Businessweek

Saia, Inc., together with its subsidiary, Saia Motor Freight Line, LLC (Saia Motor Freight), operates as an asset-based trucking company. The company provides regional and interregional less-than-truckload (LTL) services and selected longer haul LTL, along with guaranteed, expedited, and limited truckload service solutions to a base of customers and industries across the United States, including the retail, chemical, and manufacturing industries. Saia Motor Freight Saia Motor Freight is a major multi-regional LTL carrier that serves 34 states in the South, Southwest, the Midwest, the Pacific Northwest, and West. Saia Motor Freight specializes in offering its customers a range of regional and interregional LTL services, including time-definite and expedited options. Saia Motor Freight primarily provides its customers with solutions for shipments between 100 and 10,000 pounds. Saia Motor Freight provides the company’s trademarked Customer Service Indicators (CSI) program, allowing customers to monitor service performance on a range of metrics. Customers could access the information through Internet (www.saia.com) to help manage their shipments. The CSIs measure on-time pickup; on-time delivery; claim-free shipments; claims settled within 30 days; exception free delivery; and invoicing accuracy. The CSIs provide both Saia Motor Freight and the customer with a report card of overall service levels. As of December 31, 2011, Saia Motor Freight operated a network that included 152 service facilities. In 2011, the average Saia Motor Freight shipment weighed approximately 1,335 pounds and traveled an average distance of approximately 727 miles. Business Strategy The company’s business strategy includes focusing on operating safely; managing yields and business mix; increasing density in existing geographies; focusing on delivering service; focusing on managing through the economic downturn; preparing the organization for future growth; and expanding geographic footprint. Seasonality The company’s revenues are subject to seasonal variations. Customers tend to reduce shipments after the winter holiday season and operating expenses tend to be higher as a percent of revenue in the winter months primarily due to lower capacity utilization and weather effects. Generally, the first quarter (year ending December 2011) is the weakest quarter while the second and third quarters are the strongest quarters in terms of revenue and profit. Quarterly profitability is also impacted by the timing of salary and wage increases, which has varied over the years. Regulation The company is subject to rules issued by the Food and Drug Administration to provide security of food and foodstuffs throughout the supply chain. Trademarks and Patents The company has registered various service marks and trademarks in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, including Saia Guaranteed Select, Saia Customer Service Indicators, and Saia Xtreme Guarantee. History Saia, Inc. was founded in 2000.