $201,452, respectively. These changes in fair value resulted from using revised forecasts that took into account the most recent performance at each acquired business, the effect of the time value of money and the satisfaction of the employee retention criteria.

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company made contingent earn-out payments of $694,533, $2,273,743 and $2,945,833, respectively, to sellers of businesses acquired by the Company. During 2017 and 2016, the Company received $500,000 and $750,000, respectively, of contingent payments from the seller of Command. The Company did not receive any contingent payments from the seller of Command in 2015.

6. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment at December 31, 2017 and 2016, consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Computer equipment
$
21,528,462

 
$
18,976,263

Software, including internal use software
89,580,293

 
70,530,529

Furniture, fixtures and office equipment
9,268,429

 
8,797,633

Leasehold improvements
29,233,960

 
27,441,169

 
149,611,144

 
125,745,594

Less accumulated depreciation
(86,549,254
)
 
(68,295,535
)
Net property and equipment
$
63,061,890

 
$
57,450,059

Depreciation expense, including amortization of capitalized internal use software, was $18,483,928, $16,333,164 and $12,403,273 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

7. Intangibles and Other Assets

The following is a summary of goodwill as of December 31, 2016:
Balance as of January 1, 2016
$
308,490,588

  Command acquisition, purchase accounting adjustment
(1,176,417
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
307,314,171


The balance of goodwill was $307,314,171 as of December 31, 2017, as no changes occurred during the period.


49
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

The following is a summary of intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Cost
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
 
Cost
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net
Customer relationships
$
145,138,979

 
$
(48,058,392
)
 
$
97,080,587

 
$
145,138,979

 
$
(37,018,562
)
 
$
108,120,417

Carrier relationships
18,300,000

 
(2,780,882
)
 
15,519,118

 
18,300,000

 
(1,704,412
)
 
16,595,588

Non-compete agreements
5,239,000

 
(2,215,597
)
 
3,023,403

 
5,239,000

 
(1,428,097
)
 
3,810,903

Trade names
5,640,000

 
(3,779,167
)
 
1,860,833

 
5,640,000

 
(2,439,167
)
 
3,200,833

Total intangible assets
$
174,317,979

 
$
(56,834,038
)
 
$
117,483,941

 
$
174,317,979

 
$
(42,590,238
)
 
$
131,727,741


The customer relationships are being amortized using an accelerated method, as an accelerated method best approximates the distribution of cash flows generated by the acquired customer relationships. The carrier relationships, trade names and non-compete agreements are being amortized using the straight-line method. Amortization expense related to intangible assets was $14,243,800, $15,804,428 and $11,739,254 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
2018
$
12,861,305

2019
11,470,909

2020
10,638,587

2021
10,025,278

2022
9,668,247

Thereafter
62,819,615

Total
$
117,483,941

    

8. Accrued Expenses and Other Noncurrent Liabilities

The components of accrued expenses at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are as follows:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Accrued compensation
$
24,205,876

 
$
15,947,570

Accrued rebates
2,037,537

 
1,566,825

Accrued employee benefits
2,480,348

 
2,796,050

Accrued professional service fees
697,950

 
619,502

Accrued interest
1,138,527

 
1,158,854

Deferred rent
2,641,228

 
2,847,842

Other
6,458,568

 
6,874,028

Total accrued expenses
$
39,660,034

 
$
31,810,671


The other noncurrent liabilities of $20,301,082 and $19,487,942 at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, consist of the portion of deferred rent in excess of twelve months.

9. Long-Term Debt

ABL Facility

On June 1, 2015, the Company and Command, as co-borrowers, entered into a Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, Bank of America, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., each as co-syndication agents, and the lenders from time to time party thereto. The Credit Agreement provides for a senior secured revolving credit facility in an initial aggregate principal amount of up to $200 million (the “ABL Facility”). The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured, on a first lien priority basis, by certain working

50
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

capital assets. The initial aggregate principal amount under the ABL Facility may be increased from time to time by an additional $100 million to a maximum aggregate principal amount of $300 million.

Interest is payable at a rate per annum equal to, at the option of the Company, any of the following, plus, in each case, an applicable margin: (a) a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (1) the federal funds effective rate, plus 0.50%, (2) the base commercial lending rate of PNC Bank, National Association and (3) a daily LIBOR rate, plus 1.00%; or (b) a LIBOR rate determined by reference to the costs of funds for deposits in the relevant currency for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted for certain additional costs. The applicable margin will be 0.25% to 0.75% for borrowings at the base rate and 1.25% to 1.75% for borrowings at the LIBOR rate, in each case, based on the excess availability under the ABL Facility.

The Company is required to pay a commitment fee in respect to the unutilized commitments under the ABL Facility in an amount between 0.25% and 0.375%, based on the excess availability for the prior calendar quarter under the ABL Facility. At December 31, 2017, the Company's commitment fee was calculated at a rate of 0.375%. The Company recognized interest expense related to the commitment fee and borrowings on the ABL Facility of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The Company drew $84.0 million, $48.5 million and $40.0 million on the ABL Facility for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, all of which was repaid as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. No amounts were outstanding on the ABL Facility as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Since June 1, 2015, the Company has been in compliance with all covenants related to the ABL Facility.

The issuance of letters of credit under the ABL Facility reduces available borrowings. At December 31, 2017, there were $0.7 million of letters of credit outstanding. The total draw allowed on the ABL Facility at December 31, 2017, as determined by the working capital assets pledged as collateral, was $199.9 million. After adjusting for the letters of credit, the Company's remaining availability to borrow under the ABL Facility at December 31, 2017 was $199.2 million.

The Company incurred issuance costs of $3.1 million in 2015 related to the ABL Facility. These issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense using straight-line amortization over the 5 year life of the ABL Facility. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $0.7 million, $0.7 million and $0.4 million of interest expense related to the ABL Facility issuance costs, respectively. As there is no outstanding draw on the ABL Facility at December 31, 2017, the unamortized issuance costs are presented as a deferred asset on the consolidated balance sheets.

Convertible Senior Notes

On May 5, 2015, the Company issued $230 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2020 in a registered public offering (the "Notes").

The Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year payable semiannually in arrears in cash on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2015. The Notes will mature on May 1, 2020, unless earlier converted or repurchased in accordance with the terms discussed below. The Notes are the Company's senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of the Company's indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes; equal in right of payment to any of the Company's unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated; effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company's secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and structurally junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities (including trade payables) of the Company's subsidiaries.

The Notes will be convertible, under certain circumstances and during certain periods, into cash, shares of the Company's common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of common stock at the Company's election, at an initial conversion rate of 25.5428 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $39.15 per share of common stock.

The Company's intent and policy will be to settle the $230 million principal amount of Notes in cash, and any excess conversion premium in shares of common stock. As such, the principal amount of the Notes will not be included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share, but any conversion premium that exists will be included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share using the treasury stock method. As of December 31, 2017, none of the conditions allowing holders of the Notes to convert have been met, and no conversion spread exists. As such, the Notes did not have a dilutive impact on diluted earnings per common share for the year ended December 31, 2017.

51
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015


The accounting guidance in ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, requires that the principal amount of the Notes be separated into liability and equity components at issuance. The value assigned to the liability component is the estimated fair value, as of the issuance date, of a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature. The difference between the principal amount of the Notes and the estimated fair value of the liability component, representing the value of the conversion premium assigned to the equity component, is recorded as a debt discount on the issuance date. The fair value of the liability component of the Notes was determined using a discounted cash flow analysis, in which the projected interest and principal payments were discounted back to the issuance date of the Notes at an estimated market yield for a similar debt instrument without the conversion feature. The Company estimated the straight debt yield using a combination of inputs observable in the marketplace, including the credit spread indicated by the terms of the Company's ABL Facility, LIBOR rates, and U.S. Treasury bonds. This represents a Level 2 valuation technique. The Company estimated the straight debt borrowing rates at issuance to be 5.75% for similar debt to the Notes without the conversion feature, which resulted in a fair value of the liability component of $198.5 million and a fair value of the equity component of $31.5 million. The fair value of the equity component was recorded as a debt discount, with the offset recorded as a credit to additional paid-in capital within stockholders' equity. The $31.5 million debt discount and Note issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense under the effective interest method over the 5 year life of the Notes, using an effective interest rate of 6.33%.

The Company allocated the total issuance costs related to the Notes to the liability and equity components based on their relative fair values. Issuance costs attributable to the liability component were recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as a contra-liability that reduces the carrying amount of the convertible note liability. This amount is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Notes using the effective interest method and an effective interest rate of 6.33%. Issuance costs attributable to the equity component were recorded as a charge to additional paid-in capital within stockholders' equity.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the carrying amount of the Notes on the consolidated balance sheets is calculated as follows:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Convertible senior notes, principal amount
$
230,000,000

 
$
230,000,000

Unamortized debt discount
(15,930,370
)
 
(22,070,838
)
Unamortized debt issuance costs
(3,150,695
)
 
(4,365,151
)
Convertible senior notes, net
$
210,918,935

 
$
203,564,011


The Notes are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at their principal amount, net of the unamortized debt discount and unamortized debt issuance costs, and are not marked to market each period. The approximate fair value of the Notes as of December 31, 2017 was $232.3 million. The fair value of the Notes was estimated based on the trading price of the Notes at December 31, 2017. As trading volume is low, these are quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active, and thus are Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

For 2017, 2016 and 2015, interest expense related to the Notes consisted of the following:
 
December 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Contractual coupon interest
$
5,750,000

 
$
5,750,000

 
$
3,769,444

Debt discount amortization
6,140,468

 
5,764,549

 
3,645,613

Debt issuance cost amortization
1,214,456

 
1,140,108

 
721,026

Interest expense, Notes
$
13,104,924

 
$
12,654,657

 
$
8,136,083


The undiscounted interest and principal payments due in relation to the Notes from December 31, 2017 to the maturity of the Notes on May 1, 2020 are as follows:
 
Total
2018
2019
2020
Senior convertible notes, including interest
$
244,375,000

5,750,000

5,750,000

$
232,875,000



52
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we are subject to potential claims and disputes related to our business, including claims for freight lost or damaged in transit. Some of these matters may be covered by our insurance and risk management programs or may result in claims or adjustments with our carriers. Management does not believe that the outcome of any of the legal proceedings to which the Company is a party will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

In July 2016, the Company received an unfavorable appeals assessment regarding a state activity-based tax matter of $1,291,941, including penalties and interest, for the state tax audit period from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014. The Company believes the assessment is without merit and is currently defending the Company's position through a formal appeals process. The Company has not recorded any potential loss related to this matter as of December 31, 2017.

Leases
On February 17, 2016, the Company signed an 11-year lease for an additional 132,000 square feet at its Chicago, Illinois headquarters, bringing the total leased square footage at its headquarters to 224,678 square feet. The amended lease agreement expires in September 2027 and has escalating base monthly rental payments, plus an additional monthly payment for real estate taxes and common area maintenance fees related to the building. Leasehold improvements for the new space are amortized over the 11-year life of the lease.
In December 2016, Echo terminated its lease at the former Command headquarters in Skokie, Illinois (refer to Note 18). Subsequent to the relocation of Command employees to the Chicago headquarters, Echo recorded a termination liability, classified as accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets, related to the other Skokie lease as part of the Command acquisition. The balance of the termination liability was $84,807 and $646,410 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, the Company continues to lease over 30 branch sales offices, with average lease terms between 3-5 years.
The Company recognizes operating lease rental expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. The total rental expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5,900,309, $8,426,920 and $5,620,731, respectively. The decrease in rental expense was primarily due to the 2016 termination costs related to the lease of the former Command headquarters.
Future minimum annual rental payments for the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
 
Operating
Leases
2018
$
8,170,842

2019
8,153,510

2020
7,811,715

2021
5,710,504

2022
6,103,127

Thereafter
26,693,289

Total
$
62,642,987



11. Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the Act was signed into legislation. The Act reduces the federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, and imposes a one-time transition tax on certain foreign earnings, effective January 1, 2018.
On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued SAB 118, which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Act's enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes. Since the Act was passed late in the fourth quarter of

53
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

2017, and ongoing guidance and accounting interpretation are expected over the next 12 months, the Company considers the deferred tax re-measurements, and other items to be reasonable estimates, but provisional, due to the forthcoming guidance and its ongoing analysis of final year-end data and tax positions. The Company expects to complete its analysis within the measurement period in accordance with SAB 118. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has recorded a decrease in its net deferred tax liability of $8.9 million, with a corresponding net adjustment to deferred income tax benefit. No transition tax was recorded as the Company does not have any foreign subsidiaries.
The Company accounts for income taxes and related uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC Topic 740. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized net increase of $359,114 and net decreases of $160,672 and $112,599, respectively, in unrecognized tax benefits that impact the tax rate. The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company has recorded interest on its unrecognized tax benefits in 2017 and 2016. The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:
 
2017
 
2016
Balance at January 1
$
364,324

 
$
420,909

Increases related to prior year tax positions
98,177

 
410,170

Increases related to current year tax positions
213,152

 
82,500

Decreases based on settlements with taxing authorities
(200,700
)
 
(549,255
)
Balance at December 31
$
474,953

 
$
364,324

Of the total unrecognized tax benefits disclosed above, $257,119 and $54,649 are classified as other noncurrent liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $26,475 and $227,175 are offsets to income taxes receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets. The remainder is included in deferred income taxes in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not believe it will have any significant changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months. The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, would affect the effective tax rate. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities before 2014, and state and local income tax examinations, by tax authorities for years before 2013.
The provision for income taxes consists of the following components for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(4,281,810
)
 
$
(5,027,290
)
 
$
3,889,649

State
174,805

 
672,243

 
(202,270
)
Total current
(4,107,005
)
 
(4,355,047
)
 
3,687,379

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
(4,294,656
)
 
5,406,027

 
(23,265
)
State
128,166

 
(1,256,938
)
 
18,143

Total deferred
(4,166,490
)
 
4,149,089

 
(5,122
)
Income tax (benefit) expense
$
(8,273,495
)
 
$
(205,958
)
 
$
3,682,257


54
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

The provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to pretax income because of the effect of the following items:
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Tax expense at U.S. federal income tax rate
$
1,522,407

 
$
484,302

 
$
4,034,776

State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect
268,933

 
52,823

 
36,308

Nondeductible expenses and other
317,264

 
188,813

 
119,705

Effect of state rate change on deferred items
148,101

 
(88,468
)
 
(25,338
)
Research and development credit
(527,642
)
 
(467,500
)
 
(364,050
)
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits
359,114

 
(160,672
)
 
(112,599
)
Provision to return adjustments
(297,579
)
 
(71,588
)
 
(6,545
)
Remeasurement of net deferred tax liability resulting from the TCJA
(8,944,734
)
 
—

 
—

State tax credits
(3,258,650
)
 
(1,232,381
)
 
—

Valuation allowance
2,950,575

 
556,888

 
—

Audit settlements
—

 
531,825

 
—

Amended return refund
(811,284
)
 
—

 
—

Income tax (benefit) expense
$
(8,273,495
)
 
$
(205,958
)
 
$
3,682,257

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company's noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
 
2017
 
2016
Noncurrent deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Reserves and allowances
$
6,848,510

 
$
9,487,067

Stock options
2,873,788

 
3,899,180

Research and development credit
1,320,334

 
467,500

Net operating loss carryforward
958,271

 
456,639

Credit carryforwards
4,756,466

 
1,232,381

AMT credit
271,825

 
—

Subtotal
17,029,194

 
15,542,767

Valuation allowance
(3,627,408
)
 
(556,888
)
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets
13,401,786

 
14,985,879

Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Prepaid and other expenses
302,918

 
494,744

Intangible assets
9,381,475

 
7,607,703

Property and equipment
12,428,241

 
15,508,307

Convertible debt
3,791,800

 
8,044,263

Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities
25,904,434

 
31,655,017

Net deferred tax liability
$
(12,502,648
)
 
$
(16,669,138
)
For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded deferred tax assets of $4,756,466 and $1,232,381, respectively, for certain state tax credits with a 5 year credit carryforward period. The Company believes that it is more likely than not that a portion of the benefit from these state tax credit carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this risk, the Company recorded valuation allowances of $3,627,408 and $556,888 on the deferred tax asset relating to these state tax credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded deferred tax assets for federal and state income tax net operating loss carryforwards of $958,271 and $456,639, respectively, which will expire at various dates from tax years 2026 through 2036.

55
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015


12. Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 2,500,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to establish the preferred stock's voting powers, preferences and other rights and qualifications without any further vote or action by the stockholders. As of December 31, 2017, there was no preferred stock outstanding.
Treasury Stock
On December 29, 2015, the Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to an aggregate of $50.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock and Notes through December 31, 2017. The timing and amount of any repurchases was determined based on market conditions and other factors, and the program has concluded.
On May 1, 2017, the Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to an aggregate of $50.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock and Notes prior to its expiration on April 30, 2019. The timing and amount of any repurchases will be determined based on market conditions and other factors, and the program may be discontinued or suspended at any time.
As of December 31, 2017, the Company has repurchased 3,526,870 shares of common stock at a cost of $69.8 million. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had repurchased 2,289,794 shares of common stock at a cost of $49.1 million.

13. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average shares outstanding plus share equivalents that would arise from the exercise of share options and the vesting of restricted stock and performance shares. There were no employee stock options and no unvested restricted stock and performance shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Numerator:
 

 
 

 
 
Net income
$
12,623,229

 
$
1,589,678

 
$
7,845,674

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average shares
27,715,131

 
28,714,910

 
27,473,054

Effect of dilutive securities:
 

 
 

 
 
Employee stock awards
308,033

 
586,947

 
636,495

Denominator for dilutive earnings per common share
28,023,164

 
29,301,857

 
28,109,549

Basic earnings per common share
$
0.46

 
$
0.06

 
$
0.29

Diluted earnings per common share
$
0.45

 
$
0.05

 
$
0.28


14. Stock-Based Compensation Plans
In March 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Stock Option Plan providing for the issuance of stock options of Series A common shares. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the Company adopted the 2008 Stock Incentive Plan ("the 2008 Plan"). Upon adoption, the 2005 Stock Option Plan was merged into the 2008 Plan and ceased to separately exist. Outstanding awards under the 2005 Stock Option Plan are now subject to the 2008 Plan and no additional awards may be made under the 2005 Stock Option Plan on or after the effective date of the 2008 Plan. The 2008 Plan was further amended and restated as of June 16, 2017 as the Amended and Restated 2008 Stock Incentive Plan ("the Amended 2008 Plan"). A total of 3,400,000 shares of common stock have been reserved for issuance under the Amended 2008 Plan. The Amended 2008 Plan is administered by the Board of Directors who determine the type of award, exercise price of options, the number of options to be issued, and the

56
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

vesting period. As specified in the Amended 2008 Plan, the exercise price per share shall not be less than the fair market value on the effective date of grant. Upon exercise of a stock option under the Amended 2008 Plan, new stock is issued. The term of an option does not exceed 10 years, and the options generally vest ratably over one to five years from the date of grant. Under the 2008 Plan, three types of stock incentives have been issued: stock option awards, restricted stock awards and performance and market-based stock awards.
In 2017, the Company awarded 268,300 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and directors, of which 29,430 will vest ratably over one year, 15,192 will vest ratably over three years and 223,678 will vest ratably over four years based on the employees' continued employment. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted ranged from $16.75 to $27.80.
In 2016, the Company awarded 284,086 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and directors, of which 23,634 will vest ratably over one year, 59,577 will vest ratably over three years and 200,875 will vest ratably over four years based on the employees' continued employment. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock granted ranged from $23.02 to $27.79.
There was $11,495,449 and $13,018,218 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the stock-based compensation granted under the plans as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.19 years.

Stock Option Awards

There were no stock options granted during 2017, 2016 or 2015. Since all options were fully vested as of December 31, 2017, the Company recorded no compensation expense with no corresponding tax benefits for stock option awards for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recorded $32,681 and $226,050 in compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $12,288 and $88,160 for stock option awards for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
 
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
921,889

 
$
9.32

 
4.2
 
$
18,329,554

Granted
—

 
—

 

 
 
Exercised
(150,701
)
 
7.02

 

 
2,014,921

Forfeited or canceled
(1,660
)
 
12.01

 

 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
769,528

 
9.76

 
3.4
 
8,178,882

Granted
—

 
—

 

 
 
Exercised
(191,237
)
 
6.05

 

 
3,633,746

Forfeited or canceled
—

 
—

 

 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2016
578,291

 
10.99

 
3.0
 
8,131,137

Granted
—

 
—

 

 
 
Exercised
(146,950
)
 
10.48

 

 
1,533,353

Forfeited or canceled
(10
)
 
10.18

 

 
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2017
431,331

 
$
11.16

 
2.3
 
$
7,261,634

Options vested and exercisable at December 31, 2017
431,331

 
$
11.16

 
2.3
 
$
7,261,634

The following table provides information about stock options granted and vested in the years ended December 31:
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Options vested/exercisable:
 
 
 
 
 
Grant date fair value of options vested
$
2,089,591

 
$
2,747,547

 
$
2,950,446

Aggregate intrinsic value of options vested and exercisable at end of period
$
7,261,634

 
$
8,131,137

 
$
7,997,359


57
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the fair value of the Company's stock on the last day of each fiscal year and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options where the exercise price exceeds the fair value) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These amounts change based on the fair market value of the Company's stock, which was $28.00, $25.05 and $20.39 on the last business day of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Restricted Stock Awards
In 2017, the Company awarded restricted shares to certain key employees that vest based on their continued employment. The value of these awards was established by the market price on the grant date and is being expensed ratably over the vesting period of the awards. The following table summarizes these non-vested restricted share grants as of December 31, 2017:
 
Number of Restricted Shares
 
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2017
559,491

 
$
25.21

Granted
268,300

 
22.36

Vested
(248,833
)
 
24.18

Forfeitures
(57,618
)
 
25.38

Non-vested at December 31, 2017
521,340

 
$
23.82


In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $5,731,731, $10,625,440 and $11,821,382 in compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $2,155,131, $3,995,165 and $4,610,339 for restricted stock awards, respectively.

Performance-Based Shares

In 2017, the Company granted 27,185 shares of restricted stock at a grant date fair value of $21.01 to certain branch executives, which were issued based on financial targets achieved during the performance period. In 2016, the Company granted 24,064 shares of restricted stock at a grant date fair value of $28.45 to certain branch executives, which was issued based on financial targets achieved during the performance period.

In 2017, the Company recognized $405,700 in stock compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $152,543 for performance-based shares described in the paragraphs above. In 2016, the Company recognized $235,880 in stock compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $88,691 for performance-based shares described in the paragraphs above. The Company recognized $595,870 in stock compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $232,389 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Performance and Market-Based Stock

In 2014, the Company initiated a performance and market-based stock incentive plan for certain executives that provides vesting based on specific financial and market-based performance measurements. Stock compensation expense related to these awards is recognized using the accelerated attribution method. The Company granted 99,933 and 91,612 shares of performance and market-based stock at a grant date fair value of $31.15 and $34.67 during the years ended December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
  
The Company recorded $2,884,502, $2,240,401 and $1,380,449 in compensation expense with corresponding tax benefits of $1,084,573, $842,391 and $538,375 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.    

15. Benefit Plans
The Company maintains a 401(k) savings plan, covering all of the Company's employees upon hiring. Employees may contribute a percentage of eligible compensation on both a before-tax basis and an after-tax basis. The Company has the right to make discretionary contributions to the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company contributed $1,756,850, $1,651,111 and $1,182,094, respectively.

58
Echo Global Logistics, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

16. Significant Customer Concentration

For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, all revenue consisted of sales generated from customers that were individually represented less than 10% of the Company's revenue.

17. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter(1)
Revenue
$
415,752,274

 
$
470,085,693

 
$
509,530,511

 
$
547,717,714

Operating (loss) income
(777,320
)
 
3,438,503

 
6,292,598

 
10,131,691

Net (loss) income
(2,872,043
)
 
(245,366
)
 
2,391,682

 
13,348,956

(Loss) Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.49

Diluted
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.09

 
$
0.48

 
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
First
Quarter
 
Second
Quarter
 
Third
Quarter
 
Fourth
Quarter
Revenue
$
405,277,532

 
$
443,829,924

 
$
460,191,903

 
$
406,852,800

Operating income (loss)
3,820,994

 
7,046,310

 
6,026,809

 
(1,283,597
)
Net income (loss)
262,611

 
1,930,769

 
2,362,050

 
(2,965,752
)
Earnings (Loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.01

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.10
)
Diluted
$
0.01

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.10
)
(1) The fourth quarter of 2017 included a tax benefit of $8.9 million resulting from the enactment of the Act.

18. Related Parties

From the closing of the Command acquisition on June 1, 2015 through December 20, 2016, the Company leased the Command office building headquarters in Skokie, Illinois from a company owned by Paul Loeb, the former owner of Command. This lease was terminated in the fourth quarter of 2016 and the Company paid $994,569 to Paul Loeb to settle the termination of the lease. The lease required monthly rental payments of $54,638 through its termination date. The Company was obligated to pay real estate taxes, insurance and all building maintenance costs in addition to the minimum rental payments for the facility related to this lease. The total rental expense related to this lease included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $1,347,277 and $382,466, respectively. All amounts due under the lease were paid as of December 20, 2016, and thus there was no further liability due to the related party as of December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.


59

 
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.    Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Based on its evaluation, management concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of December 31, 2017. As required under this Item 9A, the management's report titled “Management's Assessment of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” is set forth in “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm

As required under this Item 9A, the auditor's attestation report titled “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” is set forth in “Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarterly period ended December 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


60

Part III


Item 10.    Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Certain information required by this Item 10 relating to our directors and executive officers is incorporated by reference herein from our 2018 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or an amendment to this Form 10-K filed within such 120-day period.
We have adopted a code of ethics, which is posted in the Investor section on our website at http://www.echo.com. We intend to include on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or controller that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition contained in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K.

Item 11.    Executive Compensation
Certain information required by this Item 11 relating to remuneration of directors and executive officers and other transactions involving management is incorporated by reference herein from our 2018 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or an amendment to this Form 10-K filed within such 120-day period.

Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain information required by this Item 12 relating to security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management is incorporated by reference herein from our 2018 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or an amendment to this Form 10-K filed within such 120-day period.

Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Certain information required by this Item 13 relating to certain relationships and related transactions and director independence is incorporated by reference herein from our 2018 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or an amendment to this Form 10-K filed within such 120-day period.

Item 14.    Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Certain information required by this Item 14 regarding principal accounting fees and services is incorporated by reference herein from the section entitled "Matters Concerning Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" in our 2018 proxy statement to be filed with the SEC not later than 120 days after the close of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 or an amendment to this Form 10-K filed within such 120-day period.

61

 
PART IV. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1)    Financial Statements:    Reference is made to the Index to Financial Statements and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the section entitled "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(2)    Financial Statement Schedule:    The financial statement schedule required by this item is listed below and included in this report. Schedules not listed are omitted because they are not required or because the required information is given in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.
(3)    Exhibits:    Exhibits are as set forth in the section entitled "Exhibit Index" which immediately precedes the section entitled "Signatures" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Certain of the exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such exhibits are identified by the parenthetical references following the listing of each such exhibit and are incorporated by reference.
Exhibits which are incorporated herein by reference can be inspected and copied at the public reference rooms maintained by the SEC in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms. SEC filings are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.



62


SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Allowance for doubtful accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
$
3,018,995

 
$
1,627,315

 
$
1,226,297

Command, allowance at acquisition date
—

 
—

 
500,000

Provision, charged to expense
1,894,485

 
1,069,165

 
1,427,983

Net change of presentation of insurance recoveries
298,816

 
1,435,933

 
—

Write-offs, less recoveries
(1,467,192
)
 
(1,113,418
)
 
(1,526,965
)
Balance at end of year
$
3,745,104

 
$
3,018,995

 
$
1,627,315

Deferred tax assets - valuation allowance:
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
$
556,888

 
$
—

 
$
—

Adjustments
3,070,520

 
556,888

 
—

Balance at end of year
$
3,627,408

 
$
556,888

 
$
—

            

63

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Description
2.1

(5)
 
 
 
3.1

(1)
 
 
 
3.2

(1)
 
 
 
3.3

(5)
 
 
 
4.1

(1)
 
 
 
4.2

(4)
 
 
 
4.3

(4)
 
 
 
10.1

(1)†
 
 
 
10.2

(7)†
 
 
 
10.3

(1)†
 
 
 
10.4

(2)†
 
 
 
10.5

(2)†
 
 
 
10.6

(2)†
 
 
 
10.7

(1)
 
 
 
10.8

(3)
 
 
 
10.9

(6)
 
 
 
21.1

 
 
 
 
23.1

 
 
 
 
31.1

 
 
 
 
31.2

 
 
 
 
32.1

 
 
 
 
32.2

 
 
 
 
101.INS*

 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH*

 
XBRL Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL*

 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF*

 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB*

 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE*

 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

64


____________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Form S-1 Registration Statement (File No. 333-150514).
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 19, 2016.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on July 31, 2014.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 5, 2015.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 21, 2015.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2015.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on May 1, 2017.
†    Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement of the Company.
*    Filed herewith.


65

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 26th day of February, 2018.
 
 
ECHO GLOBAL LOGISTICS, INC.
 
By:
/s/ DOUGLAS R. WAGGONER
 
 
Douglas R. Waggoner
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
KNOWN BY ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the individuals whose signatures appear below hereby constitute and appoint Douglas R. Waggoner and Kyle L. Sauers, and each of them severally, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents with full power of substitution and resubstitution for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do or perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or of his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do to cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
 
Title
Date
 
 
 
 
/s/ DOUGLAS R. WAGGONER
 
Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
and Chairman of the Board
February 26, 2018
Douglas R. Waggoner
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ KYLE L. SAUERS
 
Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial and accounting officer)
February 26, 2018
Kyle L. Sauers
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ SAMUEL K. SKINNER
 
Director
February 26, 2018
Samuel K. Skinner
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ DAVID C. HABIGER
 
Director
February 26, 2018
David C. Habiger
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ WILLIAM M. FARROW III
 
Director
February 26, 2018
William M. Farrow III
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ MATTHEW W. FERGUSON
 
Director
February 26, 2018
Matthew W. Ferguson
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ NELDA J. CONNORS
 
Director
February 26, 2018
Nelda J. Connors
 
 
 




66