UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 Washington, D.C. 20549

 ————————

 Form 10-K

 (Mark One)

 Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

 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: 001-37509

 DASEKE, INC.

 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 47-3913221
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 15455 Dallas Parkway, Suite 550
 Addison, Texas

 75001

 (Address of principal executive offices)

 (Zip Code)

 Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 ( 972) 248-0412

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 Title of each class

 Trading Symbol(s)

 Name of each exchange on which registered

 Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

 DSKE

 The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 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 No

 Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes No

 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 No

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes No

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a 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

 Accelerated filer

 Non-accelerated filer

 Smaller reporting company

 Emerging growth 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.

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.

 If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

 Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive o cers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 Yes No

 The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, computed by reference to the last sales price as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC as of June 30, 2023, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was $ 316.5 million.

 47,200,283 shares of common stock were outstanding as of February 23, 2024.

 DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 Portions of the Registrant's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. The definitive proxy statement or an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K will be filed no later than 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

 DASEKE, INC.

 2023 ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 Page No.

 Part I.

 Item 1.

 Business

 Overview

 Recent Developments

 Industry and Competition

 Customers

 Revenue Equipment

 Human Capital

 Safety

 Risk Management

 Fuel

 Seasonality

 Regulation

 Item 1A.

 Risk Factors

 Item 1B.

 Unresolved Staff Comments

 Item 1C.

 Cybersecurity

 Item 2.

 Properties

 Item 3.

 Legal Proceedings

 Item 4.

 Mine Safety Disclosures

 Part II.

 Item 5.

 Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 Item 6.

 [Reserved]

 Item 7.

 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 Item 7A.

 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 Item 8.

 Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 Item 9.

 Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 Item 9A.

 Controls and Procedures

 Item 9B.

 Other Information

 Item 9C.

 Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

 Part III.

 Item 10.

 Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 Item 11.

 Executive Compensation

 Item 12.

 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 Item 13.

 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

 Item 14.

 Principal Accounting Fees and Services

 Part IV.

 Item 15.

 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

 Item 16.

 Form 10-K Summary

 Signatures

 CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 This Annual Report on Form 10-K (this Form 10-K) may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). All statements other than statements of historical fact, including those with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business of Daseke, Inc. (Daseke, the Company, we, us or our) and the proposed Merger (as defined below), are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "continue," "ongoing," "goal," "can," "estimate," "project," "believe," "plan," "should," "could," "would," "forecast," "seek," "target," "predict," "aim," and "potential," the negative of these terms or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words.

 Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's management's current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. As such, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. Important known factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our current expectations are disclosed in "Item 1A. Risk Factors," "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of this Form 10-K. Additional risks or uncertainties that are not currently known to us, that we currently deem to be immaterial, or that could apply to any company could also materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or future results.

 Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which such statements are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by federal securities law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.

 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The Company's SEC filings are available to the public through the Internet at the SEC's website at

 The Company also makes available free of charge on its Internet website at  all of the documents that the Company files with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files those documents with the SEC. Information contained on the Company's website is not incorporated by reference into and does not otherwise form a part of this Form 10-K.

 Item 1. Business

 Overview

 Daseke is a premier North American transportation solutions specialist dedicated to servicing challenging industrial end-markets through experienced people, a fleet of more than 4,700 tractors and 9,600 flatbed and specialized trailers, and has operations throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company also provides logistical planning and warehousing services to customers. The Company is subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and various state regulatory authorities in the United States. The Company is also subject to regulation by the Ministries of Transportation and Communications and various provincial regulatory authorities in Canada.

 The Company provides comprehensive transportation and logistics solutions offerings to approximately 4,100 customers, many of which are the world's most respected industrial shippers across the continental United States, Canada and Mexico through two reportable segments: Flatbed Solutions and Specialized Solutions. The Flatbed Solutions segment focuses on delivering transportation and logistics solutions that principally require the use of flatbed and retractable-sided transportation equipment, and the Specialized Solutions segment focuses on delivering transportation and logistics solutions that require the use of specialized trailering transportation equipment. The Flatbed Solutions segment generated approximately 41% of total revenue in 2023, and the Specialized Solutions segment generated approximately 59% of total revenue in 2023. As of December 31, 2023, the Flatbed Solutions segment operated 2,339 tractors and 2,849 trailers, and the Specialized Solutions segment operated 2,430 tractors and 6,820 trailers. In 2023, Daseke's company and owner-operator drivers drove 388.2 million miles.

 Both of the Company's reportable segments operate highly flexible business models comprised of company-owned tractors and trailers and asset-light operations (which consist of owner-operator transportation, freight brokerage and logistics). The Company's asset-based operations have the benefit of providing customers with certainty of delivery and continuity of operations and enables the Company to commit stable capacity volumes. Alternatively, the Company's asset-light operations offer flexibility and scalability to meet customers' dynamic needs and have lower capital expenditure and fixed cost requirements. In 2023, approximately 47% of the Company's freight, logistics and brokerage revenue was derived from company-owned equipment and approximately 53% was derived from asset-light services.

 Recent Developments

 The Proposed Merger

 On December 22, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with TFI International Inc. and Diocletian MergerCo, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of TFI International (Acquisition Sub). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the conditions thereof, Acquisition Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of TFI International.

 Subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement, if the Merger is completed, Daseke common stockholders will receive $8.30 per share in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of Daseke common stock that such stockholder owns as of immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (the Effective Time).

 The members of Daseke's board of directors (the Board of Directors) unanimously (i) determined that the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (the Transactions), including the Merger, are fair to, and in the best interests of, the Company and the holders of common stock, (ii) approved and declared advisable the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, (iii) resolved to recommend that the holders of common stock vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and approve and/or adopt such other matters that are submitted for their approval and/or adoption in connection with the Merger Agreement and the Transactions, including the Merger, and (iv) directed that the adoption of the Merger Agreement be submitted for consideration by the holders of common stock at a meeting thereof.

 The completion of the Merger is subject to satisfaction or waiver of certain customary closing conditions, including the receipt of the required approvals from Daseke stockholders, certain regulatory approvals and the absence of any governmental order or law prohibiting consummation of the Merger. The obligation of each party to consummate the Merger is also conditioned upon the other party's representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain materiality exceptions), the other party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Merger Agreement and the non-occurrence of any material adverse effect with respect to the other

 party since the date of the Merger Agreement. The Merger is expected to close in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024. Closing is not subject to any financing condition.

 The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for each of Daseke and TFI International, and in certain circumstances, a termination fee would be payable by Daseke.

 If the Merger is consummated, Daseke common stock will be delisted from The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ) and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and Daseke will cease to be a publicly traded company. Upon closing of the Merger, the Company will operate its portfolio of brands as part of TFI International's Truckload segment.

 For additional information related to the Merger, refer to the filings made by the Company with the SEC in connection with such transaction, including the proxy statement filed on February 15, 2024. We have prepared this Form 10-K as if we are going to remain an independent company. If the Merger is consummated, many of the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K will no longer be applicable.

 Industry and Competition

 Open-deck freight is defined as loads secured atop trailer decks without removable or sliding sides and roof systems and is generally both complex and time-sensitive, which separates it from traditional dry-van freight. The open-deck industry is focused on different customers with different freight requirements than traditional dry-van and requires highly trained drivers, often with additional credentials, and specialized equipment with the ability to handle uniquely shaped and overweight cargo. Specialized loads often require specific expertise in both the operations and execution in order to address customized configurations, extensive coordination with local officials and escort vehicles and additional licenses, hauling permits, and administrative paperwork.

 Open-deck routes are frequently more irregular than dry-van routes due to the nature of the freight. Open-deck lanes stretch across the country, with particular density around corridors of significant lumber, steel and machinery production, notably in Texas, as well as the Southeast, Midwest, and West Coast regions of the United States. In addition, open-deck flatbed freight is generally a live load and unload operation that occurs during normal business hours.

 The open-deck industry is highly competitive and fragmented. The Company competes primarily with other flatbed carriers and to a lesser extent, logistics companies, as well as railroads. The Company competes with other motor carriers for the services of drivers, independent contractors and management employees and with logistics companies for the services of third-party capacity providers and management employees. The Company believes that the principal differentiating factors in its business, relative to competition, are scale, North American footprint of operations, service, efficiency, pricing, the availability and configuration of equipment that satisfies customers' needs, and its ability to provide comprehensive transportation solutions to customers.

 Customers

 The Company's customers, many of whom are Fortune 500 companies, rely on the Company to transport mission-critical loads, making it an integral part of their supply chains. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 4,100 customers. The Company's ability to dependably transport high-value, complex and time-sensitive loads as well as provide the value-added logistics services required to plan, load, transport and unload and store loads has resulted in longstanding and established customer relationships. Several of our top customer relationships span more than 20 years on average at the Company's operating divisions.

 The Company's customers represent a broad and attractive range of end markets. Examples of the freight the Company regularly transports include aircraft parts, manufacturing equipment, structural steel, pressure vessels, wind turbine blades, heavy machinery (construction, mining and agriculture), commercial glass, high-security cargo, industrial and hazardous waste, arms ammunition and explosives (AA&E), lumber and building and construction materials. Because the Company's customers are generally in the industrial and manufacturing sector, as is typical for open-deck services providers, the Company is not subject to the same consumer-driven demand as dry-van trucking companies, whose freight typically includes consumer goods and whose volume can peak during the holiday season.

 In 2023, the Company's Flatbed Solutions segment provided transportation and logistics solutions to approximately 2,000 customers, and the Company's Specialized Solutions segment provided unique, value-added transportation and logistics solutions to approximately 2,500 customers. See Note 16 of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K for information on its two reportable segments.

 A material portion of the Company's revenue is generated from its major customers, the loss of one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on its business. In 2023 and 2022, the Company's top ten customers accounted for approximately 29% and 28%, respectively, of its revenue; in 2023 and 2022, no single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's revenue.

 Revenue Equipment

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company operated 2,971 company-owned tractors and also had under contract 1,798 tractors owned and operated by independent contractors. The Company also operated 9,669 trailers as of December 31, 2023. Growth of its tractor and trailer fleet is determined by market conditions and its experience and expectations regarding equipment utilization and driver recruitment and retention. In acquiring revenue equipment (tractors, trailers and trailer accessories), the Company considers a number of factors, including economy, fleet age, mileage and total cost of ownership of specific tractor and trailer manufacturers, price, rate, economic environment, technology, warranty terms, manufacturer support, driver comfort and resale value. The Company maintains strong relationships with its equipment vendors and the financial flexibility to react as market conditions dictate.

 Human Capital

 The success and growth of our business is driven by our employees. Our key human capital objectives are to attract, retain, and incentivize talented and experienced existing and future employees to manage and support our operations. We provide our employees with compensation and benefit packages, which we believe are competitive within our industry as well as the local markets in which we operate. We understand that providing employees with the resources and support they need to live a healthy life is critical for sustaining a workplace of choice, and our compensation and benefit packages include access for our employees and their families to flexible and convenient health and wellness programs that support their physical, mental, and financial health by providing tools and resources to help them improve or maintain their health.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 4,182 employees, which included 2,807 company drivers. The Company is not a party to any collective bargaining agreements.

 We value providing opportunity to people regardless of background and strongly believe that diversity and inclusion make us stronger as a company. We reaffirm our commitment to equal employment opportunity for all people and comply with all applicable federal and state laws pertaining to equal employment opportunity. It is our philosophy to treat our employees and applicants fairly without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, present, past, or future service in any branch of the uniformed services of the United States, citizenship, sexual orientation or gender identity. Our management teams and all of our employees are expected to exhibit and promote honest, ethical and respectful conduct in the workplace.

 The Company also contracts with owner-operator drivers to provide and operate tractors, which provide additional revenue equipment capacity. Independent contractors own or lease their own tractors and are responsible for all associated expenses, including financing costs, fuel, maintenance, insurance and highway use taxes. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 1,864 independent contractors, who accounted for approximately 40% of total miles in 2023.

 The Company's strategy for both company and owner-operator drivers is to (i) use safe and experienced drivers (the majority of driver positions hired require twelve months of over-the-road experience); (ii) promote retention with positive working conditions and a competitive compensation package in the case of company drivers and contracted rates in the case of owner-operator drivers; and (iii) foster a safety-first culture through screening, mandatory drug testing, continuous training, electronic logging system and rewards for accident-free driving. The Company also seeks to minimize turnover of company drivers by providing highly attractive tractors and focusing on providing upgraded nationwide facilities.

 Safety

 The Company takes pride in its safety-focused culture and conducts mandatory orientation for all drivers. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requires that the Company perform drug and alcohol testing that meets DOT regulations, and its safety program includes pre-employment, random and post-accident drug testing and all other testing required by the DOT. Company tractors are equipped with safety technology and cameras to reduce and mitigate the severity of accidents and claims.

 Risk Management

 The primary safety-related risks associated with the Company's business include third-party personal injury, property damage, workers' compensation, cargo damage, physical damage to company equipment, and damage to company property. The Company regularly reviews insurance limits and retentions. The Company's historical auto liability retention, in the majority of instances, was $0.5 million per occurrence. However, after setting up a risk retention group in 2021, our auto liability retention has increased to $2.0 million per occurrence. In addition, the Company has secured excess liability coverage of up to $48.0 million per occurrence with retention limits of $8.0 million in aggregate for each policy period since the risk retention group was established in 2021 through April 30, 2023. The retention limits were increased to $11.0 million beginning May 1, 2023.

 To the extent owner operators work on behalf of the Company, they are covered by the Company's liability coverage. However, each such owner-operator is responsible for physical damage to his or her own equipment, occupational accident coverage, workers' compensation, and liability exposure while the truck is used for non-company purposes.

 Fuel

 The Company actively manages a fuel purchasing network in an effort to maintain adequate fuel supplies and reduce its fuel costs. The Company purchases fuel through a network of retail truck stops with which it has negotiated volume purchasing discounts. The Company seeks to reduce its fuel costs by routing its drivers to truck stops with which the Company has negotiated volume purchase discounts when fuel prices at such stops are lower than the bulk rate paid for fuel at the Company's terminals. The Company stores fuel in aboveground and underground storage tanks at some of its facilities.

 To help offset increases in fuel prices, the Company utilizes a fuel surcharge program designed to compensate the Company for fuel costs above a certain cost per gallon base. Generally, the Company receives fuel surcharges on the miles for which it is compensated by customers. However, in some cases, a customer may request an all-in freight rate without a separate contracted fuel surcharge. In those instances, the Company invoices the all-in freight rate to the customer and allocates an estimated portion of the freight revenue to fuel surcharge revenue. In addition to its fuel surcharge program, the Company believes the most effective protection against fuel cost increases is to maintain a fuel-efficient fleet by incorporating fuel efficiency measures. The Company does not currently use derivatives as a hedge against higher fuel costs.

 Seasonality

 In the transportation industry, results of operations generally show a seasonal pattern. The Company's productivity decreases during the winter season because inclement weather impedes operations and end-user activity, and some shippers reduce their shipments during winter. At the same time, operating expenses increase and fuel efficiency declines because of engine idling and harsh weather, creating higher accident frequency, increased claims and higher equipment repair expenditures. The Company also may suffer from weather-related or other events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and explosions, which may increase in frequency or intensity due to climate change.

 Regulation

 The Company's operations are regulated and licensed by various federal, provincial, state, local and foreign government agencies in the United States and Canada. In the United States, the Company and its drivers must comply with the safety and fitness regulations of the DOT and the agencies within the states that regulate transportation, including those regulations relating to drug- and alcohol-testing and hours-of-service. Weight and equipment dimensions also are subject to government regulations. The Company also may become subject to new or more restrictive regulations relating to fuel emissions, environmental protection, drivers' hours-of-service, driver eligibility requirements, on-board reporting of operations, collective bargaining, ergonomics and other matters affecting safety, insurance and operating methods. Other agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) also regulate the Company's equipment, operations, drivers and the environment. The Company conducts operations outside of the United States, and is subject to analogous governmental safety, fitness, weight and equipment regulations and environmental protection and operating standards. For example, in Canada, the Company must conduct its operations in various provinces pursuant to operating authority granted by the Ministries of Transportation and Communications in those provinces. The Company is also subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which generally prohibits United States companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining favorable treatment. If the Company is not in compliance with the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws or other laws governing the conduct of business with government entities (including local laws), it may be subject to criminal and civil penalties and other remedial measures, which could harm its reputation and have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Any investigation of any actual or alleged violations of such laws could also harm the Company's reputation or have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects.

 Transportation Regulations

 The DOT, through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), imposes safety and fitness regulations on the Company and its drivers. In addition, the Company's subsidiaries that act as property brokers have property broker licenses issued by the FMCSA.

 In June 2020, FMCSA revised its Hours-of-Service Rule, which addresses safety issues such as the maximum amount of time that drivers are permitted to be on duty to ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. The revised rule provided flexibility by requiring drivers to take 30-minute breaks after eight hours of consecutive driving time (rather than on-duty time) and the requirement can be satisfied by any non-driving period of 30 consecutive minutes. The revised rule also expands the driving window during adverse driving conditions by an additional two hours, updates the sleeper berth provision to provide more flexibility, and expands the short-haul exception that exempts certain drivers from the requirements when they operate within a 150 air-mile radius of their reporting location and do not exceed a 14-hour duty period.

 The FMCSA has adopted a data-driven Compliance, Safety and Accountability (the CSA) program as its safety enforcement and compliance model. The CSA program holds motor carriers and drivers accountable for their role in safety by evaluating and ranking fleets and individual drivers on certain safety-related standards. The CSA program affects drivers because their safety performance and compliance impact their safety records and, while working for a carrier, will impact their carrier's safety record. The methodology for determining a carrier's DOT safety rating relies upon implementation of Behavioral Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories (BASIC) applicable to the on-road safety performance of the carrier's drivers and certain of those rating results are provided on the FMCSA's Carrier Safety Measurement System website. As a result, certain current and potential drivers may no longer be eligible to drive for the Company, the Company's fleet could be ranked poorly as compared to its peer firms, and the Company's safety rating could be adversely impacted. The occurrence of future deficiencies could affect driver recruiting and retention by causing high-quality drivers to seek employment (in the case of company drivers) or contracts (in the case of owner-operator drivers) with other carriers, or could cause the Company's customers to direct their business away from the Company and to carriers with better fleet safety rankings, either of which would adversely affect the Company's results of operations and productivity. Additionally, the Company may incur greater than expected expenses in its attempts to improve its scores as a result of such poor rankings. Those carriers and drivers identified under the CSA program as exhibiting poor BASIC scores are prioritized for interventions, such as warning letters and roadside investigations, either of which may adversely affect the Company's results

 of operations. To promote improvement in all CSA categories, including those both over and under the established scoring threshold, the Company has procedures in place to address areas where it has exceeded the thresholds and the Company continually reviews all safety-related policies, programs and procedures for their effectiveness and revises them, as necessary, to establish positive improvement. However, the Company cannot assure you these measures will be effective.

 The methodology used to determine a carrier's safety rating could be changed by the FMCSA and, as a result, the Company's acceptable safety rating could be impaired. In particular, the FMCSA continues to utilize the three safety fitness rating scale—"satisfactory," "conditional," and "unsatisfactory"—to assess the safety fitness of motor carriers and the Company currently has a "satisfactory" FMCSA rating on 100% of its fleet. However, pursuant to a 2015 federal statutory mandate, the FMCSA commissioned the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study and report upon the CSA program and its underlying Safety Measurement System (SMS), which is the FMCSA's process for identifying patterns of non-compliance and issuing safety-fitness determinations for motor carriers. In June 2017, the NAS published a report on the subject providing specific recommendations and concluding, among other things, that the FMCSA should explore a more formal statistical model to replace the current SMS process. In June 2018, the FMCSA posted its response to the NAS study in a report to Congress, concluding, among other things, that it would develop and test a new model, the Item Response Theory (IRT), which would replace the SMS process currently used. The FMCSA has completed small scale testing of the IRT model and is evaluating next steps to roll out the program. The FMCSA's June 2018 response was audited by the DOT Inspector General to assess consistency with the NAS recommendations, and the agency extended its timeline for considering the IRT model as a potential replacement for the SMS to September 2020; the FMCSA did not meet that deadline and the anticipated timing to finalize its decision is unclear. In the event and to the extent that the FMCSA adopts the IRT model in replacement of the SMS or otherwise pursues rulemakings in the future that revise the methodology used to determine a carrier's safety rating in a manner that incorporates more stringent standards, then it is possible that the Company and other motor carriers could be adversely affected, as compared to consideration of the current standards. If the Company were to receive an unsatisfactory CSA score, whether under the current SMS process, the IRT model, should it be finalized, and adopted, or as a result of some other safety-fitness determination, it could adversely affect the Company's business as some of its existing customer contracts require a satisfactory DOT safety rating, and an unsatisfactory rating could negatively impact or restrict the Company's operations.

 In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, federal, state and municipal authorities implemented and continue to implement various security measures, including checkpoints and travel restrictions on large trucks. This could reduce the pool of qualified drivers, which could require the Company to increase driver compensation or owner-operator contracted rates, limit fleet growth or allow trucks to be non-productive. Consequently, it is possible that the Company may fail to meet the needs of customers or may incur increased expenses.

 The FMCSA published a final rule in December 2015 mandating the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) for commercial motor vehicle drivers to measure their compliance with hours-of-service requirements by December 18, 2017. The 2015 ELD final rule generally applies to most motor carriers and drivers who are required to keep records of duty status, unless they qualify for an exception to the rule, and the rule also applies to drivers domiciled in Canada and Mexico. Starting December 16, 2019, all carriers and drivers subject to the 2015 final rule, including the Company, must use ELDs.

 Environmental Regulations

 The Company is subject to various environmental laws and regulations governing, among other matters, the operation of fuel storage tanks, release of emissions from its vehicles (including engine idling) and facilities, and adverse impacts to the environment, including to the soil, groundwater and surface water. The Company has implemented programs designed to monitor and address identified environmental risks. Historically, the Company's environmental compliance costs have not had a material adverse effect on its business or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance that such costs will not be material in the future or that such future compliance will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations. Additionally, certain of the Company's operating companies are partners in the EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership, a voluntary program promoting energy efficiency and air quality. If the Company fails to comply with applicable environmental laws or regulations, the Company could be subject to costs and liabilities. Those costs and liabilities may include the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory, remedial or corrective action obligations, the occurrence of delays in permitting or performance of projects and the issuance of orders enjoining performance of some or all of its operations in a particular area. The occurrence of any one or more of such developments could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operating results.

 The Company maintains bulk fuel storage and fuel islands at some of its terminals. The Company also has vehicle maintenance operations at certain of its facilities. The Company's operations involve the risks of fuel spillage or seepage into the environment, discharge of contaminants, environmental and natural resource damage, and unauthorized hazardous material spills, releases or disposal actions, among others. Some of the Company's operations are at facilities where soil and groundwater contamination have occurred, and the Company or its predecessors have been and may be held responsible for remediating environmental contamination at some locations, which may include being held responsible for such contamination on a joint and several basis. In the past, the Company has also been responsible for the costs

 of cleanup of cargo and diesel fuel spills caused during its transportation operations, including as a result of traffic accidents or other events. If the Company is found to be responsible for such contamination or spills, the Company could be subject to costs and liabilities, including costs for remediation, environmental and natural resource damages and penalties.

 In October 2016, the EPA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) jointly published final Phase 2 standards for improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road medium- and heavy-duty vehicles beginning for model year 2019 and extending through model year 2027. The Phase 2 standards build upon the Phase 1 standards, encouraging wider application of currently available technologies and the development of new and advanced cost-effective technologies through model year 2027. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions limits and fuel efficiency standards will be imposed on new trailers. In June 2021, the EPA amended the federal Phase 2 test procedures for improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from new on-road medium and heavy duty vehicles, affecting the certification procedures for exhaust emission standards and related requirements. The June 2021 Phase 2 standards for heavy-duty trailers were challenged in federal court, and in November 2021 the D.C. Circuit vacated portions of the Phase 2 rule that apply to trailers, concluding that the EPA lacked the authority to set fuel efficiency standards for this equipment. In July 2022, the EPA published a final rule modifying the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model compliance tool for heavy duty vehicles that was initially published in the 2016 Phase 2 standards. In August 2021, the EPA announced the Clean Trucks Plan, which is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and emissions of other pollutants from heavy-duty trucks using rulemakings implemented over three years. The Clean Trucks Plan is part of a broader EPA initiative known as the Cleaner Trucks Initiative, which intends to update standards for nitrogen oxide emissions from highway heavy-duty trucks and engines. In March 2022, the EPA published a proposed version of the first of these rules that sets new, more stringent standards to reduce pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year 2027. The proposed rule included more stringent greenhouse gas standards for certain commercial vehicle categories in the heavy-duty greenhouse gas Phase 2 program. In January 2023, the EPA published the final rule but did not take final action on the portion of the proposed rule regarding proposed changes to heavy-duty greenhouse gas Phase 2 standards. In April 2023, EPA announced a proposal for more stringent Phase 3 standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy-duty vehicles beginning in model year 2027. A final rule was expected by December 2023, but is still pending. The Clean Trucks Plan and future standards regulating emissions from on-road vehicles may result in its incurrence of increased costs for acquiring new tractors and for additional parts and maintenance activities to retrofit its tractors with technology to achieve compliance with such standards. Such increased costs could adversely affect the Company's operating results and profitability, particularly if such costs are not offset by potential fuel savings.

 Notwithstanding the federal standards, a number of states have mandated, and states may continue to individually mandate, additional emission-control requirements for equipment that could increase equipment or other costs for entire fleets. For instance, the California Air Resources Board also has adopted emission control regulations and greenhouse gas standards that largely align with the EPA's and the NHTSA's standards for new medium and heavy-duty engines, vehicles, and trailers sold in California. Furthermore, California also approved Tractor-Trailer Greenhouse Gas regulation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by improving the aerodynamic performance and reducing the rolling resistance of tractor-trailers. The regulation applies to all heavy duty tractors that pull longer than 50-foot box-type trailers and longer than 50-foot box-type trailers that are pulled by heavy-duty tractors. The tractors and trailers subject to these regulations must be either EPA SmartWay-certified or equipped with low-rolling resistance tires and retrofitted with SmartWay-approved aerodynamic technologies. The Company currently purchases SmartWay-certified equipment in certain of its new tractor and trailer acquisitions. In addition, in April 2023, the California Air Resources Board approved the Advanced Clean Fuels Regulation, which would require certain medium- and heavy-duty fleets to phase in the use of zero-emissions vehicles by 2045. These state regulations may result in the incurrence of increased costs for acquiring new tractors and for additional parts and maintenance activities to retrofit its tractors with technology to achieve compliance with such standards. Such increased costs could adversely affect the Company's operating results and profitability, particularly if such costs are not offset by potential fuel savings. In order to reduce exhaust emissions, some states and municipalities have also begun to restrict the locations and amount of time where diesel-powered tractors may idle. These restrictions could force the Company to alter its drivers' behavior, purchase on-board power units that do not require the engine to idle or face a decrease in productivity.

 Federal and state lawmakers also have implemented or proposed potential limits on, as well as laws incentivizing reduction of, greenhouse gas emissions under a variety of other climate-change initiatives. Compliance with such limits may increase the cost of new tractors and trailers or require the Company to retrofit its equipment and could impair equipment productivity and increase its operating expenses. Other measures, such as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, provide funding (including tax credits) for acquisition and use of heavy-duty, zero-emissions vehicles, with the goal of reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions from on-road sources. These initiatives, combined with the uncertainty as to the reliability of the newly designed diesel engines and the residual value of these vehicles, could materially increase the Company's operating expenses or otherwise adversely affect its operations.

 Insurance Regulations

 The Company's wholly-owned risk retention group is a captive insurance company formed and licensed under the laws of the State of South Carolina, which qualifies as a risk retention group pursuant to the federal and the federal Liability Risk Retention Act of 1986, 15 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq. (the Risk Retention Act). Captive insurance companies generally are subject to less stringent regulatory requirements and oversight than commercial insurance companies.

 Primary responsibility for the regulation of the Company's risk retention group is exercised by the South Carolina Department of Insurance (the SCDOI) under The Insurance Law of South Carolina. The Insurance Law of South Carolina, among other things, prescribes solvency standards that must be met and maintained and imposes certain regulatory reporting requirements.

 In addition, the risk retention group must comply with the Risk Retention Act and applicable state risk retention statutes complementing the Risk Retention Act, which authorize the formation of risk retention groups to provide liability insurance to persons or firms engaged in businesses or activities that are similar or related with respect to the liability (other than personal risk liability or employers' liability) to which such firms are exposed. Failure to comply with applicable regulatory requirements could result in monetary penalties and/or the suspension or revocation of the risk retention group's license. Many provisions of the Risk Retention Act have not been construed by the courts or any regulatory agency. The operations of the Company's risk retention group may have to be modified in the future to be consistent with any subsequent interpretations.

 Item 1A. Risk Factors

 Risk Factors

 The following are the material risk factors that apply to an investment in the Company. These risk factors are not exhaustive, and the Company may face additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known to it, or that the Company currently deems immaterial, which may also impair its business or results of operations. If any of the following risks actually occurs, the Company's business or results of operations could be materially harmed, the Company's ability to implement its business plans could be impaired and the trading price of the Company's common stock could decline.

 Risks Relating to the Merger with TFI International

 While the Merger Agreement is in effect, we are subject to certain interim covenants.

 The Merger Agreement generally requires us to operate our business in the ordinary course, subject to certain exceptions, including as required by applicable law, pending consummation of the Merger, and subjects us to customary interim operating covenants that restrict us, without TFI International's approval (such approval not to be unreasonably conditioned, withheld or delayed), from taking certain specified actions until the Merger is completed or the Merger Agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms. These restrictions could prevent us from pursuing certain business opportunities that may arise prior to the consummation of the Merger and may affect our ability to execute our business strategies and attain financial and other goals and may impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 The announcement and pendency of the Merger may result in disruptions to our business, and the Merger could divert management's attention, disrupt our relationships with third parties and employees, and result in negative publicity or legal proceedings, any of which could negatively impact our operating results and ongoing business.

 In connection with the pending Merger, our current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with us following the Merger, which may materially adversely affect our ability to attract and retain key personnel and other employees while the Merger is pending. Key employees may depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with us following the Merger and may depart prior to the consummation of the Merger. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that we will be able to attract and retain key employees to the same extent that we have been able to in the past.

 The proposed Merger may cause disruptions to our business or business relationships with our existing and potential suppliers and other business partners, and this could have an adverse impact on our results of operations. Parties with which we have business relationships may experience uncertainty as to the future of such relationships and may delay or defer certain business decisions, seek alternative relationships with third parties, or seek to negotiate changes to or alter their present business relationships with us. Parties with whom we otherwise may have sought to establish business relationships may seek alternative relationships with third parties.

 The pursuit of the proposed Merger has placed an increased burden on management and internal resources, which may have a negative impact on our ongoing business. It also diverts management's time and attention from the day-to-day operation of our remaining businesses and the execution of our other strategic initiatives. This could adversely affect our financial results. In addition, we have incurred and will continue to incur other significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the proposed Merger, and many of these fees and costs are payable regardless of whether or not the pending Merger is consummated.

 Any of the foregoing, individually or in combination, could materially and adversely affect our business, our financial condition and our results of operations and prospects.

 The Merger may not be completed within the expected timeframe, or at all, for a variety of reasons, including the possibility that the Merger Agreement is terminated, and the failure to complete the Merger could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and the market price of our common stock.

 There can be no assurance that the Merger will be completed in the expected timeframe or at all. The Merger Agreement contains a number of customary closing conditions that must be satisfied or waived prior to the completion of the Merger, including, among others, (i) the receipt of the required approvals from Daseke's stockholders, (ii) approval under the Canada Transportation Act, and (iii) the absence of any governmental order or law prohibiting consummation of the Merger. Several of the conditions to completion of the Merger are not within either Daseke's or TFI International's control. If any of these closing conditions are not satisfied or waived and the Merger has not been consummated on or before the Termination Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement), it is possible that the Merger Agreement may be terminated. The Merger Agreement also provides both Daseke and TFI International with certain termination rights. Furthermore, the

 requirements for obtaining the required approvals could delay the completion of the Merger for a significant period of time or prevent the Merger from occurring.

 If the Merger is not consummated within the expected time frame or at all, we may be subject to a number of material risks. The price of our common stock may decline to the extent that current market prices reflect a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. In addition, some costs, expenses and fees related to the Merger must be paid whether or not the Merger is completed, and we have incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the proposed Merger, as well as the direction of management resources towards the Merger, for which we will have received little or no benefit if the closing of the Merger does not occur. We may also experience negative reactions from our stockholders and other investors, employees and other parties with which we maintain business relationships. In addition, if the Merger Agreement is terminated, in specified circumstances, we may be required to pay a termination fee. If the Merger is not consummated, there can be no assurance that any other transaction acceptable to us will be offered or that our business, prospects or results of operations will not be adversely affected.

 Litigation challenging the Merger could prevent the Merger from occurring or adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 In connection with the announcement of the Merger Agreement, as is common in the context of mergers and acquisitions of publicly-traded companies, we (along with our directors and officers) have and may continue to attract lawsuits seeking to enjoin us from proceeding with or consummating the Merger or seeking to have the Merger rescinded after its consummation. For example, a complaint, captioned Carpenter v. Daseke, Inc., et al, No. 1:24-cv-00724 (S.D.N.Y), has been filed with respect to the Merger in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The complaint was filed by a purported Daseke stockholder and asserts claims against Daseke and members of the Board of Directors relating to alleged violations of Section 14(a), Rule 14a-9, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, premised on a purported failure to disclose material information related to the contemplated Merger and seeks injunctive relief enjoining the Merger and damages and costs, among other remedies.

 One of the conditions to the consummation of the Merger is the absence of any order issued by certain governmental authorities of competent jurisdiction prohibiting the Merger. If any future plaintiffs are successful in obtaining an injunction or other order prohibiting the Merger, we may be unable to consummate the Merger. The risks and uncertainties associated with a failure to consummate the Merger are discussed in the immediately above risk factor. In addition, responding to any litigation targeting the Merger, even those without merit, will cause us to incur legal costs and expenses, which may negatively impact our financial condition. Responding to lawsuits may also divert the time and attention of our management away from our ongoing business operations and adversely affect our business and results of operations.

 Risks Relating to the Company's Industry

 The Company's industry is affected by general economic and business risks that are largely beyond its control.

 The Company's industry is highly cyclical, and its business is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond its control. Some of the most significant of these factors are economic changes that affect supply and demand in transportation markets in general, such as downturns in customers' business cycles and recessionary economic cycles; changes in customers' inventory levels and in the availability of funding for their working capital; commercial driver shortages and increases in driver compensation; and excess tractor capacity in comparison with shipping demand. The risks associated with these factors are heightened when the U.S. and/or global economy is weakened. Some of the principal risks during such times are as follows:

 the Company may experience low overall freight levels, which may impair its asset utilization, because its customers' demand for its services generally correlate with the strength of the United States and, to a lesser extent, global economy;

 certain of the Company's customers may face credit issues and cash flow problems that affect their ability to pay for the Company's services;

 certain of the Company's suppliers' business levels may be negatively affected, leading to disruptions in the supply and availability, or increased cost, of equipment, parts and services that are critical to the Company's operations;

 freight patterns may change as supply chains are redesigned, resulting in an imbalance between the Company's capacity and its customers' demands; and

 customers may bid out freight or select competitors that offer lower rates from among existing choices in an attempt to lower their costs, causing the Company to lower its rates or lose freight.

 The Company also is subject to cost increases outside of its control that could materially reduce its profitability if it is unable to increase its rates sufficiently. Such cost increases include increases in fuel prices, driver wages, owner-operator contracted rates, insurance, interest rates, taxes, tolls, license and registration fees, revenue equipment and healthcare for its employees.

 In addition, events outside the Company's control, including global and national heath epidemics or concerns, strikes, protests or other work stoppages at its facilities or at customer, port, border or other shipping locations (including as a result of such epidemics or concerns or otherwise), or actual or threatened armed conflicts or terrorist attacks, efforts to combat terrorism, military action against a foreign state or group located in a foreign state, or heightened security requirements, could lead to reduced economic demand and activity, reduced availability of credit or temporary closing of the shipping locations or United States borders. Such events may reduce the demand for the Company's services and could impair the Company's operating efficiency and productivity, which would adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations.

 The Company's industry is highly competitive and fragmented, and its business, results of operations and prospects may suffer if it is unable to adequately address downward pricing and other competitive pressures.

 The Company competes with many open-deck carriers of varying sizes, including some that may have greater access to equipment, a wider range of services, greater capital resources, less indebtedness or other competitive advantages and including smaller, regional service providers that cover specific shipping lanes with specific customers or that offer niche services. The Company also competes, to a lesser extent, with some less-than-truckload carriers, railroads, and third-party logistics, brokerage, freight forwarding and other transportation companies. Numerous competitive factors, including the following, could impair the Company's ability to maintain or improve its profitability:

 many of the Company's competitors periodically reduce their freight rates to gain business, especially during times of reduced growth or a downturn in the economy, which may limit the Company's ability to maintain or increase freight rates, may require the Company to reduce its freight rates or may limit its ability to maintain or expand its business;

 some shippers have reduced or may reduce the number of carriers they use by selecting core carriers as approved service providers and in some instances the Company may not be selected;

 many customers periodically solicit bids from multiple carriers for their shipping needs, which may depress freight rates or result in a loss of business to competitors;

 the continuing trend toward consolidation in the trucking industry may result in more large carriers with greater financial resources and other competitive advantages, and the Company may have difficulty competing with them;

 advances in technology, including autonomous or driverless trucks, electric vehicles, alternative fuels and artificial intelligence applications may require the Company to increase investments in order to remain competitive, and its customers may not be willing to accept higher freight rates to cover the cost of these investments;

 higher fuel prices and, in turn, higher fuel surcharges to the Company's customers may cause some of its customers to consider freight transportation alternatives, including rail transportation;

 the Company may have higher exposure to litigation risks as compared to smaller carriers; and

 smaller carriers may build economies of scale with procurement aggregation providers, which may improve the smaller carriers' abilities to compete with the Company.

 The Company's results of operations could be adversely affected by global market and economic conditions in ways we may not be able to predict or control.

 Concerns over global economic conditions, inflation, interest rates, energy costs, geopolitical issues, supply chain disruptions, the availability and cost of credit, the continuing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and the increasing hostilities in the Middle East have contributed to increased economic uncertainty. An economic slowdown or recession in the United States could negatively impact demand for the Company's services and therefore adversely affect its results. Adverse global economic conditions may cause the Company's customers and/or suppliers to lose access to the financing necessary to sustain or increase their current level of operations, fulfill their commitments

 and/or fund future operations and obligations. Furthermore, challenging economic conditions may result in certain of the Company's customers experiencing bankruptcy or otherwise becoming unable to pay service providers, including the Company. In the past, global economic conditions, and expectations for future global economic conditions, have sometimes experienced significant deterioration in a relatively short period of time and there can be no assurance that global economic conditions or expectations for future global economic conditions will recover in the near term or not quickly deteriorate again due to one or more factors. These conditions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

 Continuing inflation may impact our margins and profitability.

 Recently, like others in our industry, we experienced inflationary cost headwinds in driver pay, operations and maintenance, and insurance expenses. Inflation can have an impact on the Company's operating costs. A prolonged period of inflation could cause interest rates, fuel, wages and other costs to increase, which would adversely affect the Company's results of operations unless freight rates correspondingly increase. In addition, the Company's customers are also affected by inflation, interest rates, and the rising costs of goods and services used in their businesses, which could negatively impact their ability to pay higher freight rates, which could adversely impact our revenue and profitability.

 General Commercial and Operational Risks

 Insurance and claims expenses could significantly reduce the Company's profitability, and underwriters leaving the marketplace may make it more difficult for the Company to obtain insurance at favorable prices or at all.

 The Company is exposed to claims related to, among others, auto liability, general liability, directors and officers liability, errors and omissions liability, liability related to cybersecurity attacks, cargo loss and damage, property damage, personal injury, workers' compensation, group health, group dental and general umbrella policies. The Company has insurance coverage with third-party insurance carriers, where it is exposed to rising premiums, and it assumes a significant portion of the risk associated with these claims due to the creation of a risk retention group and its self-insured retention (SIR) and deductibles, which can make its insurance and claims expense higher or more volatile. The Company is subject to changing conditions and pricing in the insurance marketplace, including as a result of carriers or underwriters leaving the transportation sector and the increasing frequency and size of auto liability lawsuits, and the cost or availability of various types of insurance may change dramatically in the future, particularly if its claims experience deteriorates. If the Company's insurance or claims expense increases, and the Company is unable to offset the increase with higher freight rates, its results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. With respect to insurance risk retained by the Company through its wholly-owned risk retention group, expected losses are based in part on actuarial studies which make certain projections with respect to the loss experience of the Company. Actual results may differ substantially from projections. The Company's results of operations may also be materially and adversely affected if it experiences a claim in excess of its coverage limits, a claim for which coverage is not provided or a claim that is covered but the insurance company fails to perform.

 Seasonality and the impact of weather and other catastrophic events adversely affect the Company's operations and profitability.

 The Company's operations are affected by the winter season because inclement weather impedes operations and some shippers reduce their shipments during winter. At the same time, operating expenses increase due to, among other things, a decline in fuel efficiency because of engine idling, and harsh weather that creates higher accident frequency, increased claims and higher equipment repair expenditures. These weather-related and other catastrophic events, such as fires, earthquakes and explosions, may also disrupt fuel supplies, increase fuel costs, disrupt freight shipments or routes, affect regional economies, destroy the Company's assets or the assets of its customers or otherwise adversely affect the business or financial condition of its customers, any of which developments could adversely affect the Company's profitability or make its results more volatile. Climate change may also result in various physical risks, such as the increased severity of weather-related events, that could adversely impact the Company's operations.

 The Company may be adversely affected by fluctuations in the price or availability of diesel fuel.

 The Company's operations are dependent upon diesel fuel, and diesel fuel is one of the Company's largest operating expenses. Diesel fuel prices fluctuate greatly due to factors beyond the Company's control, such as political events, price and supply decisions by oil producing countries and cartels, terrorist activities, environmental laws and regulations, armed conflicts, depreciation of the dollar against other currencies, world supply and demand imbalances, imposition of tariffs, and hurricanes and other natural or man-made disasters. Such events may also lead to fuel shortages and disruptions in the fuel supply chain. Increases in fuel costs may have a significant adverse effect on the Company's profitability. The Company has not used derivatives as a hedge against higher fuel costs in the past. Although the Company maintains a fuel surcharge program, there can be no assurance that the program will be maintained indefinitely or will be sufficiently effective. The Company incurs certain fuel costs that cannot be recovered even with respect to customers with which it maintains fuel surcharge programs and even if it is able to increase rates per miles, such as fuel costs associated with empty miles. Because the Company's fuel surcharge recovery lags behind changes in fuel prices, its fuel surcharge recovery may not capture in any particular period the increased costs it pays for fuel. Further, during periods of low freight volumes, shippers can use their negotiating leverage to impose less compensatory fuel surcharge policies.

 Increased prices for, or decreases in the availability of, new revenue equipment and decreases in the value of used revenue equipment could adversely affect the Company's results of operations and cash flows.

 Investment in new equipment is a significant part of the Company's annual capital expenditures, and the Company requires an available supply of tractors and trailers from equipment manufacturers to operate and grow its business. In recent years, manufacturers have raised the prices of new revenue equipment significantly due to increased costs of materials and, in part, to offset their costs of compliance with new tractor engine and emission system design requirements mandated by the EPA and various state agencies, which are intended to reduce emissions. Future use of semi-autonomous functionality in tractors and alternative fuel vehicles could increase the price of new tractors. If new equipment prices increase more than anticipated, the Company could incur higher depreciation and rental expenses than anticipated. If the Company is unable to fully offset any such increases in expenses with freight rate increases and/or improved fuel economy, its results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

 The Company has recently faced, and may in the future face, difficulty in purchasing an adequate supply of new equipment due to decreased supply. In 2022, the Company observed ongoing delays in receiving new equipment due to supply chain disruptions, and as such, the Company had to utilize more owner operator and brokerage loads, which typically have lower margins than company loads. In addition to supply chain constraints, from time to time, some original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of tractors and trailers may reduce their manufacturing output due to lower demand for their products in economic downturns or a shortage of component parts. Uncertainty as to future emission standards may also serve to decrease such manufacturing output.

 During prolonged periods of decreased tonnage levels, the Company and other trucking companies may make strategic fleet reductions, which could result in an increase in the supply of used equipment. When the supply exceeds the demand for used revenue equipment, the general market value of used revenue equipment decreases. Used equipment prices are also subject to substantial fluctuations based on availability of financing and commodity prices for scrap metal. Future use of semi-autonomous functionality in tractors and alternative fuel vehicles could also decrease the value of used tractors. A depressed market for used equipment could require the Company to trade its revenue equipment at depressed values or to record losses on disposal or an impairment of the carrying values of its revenue equipment that is not protected by residual value arrangements.

 The Company derives a material portion of its revenue from its major customers, the loss of one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

 A material portion of the Company's revenue is generated from its major customers. In 2023 and 2022, the Company's top ten customers, based on revenue, accounted for approximately 29% and 28%, respectively, of the Company's revenue. In 2023 and 2022, no single customer represented 10% or more of the Company's revenue. In addition, a material portion of the Company's freight is from customers in the building materials industry, and as such, the Company's results may be susceptible to trends in construction cycles, which are affected by numerous factors, including rates of infrastructure spending, real estate equity values, interest rates and general economic conditions. The Company's customers' financial difficulties can negatively impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition, especially if they were to delay or default on payments to the Company.

 The Company's customers may terminate their relationships with the Company on short notice with limited or no penalties.

 A number of customers use the Company's services on a shipment-by-shipment basis rather than under long-term contracts. These customers have no obligation to continue using the Company's services and may stop using them at any time without penalty or with only limited penalties. The loss of any customers may reduce the range of service offerings the Company provides and adversely impact the Company's revenue mix. Also, the Company does not have contractual relationships that guarantee any minimum freight volumes with customers.

 The Company is subject to certain risks arising from doing business in Canada and Mexico.

 The Company provides trucking services in Canada in addition to the United States, and the Company also transports freight into and out of Mexico by transferring the Company's trailers to tractors operated by Mexican-based carriers with which the Company has contractual and long-standing relationships. As a result, the Company is subject to risks of doing business internationally, including fluctuations in foreign currencies, changes in the economic strength of Canada and Mexico, difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and intellectual property rights through non-U.S. legal systems, burdens of complying with a wide variety of international and United States export and import laws, and social, political and economic instability. The Company also faces additional risks associated with restrictive trade policies and imposition of duties, taxes or government royalties imposed by the Canadian or Mexican government, to the extent not preempted by trade agreements between Mexico, Canada and the United States. Further, to the extent that the Company conducts operations outside of the United States, it is subject to the FCPA, which generally prohibits United States companies and their intermediaries from making improper payments to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or retaining favorable treatment. If the Company is not in compliance with the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws or other laws governing the conduct of business with government entities (including local laws), it may be subject to criminal and civil penalties and other remedial measures, which could harm its reputation and have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects. Any investigation of any actual or alleged violations of such laws could also harm the Company's reputation or have a material adverse impact on its business.

 The Company is currently a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) participant. If the United States Customs and Border Protection determines the Company has failed to comply with its minimum security and other criteria applicable to C-TPAT participants, the Company may be unable to maintain its C-TPAT status, which may result in significant border delays, which could cause its operations in Canada to be less efficient than those of competitor truckload carriers also operating in Canada that obtain or continue to maintain C-TPAT status. Such inefficiency, as well as the requirements of some customers to deal only with C-TPAT participating carriers, could lead to a loss of certain business.

 The Company's contractual agreements with its owner-operators expose it to risks that it does not face with its company drivers.

 Approximately 39% of the Company's freight revenue was carried by independent contractor owner-operators in 2023. The Company's reliance on independent contractor owner-operators creates numerous risks for the Company's business. For example, the Company provides financing to certain of its independent contractor owner-operators purchasing tractors from the Company. If owner-operators operating the tractors the Company financed default under or otherwise terminate the financing arrangement and the Company is unable to find a replacement owner-operator, the Company may incur losses on amounts owed to it with respect to the tractor in addition to any losses it may incur as a result of idling the tractor. Further, if the Company is unable to provide such financing in the future, due to liquidity constraints or other restrictions, the Company may experience a shortage of owner-operators.

 If the Company's independent contractor owner-operators fail to meet the Company's contractual obligations or otherwise fail to perform in a manner consistent with the Company's requirements, the Company may be required to utilize alternative service providers at potentially higher prices or with some degree of disruption of the services that the Company provides to customers. If the Company fails to deliver on time, if its contractual obligations are not otherwise met, or if the costs of its services increase, then the Company's profitability and customer relationships could be harmed. Furthermore, independent contractor owner-operators typically use tractors, trailers and other equipment bearing the Company's trade names and trademarks. If one of the Company's independent contractor owner-operators is subject to negative publicity, it could reflect on the Company and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and brand. Under certain laws, the Company could also be subject to allegations of liability for the activities of its independent contractor owner-operators.

 Owner-operators are third-party service providers, as compared to company drivers who are employed by the Company. As independent business owners, the Company's owner-operators may make business or personal decisions that conflict with the Company's best interests. For example, if a load's profitability is lower than desired, route distance is too far from home or personal scheduling conflicts arise, an owner-operator may deny loads of freight from time to time. In these circumstances, the Company must be able to timely deliver the freight in order to maintain relationships with customers. In addition, adverse changes in the financial condition of the Company's independent

 contractor owner-operators or increases in their equipment or operating costs could cause them to seek higher revenues. The prices the Company charges its customers could be impacted by such issues, which may in turn limit pricing flexibility with customers.

 The Company depends on third parties in its brokerage business, and service instability from these providers could increase the Company's operating costs or reduce its ability to offer brokerage services.

 The Company's brokerage business is dependent upon the services of third-party capacity providers, including other truckload carriers. These third-party providers may seek other freight opportunities and may require increased compensation during times of improved freight demand or tight trucking capacity. The Company's ability to secure the services of these third-party providers on competitive terms is subject to a number of risks, including the following, many of which are beyond the Company's control:

 equipment shortages in the transportation industry, particularly among contracted truckload carriers and railroads;

 interruptions in service or stoppages in transportation as a result of labor disputes, seaport strikes, network congestion, weather-related issues, acts of God or acts of terrorism;

 changes in regulations impacting transportation and changes in transportation rates; and

 increases in operating expenses for carriers, such as fuel costs, insurance premiums and licensing expenses, that result in a reduction in available carriers.

 Risks Relating to Human Capital

 Driver shortages and increases in driver compensation or owner-operator contracted rates could adversely affect the Company's business, results of operations and ability to maintain or grow its business.

 Driver shortages in the industry have required, and could continue to require, the Company to spend more money to attract and retain company and owner-operator drivers. Also, the Company may face difficulty maintaining or increasing its number of company and owner-operator drivers because of the intense competition for drivers. Compliance and enforcement with initiatives included in the CSA program implemented by the FMCSA and regulations adopted by the DOT relating to driver time and safety and fitness could further reduce the availability of qualified drivers. In addition, like most in its industry, the Company suffers from a high turnover rate of drivers, especially with respect to company drivers. Further, with respect to owner-operator drivers, due to the absence of long-term personal services contracts, owner-operators can quickly terminate their business relationships with the Company. If the Company is unable to continue to attract and retain a sufficient number of company and owner-operator drivers, it could be required to operate with fewer tractors and face difficulty meeting shipper demands or be forced to forego business that would otherwise be available to it, which developments could adversely affect its profitability and ability to maintain or grow its business.

 The loss of key personnel could adversely affect operations.

 The Company's success to date has depended, and will continue to depend, largely on the skills, efforts and motivation of its key personnel who generally have significant experience with the Company and within the transportation industry. Each member of the senior management team and other key personnel are at-will employees and may voluntarily terminate his or her employment with the Company at any time with minimal notice. The loss of certain key personnel could damage critical customer relationships, result in the loss of vital institutional knowledge, experience and expertise, and impact the Company's ability to successfully operate its business and execute its business strategy. The Company does not maintain "key man" life insurance on any of its officers or other employees.

 The Company and its subsidiary operating companies have undergone significant changes in their management teams in the past three years, including a new Chief Executive Officer in 2021 and a new Chief Financial Officer in 2022, which may have a negative impact on the Company's ability to retain or recruit key personnel, employees and drivers. The Company also recently experienced significant changes and turnover to its Board of Directors. Leadership transitions, which the Company may continue to experience, may also cause disruption to the Company's business, result in operational and administrative inefficiencies and added costs, and adversely affect the Company's corporate governance, internal controls, enterprise risk management, business models and strategic priorities. The inability to adequately fill vacancies in key personnel positions on a timely basis could also negatively affect the Company's business, operations and ability to implement its business strategy.

 If the Company's employees were to unionize, its operating costs could increase and its ability to compete could be impaired.

 None of the Company's employees are currently represented under a collective bargaining agreement; however, the Company always faces the risk that its employees will try to unionize, and if its owner-operators were ever re-classified as employees, the magnitude of this risk would increase. Further, Congress or one or more states could approve legislation and/or the National Labor Relations Board (the NLRB) could render decisions or implement rule changes that could significantly affect the Company's business and its relationship with employees, including actions that could substantially liberalize the procedures for union organization and make it easier for unions to successfully organize. In addition, the Company can offer no assurance that the Department of Labor will not adopt new regulations or interpret existing regulations in a manner that would favor the agenda of unions. Any attempt to organize by the Company's employees could result in increased legal and other associated costs and divert management attention. If the Company were to enter into a collective bargaining agreement, the terms could negatively affect its costs, efficiency, business, operations, results of operations and prospects because, among other things, restrictive work rules could hamper the Company's efforts to improve and sustain operating efficiency and could impair the Company's service reputation, some shippers may limit their use of unionized trucking companies because of the threat of strikes and other work stoppages, and an election and bargaining process could divert management's time and attention from the Company's overall objectives and impose significant expenses.

 Risks Related to the Use of Technology

 The Company is dependent on computer and communications systems, and a systems failure, cyber-attack or data breach could cause a significant disruption to its business and cause financial losses.

 The Company's business depends on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of its computer and communications hardware systems and infrastructure, including operating and financial reporting systems, and on the effectiveness of the information and cybersecurity policies, procedures and capabilities the Company maintains to protect its systems and data. The Company's computer and communications system is critical in meeting customer expectations, effectively tracking, maintaining and operating the Company's equipment, directing and compensating the Company's employees, and interfacing with the Company's financial reporting system. The Company currently maintains its computer systems at multiple locations, including several of its offices and terminals and third-party data centers, along with computer equipment at each of its terminals. The Company's operations and those of its technology and communications service providers are vulnerable to interruption by fire, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failure, terrorist attacks, Internet failures, computer viruses, data breaches (including cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions over the Internet, malware and the like) and other events generally beyond its control.

 Although the Company believes that it has robust information security procedures and other safeguards in place, as cyber threats continue to evolve, it may be required to expend additional resources to continue to enhance its information security measures and investigate and remediate any information security vulnerabilities. Even with such measures, the Company's information technology and infrastructure are subject to attacks or misappropriation by hackers and may be, and have in the past been, breached due to inadequacy or ineffectiveness of the protective measures undertaken, employee errors or omissions, malfeasance or other disruptions. In the third quarter of 2020, one of the Company's operating companies experienced a ransomware attack. Upon discovering that an unauthorized third party attempted to gain access to select servers, the Company took immediate action to stop the attack and remediate the systems. The Company also promptly launched an internal investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity partners to determine the scope of the incident and any potential impacts. This cyber incident did not result in any disruptions in the operations of such operating company or of the Company or its other subsidiaries nor was there a material financial impact or ransom paid as a result of this cyber incident. In the future, however, another externally caused information security incident, such as a cyber-attack, a phishing scam, virus, ransomware attack or denial-of-service attack, could materially interrupt business operations or cause disclosure or modification of sensitive or confidential client or competitive information. In addition, the Company's third-party vendors and other intermediaries with which it conducts business and transmit data could be subject to a successful cyber-attack or other information security event, and the Company cannot ensure that such third parties have all appropriate controls in place to protect the confidentiality of information in the custody of those third parties.

 A significant natural disaster or cyber-attack incident, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or other damage, could interrupt or delay the Company's operations, damage its reputation, cause a loss of customers, agents or third-party capacity providers, expose the Company to a risk of loss or litigation, or cause the Company to incur significant time and expense to remedy such an event. Furthermore, a security breach or privacy violation that leads to disclosure of customer, supplier or employee or contractor information (including personally identifiable information or protected health information) could harm the Company's reputation, compel it to comply with disparate state and foreign breach notification laws and otherwise subject it to liability under laws that protect personal data, resulting in increased cost, loss of revenue and material adverse impacts on the Company's results of operations and financial position.

 Strategic Risks

 The Company may not realize all the expected benefits of its integration, business improvement and comprehensive restructuring plans, and such plans may adversely affect its business, results of operations and prospects.

 In the second half of 2019, the Company initiated several organizational improvement plans, which resulted in significant costs, including severance and other related payments and lease termination fees. In addition, the Company announced additional integrations in 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has incurred $21.1 million in costs related to these plans. These plans could also result in significant disruptions to the Company's operations or result in the loss of customer and market share in certain geographic territories. For example, because the Company's customers interface directly with management and employees employed by subsidiaries that comprise the Company's various operating segments, any consolidation or restructuring of such subsidiaries may not be viewed positively by customers who may choose to reassess whether to use the Company's services. If the Company does not fully realize or maintain the anticipated benefits of these plans, its business, results of operations and prospects could be adversely affected.

 The Company may be unable to realize all of the intended benefits from acquisitions or investments.

 As part of its business strategy, the Company has in the past and may in the future acquire strategic and complementary businesses. Acquisitions may negatively impact the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects because:

 the Company may assume liabilities, including environmental liabilities, or be subject to risks beyond its estimates or what was disclosed to it;

 the acquisition could divert management's attention and other resources from the Company's existing business;

 to facilitate such acquisitions, the Company may incur or assume additional indebtedness or issue additional shares of stock;

 the acquired company may require increases in working capital and capital expenditure investments to fund its growth; and

 the acquired company may not achieve the anticipated revenue, earnings or cash flows, including as a result of the loss of any major customers or key employees, and the Company may be unable to fully realize all of the anticipated benefits and synergies from the acquisition.

 The Company may also make strategic investments in new technologies which are inherently risky. The Company may not be able to derive the expected value or benefit from such investments or may incur higher than expected costs in realizing a return on such investments, which could have a material adverse effect on its business and financial results.

 The Company may not be able to complete divestitures successfully.

 As part of the Company's business strategy, it evaluates the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer help it meet its objectives. When the Company decides to sell assets or a business, it may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, or at all. The Company may also dispose of assets or a business at a price or on terms that are less desirable than it had anticipated. In addition, it may experience greater dis-synergies than expected, and the impact of the divestiture on its business, results of operations and prospects may be larger than projected. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside of the Company's control could affect its future financial results. Moreover, seeking divestiture opportunities and evaluating and completing them require significant investment of time and resources, may disrupt the Company's business, distract management from other responsibilities, and may result in losses on disposal.

 Risks Relating to Indebtedness and Liquidity

 The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under applicable debt instruments, which may not be successful.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $658.5 million of indebtedness outstanding. Its ability to make scheduled payments or to refinance its indebtedness obligations depends on its financial condition and operating performance, which are subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and certain financial, business and other factors beyond its control. The Company may not be able to maintain

 a level of cash flow from operating activities sufficient to permit it to pay the principal, premium, if any, or interest on its indebtedness. If the Company's cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund debt service obligations, the Company may be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance indebtedness (or any combination thereof). The Company's ability to restructure or refinance indebtedness will depend on the condition of the capital markets and its financial condition at such time. Any refinancing of indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require the Company to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict business operations. The terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict the Company from adopting some of these alternatives. In addition, any failure to make payments of interest and principal on outstanding indebtedness on a timely basis would likely result in a reduction of the Company's credit rating, which could harm its ability to incur additional indebtedness.

 The Company's credit facilities (as defined below) and the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock contain restrictive covenants that may impair its ability to conduct business. The inability to maintain compliance with these covenants could lead to default and acceleration under the credit facilities.

 The Company's credit facilities and terms of the Series A Preferred Stock contain certain restrictive covenants that limit management's discretion with respect to certain business matters. Subject to certain limitations and exceptions, these covenants, among other things, restrict the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, change the nature of the business, merge or consolidate with, or acquire, another entity, and sell or otherwise dispose of assets. The Term Loan Facility does not have any ongoing (or springing) financial covenants. However, the ABL Facility contains a springing financial covenant that is triggered upon the occurrence of a default, an event of default or after excess availability falls below certain specified thresholds. Once the springing financial covenant is triggered, the Company is required to demonstrate a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio to be tested on a quarterly basis until there is no default, event of default and excess availability is above certain specified thresholds for a period of sixty consecutive days. The ABL Facility also contains affirmative and negative covenants similar to those in the Term Loan Facility, together with such additional terms as are customary for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility. These restrictions may also limit the Company's ability to obtain future financings, to withstand a future downturn in its business or the economy in general, or to otherwise conduct necessary corporate activities. The Company may also be prevented from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise because of the limitations that its debt agreements impose on it. A breach of any covenant in the Company's credit facilities or certain of its other debt agreements would result in a default thereunder after any applicable grace periods expire and, if not waived, could result in acceleration of amounts borrowed thereunder. Further, the Company's credit facilities and certain of its other debt agreements contain cross-default provisions, such that a default under one agreement would create a default under the other agreements (subject to any materiality qualifiers or exceptions).

 The Company's leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect its business and prospects.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $658.5 million of indebtedness outstanding. The Company's level of indebtedness could adversely affect it in several ways, including the following:

 require the Company to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to service its existing debt, thereby reducing the cash available to finance its operations and other business activities;

 limit management's discretion in operating its business and its flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business and the industry in which it operates;

 increase its vulnerability to downturns and adverse developments in its business and the economy generally;

 limit its ability to access the capital markets to raise capital on favorable terms or to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions or to refinance existing indebtedness; and

 make it more likely that a reduction in its borrowing base would result in a mandatory repayment in an amount equal to the positive difference of (a) the outstanding principal amount outstanding under the ABL Facility less (b) the borrowing base then in effect.

 Indebtedness under the Company's credit facilities also makes us vulnerable to increases in interest rates as they bear interest at a rate that may vary with prevailing interest rates. Currently, loans under the credit facilities may be base rate loans or Secured Overnight Financing Rate loans.

 While the Company's credit facilities contain restrictions on the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, such restrictions are subject to waiver and a number of significant qualifications and exceptions. Indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions

 could be substantial. Additional leverage increases the risks described above as well as under "— The Company may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under applicable debt instruments, which may not be successful."

 The Company has significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. If the Company is unable to obtain such capital, its business, results of operations and prospects may be adversely affected.

 The Company's business is capital intensive. Its capital expenditures focus primarily on revenue equipment replacement and, to a lesser extent, facilities, revenue equipment growth and investments in information technology. The Company may not be able to finance all of its capital requirements, when and if needed, to acquire new equipment on reasonable terms or at all. Any sale of additional equity or debt securities to fund its capital expenditures may result in dilution to its stockholders, and public or private financing may not be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. If the Company is unable to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all, it may be required to delay, reduce the scope of, or eliminate future activities or growth initiatives, which could adversely affect its business, results of operations and prospects. In such case, the Company may also operate its revenue equipment for longer periods, which would result in increased maintenance costs.

 Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Compliance

 The Company operates in a highly regulated industry, and changes in existing laws or regulations, or liability under existing or future laws or regulations, could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and prospects.

 The Company operates in the United States pursuant to operating authority granted by the DOT and in various Canadian provinces pursuant to operating authority granted by the Ministries of Transportation and Communications in such provinces. The Company, as well as its company and owner-operator drivers, must also comply with governmental regulations regarding safety, equipment, environmental protection and operating methods. The Company may become subject to new, or amendment of existing, laws and regulations, reinterpretation of legal requirements or increased governmental enforcement that may impose more restrictive regulations relating to such matters that may require changes in its operating practices, influence the demand for transportation services, require it to incur significant additional operating costs or capital expenditures or adversely impact the recruitment of drivers. See "Item 1. Business — Regulation" for information regarding several proposed, pending and final regulations that could significantly impact the Company's business and operations. Restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions or climate change laws or regulations, as well as recent activism directed at companies with energy-related assets, could also adversely affect certain of the Company's customers, which, in turn, could adversely impact the demand for the Company's services. The Company also could lose revenue if its customers divert business from it because the Company has not complied with customer sustainability requirements.

 Safety-related evaluations and rankings under the CSA program could adversely impact the Company's relationships with its customers and its ability to maintain or grow its fleet, each of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and prospects.

 The CSA includes compliance and enforcement initiatives designed to monitor and improve commercial motor vehicle safety by measuring the safety record of both the motor carrier and the driver. These measurements are scored and used by the FMCSA to identify potential safety risks and to direct enforcement action. The Company's CSA scores are dependent upon its safety and compliance experience, which could change at any time. In addition, the safety standards prescribed in the CSA program or the underlying methodology used by the FMCSA to determine a carrier's safety rating could change and, as a result, the Company's ability to maintain an acceptable score could be adversely impacted. If the Company receives an unacceptable CSA score, its relationships with customers could be damaged, which could result in a loss of business. Additionally, the requirements of CSA could shrink the industry's pool of drivers as those with unfavorable scores could leave the industry. See "Item 1. Business — Regulation" for additional discussion related to CSA program risks.

 The Company is subject to environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations that may expose it to significant costs and liabilities.

 The Company is subject to stringent and comprehensive federal, state, provincial, local and foreign environmental and worker health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other matters, the operation of fuel storage tanks, release of emissions from its vehicles (including engine idling) and facilities, the health and safety of the public and its workers in conducting operations, and adverse impacts to the environment (including sustainability practices). These laws are becoming increasingly more stringent and there can be no assurances that compliance with, or liabilities under, existing or future environmental and worker health or safety laws or regulations will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or prospects. See "Item 1. Business — Regulation" and "Item 1. Business — Fuel" for more information.

 The Company maintains aboveground and underground bulk fuel storage tanks and fueling islands at some of its facilities and vehicle maintenance operations at certain of its facilities, and its operations involve the risks of fuel spillage or seepage into the environment, environmental and natural resource damages and unauthorized hazardous material spills, releases or disposal actions, among others. If the Company has operational spills or accidents or if it is found to be in violation of, or otherwise liable under, environmental or worker health or safety laws or regulations, the Company could incur significant costs and liabilities, which may include the assessment of sanctions, including administrative, civil and criminal penalties, the imposition of investigatory, remedial or corrective action obligations, the occurrence of delays in permitting or performance of projects, and the issuance of orders enjoining performance of some or all of the Company's operations in a particular area. Under certain environmental laws, the Company could be subject to strict and joint and several liability, without regard to fault or legality of conduct, for costs relating to contamination at facilities the Company owns or operates or previously owned or operated and at third-party sites where the Company disposed of waste, as well as costs associated with the clean-up of releases arising from accidents involving the Company's vehicles. The Company often operates in industrial areas, where truck terminals and other industrial activities are located, and where soil, groundwater or other forms of environmental contamination have occurred from historical or recent releases and for which the Company has incurred and may, in the future, incur remedial or other environmental liabilities.

 Compliance with environmental laws and regulations may also increase the price of the Company's equipment and otherwise affect the economics of the Company's industry by requiring changes in operating practices or by influencing the demand for, or the costs of providing, transportation services. Also, in order to reduce exhaust emissions, some states and municipalities have begun to restrict the locations and amount of time where diesel-powered tractors, such as the Company's, may idle. These restrictions could force the Company to alter its drivers' behavior, purchase on-board power units that do not require the engine to idle or face a decrease in productivity.

 The Company is, and in the future may be, subject to the legal and governmental proceedings and claims, which may impair the Company's reputation or result in the Company incurring significant costs.

 The parties in such legal actions against the Company may seek amounts from the Company that may not be covered in whole or in part by insurance, and negative publicity resulting from allegations therein, whether or not valid, may adversely affect the Company's reputation. In particular, there has been a recent increase in auto liability lawsuits filed against transportation companies, and the size of judgments awarded in such lawsuits has trended upwards and may continue to do so.

 If the Company's owner-operators are deemed by regulators or judicial process to be employees, the Company's business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

 Tax and other regulatory authorities have in the past sought to assert that owner-operators in the trucking industry are employees rather than independent contractors. If the Company's owner-operators are determined to be its employees, it would incur additional exposure under federal and state tax, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, labor, employment and tort laws, including for prior periods, as well as potential liability for employee benefits and tax withholdings.

 The Company's business may be harmed by terrorist attacks, future wars or anti-terrorism measures.

 In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, federal, state and municipal authorities have implemented and are implementing various security measures, including checkpoints and travel restrictions on large trucks and fingerprinting of drivers in connection with new hazardous materials endorsements on their licenses. Such existing measures and future measures may have significant costs associated with them which a motor carrier is forced to bear. Moreover, large trucks carrying large freight are potential terrorist targets, and the Company may be obligated to take measures, including possible capital expenditures intended to protect its trucks.

 Changes to trade regulation, quotas, duties or tariffs, caused by changing U.S. and geopolitical environments or otherwise, may increase the Company's costs and materially adversely affect its business.

 The implementation of tariffs, quotas or changes to certain trade agreements by the United States or retaliatory trade measures or tariffs implemented by other countries, could, among other things, increase the costs of the materials used by the Company's suppliers to produce new revenue equipment or increase the price of fuel. Such cost increases for the Company's revenue equipment suppliers might be passed on to the Company, and to the extent fuel prices increase, the Company may not be able to fully recover such increases through rate increases or the Company's fuel surcharge program. Further, the continued threats of tariffs, trade restrictions, and trade barriers could have a generally disruptive impact on the economy generally and decrease demand for the Company's services.

 Other Material Risks

 The Company's total assets include goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles. If the Company determines that these items have become impaired in the future, net income could be materially and adversely affected.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had recorded goodwill of $124.2 million and indefinite-lived intangible assets of $45.5 million. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification, Topic 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other, the Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for potential impairment annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below its carrying amount. Any excess in carrying value over the estimated fair value is charged to the Company's results of operations. Further, the Company may never realize the full value of its intangible assets. Any future determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of intangible assets could have an adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations. If there are changes to the methods used to allocate carrying values, if management's estimates of future operating results change, if there are changes in the identified reporting units or if there are changes to other significant assumptions, the estimated carrying values and the estimated fair value of the Company's goodwill and long-lived assets could change significantly, and could result in future non-cash impairment charges, which could materially impact its results of operations and financial condition for any such future period. During 2023, there was $1.5 million in impairment charges recorded by the Company related to trade name intangibles, related to an entity within the Company's Flatbed Solutions segment. In addition, during 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $13.3 million to goodwill and $1.4 million to trade name intangibles, both related to an entity within the Specialized Solutions segment.

 The Company's charter designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by its stockholders, which could limit its stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers, employees or agents.

 The Company's charter provides that, unless it consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on the Company's behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of the Company's directors, officers, employees or agents to the Company or the Company's stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) or the Company's charter or bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each such case subject to such Court of Chancery having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants therein. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of the Company's capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of the Company's charter described in the preceding sentence. This choice of forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company or its directors, officers, employees or agents, which may discourage such lawsuits against the Company and such persons. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of the Company's charter inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, the Company may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect its business, financial condition or results of operations.

 The enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies' charters has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that, in connection with one or more actions or proceedings described above, a court could rule that this provision in the Company's charter is inapplicable or unenforceable. For example, the choice of forum provisions summarized above are not intended to, and would not, apply to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Exchange Act or other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Additionally, there is uncertainty as to whether the Company's choice of forum provisions would be enforceable with respect to suits brought to enforce any liability or duty created by the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other claims for which the federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction, and in any event stockholders will not be deemed to have waived the Company's compliance with federal securities laws and rules and regulations thereunder.

 Some provisions of the Company's governing documents and Delaware law may inhibit a takeover, which could limit the price investors might be willing to pay in the future for its common stock.

 Some provisions in the Company's charter and bylaws may have the effect of delaying, discouraging, or preventing an acquisition of the Company or a merger in which the Company is not the surviving company and may otherwise prevent or slow changes in the Company's Board of Directors and management. These provisions include:

 no cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;

 the exclusive right of the Company's Board of Directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the Board of Directors or the resignation, death or removal of a director with or without cause by stockholders, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on the Company's Board of Directors;

 the ability of the Company's Board of Directors to determine whether to issue shares of the Company's preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership of a hostile acquirer;

 a prohibition on stockholder action by written consent, which forces stockholder action to be taken at an annual or special meeting of the Company's stockholders;

 the requirement that a special meeting of stockholders may be called only by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, or the Board of Directors, which may delay the ability of the Company's stockholders to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors;

 limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, the Company's directors and officers;

 controlling the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of stockholder meetings; and

 advance notice procedures that stockholders must comply with in order to nominate candidates to the Company's Board of Directors or to propose matters to be acted upon at a stockholders' meeting, which may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer's own slate of directors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

 As a Delaware corporation, the Company is also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the DGCL, which prohibits business combinations between the Company and one or more significant stockholders unless specified conditions are met.

 These provisions could discourage an acquisition of the Company or other change in control transaction, whether or not it is desired or beneficial to the Company's stockholders, and thereby negatively affect the price that investors might be willing to pay for the Company's common stock as well as deprive stockholders of opportunities to realize takeover premiums for their shares of the Company's common stock.

 The price of the Company's common stock has been and may continue to be volatile and may fluctuate significantly, which may adversely impact investor confidence and increase the likelihood of securities class action litigation.

 The Company's common stock price has experienced volatility in the past and may remain volatile in the future. The highly volatile nature of the Company's stock price may cause investment losses for its stockholders. Volatility in the Company's common stock price can be driven by many factors, including divergence between its actual or anticipated financial results and published expectations of analysts or the expectations of the market, the gain or loss of customers, announcements that the Company, its competitors or its customers may make regarding their operating results and other factors that are beyond the Company's control, such as market conditions in the Company's or its customers' industry, new market entrants, technological innovations, and economic and political conditions or events. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company and stockholder activism, which could take many forms, including shareholder litigation, takeover or take private attempts, and proxy contests may increase. Securities litigation and stockholder activism could result in substantial costs and divert the attention of the Company's management or Board of Directors and could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to the Company's future, which, in turn, could adversely affect its relationships with customers and make it more difficult to attract qualified personnel.

 Volatility or lack of performance in the Company's stock price may also affect the Company's ability to attract new key personnel or retain existing key personnel by decreasing the perceived value of any stock-based compensation the Company may offer or that they may hold. Prolonged periods of low performance or volatility in the Company's stock price could also negatively impact the Company's appeal as an employer, harm employee morale or increase employee turnover, including among the Company's key personnel. In addition, during periods when the Company's stock price is low, the Company may issue greater amounts of equity-based compensation to its executives and other key personnel to retain them and incentivize long-term performance, which may over successive periods cause dilution in the value of the Company's stock and increase the Company's stock-based compensation expense.

 The Company does not currently pay dividends on its common stock.

 Any future dividend payments are within the absolute discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend on, among other things, its results of operations, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, financial condition, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, business opportunities, anticipated cash needs, provisions of applicable law and other factors that the Company's Board of Directors may deem relevant. Consequently, a stockholder's only opportunity to achieve a return on its investment in the Company will be if the stockholder sells its common stock at a price greater than the stockholder paid for it.

 Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

 There are no unresolved comments from the Commission staff required to be disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 Item 1C. Cybersecurity

 Risk Management and Strategy

 Our cybersecurity strategy prioritizes detection, analysis and response to known, anticipated or unexpected threats; effective management of security risks; and resiliency against incidents. Our cybersecurity risk management processes include various security controls, enforcement of company policies, monitoring systems, employee training, contractual arrangements, tools and related services from third-party providers, and management oversight to assess, identify and manage material risks from cybersecurity threats. We implement risk-based controls to protect our information, the information of our customers, suppliers, and other third parties, our information systems, our business operations, and our related services. We have adopted security-control principles based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework (NIST CSF) and other industry-recognized standards. This does not mean that we meet any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, but only that we use the NIST CSF as a guide to help us identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to our business. Information about cybersecurity risks and our risk management processes is collected, analyzed and considered as part of our overall enterprise risk management program.

 We maintain a Cybersecurity Incident Management Policy (Cybersecurity Policy), which provides guidance and processes for identifying, reporting, assessing, resolving and ensuring timely public disclosure, when appropriate, of cybersecurity threats, including both cybersecurity threats directed at our company and those associated with our use of third-party service providers. We have retained a leading cybersecurity incident response vendor to assist us in responding to cybersecurity incidents and we maintain relationships with integration vendors to help us recover or rebuild technology systems in the event of a large-scale cybersecurity incident.

 Key components of our cybersecurity risk management program include:

 • risk assessments designed to help identify cybersecurity risks to our critical systems, information, services, and our broader enterprise information technology (IT) environment;

 • a security team, led by our Senior Vice President that oversees IT (our SVP IT), principally responsible for managing (1) our cybersecurity risk assessment processes, (2) our security controls, and (3) our response to cybersecurity incidents;

 • the use of external service providers, where appropriate, to assess, test or otherwise assist with aspects of our security processes;

 • cybersecurity awareness training of our employees, incident response senior management; and

 • a cybersecurity incident response plan that includes procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents.

 At this time, we have not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. We face certain ongoing risks from cybersecurity threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect us, including our operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. See "Risk Factors - The Company is dependent on computer and communications systems, and a systems failure, cyber-attack or data breach could cause a significant disruption to its business and cause financial losses."

 Governance

 Our Board of Directors has overall responsibility for risk oversight, with its committees assisting the Board in performing this function based on their respective areas of expertise. Our Board of Directors has delegated oversight of risks related to cybersecurity to the Audit Committee, which reports on its activities and findings to the full Board after each meeting. The Audit Committee is charged with reviewing our cybersecurity processes for assessing key strategic, operational, and compliance risks. Our SVP IT provides periodic presentations to the Audit Committee on cybersecurity risks. These briefings include assessments of cyber risks, the threat landscape, updates on any incidents, and reports on our investments in cybersecurity risk mitigation and governance. In the event of a potentially material cybersecurity event, the Chair of the Audit Committee is notified and briefed, and meetings of the Audit Committee and/or full Board of Directors would be held, as appropriate. Three of the members of our Audit Committee have significant expertise in various aspects of cybersecurity programs.

 Our SVP IT, in coordination with the Company's executive team, works collaboratively across the Company to implement a program designed to protect the Company's information systems from cybersecurity threats and to promptly respond to any cybersecurity incidents in accordance with the Company's incident response and recovery plans. To facilitate the success of the Company's cybersecurity risk management program, multidisciplinary teams throughout the Company are deployed to address cybersecurity threats and to respond to cybersecurity incidents. Through ongoing communications with these teams, the SVP IT oversees the monitoring, prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity threats and incidents, and reports such threats and incidents to the Board when appropriate. Our SVP IT has twenty years of experience in the IT field, including managing risks arising from cybersecurity threats. The SVP IT is supported by a staff of IT professionals. Also supporting our SVP IT in assessing and managing the Company's material risks from cybersecurity threats are the Company's COO, CFO, and General Counsel, each of whom have over 20 years of experience managing risks at the Company and at similar companies, including risks arising from cybersecurity threats.

 Item 2. Properties

 The Company's headquarters office, which is leased, is located in a multi-tenant office building in Addison, Texas. The Company has various owned and leased properties in North America, none of which are individually material. The Company's terminals may include general and executive offices, customer service, sales/marketing, fuel and/or maintenance, parking and warehousing facilities. In addition, the Company owns parcels of vacant land and leases or owns several non-operating facilities in various locations around the United States. The Company also maintains various drop yards throughout the United States and Canada. The Company believes that substantially all of its property and equipment is in good condition and its buildings and improvements have sufficient capacity to meet current needs and that properties can be retained or replaced at an acceptable cost. From time to time, the Company invests in additional facilities to meet the needs of its business as it pursues additional growth.

 Item 3. Legal Proceedings

 The Company is involved in litigation and claims primarily arising in the normal course of business, which include personal injury claims, employment-related claims, or property damage claims incurred in relation to the transportation of freight. The Company's insurance program for liability, physical damage, cargo damage and workers' compensation involves self-insurance with varying risk retention levels. Claims in excess of these risk retention levels are covered by insurance in amounts that management considers to be adequate. Based on its

 knowledge of the facts and, in certain cases, advice of outside counsel, the Company believes the resolution of claims and pending litigation, will not have a material adverse effect on it, taking into account existing reserves.

 Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 None.

 Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 Daseke's common stock trades on NASDAQ under the symbol "DSKE". As of February 23, 2024, there were 41 stockholders of record of its common stock. Because many of the Company's shares of common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of individual stockholders represented by these record holders.

 Dividends

 The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common stock. It is the present intention of the Company to retain any earnings for use in its business operations and, accordingly, the Company does not anticipate declaring any common stock dividends in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends on its common stock in the future will be dependent upon the Company's revenues and earnings, if any, capital requirements, debt covenants and general financial condition. The payment of any cash dividends will be within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors at such time. In addition, the Company's credit facilities (as described in Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) and the Merger Agreement restrict the Company's ability to pay dividends, subject to certain negotiated exceptions.

 Item 6. [Reserved]

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

 The following discussion and analysis (this MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events and risks and uncertainties that may be outside the Company's control. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" above.

 This MD&A is intended to provide investors with an understanding of the Company's recent performance, financial condition and prospects comparing 2023 results to 2022. For a discussion that compares the Company's 2022 results to 2021, see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 Introduction

 Daseke is a premier North American transportation solutions specialist dedicated to servicing challenging industrial end-markets. The Company provides comprehensive transportation and logistics solutions offerings to approximately 4,100 customers, many of which are the world's most respected industrial shippers across the continental United States, Canada and Mexico through two reportable segments: Flatbed Solutions and Specialized Solutions. The Flatbed Solutions segment focuses on delivering transportation and logistics solutions that principally require the use of flatbed and retractable-sided trailing equipment, while the Specialized Solutions segment focuses on delivering transportation and logistics solutions that require the use of specialized trailing equipment. The Flatbed Solutions segment revenue and the Specialized Solutions segment revenue was approximately 41% and 59%, respectively, of total revenue in 2023 and approximately 43% and 57%, respectively, of total revenue in 2022.

 Both of the Company's reportable segments operate highly flexible business models comprised of company-owned tractors and trailers and asset-light operations (which consist of owner-operator transportation, freight brokerage and logistics). The Company's asset-based operations have the benefit of providing customers with certainty of delivery and continuity of operations, and enables the Company to commit stable capacity volumes. Alternatively, the Company's asset-light operations offer flexibility and scalability to meet customers' dynamic needs and have lower capital expenditure and fixed cost requirements. Approximately 47% of 2023 freight, logistics and brokerage revenue was derived from company-owned equipment and approximately 53% was derived from asset-light services.

 Proposed Merger

 On December 22, 2023, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement with TFI International and Acquisition Sub, which provides that, among other things and subject to the conditions therein, (i) Acquisition Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of TFI International and (ii) Daseke common stockholders will receive $8.30 per share in cash for each share of common stock owned immediately prior to the Effective Time.

 The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024, subject to the Company's common stockholder approval, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Closing is not subject to any financing condition. The Merger Agreement contains certain termination rights for each of Daseke and TFI. In certain circumstances, a termination fee would be payable by Daseke.

 If the Merger is consummated, our common stock will be delisted from NASDAQ and deregistered under the Exchange Act, Daseke will cease to be a publicly traded company, and Daseke will operate its portfolio of brands as part of TFI International's Truckload segment.

 For discussion of our significant financial and operational highlights for the year ended December 31, 2023, please see "Part I. Item 1 Business—Merger Agreement."

 Company Performance in 2023; Industry Trends

 In 2023, along with the overall transportation industry, the Company experienced a very challenging year. Excess capacity lingered in the market longer than anticipated, a weaker rate environment existed in the wake of federal interest rate hikes impacting industrial production, load availability did not rebound as much as anticipated, inflationary headwinds persisted, and the used equipment market was oversupplied. The Company had revenue of $1,569.4 million, an 11.5% decrease as compared to revenue of $1,773.3 million in 2022, with both segments contributing to this $203.9 million decrease in revenue.

 In 2023, Specialized Solutions segment income from operations was $28.3 million, compared to $59.3 million in 2022. The decline was primarily associated with the revenue decline combined with cost inflation, as well as an incremental $7.0 million impairment compared to 2022 and a decrease of $5.3 million in gain on asset sales, partially offset by decreased insurance and claims expense. Flatbed Solutions segment income from operations in 2023 was $7.9 million, compared to $39.1 million in 2022, primarily due to the revenue decline combined with cost inflation, as well as a $1.5 million impairment and a decrease of $3.4 million in gain on asset sales, partially offset by decreased insurance and claims expense. Inflation has had an impact on the Company's operating costs; a prolonged period of inflation can cause interest rates, fuel, wages and other costs to increase further, which will adversely affect the Company's results of operations unless freight rates correspondingly increase. The Company also attempts to limit the effects of fuel cost inflation through fuel surcharges and measures intended to reduce the consumption of fuel. In addition, our interest expense increased by $16.8 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to the rising interest rate environment.

 Revenue

 The Company records four types of revenue: freight (company and owner operator), brokerage, logistics and fuel surcharge. Freight revenue is generated by hauling freight for the Company's customers using its tractors or its owner-operators' equipment. Generally, the Company's customers pay for its services based on the number of miles in the most direct route between pick-up and delivery locations and other ancillary services the Company provides. However, in certain markets, freight rates are often based on a daily revenue rate, as opposed to mileage-based, and may also not always be the most direct route. Freight revenue is the product of the number of revenue-generating miles driven and the rate per mile the Company receives from customers plus assessorial charges, such as loading and unloading freight for its customers, cargo protection, fees for detaining its equipment or fees for route planning and supervision. Freight revenue is affected by fluctuations in North American economic activity as well as changes in specific customer demand, the level of capacity in the industry and driver availability.

 The Company's brokerage revenue is generated by its use of third-party carriers when it needs capacity to move its customers' loads. The main factor that affects brokerage revenue is the availability of the Company's drivers and owner-operators (and hence the need for third-party carriers) and the rate for the load. Brokerage revenue is also affected by fluctuations in North American economic activity as well as changes in the level of capacity in the industry and driver availability.

 Logistics revenue is generated from a range of services, including value-added warehousing, loading and unloading, preparation and packaging, fuel management, and other fleet management solutions. Logistics revenue is primarily driven by specific customer requirements for additional services and may fluctuate depending on customers' utilization of these services due to changes in cargo specifications, delivery staging and fluctuations in North American economic activity.

 Fuel surcharges are designed to compensate the Company for fuel costs above a certain cost per gallon base. Generally, the Company receives fuel surcharges on the miles for which it is compensated by customers. However, in some cases, a customer may request an all-in freight rate without a separate contracted fuel surcharge. In those instances, the Company invoices the all-in freight rate to the customer and allocates an estimated portion of the freight revenue to fuel surcharge revenue. The Company continues to have exposure to increasing fuel costs related to empty miles, fuel efficiency challenges due to engine idle time and other factors and to the extent to which the surcharge charged to the customer is insufficient. The main factors that affect fuel surcharge revenue are the price of diesel fuel and the number of

 loaded miles. In general, a declining energy and fuel price environment negatively affects the Company's fuel surcharge revenues, and conversely, an environment with rising fuel and energy prices benefits its fuel surcharge revenues. As discussed above, although the Company's surcharge programs vary by customer, they typically involve a computation based on the change in national or regional fuel prices. The Company's fuel surcharges are billed on a delayed basis, meaning it typically bills customers in the current week based on a previous week's applicable index. Therefore, in times of increasing fuel prices, the Company does not recover as much as it is currently paying for fuel. In periods of declining prices, the opposite is true. Also, its fuel surcharge programs typically require a specified minimum change in fuel cost to prompt a change in fuel surcharge revenue. Therefore, many of these programs have a time lag between when fuel costs change and when the change is reflected in fuel surcharge revenue.

 Expenses

 The Company's most significant expenses vary with miles traveled and include driver wages (which are recorded on the "Salaries, wages and employee benefits" line of the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss)), services purchased from owner-operators and other transportation providers (which are recorded on the "Purchased freight" line of the Company's consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income) and fuel.

 Maintenance and tire expenses and cost of insurance and claims generally vary with the miles the Company travels but also have a controllable component based on safety improvements, fleet age, efficiency and other factors. The Company's primary fixed costs are depreciation of long-term assets (such as tractors, trailers and terminals), interest expense on equipment and real estate term loans and finance lease liabilities, rent and non-driver compensation.

 The Company's fuel surcharge programs help to offset increases in fuel prices but typically do not offset empty miles, idle time and out of route miles driven. As discussed above under "Revenue," its fuel surcharge programs have a time lag between when fuel costs change and when the change is reflected in fuel surcharge revenue. Due to this time lag, the Company's fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge, negatively impacts its operating income during periods of sharply rising fuel costs and positively impacts its operating income during periods of falling fuel costs. In general, due to the fuel surcharge programs, its operating income is less negatively affected by an environment with higher, stable fuel prices than an environment with lower fuel prices. In addition to its fuel surcharge programs, the Company believes the most effective protection against fuel cost increases is to maintain a fuel-efficient fleet by incorporating fuel efficiency measures in addition to excellent relationships or partnerships with fuel providers as well as optimizing fuel purchasing wherever possible within network fuel. Also, the Company has arrangements with some of its significant fuel suppliers to buy the majority of its fuel at contracted pricing schedules that fluctuate with the market price of diesel fuel. The Company has not used derivatives as a hedge against higher fuel costs in the past but continues to evaluate this possibility.

 Income from Operations

 Differences in the mix of drivers and assets between the segments impact the proportion of operating income as a percentage of revenue. The Flatbed Solutions segment has historically had a proportionately higher operating income as a percentage of revenue when compared to the Specialized Solutions segment because certain operating expenses in the Specialized Solutions segment are proportionately greater. For example, the Specialized Solutions segment drivers, who typically are required to have a higher level of training and expertise, generally receive a higher driver pay per total mile than Flatbed Solutions segment drivers. The larger percentage of Company drivers in the Specialized Solutions segment also results in a greater percentage of fuel expense and operations and maintenance expense relative to our Flatbed Solutions segment, each of which is impacted by the miles per gallon realized with company equipment and the number of miles driven by Company drivers. Similarly, the Specialized Solutions segment had higher depreciation and amortization expense primarily due to the increase in company-owned vehicles. However, in 2023 and 2022, the Specialized Solutions segment had a slightly higher operating income as a percentage of revenue when compared to the Flatbed Solutions segment, primarily due to the Specialized Solutions segment's rates being more resilient due to the diverse mix of industries served, as rates in the Flatbed Solutions segment experienced a steep decline in the fourth quarter of 2022, which did not improve in 2023, primarily in the construction and industrial industries, which has negatively impacted that segment's operating results in the midst of historic inflationary cost headwinds.

 Results of Operations

 Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

 The following table sets forth revenue, operating expenses and income from operations (in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue), derived from the Company's consolidated statements of operations, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as certain operating statistics for the same periods. In addition, the absolute and relative changes for each are presented. Rate per mile is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by total number of company and owner operator miles driven in the period. Miles are estimated based on information received as of the filing date and may change quarter to quarter when final information is received from each operating segment. Revenue per tractor is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by the average number of tractors in the period, including owner operator tractors.

 2023

 2022

 Change

 (Dollars in millions, except Rate per mile and Revenue per tractor)

 %

 %

 Absolute

 Relative

 REVENUE:

 $

 654.9

 41.7

 %

 $

 650.3

 36.7

 %

 $

 4.6

 0.7

 %

 422.3

 26.9

 509.9

 28.8

 (87.6

)

 (17.2

)

 242.1

 15.4

 321.2

 18.1

 (79.1

)

 (24.6

)

 59.9

 3.8

 53.8

 3.0

 6.1

 11.3

 190.2

 12.2

 238.1

 13.4

 (47.9

)

 (20.1

)

 $

 1,569.4

 100.0

 %

 $

 1,773.3

 100.0

 %

 $

 (203.9

)

 (11.5

)

 %

 OPERATING EXPENSES:

 Salaries, wages and employee benefits

 $

 412.4

 26.3

 %

 $

 402.4

 22.7

 %

 $

 10.0

 2.5

 %

 Fuel

 139.8

 8.9

 159.6

 9.0

 (19.8

)

 (12.4

)

 168.9

 10.8

 162.5

 9.2

 6.4

 3.9

 Purchased freight

 542.0

 34.5

 698.0

 39.4

 (156.0

)

 (22.3

)

 78.5

 5.0

 72.4

 4.1

 6.1

 8.4

 Taxes and licenses

 16.1

 1.0

 15.9

 0.9

 0.2

 1.3

 Insurance and claims

 61.4

 3.9

 76.7

 4.3

 (15.3

)

 (19.9

)

 Acquisition-related transaction expenses

 1.5

 0.1

 3.8

 0.2

 (2.3

)

 (60.5

)

 106.5

 6.8

 92.8

 5.2

 13.7

 14.8

 Gain on disposition of revenue property and equipment

 (12.3

)

 (0.8

)

 (21.0

)

 (1.2

)

 8.7

 (41.4

)

 17.9

 1.1

 9.4

 0.5

 8.5

 90.4

 0.5

 —

 2.4

 0.1

 (1.9

)

 (79.2

)

 Total operating expenses

 $

 1,533.2

 97.7

 %

 $

 1,674.9

 94.5

 %

 $

 (141.7

)

 (8.5

)

 %

 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 $

 36.2

 2.3

 %

 $

 98.4

 5.5

 %

 $

 (62.2

)

 (63.2

)

 %

 Other expense:

 Interest income

 $

 (4.6

)

 (0.3

)

 %

 $

 (2.8

)

 (0.2

)

 %

 1.8

 64.3

 %

 52.2

 3.3

 35.4

 2.0

 16.8

 47.5

 Change in fair value of warrant liability

 —

 —

 (4.7

)

 (0.3

)

 (4.7

)

 (100.0

)

 Other

 (1.0

)

 (0.1

)

 0.7

 —

 (1.7

)

 (242.9

)

 Total other expense

 $

 46.6

 3.0

 %

 $

 28.6

 1.6

 %

 $

 12.2

 42.7

 %

 Income (loss) before income taxes

 (10.4

)

 (0.7

)

 %

 69.8

 3.9

 %

 (74.4

)

 (106.6

)

 %

 Income tax expense

 7.3

 0.5

 19.6

 1.1

 (12.3

)

 (62.8

)

 $

 (17.7

)

 (1.1

)

 %

 $

 50.2

 2.8

 %

 $

 (62.1

)

 (123.7

)

 %

 OPERATING STATISTICS:

 Company miles

 232.6

 211.8

 20.8

 9.8

 %

 Owner operator miles

 155.6

 169.3

 (13.7

)

 (8.1

)

 Total miles (in millions)

 388.2

 381.1

 7.1

 1.9

 %

 Rate per mile

 $

 2.77

 $

 3.04

 $

 (0.27

)

 (8.9

)

 %

 Revenue per tractor

 $

 221,100

 $

 244,400

 $

 (23,300

)

 (9.5

)

 %

 Company owned tractors, at period-end

 2,971

 2,971

 —

 —

 %

 Owner operator tractors, at period-end

 1,798

 2,011

 (213

)

 (10.6

)

 Number of trailers, at period-end

 9,669

 10,723

 (1,054

)

 (9.8

)

 %

 Company owned tractors, average for the period

 2,984

 2,707

 10.2

 %

 Owner operator tractors, average for the period

 1,888

 2,041

 (153

)

 (7.5

)

 Total tractors, average for the period

 4,872

 4,748

 2.6

 %

 The following table sets forth revenue, operating expenses and income from operations (in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue), derived from the Company's Specialized Solutions segment, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as certain operating statistics for the same periods. In addition, the absolute and relative changes for each are presented. Rate per mile is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by total number of company and owner operator miles driven in the period. Miles are estimated based on information received as of the filing date and may change quarter to quarter when final information is received from each operating segment. Revenue per tractor is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by the average number of tractors in the period, including owner operator tractors.

 SPECIALIZED SOLUTIONS

 2023

 2022

 Change

 (Dollars in millions, except Rate per mile and Revenue per tractor)

 %

 %

 Absolute

 Relative

 REVENUE:

 $

 477.0

 51.6

 %

 $

 483.1

 48.1

 %

 $

 (6.1

)

 (1.3

)

 %

 140.0

 15.1

 180.7

 18.0

 (40.7

)

 (22.5

)

 154.4

 16.7

 168.7

 16.8

 (14.3

)

 (8.5

)

 55.1

 6.0

 49.7

 4.9

 5.4

 10.9

 98.0

 10.6

 122.1

 12.2

 (24.1

)

 (19.7

)

 $

 924.5

 100.0

 %

 $

 1,004.3

 100.0

 %

 $

 (79.8

)

 (7.9

)

 %

 OPERATING EXPENSES:

 Salaries, wages and employee benefits

 $

 280.5

 30.3

 %

 $

 275.7

 27.5

 %

 $

 4.8

 1.7

 %

 Fuel

 97.9

 10.6

 115.4

 11.5

 (17.5

)

 (15.2

)

 120.2

 13.0

 117.3

 11.7

 2.9

 2.5

 Purchased freight

 235.7

 25.5

 284.1

 28.3

 (48.4

)

 (17.0

)

 54.3

 5.9

 48.2

 4.8

 6.1

 12.7

 Taxes and licenses

 9.8

 1.1

 9.5

 0.9

 0.3

 3.2

 Insurance and claims

 32.0

 3.5

 43.0

 4.3

 (11.0

)

 (25.6

)

 Acquisition-related transaction expenses

 0.9

 0.1

 2.2

 0.2

 (1.3

)

 (59.1

)

 56.3

 6.1

 52.4

 5.2

 3.9

 7.4

 Gain on disposition of revenue property and equipment

 (8.3

)

 (0.9

)

 (13.6

)

 (1.4

)

 5.3

 (39.0

)

 16.4

 1.8

 9.4

 0.9

 7.0

 74.5

 0.5

 0.1

 1.4

 0.1

 (0.9

)

 (64.3

)

 Total operating expenses

 $

 896.2

 96.9

 %

 $

 945.0

 94.1

 %

 $

 (48.8

)

 (5.2

)

 %

 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 $

 28.3

 3.1

 %

 $

 59.3

 5.9

 %

 $

 (31.0

)

 (52.3

)

 %

 OPERATING STATISTICS:

 Company miles

 157.1

 148.0

 9.1

 6.1

 %

 Owner operator miles

 33.3

 41.0

 (7.7

)

 (18.8

)

 Total miles (in millions)

 190.4

 189.0

 1.4

 0.7

 %

 Rate per mile

 $

 3.24

 $

 3.51

 $

 (0.27

)

 (7.7

)

 %

 Revenue per tractor

 $

 250,900

 $

 279,800

 $

 (28,900

)

 (10.3

)

 %

 Company owned tractors, at period-end

 2,072

 2,067

 0.2

 %

 Owner operator tractors, at period-end

 (90

)

 (20.1

)

 Number of trailers, at period-end

 6,820

 6,775

 0.7

 %

 Company owned tractors, average for the period

 2,067

 1,912

 8.1

 %

 Owner operator tractors, average for the period

 (68

)

 (14.8

)

 Total tractors, average for the period

 2,459

 2,372

 3.7

 %

 The following table sets forth revenue, operating expenses and income from operations (in dollars and as a percentage of total revenue), derived from the Company's Flatbed Solutions segment, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, as well as certain operating statistics for the same periods. In addition, the absolute and relative changes for each are presented. Rate per mile is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by total number of company and owner operator miles driven in the period. Miles are estimated based on information received as of the filing date and may change quarter to quarter when final information is received from each operating segment. Revenue per tractor is the period's revenue less fuel surcharge, brokerage and logistics revenues divided by the average number of tractors in the period, including owner operator tractors.

 FLATBED SOLUTIONS

 2023

 2022

 Change

 (Dollars in millions, except Rate per mile and Revenue per tractor)

 %

 %

 Absolute

 Relative

 REVENUE:

 $

 177.9

 27.6

 %

 $

 167.2

 21.8

 %

 $

 10.7

 6.4

 %

 282.3

 43.8

 329.2

 42.8

 (46.9

)

 (14.2

)

 87.7

 13.6

 152.5

 19.8

 (64.8

)

 (42.5

)

 4.8

 0.7

 4.1

 0.5

 0.7

 17.1

 92.2

 14.3

 116.0

 15.1

 (23.8

)

 (20.5

)

 $

 644.9

 100.0

 %

 $

 769.0

 100.0

 %

 $

 (124.1

)

 (16.1

)

 %

 OPERATING EXPENSES:

 Salaries, wages and employee benefits

 $

 131.9

 20.5

 %

 $

 126.7

 16.5

 %

 $

 5.2

 4.1

 %

 Fuel

 41.9

 6.5

 44.2

 5.7

 (2.3

)

 (5.2

)

 48.7

 7.6

 45.2

 5.9

 3.5

 7.7

 Purchased freight

 306.3

 47.5

 413.9

 53.8

 (107.6

)

 (26.0

)

 24.2

 3.8

 24.2

 3.1

 —

 —

 Taxes and licenses

 6.3

 1.0

 6.4

 0.8

 (0.1

)

 (1.6

)

 Insurance and claims

 29.4

 4.6

 33.7

 4.4

 (4.3

)

 (12.8

)

 Acquisition-related transaction expenses

 0.6

 0.1

 1.6

 0.2

 (1.0

)

 (62.5

)

 50.2

 7.8

 40.4

 5.3

 9.8

 24.3

 Gain on disposition of revenue property and equipment

 (4.0

)

 (0.6

)

 (7.4

)

 (1.0

)

 3.4

 (45.9

)

 1.5

 0.2

 —

 —

 1.5

 100.0

 —

 —

 1.0

 0.1

 (1.0

)

 (100.0

)

 Total operating expenses

 $

 637.0

 98.8

 %

 $

 729.9

 94.9

 %

 $

 (92.9

)

 (12.7

)

 %

 INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 $

 7.9

 1.2

 %

 $

 39.1

 5.1

 %

 $

 (31.2

)

 (79.8

)

 %

 OPERATING STATISTICS:

 Company miles

 75.5

 63.8

 11.7

 18.3

 %

 Owner operator miles

 122.3

 128.3

 (6.0

)

 (4.7

)

 Total miles (in millions)

 197.8

 192.1

 5.7

 3.0

 %

 Rate per mile

 $

 2.33

 $

 2.58

 $

 (0.25

)

 (9.7

)

 %

 Revenue per tractor

 $

 190,700

 $

 208,900

 $

 (18,200

)

 (8.7

)

 %

 Company owned tractors, at period-end

 (5

)

 (0.6

)

 %

 Owner operator tractors, at period-end

 1,440

 1,563

 (123

)

 (7.9

)

 Number of trailers, at period-end

 2,849

 3,948

 (1,099

)

 (27.8

)

 %

 Company owned tractors, average for the period

 15.3

 %

 Owner operator tractors, average for the period

 1,496

 1,581

 (85

)

 (5.4

)

 Total tractors, average for the period

 2,413

 2,376

 1.6

 %

 Revenue. Total revenue decreased 11.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease in total revenue was primarily attributed to decreased owner operator freight and brokerage revenue due to the macro trend of lower available freight volumes and the intentional shift toward loading company-owned tractors as well as lower fuel surcharge due to decreased fuel costs that resulted in lower surcharges to our customers. In addition, rate per mile decreased 8.9%; however, total miles driven increased 1.9%.

 The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's revenue decreased 7.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreased owner operator freight, brokerage revenue, and company freight, due to lower available freight volumes, as well as a decrease in fuel surcharge revenue, due to lower fuel costs, slightly offset by an increase in logistics revenue. We saw increases in the agriculture, aerospace, and mining end markets that were offset by revenue declines in the high-security cargo, construction, glass, and manufacturing end markets. Company freight decreased 1.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 due to a 7.0% decrease in company rate per mile, partially offset by a 6.1% increase in company miles due to an 8.1% increase in average tractor count and the intentional shift toward loading company-owned tractors. Owner operator freight decreased 22.5% due to an 18.8% decrease in miles driven (primarily due to a 14.8% decrease in average owner operator tractors) and a 4.6% decrease in owner operator rate per mile. Total brokerage loads decreased 11% while brokerage revenue per load increased 3%, resulting in a decrease of 8.5% in brokerage revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased 19.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 due to decreased fuel costs that resulted in lower fuel surcharges to our customers.

 The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's revenue decreased 16.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreases in brokerage revenue, fuel surcharge, and owner operator freight, partially offset by an increase in company freight. We saw revenue declines in the construction, steel and manufacturing end markets. Brokerage revenue decreased 42.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. In this segment, total brokerage loads dropped 32% and the brokerage revenue per load dropped 16% during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. Fuel surcharge revenue decreased 20.5% due to decreased fuel costs that triggered lower fuel surcharges to our customers. Owner operator freight decreased 14.2% compared to the same period in 2022 due to a 10.0% decrease in owner operator rate per mile and a 4.7% decrease in miles driven primarily due to a 5.4% decrease in average owner operator tractors. Company freight revenue increased 6.4% due to an 18.3% increase in miles, partially offset by a 10.1% decrease in rate per mile. In addition, the Company intentionally shifted to loading company-owned tractors instead of owner operator tractors.

 Salaries, Wages and Employee Benefits. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense, which consists of compensation for all employees, is primarily affected by the number of miles driven by company drivers, the rate per mile paid to company drivers, employee benefits including, but not limited to, health care and workers' compensation, and to a lesser extent, the number of, and compensation and benefits paid to, non-driver employees. In general, the Specialized Solutions segment drivers receive a higher driver pay per total mile than Flatbed Solutions segment drivers due to the former requiring a higher level of training and expertise.

 Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense increased 2.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in salaries, wages and employee benefits expense was primarily due to incremental driver compensation and transformation costs, partially offset by a reduction in severance costs and reduction in stock compensation, the latter of which was primarily due to lower fair value of awards granted during 2023. The incremental driver compensation was due to a 9.8% increase in company miles. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense, as a percentage of company freight revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2023, was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022.

 The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's salaries, wages and employee benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2023, was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022. However, we did experience incremental driver compensation and an increase in certain transformation costs that were offset by reductions in health insurance claims, severance cost, and stock compensation, the latter of which was primarily due to lower fair value of awards granted during 2023. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense, as a percentage of Specialized Solutions company freight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022.

 The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's salaries, wages and employee benefits expense increased 4.1% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily as a result of incremental driver compensation, increased workers compensation, and certain transformation costs, partially offset by a reduction in severance cost and a reduction in stock compensation, the latter of which was primarily due to lower fair value of awards granted during 2023. The incremental driver compensation was due to an 18.3% increase in company miles. Salaries, wages and employee benefits expense, as a percentage of Flatbed Solutions company freight revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022.

 Fuel. Fuel expense consists primarily of diesel fuel expense for company-owned tractors and fuel taxes. The primary factors affecting fuel expense are the cost of diesel fuel, the miles per gallon realized with company equipment and the number of miles driven by Company drivers.

 Total fuel expense decreased 12.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's fuel expense decreased 15.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in

 2022. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's fuel expense decreased 5.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. These decreases were primarily due to lower fuel costs and negotiated fuel rebates, partially offset by an increase in company miles driven for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Company miles increased by 6.1% in our Specialized Solutions segment and increased by 18.3% in our Flatbed Solutions segment, when compared to the same period in 2022. The U.S. national average diesel fuel price, as published by the U.S. Department of Energy, was $4.214 for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to $4.989 for the same period in 2022.

 Operations and Maintenance. Operations and maintenance expense consists primarily of ordinary vehicle repairs and maintenance, operating lease cost for revenue equipment, costs associated with preparing tractors and trailers for sale or trade-in, driver recruiting, training and safety costs, permitting and pilot car fees, communications, and other general operations expenses. Operations and maintenance expense is primarily affected by the age of company-owned tractors and trailers, the number of miles driven in a period and driver turnover.

 Operations and maintenance expense increased 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase of $5.8 million in maintenance costs such as repairs and tires and $1.0 million related to pilot car and permit fees, offset partially by a decrease of $0.4 million in other operations expenses. The increases in maintenance costs were primarily due to a 10.2% increase in the average company-owned tractor count. Operations and maintenance expense in our Specialized Solutions segment increased 2.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase of $1.6 million in maintenance expense such as repairs and tires and $0.7 million in operation costs such as pilot car and permit fees (driven primarily by increased wind-related and high-value loads). Operations and maintenance expense in our Flatbed Solutions segment increased 7.7% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to an increase of $4.2 million in maintenance and upkeep of tractors and trailers (due to the increase in our average tractor count discussed earlier) and $0.3 million in pilot car and permit fees, partially offset by $1.0 million decrease in other operations costs. Operations and maintenance expense, as a percentage of revenue (excluding brokerage revenue) for the year ended December 31, 2023, was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022.

 Purchased Freight. Purchased freight expense consists of the payments to owner-operators, including fuel surcharge reimbursements, and payments to third-party capacity providers that haul loads brokered to them. Purchased freight expense generally takes into account changes in diesel fuel prices, resulting in lower payments during periods of declining fuel prices.

 Total purchased freight expense decreased 22.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense from owner operators decreased $86.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of an 8.1% decrease in owner operator miles driven and a 9.9% decrease in owner operators' rate. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers decreased $69.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of an decrease in utilization of third-party capacity providers and strategically prioritizing loads on company-owned tractors. As mentioned above, there was also a decrease in the cost of diesel fuel during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of consolidated revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2023, decreased 4.9%, as compared to the same period in 2022.

 The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's purchased freight expense decreased 17.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense from owner operators decreased $32.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of a 4.6% decrease in owner operators' rate and an 18.8% decrease in owner operator miles driven. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers decreased $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of decreased utilization of third-party providers and strategically prioritizing loads on company-owned tractors. As mentioned above, there was also a decrease in the cost of diesel fuel, which led to decreased fuel surcharge reimbursements during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of Specialized Solutions revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased 2.8%, as compared to the same period in 2022.

 The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's purchased freight expense decreased 26.0% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense from owner-operators decreased $53.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of a 10.0% decrease in owner-operator rate and a 4.7% decrease in owner-operator miles driven. Purchased freight expense from third-party capacity providers increased $54.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily as a result of decreased utilization of third-party capacity providers and strategically prioritizing loads on the company-owned tractors. As mentioned above, there was also a decrease in the cost of diesel fuel, which led to decreased fuel surcharge reimbursements during the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Purchased freight expense, as a percentage of Flatbed Solutions revenue, for the year ended December 31, 2023, decreased 6.3%, as compared to the same period in 2022.

 Administrative. Administrative expense consists of operating lease cost for real estate, professional fees, sales and marketing, and other expenses that are not directly associated with the Company's fleet services. Administrative expense increased 8.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of increased real estate leases and associated costs for expanding our warehousing facilities supporting the Company's logistics services and increased computer software and hardware costs. Administrative expense, as a percentage of revenue, was generally consistent with the same period in 2022. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's administrative expense increased 12.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 primarily due to increased real estate leases and associated costs for expanding our warehousing facilities and increases in computer software and hardware costs. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's administrative expense for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 was generally consistent compared to the same period in 2022.

 Insurance and Claims. Insurance and claims expense consists of insurance premiums and the accruals the Company makes for estimated payments and expenses for claims for bodily injury, property damage, cargo damage and other casualty events. The primary factor affecting the Company's insurance and claims expense is seasonality (the Company typically experiences higher accident frequency in winter months), the frequency and severity of accidents, trends in the development factors used in its accruals and developments in large, prior-year claims. The frequency of accidents tends to increase with the miles the Company travels. Insurance and claims expense decreased 19.9% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreased insurance claims (which were unusually high in 2022), partially offset by an increase in our estimate of incurred but not recorded claims. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's insurance and claims expense decreased 25.6% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's insurance and claims expense decreased 12.8% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.

 Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense consists primarily of depreciation for company-owned tractors and trailers and amortization of those financed with finance leases. The primary factors affecting these expense items include the size and age of company-owned tractors and trailers and the cost of new equipment. Amortization of intangible assets is also included in this expense.

 Depreciation and amortization expense increased 14.8% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 due to a 10.2% increase in average tractor count in the Company's fleet. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's depreciation and amortization expense increased 7.4% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of an 8.1% increase in average tractor count in the segment's fleet. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's depreciation and amortization expense increased 24.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 as a result of a 15.3% increase in average tractor count in the segment's fleet. The increase of company-owned tractors primarily related to capital expenditures that were originally planned for 2022 but were previously delayed due to supply chain disruptions.

 Impairment. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment impairment expense was $16.4 million consisting of $13.3 million related to goodwill, $1.4 million related to trade name, $0.4 million related to customer relationships, $1.0 million related to property, plant, and equipment, and $0.3 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company's Specialized Solutions segment's impairment expense was $9.4 million consisting of $5.7 million related to goodwill, $3.5 million related to trade name intangibles, and $0.2 million related to customer relationships intangibles for year ended December 31, 2022. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment's impairment expense was $1.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 related to trade name intangibles of an integrated operating segment. The Company's Flatbed Solutions segment had no impairment expense for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 Other (Income) Expense. Interest expense consists of cash interest, amortization and write-off of related issuance costs and fees. Interest expense increased 47.5% for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. This increase was primarily attributable to the rising interest rate environment, an increase in financed equipment purchases, and a $1.0 million write-off of deferred amortization fees related to the prepayment of the Term Loan Facility. The Company's common stock purchase warrants expired in February 2022 and are no longer exercisable. Change in fair value of warrant liability was a gain of $4.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022.

 Income Tax. Income tax expense was $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to income tax expense of $19.6 million for the same period in 2022. The effective tax rate was (70.2)% for the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to 28.1% for the same period in 2022. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is primarily due to the impact of various nondeductible items on pretax loss which resulted in taxable income, primarily related to goodwill impairment, as well as officer compensation and other expenses.

 Liquidity and Capital Resources and Capital Requirements

 The Company had the following sources of liquidity available as of December 31, (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Cash and cash equivalents

 $

 76.6

 $

 153.4

 Availability under line of credit

 93.6

 110.9

 Total

 $

 170.2

 $

 264.3

 The Company's primary sources of liquidity have been cash provided by operating activities, issuances of capital stock and borrowings under its credit facilities. The Company also receives cash from sales of equipment. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no borrowings outstanding on the ABL Facility, $20.5 million in outstanding letters of credit (discussed below), with $93.6 million available under the ABL Facility, assuming the qualified collateral calculated as of this date.

 The Company's business requires substantial amounts of cash for operating expenses, including salaries and wages paid to employees, contract payments to independent contractors, insurance and claims payments, tax payments, and others. The Company also uses large amounts of cash and credit for capital expenditures.

 The Company believes it can finance its expected cash needs, including debt repayment, in the short-term with cash flows from operations, and borrowings available under the ABL Facility. The Company expects that the ABL Facility will provide sufficient credit availability to support its ongoing operations, fund debt service requirements, capital expenditures, and working capital needs. Over the long-term, the Company will continue to have significant capital requirements, and expects to devote substantial financial resources to grow its operations and fund its acquisition activities. Up to the completion of the Merger, the Company is subject to restrictions under the Merger Agreement on assuming additional debt, issuing additional equity or debt, making certain capital expenditures, and entering into certain acquisition, disposition and leasing transactions, among other restrictions.

 On September 30, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $40.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock (the 2022 Stock Repurchase Program). Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. On November 14, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing that it has paused open-market repurchases. As of such date, the Company had purchased 803,554 shares at a weighted average price of $6.05 per share under the 2022 Stock Repurchase Program. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to refrain from repurchasing shares of its common stock, subject to the terms, limitations and exceptions set forth in the Merger Agreement.

 On November 10, 2022, the Company entered into the Founder's Repurchase to purchase 6,666,667 shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for $40.0 million in cash and 11,266,058 shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for 20,000 shares of Series B-1 Perpetual Preferred Stock of the Company and 47,597 shares of Series B-2 Perpetual Preferred Stock of the Company (together, the "Series B Preferred Stock"). In May 2023, Daseke redeemed all 20,000 shares of issued and outstanding Series B-1 perpetual preferred stock by paying $20.3 million in cash, which consisted of $20.0 million liquidation preference, plus $0.3 million in accrued and unpaid dividends. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has agreed to use commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate the redemption of any outstanding Series B Preferred Stock on or prior to the date on which the Merger closes.

 Capital Expenditures

 The Company follows a dual strategy of both owning assets and employing asset-light activities, the latter of which reduces the capital expenditures required to operate the business. Asset-light activities are conducted utilizing tractors and trailers provided by owner-operators and third-party carriers for significant portions of our flatbed and specialized services. Company-owned asset expenditures require substantial cash and financing (including finance and operating leases) to maintain a modern tractor fleet, refresh the trailer fleet, fund replacement and growth in the revenue equipment fleet, and for the acquisition of real property and improvements to existing terminals and facilities. The Company had net cash provided by property and equipment purchases and sales of $0.7 million and financed $157.4 million of non-cash capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 Total property and equipment additions for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown below (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Net cash capital expenditures (receipts)

 $

 (0.7

)

 $

 1.2

 Property and equipment acquired with debt or finance lease obligations

 157.4

 145.3

 Total net property and equipment additions

 $

 156.7

 $

 146.5

 Total net property and equipment additions increased slightly due to an increase in financed property and equipment additions that was partially offset by decreases in both cash purchases and receipts.

 Cash Flows

 The Company's summary statements of cash flows information for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 is set forth in the table below (in millions). For information regarding the Company's cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, including comparisons to cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, see the "Cash Flows" section under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

 2023

 2022

 Net cash provided by operating activities

 $

 118.7

 $

 137.0

 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 $

 0.7

 $

 (20.3

)

 Net cash used in financing activities

 $

 (196.4

)

 $

 (111.4

)

 Operating Activities. Cash provided by operating activities was $118.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 and consisted of $17.7 million of net loss more than offset by $120.6 million of non-cash items, consisting primarily of depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, gain on disposition of property and equipment and impairment, and $15.8 million of net cash provided by working capital and other activities. Cash provided by working capital and other activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 reflect a decrease of $21.5 million in accounts receivable, a decrease of $3.1 million in other current assets, partially offset by a decrease of $3.6 million in accrued expenses and other liabilities, a decrease of $0.3 million in accounts payable, and an increase of $2.7 million in drivers' advances and other receivables.

 The $18.3 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily the result of a $67.9 million reduction to net income, increases in net cash provided by working capital of $29.9 million and increases in non-cash items of $19.7 million.

 Investing Activities. Cash provided by investing activities was $0.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, compared to cash used in investing activities of $20.3 million for the same period in 2022. This change is primarily due to a $19.1 million cash payment in 2022 for the SJ Transportation acquisition that did not reoccur in 2023, a decrease of $11.8 million in cash equipment purchases, and a decrease of $9.9 million in cash receipts from sales of property and equipment for the year ended December 31, 2023.

 Total net cash capital expenditures (receipts) for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are shown below (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Revenue equipment

 $

 11.2

 $

 27.1

 Revenue equipment leased and available for lease to owner operators

 5.6

 0.7

 Buildings and improvements

 0.6

 6.2

 Furniture and fixtures, office and computer equipment, vehicles and capitalized software development

 12.9

 8.1

 Total cash capital expenditures

 30.3

 42.1

 Less: Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

 31.0

 40.9

 Net cash capital expenditures (receipts)

 $

 (0.7

)

 $

 1.2

 Financing Activities. Cash flows used in financing activities increased from $111.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $196.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily a result of the $94.8 million increase in net debt payments (including voluntary $70.0 million Term Loan Facility prepayments), $20.0 million in payments for the voluntary redemption of the Series B-1 preferred stock, and $5.0 million in dividend payments related to the Series B preferred stock (which were issued in November 2022)

 compared to same period in 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we received $9.4 million in proceeds from warrant exercises compared to none in the same period in 2023. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we received $0.8 million in stock options exercises compared to only $0.1 million in the same period in 2023.

 Material Debt

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had the following material debt:

 the Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility;

 equipment and real estate term loans; and

 finance lease liabilities

 The amounts outstanding under such agreements were as follows as of December 31, (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Term Loan Facility

 $

 320.0

 $

 393.0

 ABL Facility

 —

 —

 Equipment and real estate term loans

 319.6

 249.1

 Finance lease liabilities

 18.9

 25.0

 Total debt and finance lease liabilities

 658.5

 667.1

 Less current portion

 (90.7

)

 (78.4

)

 Less unamortized deferred financing fees

 (4.3

)

 (6.4

)

 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, less current portion and unamortized deferred financing fees

 $

 563.5

 $

 582.3

 See Note 9 and Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included herein for information regarding the Company's material debt and finance lease liabilities, respectively.

 ABL and Term Loan Facilities and Equipment Financing Agreements

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company has (i) a $400.0 million senior secured term loan credit facility, and (ii) an asset-based senior secured revolving credit facility with an aggregate maximum credit amount equal to $150.0 million (that may be increased to $200.0 million on an uncommitted basis, subject to availability under a borrowing base). See Note 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information regarding the Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $319.6 million of equipment and real estate loans and $18.9 million of finance leases collateralized primarily by revenue equipment, with the majority of the equipment loans and finance leases having terms of 48 to 60 months. Certain of the term loans contain conditions, covenants, representations and warranties, events of default, and indemnification provisions applicable to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries that are customary for equipment financings, including, but not limited to, limitations on the incurrence of additional debt and the prepayment of existing indebtedness, certain payments (including dividends and other distributions to persons not party to its ABL Facility) and transfers of assets.

 Letters of credit – Under the terms of the ABL Facility, lenders may issue up to $40.0 million of standby and/or letters of credit on our behalf. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the availability on the $150.0 million ABL Facility. Standby letters of credit are generally issued for the benefit of regulatory authorities, insurance companies and state departments of insurance for the purpose of satisfying certain collateral requirements, primarily related to automobile, workers' compensation, and general insurance liabilities.

 Seasonality

 In the transportation industry, results of operations generally show a seasonal pattern. The Company's productivity decreases during the winter season because inclement weather impedes operations, end-users reduce their activity and certain shippers reduce their shipments during winter. At the same time, operating expenses increase, and fuel efficiency decreases because of engine idling and harsh weather creating higher accident frequency, increased claims and higher equipment repair expenditures. The Company also may suffer from weather-related or other events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, ice storms, floods, fires, earthquakes and explosions, which may increase in frequency or intensity due to climate change. These events may disrupt fuel supplies, increase fuel costs, disrupt freight shipments or routes,

 affect regional economies, destroy the Company's assets, increase insurance costs or adversely affect the business or financial condition of its customers, any of which could adversely affect the Company's results of operations or make such results more volatile.

 Critical Accounting Estimates

 The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires it to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported in its consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Therefore, the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses, and associated disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities are affected by these estimates and assumptions. The Company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis, utilizing historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods considered reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions, and it is possible that materially different amounts will be reported using differing estimates or assumptions. The Company considers critical accounting estimates to be those that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Company's critical accounting estimates include the following:

 Impairment of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually on October 1 (or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment) for each reporting unit by applying either a qualitative or quantitative analysis in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance for such assets. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as the basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived impairment tests. The Company may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly with the quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount.

 Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires judgment and the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Such estimates and assumptions include discount rates, revenue growth rates, future operating margins, future capital expenditures, changes in working capital requirements and terminal growth rates. The Company believes the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessments are reasonable and based on available market information, but variations in any of the assumptions could result in materially different calculations of fair value and determinations of whether or not an impairment is indicated.

 For goodwill, the Company determines the fair value of a reporting unit using the discounted cash flow method (an income approach) and the guideline public company method (a market approach). Under the discounted cash flow method, the Company determines the fair value based on estimated cash flows of each reporting unit discounted to present value using risk-adjusted discount rates. Cash flow projections are determined by management. Under the guideline public company method, the Company determines the estimated fair value of each reporting unit by applying valuation multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies to each reporting unit's projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). During 2023, the Company elected to bypass the qualitative analysis and prepared a quantitative analysis on nine of its reporting units for goodwill. The key assumptions used in this analysis for the income approach was a discount rate ranging from 11.5% - 12.0% and long-term growth rate of 3.0%. For the market approach, the key assumptions used were valuation multiples of comparable publicly-traded companies ranging from 3.5x to 6.0x and a multiple adjustment ranging from 75% to 100%. As a result of the quantitative analysis, eight reporting units had estimated fair value of equity that exceeded the carrying value of equity by greater than 20%, and one reporting unit had estimated fair value of equity that was less than the carrying value of equity. During 2023, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $13.3 million within the Company's Specialized Solution's segment.

 For indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using the relief-from-royalty method. The relief-from-royalty method (an income approach) was used to determine the fair value of the Company's trade names. Effectively, a royalty rate was applied to forecasted revenue to determine the amount of royalty payments a market participant would pay to use the trade name. This valuation approach involved two general steps: (1) Established an estimate of future cash flows associated with the asset being measured and (2) discounted those estimated future cash flows to present value. In addition, the calculations were tax-effected. During 2023, the Company elected to bypass a qualitative analysis and prepared a quantitative analysis on six of its reporting units for trade names. The key assumptions used in this analysis were a royalty rate of 0.5%, EBITDA margins ranging from 4.7% to 20.6%, terminal growth rate of 3.0%, discount rate ranging from 12.5% - 13.0% and capitalization rate ranging from 9.5% - 10.0%. As a result of the quantitative analysis, the estimated fair value of each of the trade names exceeded its carrying value by greater than 20%.

 Income Taxes

 Our income tax expense, and deferred tax asset and liability balances reflect management's best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid, and significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our income taxes. Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled.

 When we maintain deferred tax assets, we must assess the likelihood that these assets will be recovered through adjustments to future taxable income. To the extent we believe recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance to reduce the asset to a value we believe will be recoverable based on our expectation of future taxable income. We believe the accounting estimate related to the valuation allowance is a critical accounting estimate because it is susceptible to change from period to period, requires management to make assumptions about our future taxable income to determine the realizability of our deferred tax assets. For our deferred tax assets that do not have a valuation allowance, we believe these are more likely than not to be realized due to our projected future taxable income. If the Company were to generate lower taxable income than expected, this may affect the ultimate realization of those deferred tax assets.

 The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. We adjust our liabilities for uncertain tax positions when our judgment changes as a result of new information previously unavailable.

 Accrued Insurance and Claims

 The Company uses a combination of purchased insurance, self-insurance, and captive group programs. The insurance provides for the cost of vehicle liability, cargo loss, damage, general liability, property, workers' compensation claims and employee medical benefits. Self-insurance accruals relate primarily to vehicle liability, cargo damage, workers' compensation and employee medical claims. The measurement and classification of self-insured costs requires the consideration of historical cost experience, demographic and severity factors, and judgments about the current and expected levels of cost per claim and retention levels. These methods provide estimates of the liability associated with claims incurred as of the balance sheet date, including claims not yet reported. A liability is recognized for the estimated cost of all self-insured claims, which includes individual case estimates plus actuarial estimates of loss development and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims based on historical experience and industry loss development factors. The Company uses an actuarial method to develop currently known claim information to derive an estimate of the ultimate claim liability to account for estimated IBNR. The Company believes these methods are appropriate for measuring these highly judgmental self-insurance accruals. However, the use of any estimation method is sensitive to the assumptions and factors described above, based on the magnitude of claims and the length of time from the date the claim is incurred to ultimate settlement. Accordingly, changes in these assumptions and factors can materially affect actual costs paid to settle the claims and those amounts may be different than estimates.

 Stock-Based Compensation

 Awards of equity instruments issued to employees and directors are accounted for under the fair value method of accounting. Compensation cost is measured for all equity-classified stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognized using the straight-line method over the service period over which the awards are expected to vest. Compensation cost is remeasured for all liability-classified stock-based awards at fair value at each period-end and recognized using the straight-line method over the service period over which the awards are expected to vest.

 Determining compensation cost is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. For example, (i) the fair value of all time-vested options as of the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility, (ii) since the Company does not have a sufficient history of exercise behavior, expected term is calculated using the assumption that options will be exercised ratably from the date of vesting to the end of the contractual term for each vesting tranche of awards, and (iii) fair values of liability-classified performance stock units with a market condition are estimated each period-end using the Monte Carlo valuation model in a risk-neutral framework to model future stock price movements based upon highly subjective assumptions, including historical volatility, risk-free rates of return and the stock price simulated over the performance period.

 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 Refer to Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements on page F-15.

 Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 The Company has interest rate exposure arising from the credit facilities and other financing agreements, which have variable interest rates. These variable interest rates are impacted by changes in short-term interest rates. Assuming the current level of borrowings, a hypothetical one-percentage point increase in interest rates would increase the Company's annual interest expense by $3.2 million. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding approximately $320.0 million and $393.0 million, respectively, of variable rate borrowings that were not subject to interest rate swaps.

 The Company has commodity exposure with respect to fuel used in company-owned and leased tractors. Increases in fuel prices will raise the Company's operating costs, even after applying fuel surcharge revenue. Historically, the Company has been able to recover a majority of fuel price increases from its customers in the form of fuel surcharges. The Company cannot predict the extent or speed of potential changes in fuel price levels in the future, the degree to which the lag effect of fuel surcharge programs will impact it as a result of the timing and magnitude of such changes, or the extent to which effective fuel surcharges can be maintained and collected to offset such increases.

 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 The information called for by Item 8 is found in a separate section of this Form 10-K starting on page F-1. See the "Index to Financial Statements" on page F-1.

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

 None.

 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

 Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), are required to be designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act, including this Report, are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures should include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including its principal executive officer (CEO) and principal financial officer (CFO), as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. The Company's management, including the Company's CEO and CFO, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report and, based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2023.

 Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on the criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that we maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023.

 The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 has been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which appears in this Item of this Annual Report on this Form 10-K under the heading Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the Company's most recently completed quarter ended December 31, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 Board of Directors and Stockholders

 Daseke, Inc.

 Opinion on internal control over financial reporting

 We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Daseke, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by COSO.

 We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our report dated March 7, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

 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 Report on 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/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 Dallas, Texas

 March 7, 2024

 Item 9B. Other Information

 None.

 Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections.

 Not applicable.

 Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

 The information called for by this item will be included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference. In the event such definitive proxy statement is not filed with the SEC in the 120-day period after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, the information called for by this item will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K that will be filed by the Company not later than the end of such 120-day period.

 The Company has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its officers and directors. The Company has filed copies of its code of ethics, its audit committee charter and its compensation committee charter as exhibits to the Company's registration statement in connection with the initial public offering; these documents are also available on its website. You may review these documents by accessing our public filings at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. In addition, a copy of the code of ethics will be provided without charge upon request to the Company.

 Item 11. Executive Compensation

 The information called for by this item will be included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference. In the event such definitive proxy statement is not filed with the SEC in the 120-day period after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, the information called for by this item will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K that will be filed by the Company not later than the end of such 120-day period.

 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 The information called for by this item will be included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference. In the event such definitive proxy statement is not filed with the SEC in the 120-day period after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, the information called for by this item will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K that will be filed by the Company not later than the end of such 120-day period.

 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence

 The information called for by this item will be included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference. In the event such definitive proxy statement is not filed with the SEC in the 120-day period after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, the information called for by this item will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K that will be filed by the Company not later than the end of such 120-day period.

 Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 The information called for by this item will be included in the Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference. In the event such definitive proxy statement is not filed with the SEC in the 120-day period after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K, the information called for by this item will be included in an amendment to this Form 10-K that will be filed by the Company not later than the end of such 120-day period.

 Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 (a)(1) Financial Statements

 The financial statements included in Item 8. "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

 (2) Financial Statement Schedules

 There are no financial statement schedules filed as part of this Form 10-K, since the required information is included in the financial statements, including the notes thereto, included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" or the circumstances requiring inclusion of such schedules are not present.

 (3) Exhibits

 Exhibit No.

 Exhibit

 2.1§

 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 22, 2023, among Daseke, Inc., TFI International Inc. and Diocletian MergerCo, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on December 28, 2023).

 3.1

 Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 3.2

 Charter Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 6, 2020).

 3.3

 Amended and Restated By-Laws of Daseke, Inc., effective as of November 15, 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 16, 2022).

 3.4

 Certificate of Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of 7.625% Series A Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 3.5

 Certificate of Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B-1 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 16, 2022).

 3.6

 Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designations of Preferences, Rights and Limitations of Series B-1 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock and Series B-2 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 16, 2022).

 4.1

 Specimen stock certificate for the registrant's common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 4.2

 Specimen stock certificate for the registrant's 7.625% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 4.3

 Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2017, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc. (f/k/a Daseke, Inc.), Hennessy Capital Partners II LLC, and certain security holders of the registrant party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 4.4

 Description of common stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed by the registrant on March 8, 2023).

 10.1

 Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2017, amongst the registrant, HCAC Merger Sub, Inc. (which merged with and into Daseke, Inc., which changed its name to Daseke Companies, Inc.), as borrower, certain financial institutions from time to time party thereto, as lenders, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and PNC Capital Markets LLC, as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 10.2

 Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2017, among Daseke Companies, Inc, Daseke, Inc., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report filed by the registrant on Form 8-K on August 22, 2017).

 10.3

 Incremental and Refinancing Amendment (Amendment No. 2 to the Term Loan Agreement), dated as of November 28, 2017, among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017).

 10.4§

 Refinancing Amendment (Amendment No. 3 to Term Loan Agreement), dated as of March 9, 2021, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc. and each of the registrant's other subsidiaries party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as predecessor administrative agent and collateral agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as successor administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 10, 2021).

 10.5

 Amendment No. 4 to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2023, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies Inc., and each of the subsidiaries party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 3, 2023).

 10.6

 Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated February 27, 2017, among the registrant, HCAC Merger Sub, Inc. (which merged with and into Daseke, Inc., which changed its name to Daseke Companies, Inc.) and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as lender and agent, and certain financial institutions, as lenders, from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 10.7

 First Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated August 31, 2017, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc., and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto and PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 9, 2017).

 10.8

 Second Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated November 28, 2017, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries party thereto, PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017).

 10.9§

 Third Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated June 15, 2018, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc., each of its subsidiaries party thereto as borrowers, PNC Bank National Association, as agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2018).

 10.10§

 Fourth Amendment and Waiver to Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2020, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc., each of its subsidiaries party thereto as borrowers, the lenders party thereto, and PNC Bank, National Association, as agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 12, 2020).

 10.11§

 Fifth Amendment to Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement, dated April 29, 2021, by and among the registrant, Daseke Companies, Inc. and each of the registrant's other subsidiaries party thereto, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders and PNC Bank, National Association, as agent for the lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on April 30, 2021).

 10.12§

 Board Representation Agreement by and among the registrant, Lyons Capital, LLC, The Lyons Community Property Trust, dated June 15, 1979, Phillip N. Lyons and Grant Garbers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on January 5, 2021).

 10.13

 Share Repurchase Agreement, dated November 10, 2022, by and between the registrant, Don R. Daseke, Barbara Daseke and The Walden Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 16, 2022).

 10.14

 Amendment No. 1 to Share Repurchase Agreement, dated November 14, 2022, by and between the registrant, Don R. Daseke, Barbara Daseke and The Walden Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on November 16, 2022).

 10.15+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of August 2, 2021, by and between Jonathan Shepko and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by registrant on August 3, 2021).

 10.16+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, by and between Aaron Coley and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on November 9, 2022).

 10.17+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2023, by and between Daseke, Inc. and Scott Hoppe (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed by the registrant on June 26, 2023).

 10.18+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2020, by and between Rick Williams and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 6, 2020).

 10.19+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of April 28, 2020, by and between Soumit Roy and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the registrant on February 23, 2023).

 10.20+

 Employment Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2020, by and between Jason Bates and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 6, 2020).

 10.21+

 Separation Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, by and between Jason Bates and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on November 9, 2022).

 10.22+

 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the registrant and each of its directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on March 3, 2017).

 10.23+

 Daseke, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on May 26, 2017, effective as of February 27, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 31, 2017 (File No. 333-218386)).

 10.24+

 First Amendment to Daseke, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended and restated on May 26, 2017, effective as of February 27, 2017), effective as of September 6, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2019).

 10.25+

 Daseke, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on June 18, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on June 21, 2021).

 10.26+

 Daseke, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on June 8, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the registrant on June 9, 2023).

 10.27+

 Daseke, Inc. 2017 Management Stock Ownership Program for Selected Management (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on May 31, 2017.

 10.28+

 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2017).

 10.29+

 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2017).

 10.30+

 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of September 19, 2019, by and between Brian Bonner and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 12, 2019).

 10.31+

 Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2020, between Jason Bates and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on April 23, 2020).

 10.32+

 Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2020, between Jason Bates and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on April 23, 2020).

 10.33+

 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of April 23, 2020, between Jason Bates and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on April 23, 2020).

 10.34+

 Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement (commencing in 2020) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2022).

 10.35+

 Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement (commencing in 2020) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 23, 2022).

 10.36+

 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement of the registrant (commencing in 2021) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 3, 2021).

 10.37+

 Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement of the registrant (commencing in 2021) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 3, 2021).

 10.38+

 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Non-Employee Directors) of the registrant (commencing in 2021) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on August 3, 2021).

 10.39+

 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (Non-Employee Directors) of the registrant (commencing in 2022) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by the registrant on May 3, 2022).

 10.40+

 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, between Aaron Coley and the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on October 5, 2022).

 10.41+

 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, between Aaron Coley and the registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on October 5, 2022).

 10.42+

 Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, dated as of September 22, 2022, between Aaron Coley and the registrant incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to the registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed by the registrant on October 5, 2022).

 10.43*+

 Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement of the registrant (commencing in 2023).

 10.44*+

 Form of Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement of the registrant (commencing in 2023).

 21.1*

 List of subsidiaries.

 23.1*

 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 31.1*

 Certification of Principal Executive Officer under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 31.2*

 Certification of Principal Financial Officer under Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 32.1**

 Certification of Principal Executive Officer under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 32.2**

 Certification of Principal Financial Officer under Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 97.1*

 Daseke, Inc. Incentive-Based Compensation Clawback Policy.

 101.INS*

 101.SCH*

 * Filed herewith.

 ** Furnished herewith.

 + Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 § Schedules and similar attachments have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Company hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally copies of any of the omitted schedules and attachments upon request by the SEC; provided, however, that the Company may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Exchange Act for any schedules and attachments so furnished.

 Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

 None.

 SIGNATURES

 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 DASEKE, INC.

 (Registrant)

 Date:

 March 7, 2024

 By:

 /s/ Jonathan Shepko

 Jonathan Shepko

 Chief Executive Officer and Director
 (On behalf of the Registrant)

 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on March 7, 2024.

 /s/ Jonathan Shepko

 Chief Executive Officer and Director

 Jonathan Shepko

 (Principal Executive Officer)

 /s/ Aaron Coley

 Chief Financial Officer

 Aaron Coley

 (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 /s/ Chuck Serianni

 Chairman of the Board

 Chuck Serianni

 /s/ Brian Bonner

 Brian Bonner

 /s/ Bruce Blaise

 Bruce Blaise

 /s/ Catharine Ellingsen

 Catharine Ellingsen

 /s/ Grant Garbers

 Grant Garbers

 /s/ Melendy Lovett

 Melendy Lovett

 /s/ Ena Williams

 Ena Williams

 DASEKE, INC.

 INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 Page No.

 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 248)

 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022

 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022

 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 Board of Directors and Stockholders

 Daseke, Inc.

 Opinion on the financial statements

 We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Daseke, Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 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, 2023, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"), and our report dated March 7, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion.

 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.

 Critical audit matters

 The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

 Impairment assessments – fair values of certain reporting units and trade names

 As described further in note 1 to the financial statements, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested by the Company's management for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as the basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived impairment tests. The Company may bypass the qualitative assessment in any period and proceed directly with a quantitative analysis. For the annual impairment testing date of October 1, 2023, management decided to prepare quantitative impairment analyses for all reporting units and trade names. The Company engaged a third-party valuation specialist for the estimation of the fair values of these reporting units and trade names. Management estimates the fair values of reporting units using a combination of the income and market approaches and trade names using the income approach. We identified the estimation of the fair values of certain reporting units with aggregate carrying values of goodwill and trade names of $63.5 million and $35.6 million, respectively, as a critical audit matter.

 The principal consideration for our determination that the estimation of the fair values of these reporting units and trade names is a critical audit matter is that there was high estimation uncertainty due to significant judgments with respect to assumptions used to project the future cash flows, including revenue growth rates, EBITDA and EBITDA margins, as well as the discount rates, royalty rates, and the valuation methodologies applied by the third-party valuation specialist.

 Our audit procedures related to the estimation of the fair value of the reporting units and trade names included the following, among others. We tested the effectiveness of internal controls relating to management's review of the assumptions used to project future cash flows, the selection of appropriate discount rates and royalty rates, and the valuation methodologies applied by the third-party valuation specialist. In addition to testing the effectiveness of controls, we also performed the following:

 • Utilized an internal valuation specialist to evaluate:

 o the methodologies used and whether they were acceptable for the underlying assets or operations and applied correctly by performing independent calculations,

 o the reasonableness of the risk-adjusted discount rates by recalculating the weighted average cost of capital,

 o the reasonableness of selected royalty rates considering the external information used in developing management's estimate,

 o the guideline public companies and transactions utilized by the Company by examining financial metrics of the comparable public companies and transactions within the industry and considering market participant guidance and perspective, and

 o the qualifications of the third-party valuation firm engaged by the Company based on their credentials and experience.

 • Tested the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the estimate.

 • Evaluated the reasonableness of the forecasted cash flows, including revenue growth rates, EBITDA, and EBITDA margins, by assessing the historical accuracy of management's estimates and the reasonableness of assumptions used by management, including analyzing the sensitivity of changes in significant assumptions and the resulting impact to the estimated fair values.

 Estimation of IBNR accrual for auto liability

 As described further in note 1 to the financial statements, the Company records a liability for the self-insured portion of auto claims, which includes individual case estimates plus actuarial estimates of loss development and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims based on historical experience and industry loss development factors. The Company utilized a third-party actuarial specialist to estimate the IBNR accrual for the self-insured portion of its auto liability. We identified the estimation of the IBNR accrual for auto liability as a critical audit matter.

 The principal considerations for our determination that the estimation of the IBNR accrual for auto liability is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment required by management and the actuarial specialist in the development of the estimate; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating the actuarial specialist's significant assumptions and methods used to develop the estimate; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of our actuarial specialists with specialized skill and knowledge.

 Our audit procedures related to the IBNR accrual included the following, among others. We tested the effectiveness of internal controls related to the IBNR accrual process, including management's assessment of the assumptions and data underlying the IBNR accrual and the methodologies applied by the third-party actuarial specialist. In addition, we also performed the following:

 • Utilized professionals with specialized skills and knowledge to evaluate:

 o the methodologies applied and significant assumptions used in determining the IBNR accrual for auto liability,

 o the reasonableness of loss development factors used in the models for consistency with historical Company data and industry, regulatory, and company-specific trends,

 o the reasonableness of the Company's IBNR accrual for auto liability by comparing to an estimated range developed by us based on independently selected assumptions, and

 o the qualifications of the third-party actuarial specialist engaged by the Company based on their credentials and experience.

 • Tested the completeness and accuracy of underlying claims data provided by management to the actuarial specialist.

 /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

 We have served as the Company's auditor since 2013.

 Dallas, Texas

 March 7, 2024

 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (In millions, except share and per share data)

 2023

 2022

 ASSETS

 Current assets:

 Cash and cash equivalents

 $

 76.6

 $

 153.4

 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $ 1.8 and $ 2.3 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively

 157.8

 179.0

 Drivers' advances and other receivables

 10.6

 7.9

 Other current assets

 36.7

 37.9

 Total current assets

 281.7

 378.2

 Property and equipment, net

 556.1

 488.3

 Intangible assets, net

 71.8

 80.6

 Goodwill

 124.2

 137.3

 Right-of-use assets

 98.9

 107.6

 Other non-current assets

 3.4

 3.4

 Total assets

 $

 1,136.1

 $

 1,195.4

 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Current liabilities:

 Accounts payable

 $

 13.6

 $

 14.7

 Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 39.7

 44.9

 Accrued payroll, benefits and related taxes

 28.2

 30.8

 Accrued insurance and claims

 48.5

 40.6

 Current portion of long-term debt

 90.7

 78.4

 Current operating lease liabilities

 29.9

 34.4

 Total current liabilities

 250.6

 243.8

 Line of credit

 —

 —

 Long-term debt, net of current portion

 563.5

 582.3

 Deferred tax liabilities

 93.6

 95.0

 Non-current operating lease liabilities

 75.5

 79.6

 Other non-current liabilities

 1.5

 1.7

 Total liabilities

 984.7

 1,002.4

 Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 Stockholders' equity:

 Preferred stock, 10,000,000 total preferred shares authorized:

 Series A convertible preferred stock, $ 0.0001 par value; 650,000 shares issued and outstanding with liquidation preference of $ 65.0 at December 31, 2023 and 2022

 65.0

 65.0

 Series B perpetual preferred stock, $ 0.0001 par value; 47,597 shares issued and outstanding with liquidation preference of $ 47.6 at December 31, 2023 and 67,597 shares issued and outstanding with liquidation preference of $ 67.6 at December 31, 2022

 47.6

 67.6

 Common stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share; 250,000,000 shares authorized, 46,566,542 and 45,028,041 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively

 —

 —

 Additional paid-in-capital

 298.0

 293.1

 Accumulated deficit

 ( 259.3

)

 ( 232.3

)

 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 0.1

 ( 0.4

)

 Total stockholders' equity

 151.4

 193.0

 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 $

 1,136.1

 $

 1,195.4

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 (In millions, except share and per share data)

 Year Ended

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Revenues:

 $

 654.9

 $

 650.3

 $

 629.7

 422.3

 509.9

 486.5

 242.1

 321.2

 269.0

 59.9

 53.8

 39.2

 190.2

 238.1

 132.4

 1,569.4

 1,773.3

 1,556.8

 Operating expenses:

 Salaries, wages and employee benefits

 412.4

 402.4

 378.3

 Fuel

 139.8

 159.6

 107.3

 168.9

 162.5

 147.8

 Purchased freight

 542.0

 698.0

 598.5

 78.5

 72.4

 64.7

 Taxes and licenses

 16.1

 15.9

 14.8

 Insurance and claims

 61.4

 76.7

 61.3

 Acquisition-related transaction expenses

 1.5

 3.8

 —

 106.5

 92.8

 88.1

 Gain on disposition of property and equipment

 ( 12.3

)

 ( 21.0

)

 ( 17.1

)

 17.9

 9.4

 —

 0.5

 2.4

 0.3

 Total operating expenses

 1,533.2

 1,674.9

 1,444.0

 Income from operations

 36.2

 98.4

 112.8

 Other expense (income):

 Interest income

 ( 4.6

)

 ( 2.8

)

 ( 0.3

)

 52.2

 35.4

 33.5

 Change in fair value of warrant liability

 —

 ( 4.7

)

 ( 1.6

)

 Other

 ( 1.0

)

 0.7

 ( 0.8

)

 Total other expense

 46.6

 28.6

 30.8

 Income (loss) before income taxes

 ( 10.4

)

 69.8

 82.0

 Income tax expense

 7.3

 19.6

 26.0

)

 50.2

 56.0

 Other comprehensive income (loss):

 Foreign currency translation adjustments

 0.5

 ( 0.4

)

 —

 Comprehensive income (loss)

 $

 ( 17.2

)

 $

 49.8

 $

 56.0

 $

)

 $

 50.2

 $

 56.0

 Less dividends to Series A convertible preferred stockholders

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 Less dividends to Series B perpetual preferred stockholders

 ( 4.3

)

 ( 0.7

)

 —

 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 $

 ( 27.0

)

 $

 44.5

 $

 51.0

 Earnings (loss) per common share:

 Basic

 $

 ( 0.59

)

 $

 0.73

 $

 0.79

 Diluted

 $

 ( 0.59

)

 $

 0.70

 $

 0.77

 Weighted-average common shares outstanding:

 Basic

 45,822,936

 60,459,451

 63,744,456

 Diluted

 45,822,936

 63,283,502

 65,409,258

 Dividends declared per Series A convertible preferred share

 $

 7.63

 $

 7.63

 $

 7.63

 Dividends declared per Series B perpetual preferred share

 $

 74.94

 $

 11.46

 $

 —

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021

 (In millions, except share data)

 Series A Convertible

 Series B Perpetual

 Accumulated

 Preferred Stock

 Preferred Stock

 Common Stock

 Additional

 Other

 Par

 Paid- In

 Accumulated

 Comprehensive

 Value

 Capital

 Deficit

 Income (Loss)

 Total

 Balance at January 1, 2021

 650,000

 $

 65.0

 —

 $

 —

 65,023,174

 $

 —

 $

 401.6

 $

 ( 327.8

)

 $

 —

 $

 138.8

 Exercise of stock options

 157,54 5

 0.5

 —

 —

 0.5

 Exercise of warrants

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 Vesting of stock awards

 —

 —

 —

 —

 308,554

 —

 ( 1.9

)

 —

 —

 ( 1.9

)

 Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 Common stock repurchased and retired

 ( 3,000,000

)

 ( 20.4

)

 —

 —

 ( 20.4

)

 Stock-based compensation expense

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 8.0

 —

 —

 8.0

 Net income

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 56.0

 —

 56.0

 Balance at December 31, 2021

 650,000

 $

 65.0

 —

 $

 —

 62,489,278

 $

 —

 $

 387.8

 $

 ( 276.8

)

 $

 —

 $

 176.0

 Exercise of stock options

 —

 —

 —

 —

 91,425

 —

 0.8

 —

 —

 0.8

 Exercise of warrants

 —

 —

 —

 —

 817,648

 —

 9.4

 —

 —

 9.4

 Vesting of stock awards

 —

 —

 —

 —

 365,969

 —

 ( 1.1

)

 —

 —

 ( 1.1

)

 Series B perpetual preferred stock issuance

 67,597

 67.6

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 67.6

 Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 Series B perpetual preferred stock dividend

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 0.7

)

 —

 ( 0.7

)

 Common stock repurchased and retired

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 18,736,279

)

 —

 ( 112.5

)

 —

 —

 ( 112.5

)

 Stock-based compensation expense

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 8.7

 —

 —

 8.7

 Foreign currency translation adjustments

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 0.4

)

 ( 0.4

)

 Net income

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 50.2

 —

 50.2

 Balance at December 31, 2022

 650,000

 $

 65.0

 67,597

 $

 67.6

 45,028,041

 $

 —

 $

 293.1

 $

 ( 232.3

)

 $

 ( 0.4

)

 $

 193.0

 Exercise of stock options

 —

 —

 —

 —

 83,000

 —

 0.1

 —

 —

 0.1

 Vesting of stock awards

 —

 —

 —

 —

 1,455,501

 —

 ( 4.4

)

 —

 —

 ( 4.4

)

 Series B perpetual preferred stock redemption

 —

 —

 ( 20,000

)

 ( 20.0

)

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 20.0

)

 Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 —

 ( 5.0

)

 Series B perpetual preferred stock dividend

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 ( 4.3

)

 —

 ( 4.3

)

 Stock-based compensation expense

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 9.2

 —

 —

 9.2

 Foreign currency translation adjustments

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 0.5

 0.5

 Net loss

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

 —

)

 —

)

 Balance at December 31, 2023

 650,000

 $

 65.0

 47,597

 $

 47.6

 46,566,542

 $

 —

 $

 298.0

 $

 ( 259.3

)

 $

 0.1

 $

 151.4

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (In millions)

 Year Ended

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Cash flows from operating activities

 $

)

 $

 50.2

 $

 56.0

 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 Depreciation

 100.1

 85.9

 81.2

 Amortization of intangible assets

 6.4

 6.9

 6.9

 Amortization of deferred financing fees

 2.1

 1.3

 2.9

 Non-cash operating lease expense

 ( 0.1

)

 —

 0.8

 Change in fair value of warrant liability

 —

 ( 4.7

)

 ( 1.6

)

 Stock-based compensation expense

 8.5

 11.5

 8.6

 Deferred taxes

 ( 2.0

)

 10.9

 14.7

 Bad debt expense (recovery)

 —

 0.7

 ( 0.3

)

 Gain on disposition of property and equipment

 ( 12.3

)

 ( 21.0

)

 ( 17.1

)

 17.9

 9.4

 —

 Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 Accounts receivable

 21.5

 ( 4.7

)

)

 Drivers' advances and other receivables

 ( 2.7

)

 ( 2.6

)

 0.9

 Other current assets

 3.1

 ( 13.1

)

 3.9

 Income tax receivable

 ( 2.2

)

 —

 —

 Accounts payable

 ( 0.3

)

 0.1

 ( 1.8

)

 Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 ( 3.6

)

 6.2

 7.3

 Net cash provided by operating activities

 118.7

 137.0

 144.7

 Cash flows from investing activities

 Purchases of property and equipment

 ( 30.3

)

 ( 42.1

)

 ( 53.7

)

 Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

 31.0

 40.9

 58.6

 Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash received

 —

 ( 19.1

)

 —

 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 0.7

 ( 20.3

)

 4.9

 Cash flows from financing activities:

 Advances on line of credit

 1,644.9

 1,831.3

 1,656.3

 Repayments on line of credit

 ( 1,644.9

)

 ( 1,831.3

)

 ( 1,656.3

)

 Principal payments on long-term debt

 ( 166.5

)

 ( 71.7

)

 ( 247.4

)

 Proceeds from long-term debt

 —

 —

 97.5

 Payments of deferred financing fees

 —

 —

 ( 3.4

)

 Repurchase of common stock

 —

 ( 44.9

)

 ( 20.4

)

 Exercise of stock options, net

 0.1

 0.8

 0.5

 Exercise of warrants

 —

 9.4

 —

 Series A convertible preferred stock dividends

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 Series B perpetual preferred stock dividends

 ( 5.0

)

 —

 —

 Series B perpetual preferred stock redemption

 ( 20.0

)

 —

 Net cash used in financing activities

 ( 196.4

)

 ( 111.4

)

 ( 178.2

)

 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

 0.2

 0.6

 ( 0.1

)

 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 ( 76.8

)

 5.9

 ( 28.7

)

 Cash and cash equivalents – beginning of period

 153.4

 147.5

 176.2

 Cash and cash equivalents – end of period

 $

 76.6

 $

 153.4

 $

 147.5

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - (Continued)

 (In millions)

 Year Ended

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 Cash paid for interest

 $

 50.0

 $

 34.3

 $

 29.6

 Cash paid for income taxes

 $

 6.2

 $

 22.0

 $

 10.4

 Noncash investing and financing activities

 Property and equipment acquired with debt or finance lease obligations

 $

 157.4

 $

 145.3

 $

 64.7

 Property and equipment sold for notes receivable

 $

 —

 $

 —

 $

 0.5

 Right-of-use assets acquired

 $

 31.5

 $

 36.0

 $

 23.6

 Accrued Series B perpetual preferred stock dividend

 $

 —

 $

 0.7

 $

 —

 Accrued share repurchase excise taxes

 $

 0.1

 $

 —

 $

 —

 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 NOTE 1 – NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 Nature of Operations

 Daseke, Inc. is engaged in full service open-deck trucking that specializes primarily in flatbed truckload and heavy haul transportation of specialized items throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Company also provides logistical planning and warehousing services to customers. The Company is subject to regulation by the Department of Transportation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and various state regulatory authorities in the United States. The Company is also subject to regulation by the Ministries of Transportation and Communications and various provincial regulatory authorities in Canada.

 Proposed Merger

 On December 22, 2023, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement) with TFI International Inc. (TFI International) and Diocletian MergerCo, Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of TFI International (Acquisition Sub). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to the conditions therein, (i) Acquisition Sub will be merged with and into the Company, with the Company surviving the Merger as an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of TFI International (the Merger) and (ii) Daseke common stockholders will receive $ 8.30 per share in cash for each share of common stock owned immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger.

 The transaction is expected to close in the beginning of the second quarter of 2024, subject to the Company's common stockholder approval, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Closing is not subject to any financing condition. If the Merger is consummated, the Company's common stock will be delisted from NASDAQ and deregistered under the Exchange Act, Daseke will cease to be a publicly traded company, and the Company will operate its portfolio of brands as part of TFI International's Truckload segment.

 Basis of Presentation

 The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Daseke, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (Daseke). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 Use of Estimates

 The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 Accounts Receivable

 The Company grants credit to its customers for substantially all of its sales. Accounts receivable are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate for credit losses. The Company establishes an allowance for credit losses based on a periodic review of its outstanding receivables and consideration of historical experience and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Accounts receivable are written off when deemed uncollectible and recoveries of trade accounts receivable previously written off are recorded as income when received. Accounts receivable are unsecured and the Company does not charge interest on outstanding receivables.

 Changes in the allowance for credit losses is as follows (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Beginning balance

 $

 2.3

 $

 2.1

 Credit loss expense

 —

 0.7

 Write-off, less recoveries

 ( 0.5

)

 ( 0.5

)

 Ending balance

 $

 1.8

 $

 2.3

 Cash and Cash Equivalents

 Cash equivalents are defined as short-term investments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase and are readily convertible into cash. The Company maintains cash in several banks and, at times, the balances may exceed federally insured limits. The Company does not believe it is exposed to any material credit risk on cash. The Company has a money market account with balances of $ 53.8 million and $ 113.7 million, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

 Property and Equipment

 Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, and are depreciated to estimated salvage value using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

 Buildings and building improvements

 10 – 40 years

 Leasehold improvements

 5 – 20 years (1)

 Revenue equipment – tractors, trailers and accessories

 5 – 15 years

 Assets leased and available for lease to owner-operators

 5 – 15 years

 Vehicles

 5 – 7 years

 Furniture and fixtures

 5 – 7 years

 Office, computer equipment and capitalized software development

 3 – 5 years

 (1) or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter

 Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is indicated. A loss is then recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the asset (as estimated by management using its best judgment) and the carrying value of the asset. During 2023, the Company recognized impairments of $ 1.0 million related to property and equipment within certain asset groups. There were no impairments related to property and equipment during 2022 or 2021.

 Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 Goodwill and other intangible assets result from business acquisitions. The Company accounts for business acquisitions by assigning the purchase price to tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their fair values and the excess of the purchase price over amounts assigned is recorded as goodwill.

 Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually (or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate potential impairment) for each reporting unit by applying either a qualitative or quantitative analysis in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as the basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative goodwill and indefinite-lived impairment tests. The Company may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly with the quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. The Company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using a combination of discounted expected future cash flows (an income approach) and guideline public companies method (a market approach). For indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company determines the fair value of the reporting unit using the relief-from-royalty method (an income approach). The Company's annual assessment is conducted as of October 1 of each year.

 Other intangible assets recorded consist of indefinite lived trade names and definite lived non-competition agreements and customer relationships. These intangible assets are stated at estimated fair value at the time of acquisition less accumulated amortization. For non-competition agreements, the Company amortizes over the contractual period of the non-competition agreement. Amortization is recorded using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

 Customer relationships

 10 – 15 years

 Non-competition agreements

 2 – 5 years

 The Company evaluates its definite lived intangible assets for impairment when current facts or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets to be held and used may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually applying a fair value based analysis in accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance for such assets.

 Right of Use Assets

 The Company capitalizes operating and finance leases for various real estate including corporate offices, trucking facilities and terminals, warehouses, and tractor parking as well as various types of equipment including tractors, trailers, forklifts, and office equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less (short term leases) across all asset classes are not recorded on the balance sheet; the Company recognizes lease expense for these leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

 Some of the Company's leases include one or more options to renew, with renewals that can extend the lease term from 1 to 5 years. The Company's lease term calculations include the impact of options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option, and the exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company's sole discretion. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. Rights and obligations related to lease agreements the Company has signed but that have not yet commenced are not material. The Company has certain lease agreements related to its revenue equipment that contain residual value guarantees. These residual value guarantees require the Company to return the revenue equipment at the end of the lease term in a certain condition as specified by the lessor in the lease agreement.

 The Company determines whether an arrangement is classified as a lease at inception. The Company's right-of-use assets represent its right to use the underlying assets for the lease term and the Company's lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The Company's operating lease agreements generally do not provide an implicit rate. The Company develops an incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date regarding the interest rate applicable to collateralized borrowings for a period similar to the original lease period. The incremental borrowing rates were used in determining the present value of lease payments which is reflected as the lease liability.

 Revenue and Expense Recognition

 While there may be master service agreements with Company customers, a contract is not established until the customer specifically requests the Company's services and the Company accepts. The Company evaluates each contract for distinct performance obligations. In the Company's business, a typical performance obligation is the transportation of a load, including any highly interrelated ancillary services.
 The Company's revenue and related costs are recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligation(s) transferring goods or services to the customer and the customer obtains control. With respect to freight, brokerage, logistics and fuel surcharge revenue, the Company's customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits of the Company's contracts; therefore revenue is recognized over time. This is a faithful depiction of the satisfaction of the performance obligation, as the customer does not need to re-perform the transportation services the Company has provided to date. Logistics revenues are recognized as the services are provided.

 Generally, the Company's customers are billed upon delivery of the freight or monthly and remit payment according to the approved payment terms.

 Freight Revenue

 Freight revenue is generated by hauling customer freight using company owned equipment (company freight) and owner-operator equipment (owner-operator freight). Freight revenue is the product of the number of revenue-generating miles driven and the rate per mile received from customers plus assessorial charges, such as loading and unloading freight, cargo protection, fees for detained equipment or fees for route planning and supervision.

 Brokerage Revenue

 The Company regularly engages third-party capacity providers to haul loads. The Company is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide load transportation services, and has discretion in setting prices, along with the risk to fulfill the contract to the customer. Based upon this evaluation, the Company has determined that it is the principal and therefore, records gross revenues and expenses for brokerage services.

 Logistics Revenue

 Logistics revenue is generated from a range of services, including value-added warehousing, loading and unloading, vehicle maintenance and repair, preparation and packaging, fuel management, and other fleet management solutions.

 Fuel Surcharge

 Fuel surcharge revenue compensates the Company for fuel costs above a certain cost per gallon base. Generally, the Company receives fuel surcharges from customers on loaded miles. Typically fuel surcharge does not apply to empty miles, idle time or out of route miles.

 The Company has designated the following preference and practical expedients:

 To not disclose remaining performance obligations when the expected performance obligation duration is one year or less. The vast majority of the Company's services transfer control within a month of the inception of the contract with select specialized loads taking several months to allow for increased planning and permitting.

 Recognize the incremental costs of obtaining or fulfilling a contract as an expense when incurred, as the amortization period of a potential asset would be recognized in one year or less.

 Exclude taxes collected on behalf of government authorities from the Company's measurement of transaction prices. Tax amounts are not included within net income or cost of sales.

 Advertising

 Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.

 Sales Taxes

 Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented in revenues in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income on a net basis.

 Income Taxes

 Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities at the applicable enacted tax rates.

 The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense (benefit) within the statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company had no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 Concentrations of Credit Risk

 Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk include accounts receivable. One customer represented approximately 10 % of trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. No single customer represented 10% or greater of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 Deferred Financing Fees

 In conjunction with obtaining long-term debt, the Company incurs financing costs which are being amortized using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest rate method, over the terms of the obligations. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the balance of deferred finance charges was $ 4.3 million and $ 6.4 million, respectively, which is included as a reduction of long-term debt, net of current portion in the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of deferred financing fees for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 totaled $ 2.1 million, $ 1.3 million, and $ 2.9 million, respectively, which is included in interest expense.

 Fair Value Measurements

 The Company follows the accounting guidance for fair value measurements of financial assets and financial liabilities and for fair value measurements of nonfinancial items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value guidance defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. It also establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The three levels of the fair value framework are as follows:

 Level 1 – Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 Level 2 – Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
 Level 3 – Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity's own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.

 A financial asset or liability's classification within the framework is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 The Company may be required, on a non-recurring basis, to adjust the carrying value of the Company's property and equipment, intangible assets, goodwill and contingent consideration. When necessary, these valuations are determined by the Company using Level 3 inputs. These assets are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that impairment may exist.

 There was no warrant liability as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The table below is a summary of the changes in the fair value of the warrant liability within the Level 3 fair value hierarchy (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Balance at beginning of period

 $

 —

 $

 2.0

 $

 2.7

 Change in fair value

 —

 ( 2.0

)

 ( 0.7

)

 Balance at end of period

 $

 —

 $

 —

 $

 2.0

 Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 The Company's financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, the line of credit and long-term debt. The carrying value of these financial instruments approximates fair value based on the liquidity of these financial instruments, their short-term nature or variable interest rates.

 Stock-Based Compensation

 Awards of equity instruments issued to employees and directors are accounted for under the fair value method of accounting and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Compensation cost is measured for all equity-classified stock-based awards at fair value on the date of grant and recognized using the straight-line method over the service period over which the awards are expected to vest. Compensation cost is remeasured for all liability-classified stock-based awards at fair value at each period-end and recognized using the straight-line method over the service period over which the awards are expected to vest.

 Fair value of all time-vested options as of the date of grant is estimated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option valuation models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. Since the Company did not have a sufficient history of exercise behavior at the time stock options were granted, expected term was calculated using the assumption that the options will be exercised ratably from the date of vesting to the end of the contractual term for each vesting tranche of awards. The risk-free interest rate

 was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the period of the expected term of the stock option. Expected volatility was calculated using an index of publicly traded peer companies.

 Fair values of non-vested stock awards (restricted stock units) are equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of the award with compensation costs amortized over the vesting period of the award.

 Fair values of equity-classified performance stock units without a market condition are equal to the market value of the common stock on the date of the award with compensation costs amortized over the vesting period of the award for awards probable to vest. Fair values of liability-classified performance stock units without a market condition are equal to the market value of the common stock at each period-end with compensation costs amortized over the vesting period of the award for awards probable to vest. Fair values of liability-classified performance stock units with a market condition are estimated each period-end using the Monte Carlo valuation model in a risk-neutral framework to model future stock price movements based upon highly subjective assumptions, including historical volatility, risk-free rates of return and the stock price simulated over the performance period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the interpolated constant maturity treasury curve for the performance period. Expected volatility is calculated using annualized historical volatility with a lookback period equal to the remaining performance period.

 Accrued Insurance and Claims

 The Company uses a combination of purchased insurance, self-insurance, and captive group programs. The insurance provides for the cost of vehicle liability, cargo loss, damage, general liability, property, workers' compensation claims and employee medical benefits. Self-insurance accruals relate primarily to vehicle liability, cargo damage, workers' compensation and employee medical claims.

 The measurement and classification of self-insured costs requires the consideration of historical cost experience, demographic and severity factors, and judgments about the current and expected levels of cost per claim and retention levels. These methods provide estimates of the liability associated with claims incurred as of the balance sheet date, including claims not reported. A liability is recognized for the estimated cost of all self-insured claims, which includes individual case estimates plus actuarial estimates of loss development and incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims based on historical experience and industry loss development factors. The Company believes these methods are appropriate for measuring these highly judgmental self-insurance accruals. However, the use of any estimation method is sensitive to the assumptions and factors described above, based on the magnitude of claims and the length of time from the date the claim is incurred to ultimate settlement. Accordingly, changes in these assumptions and factors can materially affect actual costs paid to settle the claims and those amounts may be different than estimates.

 Segment Reporting

 The Company determines its operating segments based on the information utilized by the chief operating decision maker to allocate resources and assess performance. Based on this information, the Company had determined it has nine operating segments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 that are aggregated into two reportable segments: Flatbed Solutions, which delivers its services using primarily flatbed transportation equipment to meet the needs of high-volume, time-sensitive shippers, and Specialized Solutions, which delivers transportation and logistics solutions for super heavy haul, high-value customized and over-dimensional loads, many of which require engineering and customized equipment. The Company reports segment results to its chief operating decision maker with intersegment revenues and expenses eliminated at the applicable reportable segment level, as well as corporate costs allocated to its two reportable segments based upon respective reportable segment revenue.

 Earnings Per Share

 Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution of earnings per share that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the Company's earnings.

 Common Stock Purchase Warrants

 The Company accounted for warrants for shares of the Company's common stock that are not indexed to its own stock or do not meet the equity classification guidance as liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet. The warrants were subject to remeasurement at each balance sheet date and any change in fair value is recognized as a component of other income (expense), net on the statement of operations. Prior to their expiration, the Company adjusted the liability for changes in fair value each period end. At times of exercise, the portion of the warrant

 liability related to the exercised common stock warrants was reclassified to additional paid-in capital. See Note 12 for additional details on the common stock purchase warrants.

 Foreign Currency Gains and Losses

 The functional currency for all operations except Canada is the U.S. dollar. The local currency is the functional currency for the Company's operations in Canada. For these operations, assets and liabilities are translated at the rates of exchange on the consolidated balance sheet date, while income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange during the period. The resulting gains or losses arising from the translation of accounts from the functional currency into U.S. dollars are included as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income until a partial or complete liquidation of the Company's net investment in the foreign operation.

 From time to time, the Company's foreign operations may enter into transactions that are denominated in a currency other than their functional currency. These transactions are initially recorded in the functional currency of the operating company based on the applicable exchange rate in effect on the date of the transaction. Monthly, these transactions are remeasured to an equivalent amount of the functional currency based on the applicable exchange rate in effect on the remeasurement date. Any adjustment required to remeasure a transaction to the equivalent amount of functional currency is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations of the foreign operating company as a component of foreign exchange gain or loss.

 Internal-use software

 The Company capitalizes implementation costs incurred in a cloud-based hosting arrangement that is a service contract in the same manner as costs incurred to obtain internal-use software. These implementation costs, while not material, are included in property and equipment and amortized over the term of the service contract.

 Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
 In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-13, Accounting for Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 requires the use of an "expected loss" model on certain types of financial instruments. The ASU sets forth a "current expected credit loss" model which requires the Company to measure all expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets, including trade receivables. In addition, in March 2022, the FASB issued ASU No. 2022-02, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Troubled Debt Restructurings and Vintage Disclosures to improve the decision usefulness of information provided to investors concerning certain loan refinancings, restructurings and writeoffs. The Company adopted these ASUs as of January 1, 2023. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
 In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07 to improve segment disclosure requirements under ASC 280, Segment Reporting, through enhancing disclosures about significant segment expenses. The guidance requires companies to disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker and other segment expenses included in each reported measure of segment profitability. The ASU also enhances interim segment reporting requirements by aligning interim disclosures with information that must be disclosed annually in accordance with ASC 280. The ASU will be effective beginning in 2024 for annual disclosures, and in 2025 for interim disclosures. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements, with the significant segment expense and other segment item amounts disclosed based on categories identified in the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impacts this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

 In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 to improve income tax disclosure requirements under ASC 740, Income Taxes. The guidance requires entities to provide disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation and about income taxes paid. The ASU will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance can be applied on a prospective or retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impacts this ASU will have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

 NOTE 2 – LEASES

 Lessee

 The Company has operating and finance leases for various real estate including corporate offices, trucking facilities and terminals, warehouses, and tractor parking as well as various types of equipment including tractors, trailers, forklifts, and office equipment. New real estate lease agreements will typically have initial terms between 3 to 15 years and new equipment lease agreements will typically have initial terms of 3 to 9 years.

 The Company follows ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, subsection Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, to determine whether right-of-use assets relating to operating and finance leases are impaired. During our annual goodwill impairment test, we determined that the carrying value of one of our operating segments within our Specialized Solutions segment exceeded its estimated fair value, which indicated that the carrying amount of its long-lived assets may not be recoverable. As a result, the Company recorded impairment charges of $ 0.3 million to right-of-use assets relating to operating leases for the year ended December 31, 2023. There was no impairment recorded for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

 The following table reflects the Company's components of lease expense (in millions):

 Classification

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Operating lease cost

 Revenue equipment

 $

 27.4

 $

 27.7

 $

 25.5

 Real estate

 16.3

 13.6

 14.9

 Variable lease cost

 Operations and maintenance, and Administrative

 2.0

 1.3

 0.9

 Short-term lease cost

 Operations and maintenance, and Administrative

 1.6

 1.2

 0.9

 Total operating lease cost

 $

 47.3

 $

 43.8

 $

 42.2

 Finance lease cost

 Amortization of right-of-use assets

 $

 6.5

 $

 6.4

 $

 6.7

 Interest on lease liabilities

 1.1

 1.1

 1.2

 Total finance lease cost

 $

 7.6

 $

 7.5

 $

 7.9

 Total lease cost

 $

 54.9

 $

 51.3

 $

 50.1

 The components of assets and liabilities for operating and finance leases are as follows (in millions):

 Classification

 2023

 2022

 Assets

 Operating lease right-of-use assets

 Right-of-use assets

 $

 98.9

 $

 107.6

 Finance lease right-of-use assets

 Property and equipment, net

 22.0

 26.0

 Total lease assets

 $

 120.9

 $

 133.6

 Liabilities

 Operating lease liabilities:

 Current

 Current operating lease liabilities

 $

 29.9

 $

 34.4

 Non-current

 Non-current operating lease liabilities

 75.5

 79.6

 Total operating lease liabilities

 $

 105.4

 $

 114.0

 Finance lease liabilities:

 Current

 Current portion of long-term debt

 $

 6.6

 $

 8.7

 Non-current

 Long-term debt, net of current portion

 12.3

 16.3

 Total finance lease liabilities

 $

 18.9

 $

 25.0

 Total lease liabilities

 $

 124.3

 $

 139.0

 The following table is a summary of supplemental cash flows related to leases (in millions):

 Year ended December 31,

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $

 ( 43.7

)

 $

 ( 41.4

)

 $

 ( 41.6

)

 Operating cash flows from finance leases

 ( 1.1

)

 ( 1.1

)

 ( 1.2

)

 Financing cash flows from finance leases

 ( 10.4

)

 ( 17.3

)

 ( 9.6

)

 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 Operating lease right-of-use assets

 $

 31.5

 $

 36.0

 $

 23.6

 Finance lease right-of-use assets

 4.8

 6.6

 6.7

 The following table is the future payments on leases as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):

 Operating

 Finance

 leases

 leases

 Total

 2024

 $

 34.8

 $

 7.9

 $

 42.7

 2025

 25.4

 6.1

 31.5

 2026

 20.0

 3.9

 23.9

 2027

 14.4

 3.0

 17.4

 2028

 8.3

 —

 8.3

 17.9

 —

 17.9

 Total lease payments

 120.8

 20.9

 141.7

 Less: interest

 ( 15.4

)

 ( 2.0

)

 ( 17.4

)

 Present value of lease liabilities

 $

 105.4

 $

 18.9

 $

 124.3

 The following table is a summary of weighted average lease terms and discount rates for leases:

 2023

 2022

 Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)

 Operating leases

 5.2

 5.4

 Finance leases

 2.5

 2.8

 Weighted-average discount rate

 Operating leases

 5.4

 %

 4.6

 %

 Finance leases

 4.7

 %

 4.6

 %

 Lessor

 The Company leases tractors and trailers to certain of its owner-operators and accounts for these transactions as operating leases. These leases typically have terms of 30 to 72 months and are collateralized by a security interest in the related revenue equipment. The Company recognizes income for these leases as payments are received over the lease term, which are reported in purchased freight on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). The Company's equipment leases may include options for the lessee to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term or terminate the lease prior to the end of the lease term. When an asset reaches the end of its useful economic life, the Company disposes of the asset.

 The Company recorded depreciation expense of $ 23.9 million, $ 25.1 million, and $ 21.5 million on its revenue equipment leased and available for lease to owner-operators under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Lease income from lease payments related to the Company's operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, was $ 30.5 million, $ 32.4 million, and $ 28.2 million, respectively.

 The following table is the future minimum receipts on leases as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):

 2024

 $

 34.0

 2025

 26.0

 2026

 14.3

 2027

 7.9

 2028

 3.9

 0.1

 Total minimum lease receipts

 $

 86.2

 NOTE 3 – ACQUISITIONS

 On March 3, 2022, the Company acquired 100 % of the outstanding stock of SJ Transportation Co., Inc. (SJ Transportation) for consideration net of cash acquired of $ 19.1 million, which was funded with cash on hand. The acquisition was a stock purchase under GAAP. A Section 338(h)(10) election was filed for the entity acquired which will deem the acquisition as an asset purchase for tax purposes; therefore approximately $ 7.9 million of the values assigned to goodwill and intangible assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Approximately $ 0.5 million of transaction expenses were incurred in the acquisition, which will also be deductible for tax purposes.

 The following is a summary of the allocation of the purchase price paid to the fair values of the net assets, net of cash acquired (in millions):

 SJ Transportation

 Accounts receivable

 $

 3.4

 Other current assets

 1.8

 Property and equipment

 10.0

 Intangible assets

 4.5

 Goodwill

 3.4

 Accounts payable and other liabilities

 ( 4.0

)

 Total

 $

 19.1

 NOTE 4 – OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

 The components of other current assets are as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Prepaid insurance

 $

 10.2

 $

 8.4

 Income tax receivable

 9.5

 13.8

 Other prepaids

 5.7

 2.9

 Prepaid licensing, permits and tolls

 5.0

 5.0

 Parts supplies

 4.1

 4.2

 Prepaid highway and fuel taxes

 1.2

 1.1

 Prepaid software

 1.0

 1.3

 Prepaid taxes

 —

 1.2

 Total

 $

 36.7

 $

 37.9

 NOTE 5 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of all acquisitions over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired. The Company performs an impairment test of goodwill annually as of October 1 or when impairment indicators arise.

 During 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges to goodwill of $ 13.3 million related to an operating segment within the Specialized Solutions segment. During 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges to goodwill of $ 5.7 million related to an operating segment within the Specialized Solutions segment that had been integrated into another operating segment as part of the Plan (see Note 7 for more information on the Plan). There were no goodwill impairments for the year ended December 31, 2021. Accumulated impairment as of December 31, 2023 was $ 137.8 million, comprised of $ 42.2 million in the Flatbed Solutions segment and $ 95.6 million in the Specialized Solutions segment. Accumulated impairment as of December 31, 2022 was $ 124.5 million, comprised of $ 42.2 million in the Flatbed Solutions segment and $ 82.3 million in the Specialized Solutions segment.

 The summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in millions):

 Flatbed
Solutions Segment

 Specialized Solutions Segment

 Total

 Goodwill balance at January 1, 2022

 $

 59.3

 $

 80.8

 $

 140.1

 Goodwill acquired

 —

 3.4

 3.4

 —

 ( 5.7

)

 ( 5.7

)

 Foreign currency translation adjustment

 —

 ( 0.5

)

 ( 0.5

)

 Goodwill balance at December 31, 2022

 59.3

 78.0

 137.3

 —

 ( 13.3

)

 ( 13.3

)

 Foreign currency translation adjustment

 —

 0.2

 0.2

 Goodwill balance at December 31, 2023

 $

 59.3

 $

 64.9

 $

 124.2

 During 2023, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $ 1.5 million to trade names related to an operating segment within in the Flatbed Solutions segment and recorded impairment charge s of $ 1.8 million consisting of $ 1.4 million related to trade names and $ 0.4 million related to customer relationships related to an operating segment within the Specialized Solutions segment. During 2022, the Company recorded impairment charge s to intangible assets of $ 3.7 million consisting of $ 3.5 million related to trade name intangibles and $ 0.2 million related to customer relationships intangibles as a result of the Company's decision to no longer use the trade names of two entities within the Specialized Solutions segment that had been integrated into other operating segments as part of the Plan. During 2021, there were no impairments related to intangible assets.

 Intangible assets consisted of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022 (in millions):

 As of December 31, 2023

 As of December 31, 2022

 Intangible

 Accumulated

 Intangible

 Intangible

 Accumulated

 Intangible

 Assets

 Amortization

 Assets, net

 Assets

 Amortization

 Assets, net

 Non-competition agreements

 $

 22.2

 $

 ( 21.7

)

 $

 0.5

 $

 21.3

 $

 ( 21.2

)

 $

 0.1

 Customer relationships

 89.8

 ( 65.1

)

 24.7

 90.3

 ( 59.2

)

 31.1

 Trade names

 45.5

 —

 45.5

 48.4

 —

 48.4

 Licenses

 1.0

 —

 1.0

 1.0

 —

 1.0

 Foreign currency translation adjustment

 0.1

 —

 0.1

 —

 —

 —

 Total intangible assets

 $

 158.6

 $

 ( 86.8

)

 $

 71.8

 $

 161.0

 $

 ( 80.4

)

 $

 80.6

 As of December 31, 2023, non-competition agreements and customer relationships had weighted average remaining useful lives of 0.9 and 8.0 years, respectively.

 Amortization expense for intangible assets with definite lives was $ 6.4 million, $ 6.9 million, and $ 6.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

 Future estimated amortization expense is as follows (in millions):

 Non-competition

 Customer

 Agreements

 Relationships

 2024

 $

 0.5

 $

 4.0

 2025

 —

 3.2

 2026

 —

 2.8

 2027

 —

 2.8

 2028

 —

 2.7

 —

 9.2

 Total

 $

 0.5

 $

 24.7

 NOTE 6 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets exceeds its net realizable value, the asset will be written down to its fair value and the amount recognized for impairment is equal to the difference between the carrying value and the asset's fair value.

 The components of property and equipment are as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Revenue equipment

 $

 697.4

 $

 611.3

 Revenue equipment leased and available for lease to owner operators

 145.6

 145.1

 Buildings and improvements

 63.0

 62.4

 Furniture and fixtures, office and computer equipment, vehicles and capitalized software development

 51.6

 40.7

 Property and equipment, gross

 957.6

 859.5

 Accumulated depreciation

 ( 401.5

)

 ( 371.2

)

 Property and equipment, net

 $

 556.1

 $

 488.3

 Total depreciation expense was $ 100.1 million, $ 85.9 million, and $ 81.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

 NOTE 7 – INTEGRATION AND RESTRUCTURING
 During the first quarter of 2022, the Company internally announced a phased integration and restructuring plan (the Plan). Our goal is to drive synergies and improve profitability through cost reduction, network optimization and commercial initiatives which will be facilitated by the continued integration of our operating companies into a subset of our highest-performing platform companies. We believe these measures will unite teams across the Company around a culture of close coordination and continuous improvement, providing for opportunistic expansion into incremental services, geographies, and industrial end markets. These efforts provide a preview of the potential of One Daseke, our name for the initiatives through which we are driving the next phase of our Company's growth - one that benefits from the sharing of best practices, the optimization of processes, and the technology enablement necessary to better engage our customers and drivers. As of December 31, 2023 we had nine operating segments.
 The integration and restructuring costs, which we expect to incur over the next several years, may consist of employee-related costs and other transition and termination costs related to restructuring activities. Employee-related costs include severance, tax preparation, and relocation costs, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC 420 Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. Other transition and termination costs may include fixed asset-related charges, contract and lease termination costs, professional fees, and other miscellaneous expenditures associated with the integration or restructuring activities, which are expensed as incurred. Costs are reported in restructuring in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
 The Company recorded $ 0.5 million of integration and restructuring expenses primarily related to $ 1.2 million in professional fees partially offset by a $ 0.7 million prior quarter reclassification to acquisition-related transaction expenses, in connection with the Plan in the year ended December 31, 2023, comprised of $ 0.5 million in the Specialized Solutions segment and $ 0 million in the Flatbed Solutions segment. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no accrued integration and restructuring costs. As of December 31, 2023, we have incurred a cumulative total of $ 2.9 million in integration and restructuring costs since inception of the Plan.

 NOTE 8 – ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES

 The components of accrued expenses and other liabilities are as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Brokerage and escorts

 $

 13.9

 $

 14.1

 Unvouchered payables

 9.2

 9.4

 Owner operator deposits

 8.5

 9.7

 Fuel and fuel taxes

 3.6

 2.7

 Other accrued expenses

 2.3

 5.6

 Accrued property taxes and sales taxes payable

 1.1

 2.4

 Interest

 1.0

 1.0

 Share repurchase excise taxes

 0.1

 —

 Total

 $

 39.7

 $

 44.9

 NOTE 9 – LONG-TERM DEBT

 Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Term Loan Facility

 $

 320.0

 $

 393.0

 ABL Facility

 —

 —

 Equipment and real estate term loans

 319.6

 249.1

 Finance lease liabilities

 18.9

 25.0

 Total debt and finance lease liabilities

 658.5

 667.1

 Less current portion

 ( 90.7

)

 ( 78.4

)

 Less unamortized deferred financing fees

 ( 4.3

)

 ( 6.4

)

 Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, less current portion and unamortized deferred financing fees

 $

 563.5

 $

 582.3

 Term Loan Facility

 The Company has a $ 400.0 million term loan facility (the Term Loan Facility) evidenced by a Term Loan Agreement dated as of February 27, 2017 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the Term Loan Agreement), among the Company, Daseke Companies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the Term Loan Borrower), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (as successor to Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch) (the Term Loan Agent), and the other lenders from time to time party thereto with a scheduled maturity date of March 9, 2028.

 On May 2, 2023, the Term Loan Borrower entered into Amendment No. 4 to Term Loan Agreement (the Term Loan Amendment) with the Term Loan Agent. Under the Term Loan Amendment, the Term Loan Borrower and the Term Loan Agent elected to transition from a LIBOR-based reference rate with a term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) based reference rate, relying on the existing fallback provisions contained in the Term Loan Agreement. In connection with the transition from LIBOR to term SOFR, term SOFR loans will be subject to a spread adjustment of 0.11448 % per annum for term SOFR loans with an interest period of one month 's duration, 0.26161 % per annum for term SOFR loans with an interest period of three months ' duration, and 0.42826 % per annum for term SOFR loans with an interest period of six months ' duration (such spread adjustments, the Term SOFR Adjustment).

 The term loans are, at the Company's election from time to time, comprised of (x) alternate base rate loans or term SOFR loans, with the applicable margins of interest being an alternate base rate (subject to a 1.75 % floor) plus 3.00 % per annum and (y) term SOFR rate (subject to a 0.75 % floor) plus 4.00 % per annum plus the applicable Term SOFR Adjustment. During the second and third quarters of 2023, the Company made voluntary $ 50.0 million and $ 20.0 million cash prepayments of the Term Loan Facility, respectively, and accordingly wrote off $ 0.7 million and $ 0.3 million in deferred financing fees, respectively. The Term Loan Facility has an outstanding balance of $ 320.0 million as of December 31, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility was 9.47 % and 8.39 %, respectively.

 The Term Loan Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company, excluding those assets collateralizing certain equipment and real estate debt and other customary exceptions.

 The Term Loan Facility permits voluntary prepayments of borrowings. In certain circumstances (subject to exceptions, exclusions and, in the case of excess cash flow, step-downs described below), the Company may also be required to make an offer to prepay the term loans if it receives proceeds as a result of certain asset sales, debt issuances, casualty or similar events of loss, or if it has excess cash flow (defined as an annual amount calculated using a customary formula based on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, including, among other things, deductions for (i) the amount of certain voluntary prepayments of the term loans and (ii) the amount of certain capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments and restricted payments). The percentage of excess cash flow that must be applied as a mandatory prepayment is 50 %, 25 % or 0 % for excess cash flow periods, depending upon the first lien leverage ratio.

 The Term Loan Facility contains (i) certain customary affirmative covenants that, among other things, require compliance with applicable laws, periodic financial reporting and notices of material events, payment of taxes and other obligations, maintenance of property and insurance, and provision of additional guarantees and collateral, and (ii) certain customary negative covenants that, among other things, restrict the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens on property, sale and leaseback transactions, investments, mergers, consolidations, liquidations and dissolutions, asset sales, acquisitions, the payment of distributions, dividends, redemptions and repurchases of equity interests, transactions with affiliates, prepayments and redemptions of certain other indebtedness, burdensome agreements, holding company limitations, changes in fiscal year and modifications of organizational documents. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the Term Loan Facility.

 ABL Facility
 The Company has a senior secured asset-based revolving line of credit (the ABL Facility) under a credit agreement (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the ABL Credit Agreement) with PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the ABL Agent) and the lenders party thereto.
 On April 29, 2021, the Company, Daseke Companies, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company's other domestic subsidiaries party thereto (together with Daseke Companies, Inc., the ABL Borrowers) entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Security Agreement (the ABL Amendment) with the financial institutions party thereto as lenders and the ABL Agent, which amends certain terms of the ABL Credit Agreement.
 Principally, the ABL Amendment extended the scheduled maturity date of the ABL Facility from February 27, 2025 to April 29, 2026. The ABL Amendment also, among other things, (a) increased the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount (as defined therein) from $ 100 million to $ 150 million, (b) provides that the Maximum Revolving Advance Amount may be increased further from $ 150 million to $ 200 million

 (the ABL Amendment did not result in such an increase), (c) removed the ABL Borrowers' total leverage financial covenant, which had been tested on a quarterly basis and (d) provided additional covenant flexibility in the form of increased debt, lien, investment, disposition and restricted payment baskets.
 The ABL Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit subject to certain restrictions and a sublimit of $ 40 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no borrowings, $ 20.5 million in letters of credit outstanding, and could incur approximately $ 93.6 million of additional indebtedness under the ABL Facility, assuming the qualified collateral calculated as of this date.
 On June 30, 2023, the administrator of LIBOR ceased publication of LIBOR as a reference rate for all available interest rate tenors. The ABL Facility contained fallback provisions to a term SOFR based reference rate in the event of such occurrence. Accordingly, as of June 30, 2023, all loans under the ABL Facility may be comprised of (x) alternate base rate loans or (y) term SOFR loans, with the applicable margins of interest set forth in the table below.
 Margins on the ABL Facility are adjusted, if necessary, to the applicable rates set forth in the following table corresponding to the average RLOC Utilization for the trailing 12 month period on the last day of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. RLOC Utilization at a particular date shall mean an amount equal to (a)(i) outstanding amount of Revolving Advances plus (ii) the outstanding amount of the Swing Loans plus (iii) the aggregate Maximum Undrawn Amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, divided by (b) Maximum Revolving Advance Amount.

 RLOC Utilization

 Base Rate Margins

 Term SOFR Margins

 Less than 33.3%

 0.50

 %

 1.50

 %

 Greater than or equal to 33.3%, but less than 66.6%

 0.75

 %

 1.75

 %

 Greater than or equal to 66.6%

 1.00

 %

 2.00

 %

 In connection with the transition from LIBOR to term SOFR, term SOFR loans will be subject to an additional spread adjustment between 0.03839 % per annum and 0.42826 % per annum depending on the applicable interest period of such term SOFR loan.
 At December 31, 2023, the interest rate on the ABL Facility was 9.00 %.
 The ABL Facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company, including substantially all of the Company's U.S.-based accounts receivable, parts supplies, cash and cash equivalents, securities and deposit accounts and other personal property, but excluding those assets collateralizing certain equipment and real estate debt and other customary exceptions.
 The ABL Facility contains a financial covenant such that during any period after a default or event of default or after excess availability falling below 12.5% of the maximum credit amount, continuing until such time as no default or event of default has existed and excess availability has exceeded such amounts for a period of 60 consecutive days, a financial covenant requiring the Company to satisfy a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.00 x, tested on a quarterly basis. The Company's fixed charge coverage ratio is defined as the ratio of (1) consolidated EBITDA minus unfinanced capital expenditures, cash taxes and cash dividends or distributions, to (2) the sum of all funded debt payments for the four-quarter period then ending (with customary add-backs permitted to consolidated EBITDA).
 The ABL Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants similar to those in the Term Loan Facility, together with such additional terms as are customary for a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility.
 As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants contained in the ABL Facility.

 Equipment and Real Estate Loans

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had term loans collateralized by equipment in the aggregate amount of $ 319.6 million with 13 lenders (Equipment Term Loans). The Equipment Term Loans bear interest at rates ranging from 2.6 % to 7.4 %, require monthly payments of principal and interest and mature at various dates through December 2030. As of December 31, 2023, the weighted average interest rate was 5.5 %. Certain of the Equipment Term Loans contain conditions, covenants, representations and warranties, events of default, and indemnification provisions applicable to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries that are customary for equipment financings, including, but not limited to, limitations on the incurrence of additional debt and the prepayment of existing indebtedness, certain payments (including dividends and other distributions to persons not party to its credit facility) and transfers of assets.

 Finance Leases

 The Company leases certain equipment under long-term finance lease agreements that expire on various dates through December 2026. See Note 2 for information on finance leases.

 Future principal payments on long-term debt (excluding future payments on finance leases which are disclosed in Note 2) are as follows (in millions):

 Term Loan Facility

 Equipment Loans

 Total

 2024

 $

 —

 $

 84.1

 $

 84.1

 2025

 —

 80.7

 80.7

 2026

 —

 73.4

 73.4

 2027

 —

 48.9

 48.9

 2028

 320.0

 23.8

 343.8

 —

 8.7

 8.7

 Total long-term debt

 $

 320.0

 $

 319.6

 $

 639.6

 NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

 The components of the Company's United States and foreign provision for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Current:

 Federal

 $

 5.0

 $

 6.2

 $

 4.6

 State

 3.7

 1.6

 5.4

 Foreign

 0.5

 1.2

 0.9

 Total current taxes

 9.2

 9.0

 10.9

 Deferred:

 Federal

 ( 2.2

)

 8.7

 11.0

 State

 ( 1.9

)

 0.2

 3.4

 Foreign

 2.2

 1.7

 0.7

 Total deferred taxes

 ( 1.9

)

 10.6

 15.1

 Income tax expense

 $

 7.3

 $

 19.6

 $

 26.0

 A reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the United States statutory income tax rate were as follows for the years ended December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Income tax expense at United States statutory income tax rate

 $

 ( 2.2

)

 $

 14.6

 $

 17.2

 Federal income tax effects of:

 State income tax expense, net of federal benefit

 1.4

 1.0

 6.9

 Impairment of goodwill

 2.8

 1.2

 —

 Foreign tax rate differential

 0.4

 0.5

 0.3

 Driver per diem

 1.0

 —

 —

 Global intangible low-taxed income inclusion

 0.4

 0.7

 —

 Other nondeductible expenses

 0.4

 0.7

 ( 0.1

)

 Nondeductible officer compensation

 1.8

 1.6

 1.8

 Write-off of foreign deferred tax assets

 —

 10.5

 —

 Change in valuation allowance

 —

 ( 10.2

)

 —

 Change in fair value of warrant liability

 —

 ( 1.0

)

 ( 0.3

)

 Stock compensation

 0.2

 0.1

 ( 0.5

)

 Tax credits

 ( 0.2

)

 ( 0.1

)

 ( 0.1

)

 Return-to-provision adjustments

 ( 0.3

)

 0.1

 0.3

 Other

 1.6

 ( 0.1

)

 0.5

 Income tax expense

 $

 7.3

 $

 19.6

 $

 26.0

 Effective tax rate

 ( 70.2

)%

 28.1

 %

 31.7

 %

 The decrease in the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is primarily due to the impact of various nondeductible items on pretax loss which resulted in taxable income, primarily related to goodwill impairment, as well as officer compensation and other expenses.

 The effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant elements of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows at December 31 (in millions):

 2023

 2022

 Deferred tax assets

 Accrued expenses

 $

 7.7

 $

 6.8

 Vacation accrual

 0.7

 0.5

 Accounts receivable

 1.1

 0.8

 Net operating losses

 0.7

 0.4

 Deferred start-up costs

 0.9

 1.0

 Stock based compensation

 3.5

 3.5

 Operating lease liabilities

 26.8

 28.8

 Interest expense limitation carryforward

 11.9

 6.1

 53.3

 47.9

 Valuation allowance

 ( 0.4

)

 ( 0.3

)

 Total deferred tax assets

 52.9

 47.6

 Deferred tax liabilities

 Prepaid expenses

 ( 4.1

)

 ( 3.2

)

 Intangible assets

 ( 14.5

)

 ( 15.9

)

 Property and equipment

 ( 102.5

)

 ( 96.2

)

 Right of use asset

 ( 25.4

)

 ( 27.3

)

 Total deferred tax liabilities

 ( 146.5

)

 ( 142.6

)

 Net deferred tax liability

 $

 ( 93.6

)

 $

 ( 95.0

)

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company's valuation allowance was $ 0.4 million against a portion of state net operating losses, that, in the judgment of management, are not more-likely-than-not to be realized. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's valuation allowance was $ 0.3 million against a portion of state net operating losses, that, in the judgment of management, were not more-likely-than-not to be realized. The current year increase relates to additional valuation recorded on state net operating losses not expected to be realized prior to expiration. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon future reversal of taxable and deductible temporary differences, the generation of future taxable income, and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible.

 At December 31, 2023, the Company does not have any U.S. federal or foreign net operating loss carry forwards. On an after-tax basis, the Company has state net operating losses of $ 0.7 million. These loss carryforwards begin expiring in 2028.

 The Company had no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company is no longer subject to United States federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020; however, federal net operating loss carry forwards from years prior to 2020 that were utilized in 2021 remain subject to review and adjustment by tax authorities. The Company is no longer subject to state and foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020; however, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards from years prior to 2020 that were utilized in 2021 and 2022 remain subject to review and adjustment by tax authorities.

 NOTE 11 – RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 Related Party Leases

 The Company leases certain office facilities, terminals and revenue equipment from entities owned or partially owned by stockholders or employees on operating leases. Total lease expense related to these leases was $ 1.3 million, $ 1.3 million, and $ 1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable related party operating leases are as follows (in millions):

 Office and

 Terminals

 2024

 $

 1.2

 2025

 1.2

 2026

 1.2

 2027

 1.1

 2028

 0.3

 —

 Total

 $

 5.0

 Other Related Party Transactions

 On November 10, 2022, the Company entered into a Share Repurchase Agreement with Don R. Daseke, Barbara Daseke, and The Walden Group, Inc., which was amended by Amendment No. 1 to Share Repurchase Agreement, dated November 14, 2022 (the Founder's Repurchase). As of the date of the Founder's Repurchase and until the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby on November 14, 2022, Mr. Daseke was a member of the Company's board of directors; Mrs. Daseke is Mr. Daseke's spouse and Walden Group is an entity controlled by Mr. Daseke. See Note 12 for additional details about the Founder's Repurchase.

 NOTE 12 – STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

 Common Stock

 Common stock has voting rights – one vote for each share of common stock.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 4.0 million shares of common stock reserved for future issuances of equity awards under the Company's 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, based on the current estimate of the potential number of shares that may be issued from outstanding awards. See Note 13 for additional details about the Company's stock-based compensation plan.

 On November 10, 2022, the Company entered into the Founder's Repurchase to purchase 6,666,667 shares of common stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, of the Company in exchange for $ 40.0 million in cash and 11,266,058 shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for 20,000 shares of Series B-1 Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, of the Company and 47,597 shares of Series B-2 Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share, of the Company.

 On September 30, 2022, the Company announced that the Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $ 40.0 million of the Company's outstanding common stock (the 2022 Stock Repurchase Program). Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. On November 14, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing that it has paused the stock repurchase program. Repurchases by the Company may resume in the future, and any such repurchases will be subject to general market and economic conditions, applicable legal requirements and other considerations. As of December 31, 2022, prior to the plan's pause, the Company had purchased 803,554 shares at a weighted average price of $ 6.05 per share.
 On March 22, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the 2021 Stock Repurchase Program). Shares are effectively retired at the time of purchase. During 2021, the Company repurchased and retired all 3,000,000 shares, at an aggregate cost of $ 20.4 million, and accordingly, no additional shares may be repurchased under the 2021 Stock Repurchase Program.

 On December 23, 2020, the Company entered into a board representation agreement with Lyons Capital, LLC, and a board agreement with The Walden Group, Inc. and Don R. Daseke. These agreements outline specifics as to how those parties will vote their shares of common

 stock at any Stockholder's Meeting and include certain standstill restrictions. The agreement with Mr. Daseke also includes the agreement of the Company to initiate a share repurchase program for a minimum of 3,000,000 shares of common stock. The board agreement with The Walden Group, Inc. and Don R. Daseke was terminated on November 14, 2022 upon closing of the Share Repurchase Agreement discussed above.

 Preferred Stock

 Series A

 On February 27, 2017, the Company issued 650,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock for cash of $ 65.0 million. The par value of Series A Preferred Stock is $ 0.0001 per share. Additional features of this preferred stock are as follows:

 Under the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, Rights and Limitations of the Series A Preferred Stock (the Certificate of Designations), each share of Series A Preferred Stock will be convertible, at the holder's option at any time, initially into approximately 8.6957 shares of the Company's common stock (assuming a conversion price of approximately $ 11.50 per share), subject to specified adjustments as set forth in the Certificate of Designations. If any holder elects to convert its Series A Preferred Stock after the seven-year anniversary of the issue date, if the then-current Conversion Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) exceeds the Weighted Average Price (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) for the common stock during any ten consecutive Trading Days (as defined in the Certificate of Designations), at its option by delivery of a Notice of Conversion in accordance with Section 8(b) of the Certificate of Designations no later than five business days following such tenth consecutive Trading Day, to convert any or all of such holder's shares of Series A Preferred Stock into, at the Company's sole discretion, either common stock, cash or a combination of common stock and cash; provided, that the Company shall provide such converting holder notice of its election within two Trading Days of receipt of the Notice of Conversion; provided further, that in the event the Company elects to issue common stock for all or a portion of such conversion, the Conversion Rate for such conversion (subject to the limitations set forth in Section 11 of the Certificate of Designations) shall mean the quotient of the Liquidation Preference (as defined in the Certificate of Designations) divided by the average Weighted Average Price for the common stock during the 20 consecutive Trading Days commencing on the Trading Day immediately following the Trading Day on which the Company provided such notice. If the Company does not elect a settlement method prior to the deadline set forth in the Certificate of Designations, the Company shall be deemed to have elected to settle the conversion entirely in common stock. Based on the assumed conversion rate, a total of 5,652,173 shares of Common Stock would be issuable upon conversion of all of the currently outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock.

 On or after the third anniversary of the initial issuance date but prior to the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance date, the Company will have the right, at its option, to give notice of its election to cause all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into shares of the Company's common stock at the then-effective conversion rate, if the Weighted Average Price of Company's common stock equals or exceeds 140 % of the then-current conversion price for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in a period of 30 consecutive trading days. On or after the fifth anniversary of the initial issuance date but prior to the seventh anniversary of the initial issuance date, the Company will have the right, at its option, to give notice of its election to cause all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into shares of Company's common stock at the then-effective conversion rate, if the Weighted Average Price of Company's common stock equals or exceeds 115 % of the then-current conversion price for at least 20 trading days (whether or not consecutive) in a period of 30 consecutive trading days. On or after the seventh anniversary of the initial issuance date, the Company will have the right, at its option, to give notice of its election to cause all outstanding shares of the Series A Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into shares of Company's common stock at the then-effective conversion rate, if the Weighted Average Price of Company's common stock equals or exceeds the then-current conversion price for at least 10 consecutive trading days. If the Company undergoes certain fundamental changes (as more fully described in the Certificate of Designations but including, among other things, certain change-in-control transactions, recapitalizations, asset sales of all or substantially all assets and liquidation events), each outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock may, within 15 days following the effective date of such fundamental change and at the election of the holder, be converted into Company's common stock at a conversion rate (subject to certain adjustments) equal to (i) the greater of (A) the sum of the conversion rate on the effective date of such fundamental change plus the additional shares received by holders of Series A Preferred Stock following such fundamental change (as set forth in the Certificate of Designations) and (B) the quotient of (x) $ 100.00, divided by (y) the greater of (1) the applicable holder stock price and (2) 66 2/3% of the closing sale price of the Company's common stock on the issue date plus (ii) the number of shares of Company's common stock that would be issued if any and all accumulated and unpaid dividends were paid in shares of Company's common stock.

 The Series A Preferred Stock contains limitations that prevent the holders thereof from acquiring shares of the Company's common stock upon conversion that would result in (i) the number of shares beneficially owned by such holder and its affiliates exceeding 9.99 % of the total number of shares of the Company's common stock then outstanding or (ii) the Series A Preferred Stock being converted into more than 19.99 % of the shares of the Company's common stock outstanding on the initial issue date of the Series A Preferred Stock (subject to

 appropriate adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, combination or other similar recapitalization) without, in the latter instance, stockholder approval of such issuance.

 Additional features of the Series A Preferred Stock are as follows:

 a.

 Liquidation – In the event of liquidation, holders of Series A Preferred Stock have preferential rights to liquidation payments over holders of common stock. Holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be paid out of the assets of the Company at an amount equal to $ 100 per share plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends.

 b.

 Dividends – Dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are cumulative at the Dividend Rate. The "Dividend Rate" is the rate per annum of 7.625 % per share of Series A Preferred Stock on the liquidation preference ($ 100 per share). Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears in cash or, at the Company's election and subject to the receipt of the necessary shareholder approval (to the extent necessary), in shares of the Company's common stock. In each of the four quarters of 2020, 2021 and 2022, the Company's board of directors declared and the Company paid a cash dividend of $ 1.91 per share.

 c.

 Voting rights – Except as required by Delaware law, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except with respect to the approval of any material and adverse amendment to the Company's certificate of incorporation, and certain significant holders of Series A Preferred Stock may have approval rights with respect to certain key economic terms of the Series A Preferred Stock, as set forth in the Certificate of Designations.

 Series B

 On November 14, 2022, as part of the Founder's Repurchase, the Company issued (i) 20,000 shares of Series B-1 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share (the Series B-1 Preferred Stock), of the Company, with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $ 20.0 million, and (ii) 47,597 shares of Series B-2 Perpetual Redeemable Preferred Stock, par value $ 0.0001 per share (the Series B-2 Preferred Stock and, together with the Series B-1 Preferred Stock, the Series B Preferred Stock), of the Company, with an aggregate initial liquidation preference of $ 47.6 million.

 The dividend rate applicable to the Series B-1 Preferred Stock is equal to 13.00 % per annum, and the dividend rate applicable to the Series B-2 Preferred Stock is equal to 7.00 % per annum. In the event that the Company does not pay dividends in cash on the applicable dividend payment date, subject to certain exceptions, the dividend rate applicable to each series of Series B Preferred Stock shall be equal to 13.00 % per annum. In addition, on and after the occurrence of certain change of control transactions, the dividend rate applicable to each series of Series B Preferred Stock shall be equal to 18.00 %.

 The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at any time, in part or in whole, at the Company's sole discretion, at a redemption price equal to the initial liquidation preference, plus accrued and unpaid dividends, with no prepayment penalties or call protections, but is otherwise perpetual in term, with no conversion or equity-linked features.

 The Series B Preferred Stock ranks junior to all outstanding secured and unsecured debt obligations, as well as the Series A Preferred Stock, and senior to the common stock, in each case in terms of payment and liquidation priority.

 In May 2023, the Company redeemed all 20,000 shares of issued and outstanding Series B-1 perpetual preferred stock by paying $ 20.3 million in cash, which consisted of $ 20.0 million liquidation preference, plus $ 0.3 million in accrued and unpaid dividends.

 Warrants

 The Company issued 19,959,902 warrants (the Public Warrants) to purchase its common stock as part of Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp. II's initial public offering (IPO). The Company also issued 15,080,756 warrants (the Private Placement Warrants) to the sponsor in a private placement that closed simultaneously with the consummation of the IPO. On February 27, 2022, the Company's common stock purchase warrants expired in accordance with their terms and are no longer exercisable. During 2022, prior to their expiration, there were 1,635,296 warrants exercised for 817,648 shares of the Company's common stock in exchange for $ 9.4 million in proceeds to the Company.

 NOTE 13 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 Under the 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended from time to time, the Incentive Plan), the Company may grant awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards and performance awards. On June 18, 2021, at the Company's 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment and restatement (the Restatement) of the Incentive Plan. The Restatement increased the number of shares that may be granted as awards thereunder by 4.0 million and extended the scheduled expiration date of the Incentive Plan from February 27, 2027 to June 18, 2031.

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company has 4.0 million shares of common stock available for issuance under the Incentive Plan, based on the current estimate of the potential number of shares that may be issued from outstanding awards. This figure would decrease by approximately 0.8 million shares if outstanding PSU awards were issued at maximum. Equity awards to employees generally vest annually on a pro-rata basis over a three to five-year period on the anniversary of each grant date. The Company also grants awards to our directors under the Plan. The awards granted to directors typically vest ratably over periods of less than one year to five years annually on the anniversary of each grant date.

 Aggregate stock-based compensation charges, net of forfeitures, were $ 8.5 million, $ 11.5 million, and $ 8.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. These expenses are included as a component of salaries, wages and employee benefits on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

 Stock-based compensation cost with equity classification is measured at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award, and is recognized on a straight-line basis as expense over the employees' requisite service period. Stock-based compensation cost with liability classification is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period and revalued on each balance sheet date with the corresponding adjustment to stock-based compensation recorded in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. Forfeitures are recorded as a cumulative adjustment to stock-based compensation expense in the period forfeitures occur. As of December 31, 2023, there was $ 0, $ 3.4 million, and $ 2.6 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance stock units (PSUs) (both equity and liability awards), respectively. This expense will be recognized over the weighted average periods of 1.8 years for RSUs and 1.9 years for PSUs.

 Stock Options

 The following table summarizes stock option grants:

 Grantee Type

 # of
Options

 Issued and
Outstanding

 Vesting
Period

Average
Exercise
Price

 Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
(Per Option)

 Director Group

 150,000

 50,000

 5 years

 $

 9.98

 $

 4.36

 Employee Group

 4,682,630

 1,563,662

 3 - 5 years

 $

 6.53

 $

 4.41

 Total

 1,613,662

 Since the Company did not have a sufficient history of exercise behavior at the time stock options were granted, expected term was calculated using the assumption that the options will be exercised ratably from the date of vesting to the end of the contractual term for each vesting tranche of awards. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve for the period of the expected term of the stock option. Expected volatility was calculated using an index of publicly traded peer companies.

 A summary of option activity as of December 31, 2023, and the changes during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Average
Exercise
Price

Average
Remaining
Contractual
Terms (Years)

 Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value (in
millions)

 Outstanding as of January 1, 2023

 1,864,822

 $

 6.71

 5.8

 $

 3.2

 —

 —

 Exercised

 ( 103,000

)

 1.41

 Forfeited or expired

 ( 148,160

)

 11.21

 Outstanding as of December 31, 2023

 1,613,662

 $

 6.63

 4.8

 $

 4.4

 Exercisable as of December 31, 2023

 1,611,662

 $

 6.64

 4.8

 $

 4.4

 Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2023

 1,613,662

 $

 6.63

 4.8

 $

 4.4

 The stock options' maximum contract term is ten years. There were no options granted during the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021. The intrinsic value of options exercised for the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 0.6 million, $ 0.2 million, and $ 0.5 million, respectively.

 The summary of the status of nonvested shares as of December 31, 2023, and the changes during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

Average Grant Date Fair Value (Per Unit)Price

 Non-vested at January 1, 2023

 296,052

 $

 4.46

 —

 —

 Vested

 ( 292,552

)

 4.48

 Forfeited or expired

 ( 1,500

)

 4.14

 Non-vested at December 31, 2023

 2,000

 $

 1.28

 Restricted Stock Units

 RSUs are nontransferable until vested. Some RSU grants entitle the holder to receive dividends with respect to the non-vested units, whereas others do not. Prior to vesting, the grantees of RSUs are not entitled to vote the shares. Typically, restricted stock unit awards vest in equal annual increments over the vesting period.

 The following table summarizes restricted stock unit grants under the Plan:

 Grantee Type

 # of
RSUs Granted

 Issued and Outstanding

 Vesting
Period

 Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value (Per Unit)

 Director Group

 970,867

 135,324

 1 year

 $

 5.69

 Employee Group

 3,319,793

 806,586

 1 year - 3 years

 $

 5.58

 Total

 941,910

 A summary of restricted stock unit awards activity under the Plan as of December 31, 2023, and the changes during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 Units

Average Grant
Date Fair Value
(Per Unit)

 Non-vested as of January 1, 2023

 1,097,586

 $

 7.89

 544,942

 4.86

 Vested

 ( 606,317

)

 8.83

 Forfeited

 ( 94,301

)

 7.89

 Non-vested as of December 31, 2023

 941,910

 $

 5.59

 The total fair value of RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 2.6 million, $ 5.6 million, and $ 4.6 million, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs vested during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 3.7 million, $ 1.8 million, and $ 3.8 million, respectively.

 Performance Stock Units

 As of December 31, 2023, the Company had 961,377 total PSUs outstanding, of which 419,941 were classified as equity and 541,436 were classified as liabilities.

 There are 541,436 PSUs classified as liabilities in which the vesting can range from 0 % to 200 %, based upon the achievement of specific performance-based conditions related to the Company's financial performance over a three year period, modified based on the Company's Relative Total Shareholder Return (TSR) and subject to final vesting based on the participant's continued employment through the end of the requisite service periods. The ultimate amount to vest may be downwardly adjusted by the Compensation Committee if the TSR is negative. As of December 31, 2023, the Company currently expects that these PSUs will vest at 100%. The fair value of these PSUs will be remeasured at each period-end until the earlier of the date they are reclassified to equity or the vesting date.

 There are 37,501 PSUs classified as equity in which the performance targets have been achieved, but are still subject to time-vesting. In addition, there are 382,440 PSUs classified as equity in which the vesting occurs upon the achievement of specific performance-based conditions related to the Company's financial performance over a three year period and subject to final vesting based on the participant's continued employment through the end of the requisite service period. As of December 31, 2023, the Company currently expects that these PSUs will vest at 100%. The fair value of these PSUs is equal to the market value of the common stock on the grant date.

 The compensation cost for all PSUs is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the awards that are determined probable to vest. A summary of equity-classified performance stock unit awards activity for as of December 31, 2023, and the changes during the year ended December 31, 2023 are as follows:

 Units

Average Grant
Date Fair
Value
(Per Unit)

 Non-vested equity-classified as of January 1, 2023

 1,075,487

 $

 7.11

 382,440

 5.10

 Reclassified from liability to equity

 475,000

 5.16

 Vested

 ( 1,493,700

)

 6.53

 Forfeited

 ( 19,286

)

 5.99

 Non-vested equity-classified as of December 31, 2023

 419,941

 $

 5.18

 The total weighted average fair value of equity-classified PSUs granted or reclassified from liability to equity during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 was $ 4.4 million, $ 0.3 million, and $ 8.9 million, respectively.

 As discussed earlier, as of December 31, 2023, there were also 541,436 PSUs classified as liabilities as a result of subjectivity in the vesting conditions. As of December 31, 2023, the total fair value of those liability-classified awards was approximately $ 4.4 million, of which $ 3.4 million was recorded as a liability within accrued payroll, benefits and related taxes on the consolidated balance sheet and $ 0.2 million was recorded as a liability within non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2023, the unrecognized

 stock-based compensation expense related to these liability-classified PSUs was $ 0.8 million. This liability will be remeasured at each period-end until the earlier of the vesting date or the date it becomes reclassified to equity.

 Proposed Merger

 As discussed in Note 1, the Company entered into the Merger Agreement on December 22, 2023. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, at the Effective Time:

 each option to purchase shares of Common Stock (a Company Option) that is outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will automatically vest (if unvested) and be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Company Option and (ii) the excess, if any, of the Merger Consideration over the exercise price per share of such Company Option (meaning that any Company Option with an exercise price per share equal to or greater than the Merger Consideration will be canceled without any cash payment being made in respect thereof);

 each outstanding Company restricted stock unit that vests solely on the basis of time (a Company RSU) that is vested or will become vested at the Effective Time automatically in accordance with its terms solely as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Company RSU and (ii) the Merger Consideration;

 except as otherwise agreed by the holder of the Company RSU and Parent, each unvested outstanding Company RSU will be converted into a time-based restricted stock unit of Parent (a Parent RSU), based on the exchange ratio specified in the Merger Agreement (the Exchange Ratio), with the same terms applicable to such Company RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time;

 each outstanding Company performance stock unit that vests on the basis of time and the achievement of performance targets (a Company PSU) that is vested or will become vested at the Effective Time automatically in accordance with its terms solely as a result of the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement will be canceled and converted into the right to receive an amount in cash (without interest and subject to applicable withholding taxes) equal to the product of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Company PSU (as determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreement) and (ii) the Merger Consideration; and

 except as otherwise agreed by the holder of the Company PSU and Parent, each unvested outstanding Company PSU will be converted into a Parent RSU, based on the Exchange Ratio and assuming target performance, with the same terms applicable to the Company RSUs immediately prior to the Effective Time (except that it will cliff vest on the date that would have been the end of the performance period under the terms applicable to such Company PSU immediately prior to the Effective Time).

 NOTE 14 – DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN

 The Company sponsors the Daseke, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan). The Retirement Plan is a defined contribution plan and intended to qualify under the Internal Revenue Code provisions of Section 401(k). Under the safe harbor matching requirements, the Company made contributions to the Retirement Plan of $ 5.6 million, $ 5.8 million, and $ 5.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

 NOTE 15 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 Letters of Credit

 The Company had outstanding letters of credit at December 31, 2023 and 2022 totaling approximately $ 21.2 million and $ 24.9 million, respectively, including those disclosed in Note 9. These letters of credit are related to liability and workers' compensation insurance claims.

 Contingencies

 The Company is involved in certain claims and pending litigation arising in the normal course of business. These proceedings primarily involve claims for personal injury or property damage incurred in the transportation of freight or for personnel matters. The Company maintains liability insurance to cover liabilities arising from these matters but is responsible to pay self-insurance and deductibles on such matters up to a certain threshold before the insurance is applied.

 NOTE 16 – REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

 The Company's operating segments sometimes provide transportation and related services for one another. Such services are generally billed at cost, and no profit is earned. Such intersegment revenues and expenses are eliminated in the Company's reportable segment results. Intersegment revenues and expenses totaled $ 5.5 million, $ 2.7 million, and $ 4.8 million for the Flatbed Solutions segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Intersegment revenues and expenses totaled $ 5.9 million, $ 7.9 million, and $ 7.4 million for the Specialized Solutions segment for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

 The following table reflects certain financial data of the Company's reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 (in millions):

 Flatbed

 Specialized

 Consolidated

 Solutions Segment

 Solutions Segment

 Total

 Year Ended December 31, 2023

 $

 644.9

 $

 924.5

 $

 1,569.4

 177.9

 477.0

 654.9

 282.3

 140.0

 422.3

 87.7

 154.4

 242.1

 4.8

 55.1

 59.9

 92.2

 98.0

 190.2

 Income from operations

 7.9

 28.3

 36.2

 Depreciation

 47.8

 52.3

 100.1

 Amortization of intangible assets

 2.4

 4.0

 6.4

 1.5

 16.4

 17.9

 —

 0.5

 0.5

 Non-cash operating lease expense

 ( 0.1

)

 —

 ( 0.1

)

 21.7

 30.5

 52.2

 Total property and equipment additions

 69.3

 118.4

 187.7

 Year Ended December 31, 2022

 $

 769.0

 $

 1,004.3

 $

 1,773.3

 167.2

 483.1

 650.3

 329.2

 180.7

 509.9

 152.5

 168.7

 321.2

 4.1

 49.7

 53.8

 116.0

 122.1

 238.1

 Income from operations

 39.1

 59.3

 98.4

 Depreciation

 37.4

 48.5

 85.9

 Amortization of intangible assets

 3.0

 3.9

 6.9

 —

 9.4

 9.4

 1.0

 1.4

 2.4

 Non-cash operating lease expense

 —

 —

 —

 15.1

 20.3

 35.4

 Total property and equipment additions

 76.6

 110.8

 187.4

 Year Ended December 31, 2021

 $

 690.0

 $

 866.8

 $

 1,556.8

 176.6

 453.1

 629.7

 328.0

 158.5

 486.5

 112.2

 156.8

 269.0

 4.9

 34.3

 39.2

 68.3

 64.1

 132.4

 Income from operations

 53.3

 59.5

 112.8

 Depreciation

 32.7

 48.5

 81.2

 Amortization of intangible assets

 3.0

 3.9

 6.9

 —

 0.3

 0.3

 Non-cash operating lease expense

 0.9

 ( 0.1

)

 0.8

 14.7

 18.8

 33.5

 Total property and equipment additions

 37.9

 80.5

 118.4

 A measure of assets is not applicable, as segment assets are not regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker for evaluating performance or allocating resources.

 NOTE 17 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share, provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The Company's outstanding non-vested restricted stock units are participating securities unless there is a net loss attributable to common stockholders. Accordingly, earnings per common share are computed using the two-class method.

 Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the Company's earnings.

 For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 shares of the Company's 7.625 % Series A Convertible Cumulative Preferred Stock (Series A Preferred Stock) were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effects were anti-dilutive. For the year ended December 31, 2023, all outstanding equity awards discussed in Note 13 were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effects were anti-dilutive. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, approximately 1.0 million and 1.3 million shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common stock.

 The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method:

 Year Ended

 (in millions, except per share data)

 2023

 2022

 2021

 Numerator:

 $

)

 $

 50.2

 $

 56.0

 Less Series A Preferred Stock dividends

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 ( 5.0

)

 Less Series B Preferred Stock dividends

 ( 4.3

)

 ( 0.7

)

 —

 Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders

 ( 27.0

)

 44.5

 51.0

 Allocation of earnings to non-vested participating RSUs

 —

 ( 0.1

)

 ( 0.4

)

 Numerator for basic EPS - income (loss) available to common stockholders - two class method

 $

 ( 27.0

)

 $

 44.4

 $

 50.6

 Effect of dilutive securities:

 Add back Series A Preferred Stock dividends

 $

 —

 $

 —

 $

 —

 Add back allocation earnings to participating securities

 —

 0.1

 0.4

 Reallocation of earnings to participating securities considering potentially dilutive securities

 —

 ( 0.1

)

 ( 0.4

)

 Numerator for diluted EPS - income (loss) available to common stockholders - two class method

 $

 ( 27.0

)

 $

 44.4

 $

 50.6

 Denominator:

 Denominator for basic EPS - weighted-average shares

 45,822,936

 60,459,451

 63,744,456

 Effect of dilutive securities:

 Non-participating outstanding share-based payment awards

 —

 2,824,051

 1,664,802

 Series A Preferred Stock

 —

 —

 —

 Denominator for diluted EPS - weighted-average shares

 45,822,936

 63,283,502

 65,409,258

 Basic earnings (loss) per share

 $

 ( 0.59

)

 $

 0.73

 $

 0.79

 Diluted earnings (loss) per share

 $

 ( 0.59

)

 $

 0.70

 $

 0.77

 NOTE 18 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company made a voluntary $ 10.0 million cash prepayment of the Term Loan facility.