C. H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC., 10-K filed on 2/16/2024
Annual Report
v3.24.0.1
Cover - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Feb. 14, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Cover [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2023    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 000-23189    
Entity Registrant Name C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001043277    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2023    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 41-1883630    
Entity Address, Address Line One 14701 Charlson Road    
Entity Address, City or Town Eden Prairie    
Entity Address, State or Province MN    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 55347    
City Area Code 952    
Local Phone Number 937-8500    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share    
Trading Symbol CHRW    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 10,946,231,526
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   116,890,760  
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement relating to its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference in Part III.    
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] false    
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Audit Information
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Audit Information [Abstract]  
Auditor Name Deloitte & Touche LLP
Auditor Firm ID 34
Auditor Location Minneapolis, Minnesota
v3.24.0.1
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 145,524 $ 217,482
Receivables, net of allowance for credit loss of $14,229 and $28,749 2,381,963 2,991,753
Contract assets, net of allowance for credit loss 189,900 257,597
Prepaid expenses and other 163,307 122,406
Total current assets 2,880,694 3,589,238
Property and equipment 437,458 449,828
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (292,740) (290,396)
Net property and equipment 144,718 159,432
Goodwill 1,473,600 1,470,813
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $58,437 and $106,932 43,662 64,026
Right-of-use lease assets 353,890 372,141
Deferred tax assets 214,619 181,602
Other assets 114,097 117,312
Total assets 5,225,280 5,954,564
Current liabilities:    
Accounts payable 1,303,951 1,466,998
Outstanding checks 66,383 103,561
Accrued expenses:    
Compensation 135,104 242,605
Transportation expense 147,921 199,092
Income taxes 4,748 15,210
Other accrued liabilities 159,435 168,009
Current lease liabilities 74,451 73,722
Current portion of debt 160,000 1,053,655
Total current liabilities 2,051,993 3,322,852
Long-term debt 1,420,487 920,049
Noncurrent lease liabilities 297,563 313,742
Noncurrent income taxes payable 21,289 28,317
Deferred tax liabilities 13,177 14,256
Other long-term liabilities 2,074 1,926
Total liabilities 3,806,583 4,601,142
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ investment:    
Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding 0 0
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 179,204 and 179,204 shares issued, 116,768 and 116,323 outstanding 11,677 11,632
Additional paid-in capital 754,093 743,288
Retained earnings 5,620,790 5,590,440
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (80,946) (88,860)
Treasury stock at cost (62,436 and 62,881 shares) (4,886,917) (4,903,078)
Total stockholders’ investment 1,418,697 1,353,422
Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment $ 5,225,280 $ 5,954,564
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Receivables, allowance for doubtful accounts $ 14,229 $ 28,749
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization $ 58,437 $ 106,932
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares) 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, issued (in shares) 0 0
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares) 0 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Common stock, authorized (in shares) 480,000,000 480,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares) 179,204,000 179,204,000
Common stock, outstanding (in shares) 116,768,000 116,323,000
Treasury stock (in shares) 62,436,000 62,881,000
v3.24.0.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Revenues:      
Total revenues $ 17,596,443 $ 24,696,625 $ 23,102,138
Costs and expenses:      
Personnel expenses 1,465,735 1,722,980 1,543,610
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses 624,266 603,415 526,371
Total costs and expenses 17,081,836 23,429,843 22,020,030
Income from operations 514,607 1,266,782 1,082,108
Interest and other expenses (105,421) (100,017) (59,817)
Income before provision for income taxes 409,186 1,166,765 1,022,291
Provision for income taxes 84,057 226,241 178,046
Net income 325,129 940,524 844,245
Other comprehensive income (loss) 7,914 (27,726) (15,136)
Comprehensive income $ 333,043 $ 912,798 $ 829,109
Basic net income per share (in dollars per share) $ 2.74 $ 7.48 $ 6.37
Diluted net income per share (in dollars per share) $ 2.72 $ 7.40 $ 6.31
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 118,551 125,743 132,482
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards (in shares) 1,126 1,407 1,352
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares) 119,677 127,150 133,834
Transportation      
Revenues:      
Total revenues $ 16,372,660 $ 23,516,384 $ 22,046,574
Costs and expenses:      
Purchased services and products 13,886,024 20,035,715 18,994,574
Sourcing      
Revenues:      
Total revenues 1,223,783 1,180,241 1,055,564
Costs and expenses:      
Purchased services and products $ 1,105,811 $ 1,067,733 $ 955,475
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance $ 1,353,422 $ 2,021,934 $ 1,879,933
Net income 325,129 940,524 844,245
Foreign currency adjustments 7,914 (27,726) (15,136)
Dividends declared (294,779) (286,945) (280,217)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans 31,620 71,671 43,949
Issuance of restricted stock     0
Stock-based compensation expense 58,169 90,677 129,977
Repurchase of common stock (62,778) (1,456,713) (580,817)
Ending Balance $ 1,418,697 $ 1,353,422 $ 2,021,934
Common Stock      
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance (in shares) 116,323 129,186 134,298
Beginning Balance $ 11,632 $ 12,919 $ 13,430
Stock issued for employee benefit plans (in shares) 1,091 1,364 1,068
Stock issued for employee benefit plans $ 110 $ 136 $ 107
Issuance of restricted stock (in shares)     (26)
Issuance of restricted stock     $ (3)
Stock-based compensation expense (in shares) 0 0 0
Stock-based compensation expense $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Repurchase of common stock (in shares) (646) (14,227) (6,154)
Repurchase of common stock $ (65) $ (1,423) $ (615)
Ending Balance (in shares) 116,768 116,323 129,186
Ending Balance $ 11,677 $ 11,632 $ 12,919
Additional Paid-in Capital      
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 743,288 673,628 566,022
Stock issued for employee benefit plans (47,364) (21,017) (22,374)
Issuance of restricted stock     3
Stock-based compensation expense 58,169 90,677 129,977
Ending Balance 754,093 743,288 673,628
Retained Earnings      
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 5,590,440 4,936,861 4,372,833
Net income 325,129 940,524 844,245
Dividends declared (294,779) (286,945) (280,217)
Ending Balance 5,620,790 5,590,440 4,936,861
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss      
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance (88,860) (61,134) (45,998)
Foreign currency adjustments 7,914 (27,726) (15,136)
Ending Balance (80,946) (88,860) (61,134)
Treasury Stock, Common      
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance (4,903,078) (3,540,340) (3,026,354)
Stock issued for employee benefit plans 78,874 92,552 66,216
Stock-based compensation expense 0 0 0
Repurchase of common stock (62,713) (1,455,290) (580,202)
Ending Balance $ (4,886,917) $ (4,903,078) $ (3,540,340)
v3.24.0.1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]      
Dividends declared per share (in dollars per share) $ 2.44 $ 2.26 $ 2.08
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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES      
Net income $ 325,129 $ 940,524 $ 844,245
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 98,985 92,776 91,259
Provision for credit losses (6,047) (4,476) 10,649
Stock-based compensation 58,169 90,677 129,977
Deferred income taxes (37,746) (58,566) (110,188)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation (11,319) (13,662) (13,101)
Loss on disposal group held for sale 17,698 0 0
Other operating activities 5,541 (6,627) 1,915
Changes in operating elements, net of effects of acquisitions:      
Receivables 607,259 923,524 (1,547,545)
Contract assets 68,041 197,097 (257,728)
Prepaid expenses and other (39,048) (28,495) (43,819)
Right of use asset 19,255 (82,754) 25,498
Accounts payable and outstanding checks (200,843) (307,266) 660,028
Accrued compensation (108,084) 42,266 63,912
Accrued transportation expense (51,171) (143,686) 189,204
Accrued income taxes (2,284) (69,817) 72,665
Other accrued liabilities (11,991) 2,371 1,607
Lease liability (16,500) 83,084 (25,221)
Other assets and liabilities 16,902 (6,799) 1,598
Net cash provided by operating activities 731,946 1,650,171 94,955
INVESTING ACTIVITIES      
Purchases of property and equipment (29,989) (61,915) (34,197)
Purchases and development of software (54,122) (66,582) (36,725)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired 0 0 (14,750)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 1,324 63,579 0
Net cash used for investing activities (82,787) (64,918) (85,672)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES      
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans 56,914 100,059 70,669
Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes (25,294) (28,388) (26,720)
Repurchase of common stock (63,884) (1,459,900) (581,756)
Cash dividends (291,569) (285,317) (277,321)
Proceeds from long-term borrowings 0 200,000 300,000
Payments on long-term borrowings 0 0 (2,048)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings 3,893,750 4,500,000 3,728,000
Payments on short-term borrowings (4,287,750) (4,646,000) (3,203,251)
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities (717,833) (1,619,546) 7,573
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (3,284) (5,638) (3,239)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents (71,958) (39,931) 13,617
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 217,482 257,413 243,796
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year 145,524 217,482 257,413
Supplemental cash flow disclosures      
Cash paid for income taxes 155,936 429,096 227,427
Cash paid for interest 92,571 71,563 51,367
Accrued share repurchases held in other accrued liabilities $ 0 $ 1,106 $ 4,293
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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS OF PRESENTATION. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions through a network of offices operating in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, and the Middle East. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best information available, and our actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify our performance obligations to provide distinct goods and services to our customers. We have determined the following distinct goods and services represent our primary performance obligations.
Transportation and Logistics Services - As a global logistics provider, our primary performance obligation under our customer contracts is to utilize our relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies to efficiently and cost-effectively transport our customers’ freight. Revenue is recognized for these performance obligations as they are satisfied over the contract term, which generally represents the transit period. The transit period can vary based upon the method of transport, generally a number of days for over the road, rail, and air transportation, or several weeks in the case of an ocean shipment. Determining the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of the reporting date may require management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. When the customer’s freight reaches its intended destination our performance obligation is complete. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
We also provide certain value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. These services may include one or more performance obligations, which are generally satisfied over the service period as we perform our obligations. The service period may be a very short duration, in the case of customs brokerage and small parcel, or it may be longer in the case of warehousing, managed services, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Pricing for our services is established in the customer contract and is dependent upon the specific needs of the customer but may be agreed upon at a fixed fee per transaction, labor hour, or service period. Payment is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
Sourcing Services - We contract with grocery retailers, restaurants, foodservice distributors, and produce wholesalers to provide sourcing services under the trade name Robinson Fresh® (“Robinson Fresh”). Our primary service obligation under these contracts is the buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligations under these contracts are satisfied at a point in time, generally when the produce is received by our customer. Pricing under these contracts is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 20 to 30 days of completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
In many cases, as additional performance obligations, we contract to arrange logistics and transportation of the products we buy, sell, and/or market. These performance obligations are satisfied over the contract term consistent with our other transportation and logistics services. The contract period is typically less than one year. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
Total revenues represent the total dollar value of revenue recognized from contracts with customers for the goods and services we provide. Substantially all of our revenues are attributable to contracts with our customers. Our adjusted gross profits are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. Most transactions in our transportation and sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the services we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service to our customers and we have discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service. Additionally, in our sourcing
business, in some cases, we take inventory risk before the specified good has been transferred to our customer. Customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing managed procurement transactions are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the services we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.
CONTRACT ASSETS. Contract assets represent amounts for which we have the right to consideration for the services we have provided while a shipment is still in-transit but for which we have not yet completed our performance obligations or have not yet invoiced our customer. Upon completion of our performance obligations, which can vary in duration based upon the method of transport, and billing our customer, these amounts become classified within accounts receivable and are then typically due within 30 days.
ACCRUED TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE. Accrued transportation expense represents amounts we owe to vendors, primarily transportation providers, for the services they have provided while a shipment is still in-transit as of the reporting date.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES. Accounts receivable and contract assets are reduced by an allowance for expected credit losses. We determine our allowance for expected credit losses based on our past credit loss experience, our customers' credit risk ratings, and other customer specific and macroeconomic factors. We compute an expected loss ratio for each credit rating pool based upon our historical write-off experience and apply it to our accounts receivable (i.e. loss ratio approach). This approach is then supplemented by the professional judgment of management primarily in consideration of recent developments, write-off experience, and risk concentrations, for purposes of determining the expected credit loss allowance.
FOREIGN CURRENCY. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are remeasured to the functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries, which is generally their local currency, at the current exchange rate as of the end of each period. Foreign exchange gains and losses on these balances are recognized in interest and other income/expense, net in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The functional currency accounts of our foreign subsidiaries are translated to our U.S. Dollar reporting currency at the end of each period. Translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income items are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. In cases where our foreign subsidiaries operate in a highly inflationary economy, their functional currency is considered to be our U.S. Dollar reporting currency.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of bank deposits and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the time of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents held outside the U.S. totaled $142.8 million and $204.7 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Approximately half of our cash and cash equivalents balance is denominated in U.S. Dollars although these balances are frequently held in locations where the U.S. Dollar is not the functional currency.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER. Prepaid expenses and other includes items such as software maintenance contracts, prepaid insurance premiums, other prepaid operating expenses, and inventories, consisting primarily of produce and related products held for resale.
RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS. Right-of-use lease assets are recognized upon lease commencement and represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term.
LEASE LIABILITIES. Lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date and represent our obligation to make the lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the asset. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
We recognized the following depreciation expense (in thousands): 
2023$39,569 
202238,102 
202139,790 
A summary of our property and equipment as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 
20232022
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment$251,473 $266,017 
Buildings58,586 60,766 
Corporate aircraft23,760 23,760 
Leasehold improvements91,234 78,347 
Land11,018 11,005 
Construction in progress1,387 9,933 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(292,740)(290,396)
Net property and equipment$144,718 $159,432 
GOODWILL. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets purchased and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis (November 30 for us) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. See Note 2, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Other intangible assets include definite-lived customer lists, trademarks, non-competition agreements, and indefinite-lived trademarks. The definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable, or annually, at a minimum. See Note 2, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
OTHER ASSETS. Other assets consist primarily of purchased and internally developed software. We amortize software when it is put into service using the straight-line method over three years. We recognized the following amortization expense of purchased and internally developed software (in thousands): 
2023$38,803 
202231,229 
202125,975 
A summary of our purchased and internally developed software as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 
20232022
Purchased software$4,639 $8,930 
Internally developed software212,363 164,092 
Less accumulated amortization(114,473)(84,222)
Net software$102,529 $88,800 
INCOME TAXES. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates.
Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examination of prior year tax returns; however, the amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised may differ from the amounts accrued.
The financial statement benefits of an uncertain income tax position are recognized when more likely than not, based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. Unrecognized tax benefits are, more likely than not, owed to a taxing authority, and the amount of the contingency that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized can be reasonably estimated. Uncertain income tax positions are included in “Accrued income taxes” or “Noncurrent income taxes payable” in the consolidated balance sheets.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS). Comprehensive income (loss) consists primarily of foreign currency translation adjustments. It is presented on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We have issued stock awards, including stock options, performance-based restricted stock units and shares, and time-based restricted stock units, to our key employees and non-employee directors. The awards vest over three to five years, either based on the achievement of certain dilutive earnings per share, adjusted gross profits, adjusted operating margin targets, or the passage of time. The related compensation expense for each award is recognized over the appropriate vesting period. The fair value of each share-based payment award is established on the date of grant. For grants of restricted shares and restricted stock units, the fair value is established based on the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants with post-vesting holding restrictions vary from 11 percent to 24 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in expected volatility and risk-free interest rates are the primary reason for changes in the discount.
For grants of stock options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of these share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of stock options is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield.
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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
December 31, 2021 balance $1,196,333 $210,391 $78,030 $1,484,754 
Foreign currency translation(8,257)(4,202)(1,482)(13,941)
December 31, 2022 balance 1,188,076 206,189 76,548 1,470,813 
Foreign currency translation737 1,410 640 2,787 
December 31, 2023 balance $1,188,813 $207,599 $77,188 $1,473,600 
Goodwill is tested at least annually for impairment on November 30, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. We first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value (“Step Zero Analysis”). If the Step Zero Analysis indicates it is more likely than not the fair value of our reporting units is less than their respective carrying value, an additional impairment assessment is performed (“Step One Analysis”).
As part of our 2023 annual impairment testing performed, we elected to bypass the Step Zero Analysis and perform a Step One Analysis on all of our reporting units. There were not factors present for any reporting units, other than Europe Surface Transportation, indicating it was more likely than not the fair value of our reporting unit was less than its respective carrying value. Consistent with our 2022 annual impairment test, certain qualitative factors were present and the performance of our Europe Surface Transportation unit indicated the fair value may not exceed its carrying value requiring a Step One Analysis. The results of our Step One Analysis indicated the fair value of our NAST, Global Forwarding, Robinson Fresh, and Managed Services reporting units significantly exceeded their respective carrying values and the risk of goodwill impairment was remote. The fair value of our Europe Surface Transportation reporting unit also exceeded its carrying value with greater than 30 percent cushion, and as such, the goodwill balance was not impaired.
No goodwill or intangible asset impairment has been recorded in any previous or current period presented. Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31 (in thousands): 
20232022
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Finite-lived intangibles
Customer relationships$93,499 $(58,437)$35,062 $162,358 $(106,932)$55,426 
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Trademarks8,600 — 8,600 8,600 — 8,600 
Total intangibles$102,099 $(58,437)$43,662 $170,958 $(106,932)$64,026 
Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands): 
2023$20,613 
202223,445 
202125,494 
Finite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of December 31, 2023, will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
2024$8,008 $3,594 $1,111 $12,713 
20257,857 2,351 1,111 11,319 
20267,857 383 760 9,000 
20271,310 — 509 1,819 
2028— — 211 211 
Total$35,062 
v3.24.0.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
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 hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
We had no Level 3 assets or liabilities as of and during the periods ended December 31, 2023 or 2022. There were no transfers between levels during the period.
v3.24.0.1
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Average interest rate as ofCarrying value as of
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022MaturityDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Revolving Credit Facility6.45 %— %November 2027$160,000 $— 
364-day revolving credit facility — %5.12 %May 2023— 379,000 
Senior Notes, Series A— %3.97 %August 2023— 175,000 
Senior Notes, Series B4.26 %4.26 %August 2028150,000 150,000 
Senior Notes, Series C4.60 %4.60 %August 2033175,000 175,000 
Receivables Securitization Facility (1)
6.25 %5.01 %November 2025499,542 499,655 
Senior Notes(1)
4.20 %4.20 %April 2028595,945 595,049 
Total debt1,580,487 1,973,704 
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing(160,000)(1,053,655)
Long-term debt$1,420,487 $920,049 
________________________________ 
(1) Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.
SENIOR UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
We have a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) with a total availability of $1 billion and a maturity date of November 19, 2027. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent, or (c) the sum of one-month SOFR plus a specified margin). As of December 31, 2023, the variable rate equaled SOFR and a credit spread adjustment of 0.10 percent plus 1.00 percent. In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under the facility ranging from 0.07 percent to 0.15 percent. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding, if any, approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.
The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.75 to 1.00. The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default.
364-DAY UNSECURED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
On May 6, 2022, we entered into an unsecured revolving credit facility (the “364-day Credit Agreement”) with a total availability of $500 million and a maturity date of May 5, 2023. The interest rate on borrowings under the 364-day Credit Agreement was based on an alternate base rate plus a margin or term SOFR-based rate plus a margin. There was also a commitment fee on the aggregate unused commitments under the facility. The facility expired on May 5, 2023, and it was not renewed.
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”). On August 27, 2013, the Purchasers purchased an aggregate principal amount of $500 million of our Senior Notes, Series A, Senior Notes Series B, and Senior Notes Series C (collectively, the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The fair value of the Notes approximated $315.7 million as of December 31, 2023. We estimate the fair value of the Notes primarily using an expected present value technique, which is based on observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities and considering our own risk. If the Notes were recorded at fair value, they would be classified as Level 2 financial liability. Senior Notes Series A matured in August 2023.
The Note Purchase Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios, including a maximum leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00, a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00, and a maximum consolidated priority debt to consolidated total asset ratio of 10 percent.
The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. Under the terms of the Note
Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100 percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. On November 21, 2022, we executed the third amendment to the Note Purchase Agreement to among other things, facilitate the terms of the Credit Agreement.
U.S. TRADE ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION
On November 19, 2021, we entered into a receivables purchase agreement and related transaction documents with Bank of America, N.A. and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to provide a receivables securitization facility (the “Receivables Securitization Facility”). The Receivables Securitization Facility is based on the securitization of our U.S. trade accounts receivable with a total availability of $500 million as of December 31, 2023. The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Securitization Facility is based on SOFR plus a margin. There is also a commitment fee we are required to pay on any unused portion of the facility. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding on the Receivables Securitization Facility approximates fair value because it can be redeemed on short notice and the interest rate floats. We consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability. Borrowings on the Receivables Securitization Facility, if any, are included within proceeds on current borrowings on the consolidated statement of cash flows.
The Receivables Securitization Facility contains various customary affirmative and negative covenants, and it also contains customary default and termination provisions, which provide for acceleration of amounts owed under the Receivables Securitization Facility upon the occurrence of certain specified events.
On February 1, 2022, we amended the Receivables Securitization Facility primarily to increase the total availability from $300 million to $500 million pursuant to the provisions of the existing agreement. On July 7, 2022, we amended the Receivables Securitization Facility to effectively increase the receivables pool available with respect to the Receivables Securitization Facility. On November 7, 2023, we amended the Receivables Securitization Facility to extend the termination date of the facility to November 7, 2025. The total available remains $500 million, and we have the option to utilize an accordion feature, if needed, of an additional $250 million pursuant to the provisions of the Receivables Purchase Agreement, as amended by the Receivables Purchase Agreement Amendment.
As of December 31, 2023, the variable rate equaled SOFR and a Credit Spread Adjustment of 0.10 percent plus 0.80 percent. In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under the facility of 0.20 percent.
SENIOR NOTES
On April 9, 2018, we issued senior unsecured notes (“Senior Notes”) through a public offering. The Senior Notes bear an annual interest rate of 4.20 percent payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15, until maturity on April 15, 2028. Taking into effect the amortization of the original issue discount and all underwriting and issuance expenses, the Senior Notes have an effective yield to maturity of approximately 4.39 percent per annum. The fair value of the Senior Notes, excluding debt discounts and issuance costs, approximated $581.2 million as of December 31, 2023, based primarily on the market prices quoted from external sources. The carrying value of the Senior Notes was $595.9 million as of December 31, 2023. If the Senior Notes were measured at fair value in the financial statements, they would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
We may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity at the applicable redemption prices described in the Senior Notes. Upon the occurrence of a “change of control triggering event” as defined in the Senior Notes (generally, a change of control of us accompanied by a reduction in the credit rating for the Senior Notes), we will generally be required to make an offer to repurchase the Senior Notes from holders at 101 percent of their principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
The Senior Notes were issued under an indenture that contains covenants imposing certain limitations on our ability to incur liens; enter into sales and leaseback transactions above certain limits; and consolidate, merge, or transfer substantially all of our assets and those of our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. It also provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods), which include among other things nonpayment, breach of covenants in the indenture, and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior Notes, the trustee or holders of at least 25 percent in principal amount outstanding of the Senior Notes may declare the principal and the accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all of the outstanding Senior Notes to be due and payable. These covenants and events of default are subject to a number of important qualifications, limitations, and exceptions that are
described in the indenture. The indenture does not contain any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity to which we must adhere.
In addition to the above financing agreements, we have a $15 million discretionary line of credit with U.S. Bank of which $9.9 million is currently utilized for standby letters of credit related to insurance collateral as of December 31, 2023. These standby letters of credit are renewed annually and were undrawn as of December 31, 2023.
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2019.
In 2023, we came to an agreement with IRS Independent Office of Appeals on a tax position related to Section 199 for the tax years of 2014 through 2017. The Section 199 domestic production activities deduction was eliminated from the tax code as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2017, effective for tax years starting in 2018. Although we maintain our position was appropriate and supportable, we determined it was in our best interest to settle the issue when factoring in litigation costs. Therefore, we have recognized $19.2 million of additional tax expense in 2023, in excess of the existing tax reserve including the impacts of interest, related to the settlement of the matter.
In 2023, management made the determination that the company is no longer indefinitely reinvested with regard to the unremitted earnings of any foreign subsidiaries. The change resulted in a one-time increase to tax expense of approximately $2.0 million in the year ended December 31, 2023. The company remains indefinitely reinvested related to other taxable differences that may exist with regard to these subsidiaries.
In 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”) announced an Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting including Pillar Two Model Rules defining the global minimum tax, which calls for the taxation of large multinational corporations at a minimum rate of 15 percent. Subsequently, multiple sets of administrative guidance have been issued. Many non-U.S. tax jurisdictions have either recently enacted legislation to adopt certain components of the Pillar Two Model Rules beginning in 2024 (including the European Union Member States) with the adoption of additional components in later years or announced their plans to enact legislation in future years. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of enacted legislation and pending legislation to enact Pillar Two Model Rules in the tax jurisdictions we operate in.
Income before provision for income taxes consisted of (in thousands):
202320222021
Domestic$287,524 $799,553 $566,847 
Foreign121,662 367,212 455,444 
Total$409,186 $1,166,765 $1,022,291 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands):
202320222021
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period$39,056 $37,302 $36,216 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year2,111 4,064 3,530 
Additions for tax positions of prior years1,268 3,016 1,919 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(91)(247)(2,431)
Lapse in statute of limitations(2,346)(5,026)(1,932)
Settlements(23,082)(53)— 
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period$16,916 $39,056 $37,302 
Income tax expense considers amounts that may be needed to cover exposures for open tax years. We do not expect any material impact related to open tax years; however, actual settlements may differ from amounts accrued.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $20.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. In the unlikely event these unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties were recognized fully in 2023, the impact to the annual effective tax rate would have been 4.9 percent. We are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits is expected to decrease by approximately $1.2 million in the next 12 months due to lapsing of statutes.
We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we recognized approximately $0.7 million, $0.6 million, and $0.9 million in interest and penalties, respectively. We had approximately $3.2 million and $3.9 million for the payment of interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions accrued within noncurrent income taxes payable as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. These amounts are not included in the reconciliation above.
The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands): 
202320222021
Tax provision:
Federal$55,149 $153,349 $165,218 
State4,014 33,309 36,718 
Foreign62,426 97,147 85,654 
121,589 283,805 287,590 
Deferred provision (benefit):
Federal(32,820)(44,133)(90,960)
State6,223 (7,848)(16,176)
Foreign(10,935)(5,583)(2,408)
(37,532)(57,564)(109,544)
Total provision$84,057 $226,241 $178,046 
A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:  
202320222021
Federal statutory rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit2.1 2.1 1.7 
Section 199 deduction4.7 — — 
Share-based payment awards(2.2)(1.1)(0.6)
Excess foreign tax credits(9.5)(1.2)(0.4)
Other U.S. tax credits and incentives(3.4)(2.0)(3.3)
Foreign6.7 0.6 (1.2)
Other1.1 — 0.2 
Effective income tax rate20.5 %19.4 %17.4 %
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):
20232022
Deferred tax assets:
Lease liabilities$74,495 $79,402 
Compensation64,788 69,305 
Accrued expenses33,720 52,416 
Tax credit carryforward14,485 — 
Foreign affiliate prepayment— 1,901 
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards(1)
67,816 64,434 
Long-lived assets104,005 94,268 
Other(1)
22,220 16,364 
   Total deferred tax assets (before valuation allowance)
381,529 378,090 
   Less: valuation allowance(1)
(62,183)(56,808)
   Total deferred tax assets319,346 321,282 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right-of-use assets(68,764)(74,507)
Intangible assets(25,773)(53,580)
Prepaid assets(4,405)(6,657)
Foreign withholding tax(10,313)(9,709)
Other(8,649)(9,483)
   Total deferred tax liabilities(117,904)(153,936)
Net deferred tax assets$201,442 $167,346 
________________________________
(1) The amounts as of December 31, 2022 have been adjusted to conform to current year presentation.
We had foreign net operating loss carryforwards with a tax effect of $67.8 million as of December 31, 2023, and $64.4 million as of December 31, 2022. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire at various dates from 2024 to 2030, with certain jurisdictions having indefinite carryforward terms. We continually monitor and review the foreign net operating loss carryforwards to determine the ability to realize the deferred tax assets associated with the foreign net operating loss carryforwards. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $62.2 million and $56.8 million, respectively, against the deferred tax asset related to the foreign operating loss carryforwards that are primarily in Luxembourg.
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS
PREFERRED STOCK. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the issuance of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share. There are no shares of preferred stock outstanding. The preferred stock may be issued by resolution of our Board of Directors at any time without any action of the stockholders. The Board of Directors may issue the preferred stock in one or more series and fix the designation and relative powers. These include voting powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions of each series. The issuance of any such series may have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock and may impede the completion of a merger, tender offer, or other takeover attempt.
COMMON STOCK. Our Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 480,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share. Subject to the rights of preferred stock, which may from time to time be outstanding, holders of common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available, when and if declared by the Board of Directors, and to receive their share of the net assets of the company legally available for distribution upon liquidation or dissolution.
For each share of common stock held, stockholders are entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted on by the stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of common stock are not entitled to cumulative voting. The stockholders do not have preemptive rights. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
STOCK AWARD PLANS. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary expense recognized within personnel expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
202320222021
Stock options$8,929 $13,025 $16,128 
Stock awards45,878 74,186 110,701 
Company expense on ESPP discount3,362 3,466 3,148 
Total stock-based compensation expense$58,169 $90,677 $129,977 
On May 5, 2022, our shareholders approved a 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and authorized an initial 4,261,884 shares for issuance of awards thereunder. Upon approval of the Plan, no new awards may be made under our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. The Plan allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value, performance-based restricted stock units and shares, and time-based restricted stock units, to our key employees and non-employee directors. Shares subject to awards granted under the plan or our prior equity incentive plans that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash, generally become available again for issuance under the Plan. There were 3,598,205 shares were available for stock awards under the Plan as of December 31, 2023.
STOCK OPTIONS. We have awarded stock options to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates were the primary reasons for changes in the fair value. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options) on the grants.
The following schedule summarizes stock option activity in the plans. All outstanding unvested options as of December 31, 2023, relate to time-based grants from 2020.
OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
Average
Remaining
Life
(years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 20225,358,796 $77.93 $73,065 5.1
Exercised(560,433)70.21 
Forfeitures(7,466)75.72 
Outstanding as of December 31, 20234,790,897 $78.83 $39,138 4.3
Vested as of December 31, 20234,475,465 $79.26 4.2
Exercisable as of December 31, 20234,475,465 $79.26 4.2
As of December 31, 2023, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $4.4 million. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time and the employees' continued employment.
There were no potentially dilutive stock options for 2023 excluded from our diluted net income per share calculations because these securities’ exercise prices were anti-dilutive (e.g., greater than the average market price of our common stock).
Information on the intrinsic value of options exercised is as follows (in thousands):
2023$14,442 
202243,353 
202120,427 
The following table summarizes these unvested stock option grants as of December 31, 2023:
First Vesting DateLast Vesting DateOptions
Granted, Net of
Forfeitures
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value(1)
Unvested Options
December 31, 2020December 31, 20241,626,101 13.87 315,432 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of options granted, net of forfeitures.
Determining Fair Value
We estimated the fair value of stock options granted using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. We estimate the fair value of restricted shares and units using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. A description of significant assumptions used to determine the risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, expected volatility, and expected term are as follows:
Risk-Free Interest Rate-The risk-free interest rate was based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues at the date of grant with a term equal to the expected term.
Dividend Yield-The dividend yield assumption is based on our history of dividend payouts. 
Expected Volatility-Expected volatility was determined based on the implied volatility of traded options of our stock and the historical volatility of our stock price.
Expected Term-Expected term represents the period our stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience and anticipated future exercise patterns, giving consideration to the contractual terms of unexercised stock-based awards.
The grant date fair value per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 
2020 Grants
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate1.6%
Expected dividend yield2.5%
Weighted-average volatility23%
Expected term (in years)8.91
Weighted average fair value per option$13.88 
STOCK AWARDS. We have awarded performance-based restricted shares, performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”), and time-based restricted stock units. Nearly all of our awards contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants with post-vesting holding restrictions vary from 11 percent to 24 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. The duration of the restriction period to sell or transfer vested awards, changes in the measured stock price volatility, and changes in interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.
On June 26, 2023, we granted 142,584 time-based restricted stock units and 91,016 PSUs at target upon the appointment of our President and Chief Executive Officer. The time-based restricted stock units vest over a three-year period with a weighted average grant date fair value of $92.09. The PSUs vest over a three-year period based on the achievement of certain dilutive earnings per share, adjusted gross profits, and adjusted operating margin targets with a weighted average grant date fair value of $92.09.
Performance-Based Awards
We have awarded performance-based restricted shares through 2020 to certain key employees. These awards vest over a five-year period based on the company’s earnings growth. Beginning in 2021, we have awarded annually PSUs to certain key employees. These PSUs vest over a three-year period based on the achievement of certain dilutive earnings per share, adjusted gross profits, and adjusted operating margin targets. These PSUs contain an upside opportunity of up to 200 percent of target contingent upon obtaining certain targets mentioned above over their respective performance period.
The following table summarizes activity related to our performance-based restricted shares and PSUs as of December 31, 2023:
Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock UnitsWeighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2022517,808 $76.89 
Granted(1)
423,677 92.14 
Forfeitures(369,158)80.68 
Unvested as of December 31, 2023572,327 $86.69 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount represents PSU grants at target.
The following table summarizes PSUs by vesting period at target: 
First Vesting DateLast Vesting DatePerformance Shares and Stock Units
Granted, Net of
Forfeitures
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value (1)
Unvested Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units
December 31, 2022December 31, 2024279,815 $76.63 220,500 
December 31, 2023December 31, 2025409,401 92.13 351,827 
689,216 $85.84 572,327 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of PSUs granted, net of forfeitures.

We granted an additional 318,801 PSUs at target in February 2024. These awards have a weighted average grant date fair value of $73.66 and will vest over a three-year period and contain an upside opportunity of up to 200 percent based upon achieving cumulative three-year dilutive earnings per share targets.
Time-Based Awards
We award time-based restricted stock units to certain key employees. Time-based awards granted through 2020 vest over a five-year period. Beginning in 2021, we have granted annually time-based awards that vest over a three-year period. In 2023, we also granted retention awards which vest over a one-year to three-year period. These awards vest primarily based on the passage of time and the employee's continued employment and are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.
The following table summarizes our unvested time-based restricted share and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2023: 
Number of Restricted
Shares and Stock Units
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2022889,412 $74.26 
Granted938,690 91.97 
Vested(694,056)77.61 
Forfeitures(114,770)82.60 
Unvested as of December 31, 20231,019,276 $87.36 
We granted an additional 604,468 time-based restricted stock units in February 2024. These awards have a weighted average grant date fair value of $73.66 and will vest over a three-year period.
A summary of the fair value of stock awards vested (in thousands): 
2023$53,868 
202274,186 
2021110,701 
As of December 31, 2023, there was unrecognized compensation expense of $164.8 million related to previously granted stock awards assuming maximum achievement is obtained on our PSUs. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the passage of time and contingent upon obtaining certain targets mentioned above over their respective performance period.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN. Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of the quarter discounted by 15 percent. Shares are vested immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): 
Shares Purchased
By Employees
Aggregate Cost
to Employees
Expense Recognized
By the Company
2023240,418 $19,051 $3,362 
2022229,705 19,643 3,466 
2021220,970 17,838 3,148 
SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAMS. On December 9, 2021, the Board of Directors increased the company’s share repurchase authorization by an additional 20,000,000 shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2023, we had 6,763,445 shares remaining under the share repurchase authorization. The activity under these authorizations is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Shares RepurchasedTotal Value of Shares
Repurchased
2023 Repurchases645,753 $62,778 
2022 Repurchases14,226,190 1,456,713 
2021 Repurchases6,154,364 580,818 
v3.24.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. We offer a defined contribution plan, which qualifies under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and covers all eligible U.S. employees. We can also elect to make matching contributions to the plan. Annual discretionary contributions may also be made to the plan. Defined contribution plan expense, including matching contributions, is as follows (in thousands): 
2023$45,854 
202259,259 
202148,714 
We contributed a defined contribution match of six percent in 2023, 2022, and 2021.
LEASE COMMITMENTS. We maintain operating leases for office space, warehouses, office equipment, trailers, and a small number of intermodal containers. See Note 11, Leases, for further information.
LITIGATION. We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including certain contingent auto liability cases as of December 31, 2023. For some legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are not able to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
v3.24.0.1
ACQUISITIONS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Business Combination and Asset Acquisition [Abstract]  
ACQUISITIONS ACQUISITIONS
Combinex Holding B.V.
On June 3, 2021, we acquired all of the outstanding shares of Combinex Holding B.V. (“Combinex”) to strengthen our European surface transportation presence. Total purchase consideration, net of cash acquired was $14.7 million, which was paid in cash.
Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships7$3,942 
There was $10.8 million of goodwill recorded related to the acquisition of Combinex. The Combinex goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Combinex workforce and expected synergies from integrating its business into ours. Purchase accounting is considered complete. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes. The results of operations of Combinex have been included as part of the All Other and Corporate segment in our consolidated financial statements since June 3, 2021.
v3.24.0.1
SEGMENT REPORTING
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
SEGMENT REPORTING SEGMENT REPORTING
Our segments are based on our method of internal reporting, which generally segregates the segments by service line and the primary services they provide to our customers. The internal reporting of segments is defined, based in part, on the reporting and review process used by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), our Chief Executive Officer. The accounting policies of our reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. We do not report our intersegment revenues by segment to our CODM and do not believe they are a meaningful metric for evaluating the performance of our reportable segments. We identify two reportable segments as follows:
North American Surface Transportation: NAST provides freight transportation services across North America through a network of offices in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The primary services provided by NAST are truckload and less than truckload (“LTL”) transportation services.
Global Forwarding: Global Forwarding provides global logistics services through an international network of offices in North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, South America, and the Middle East and also contracts with independent agents worldwide. The primary services provided by Global Forwarding include ocean freight services, air freight services, and customs brokerage.
All Other and Corporate: All Other and Corporate includes our Robinson Fresh and Managed Services segments, as well as Other Surface Transportation outside of North America and other miscellaneous revenues and unallocated corporate expenses. Robinson Fresh provides sourcing services including the buying, selling, and/or marketing of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Managed Services provides Transportation Management Services, or Managed TMS. Other Surface Transportation revenues are primarily earned by our Europe Surface Transportation segment. Europe Surface Transportation provides transportation and logistics services including truckload and LTL transportation services across Europe.
Reportable segment information as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Total revenues$12,471,075 $2,997,704 $2,127,664 $17,596,443 
Income (loss) from operations459,960 85,830 (31,183)514,607 
Depreciation and amortization23,027 19,325 56,633 98,985 
Total assets(1)
3,008,459 1,094,895 1,121,926 5,225,280 
Average employee headcount6,469 5,222 4,350 16,041 
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Total revenues$15,827,467 $6,812,008 $2,057,150 $24,696,625 
Income (loss) from operations833,302 449,364 (15,884)1,266,782 
Depreciation and amortization23,643 21,835 47,298 92,776 
Total assets(1)
3,304,480 1,507,913 1,142,171 5,954,564 
Average employee headcount7,365 5,712 4,524 17,601 
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
Total revenues$14,507,917 $6,729,790 $1,864,431 $23,102,138 
Income (loss) from operations585,351 510,756 (13,999)1,082,108 
Depreciation and amortization26,243 22,823 42,193 91,259 
Total assets(1)
3,349,578 2,843,239 835,295 7,028,112 
Average employee headcount6,764 5,071 3,926 15,761 
________________________________ 
(1) All cash and cash equivalents and certain owned properties are included in All Other and Corporate.
The following table presents our total revenues (based on location of the customer) and long-lived assets (including other intangible assets and other assets) by geographic regions (in thousands): 
For the year ended December 31,
202320222021
Total revenues
U.S. $14,795,659 $20,696,448 $19,494,969 
Other locations2,800,784 4,000,177 3,607,169 
Total revenues$17,596,443 $24,696,625 $23,102,138 
As of December 31,
202320222021
Long-lived assets
U.S. $728,538 $751,984 $587,339 
Other locations142,448 142,529 151,866 
Total long-lived assets$870,986 $894,513 $739,205 
v3.24.0.1
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, as follows (dollars in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$12,471,075 $2,997,704 $903,881 $16,372,660 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,223,783 1,223,783 
Total $12,471,075 $2,997,704 $2,127,664 $17,596,443 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$15,827,467 $6,812,008 $876,909 $23,516,384 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,180,241 1,180,241 
Total $15,827,467 $6,812,008 $2,057,150 $24,696,625 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$14,507,917 $6,729,790 $808,867 $22,046,574 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,055,564 1,055,564 
Total $14,507,917 $6,729,790 $1,864,431 $23,102,138 
_______________________________ 
(1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time.
(2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time.
We typically do not receive consideration and amounts are not due from our customer prior to the completion of our performance obligations and as such contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and revenue recognized in the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, resulting from contract liabilities were not significant. Contract assets and accrued expenses—transportation expense fluctuate from period to period primarily based upon shipments in-transit at period end.
Approximately 90 percent, 93 percent, and 93 percent of our total revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, are attributable to arranging for the transportation of our customers’ freight for which we transfer control and satisfy our performance obligation over the requisite transit period. A days in transit output method is used to measure the progress of our performance as of the reporting date. We determine the transit period based upon the departure date and the delivery date, which may be estimated if delivery has not occurred as of the reporting date. Determining the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of the reporting date may require management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. We have determined that revenue recognition over the transit period provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of goods and services to our customer as our obligation is performed over the transit period. The transaction price for our performance obligation under these arrangements is generally fixed and readily determinable upon contract inception and is not contingent upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of another event.
Approximately seven percent, five percent, and five percent of our total revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, are attributable to buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Total revenues for these transactions are recognized at a point in time upon completion of our performance obligation, which is generally when the produce is received by our customer. The transaction price for our performance obligation under these arrangements is generally fixed and readily determinable upon contract inception and is not contingent upon the occurrence or non-occurrence of another event.
Approximately three percent, two percent, and two percent of our total revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, are attributable to value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based
managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Total revenues for these services are recognized over time as we complete our performance obligation. Transaction price is determined and allocated to these performance obligations at their fixed fee or agreed upon rate multiplied by their associated measure of progress, which may be transactional volumes, labor hours, or time elapsed.
We expense incremental costs of obtaining customer contracts (i.e., sales commissions) due to the short duration of our arrangements as the amortization period of such amounts is expected to be less than one year. These amounts are included within personnel expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income. In addition, we do not disclose the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are unsatisfied as of the end of the period, as our contracts have an expected length of one year or less. Finally, for certain of our performance obligations such as fee-based managed services, supply chain consulting and optimization services, and warehousing services, we have recognized revenue in the amount for which we have the right to invoice our customer as we have determined this amount corresponds directly with the value provided to the customer for our performance completed to date.
v3.24.0.1
LEASES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]  
LEASES LEASES
We determine if our contractual agreements contain a lease at inception. A lease is identified when a contract allows us the right to control an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Our lease agreements consist primarily of operating leases for office space, warehouses, office equipment, and trailers. We do not have material financing leases. Frequently, we enter into contractual relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies for freight capacity and utilize those relationships to efficiently and cost-effectively arrange the transport of our customers’ freight. These contracts typically have a term of twelve months or less and do not allow us to direct the use or obtain substantially all of the economic benefits of a specifically identified asset. Accordingly, these agreements are not considered leases.
Our operating leases are included on the consolidated balance sheets as right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities. A right-of-use lease asset represents our right to use an underlying asset over the term of a lease, while a lease liability represents our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Current and noncurrent lease liabilities are recognized on commencement date at the present value of lease payments, including non-lease components, which consist primarily of common area maintenance and parking charges. Right-of-use lease assets are also recognized on the commencement date as the total lease liability plus prepaid rents. As our leases typically do not provide an implicit rate, we use our fully collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is influenced by market interest rates, our credit rating, and lease term and as such, may differ for individual leases.
Our lease agreements typically do not contain variable lease payments, residual value guarantees, purchase options, or restrictive covenants. Many of our leases include the option to renew for a period of months to several years. The term of our leases may include the option to renew when it is reasonably certain we will exercise that option although these occurrences are seldom. We have lease agreements with lease components (e.g., payments for rent) and non-lease components (e.g., payments for common area maintenance and parking), which are all accounted for as a single lease component.
We do not have material lease agreements that have not yet commenced that are expected to create significant rights or obligations as of December 31, 2023.
Information regarding lease costs, other lease information, remaining lease term, and discount rate are presented below for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Lease Costs202320222021
Operating lease expense$100,635 $92,032 $85,521 
Short-term lease expense5,377 7,151 8,307 
Total lease expense$106,012 $99,183 $93,828 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Other Lease Information202320222021
Operating cash outflows from operating leases$97,880 $91,702 $85,244 
Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities66,473 161,886 52,931 
As of December 31,
Lease Term and Discount Rate20232022
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)5.96.4
Weighted average discount rate3.9 %3.5 %
The maturity of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023, were as follows (in thousands):
Maturity of Lease LiabilitiesOperating Leases
2024$87,554 
202581,556 
202667,755 
202751,612 
202837,297 
Thereafter94,039 
Total lease payments419,813 
Less: Interest(47,799)
Present value of lease liabilities $372,014 
v3.24.0.1
CREDIT LOSSES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Credit Loss [Abstract]  
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Our allowance for credit losses is computed using a number of factors including our past credit loss experience and our customers’ credit ratings, in addition to other customer-specific factors. We have also considered recent trends and developments related to the current macroeconomic environment in determining our ending allowance for credit losses for both accounts receivable and contract assets. The allowance for credit losses on contract assets was not significant.
A rollforward of our allowance for credit losses on our accounts receivable balance is presented below for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2021$41,542 
Provision(3,442)
Write-offs(9,351)
Balance, December 31, 202228,749 
Provision(5,702)
Write-offs(8,818)
Balance, December 31, 2023$14,229 
Recoveries of amounts previously written off were not significant for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
v3.24.0.1
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in the Stockholders’ investment on our consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, was $80.9 million and $88.9 million, respectively, and is comprised solely of foreign currency adjustments, including foreign currency translation.
Other comprehensive income was $7.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, driven primarily by fluctuations in the Euro and Polish Zloty. Other comprehensive loss was $27.7 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022, driven primarily by fluctuations in the Yuan, Singapore Dollar, and Australian Dollar.
v3.24.0.1
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]  
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards:
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, there were no newly adopted accounting standards that had, or are expected to have, a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which expands reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses regularly provided to the CODM. The guidance in this ASU is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The guidance in this ASU expands the disclosure requirements for income taxes by requiring greater disaggregation of information in the income tax rate reconciliation and disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance in this ASU is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
RESTRUCTURING RESTRUCTURING
2022 Restructuring Program: In 2022, we announced organizational changes to support our enterprise strategy of accelerating our digital transformation and productivity initiatives (the “2022 Restructuring Program”). We continued to execute upon these digital transformation and productivity initiatives in 2023, which resulted in further restructuring charges to better align our workforce as a result of these initiatives and in consideration of the changing freight transportation market. In 2023, we recognized additional restructuring charges of $17.5 million, primarily related to workforce reductions. Our 2022 Restructuring Program was completed in 2023 other than $3.8 million of severance installment payments accrued as of as December 31, 2023, expected to be paid in 2024.
A summary of the restructuring charges recognized related to the 2022 Restructuring Program is presented below (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
20232022
Severance(1)
$14,358 $18,872 
Other personnel expenses(1)
1,814 2,662 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses(2)
1,304 15,150 
Total $17,476 $36,684 
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts include impairment of certain capitalized internally developed software projects and other miscellaneous exit costs, which are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes restructuring charges by reportable segment related to the 2022 Restructuring Program for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Personnel expenses$1,083 $2,176 $12,913 $16,172 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses197 1,099 1,304 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Personnel expenses$6,323 $3,831 $11,380 $21,534 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses3,175 3,174 8,801 15,150 
The following table summarizes the activity related to our 2022 Restructuring Program and reserves included in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel ExpensesOther Selling, General, and Administrative ExpensesTotal
Balance, December 31, 2022$18,976 $— $18,976 
  Restructuring charges16,172 1,304 17,476 
  Cash payments(30,477)(415)(30,892)
  Settled non-cash— (907)(907)
  Accrual adjustments(1)
(888)18 (870)
Balance, December 31, 2023$3,783 $— $3,783 
________________________________ 
(1) Accrual adjustments primarily relate to changes in estimates for certain employee termination costs, including those settling for an amount different than originally estimated and foreign currency adjustments.
South American Restructuring Program: In 2023, we announced a restructuring program (the “South American Restructuring Program”) to divest our operations in Argentina to mitigate our exposure to the deteriorating economic conditions and increasing political instability there. The Central Bank of Argentina maintains certain currency controls that limit our ability to access U.S. dollars in Argentina and remit cash from our Argentine operations. We have identified a local independent agent to continue serving our customers in the region. As a result of these actions, we recognized restructuring charges primarily related to disposal and exit activities including asset impairments and workforce reductions.
We have determined this divestiture does not represent a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our consolidated results of operations, and therefore the results of operations in Argentina are not reported as discontinued operations. The divestiture was completed near the end of 2023 for nominal consideration and our restructuring program is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024. We recognized $21.2 million of net restructuring charges related to our South American Restructuring Program as presented below (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023
Severance and other personnel expenses(1)
$2,237 
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments(2)
18,328 
Other miscellaneous expenses(3)
1,420 
Income tax benefits(4)
(795)
Total $21,190 
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(3) Amounts are included within interest and other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(4) Amounts are included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes restructuring charges related to our South American Restructuring Program by reportable segment (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Severance and other personnel expenses(1)
$— $1,641 $596 $2,237 
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments(2)
— 17,961 367 18,328 
Other miscellaneous expenses(3)
— 1,420 — 1,420 
Income tax benefits(4)
— (795)— (795)
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(3) Amounts are included within interest and other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(4) Amounts are included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes activity related to our South American Restructuring Program and reserves included in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel ExpensesAccrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative ExpensesTotal
Balance, December 31, 2022$— $— $— 
  Restructuring charges2,237 18,328 20,565 
  Cash payments(2,237)— (2,237)
  Divestiture of Argentine operations(18,328)(18,328)
Balance, December 31, 2023$— $— $— 
v3.24.0.1
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Pay vs Performance Disclosure      
Net income $ 325,129 $ 940,524 $ 844,245
v3.24.0.1
Insider Trading Arrangements
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated false
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
BASIS OF PRESENTATION
BASIS OF PRESENTATION. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions through a network of offices operating in North America, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, and the Middle East. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
USE OF ESTIMATES
USE OF ESTIMATES. The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates have been prepared on the basis of the most current and best information available, and our actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
REVENUE RECOGNITION. At contract inception, we assess the goods and services promised in our contracts with customers and identify our performance obligations to provide distinct goods and services to our customers. We have determined the following distinct goods and services represent our primary performance obligations.
Transportation and Logistics Services - As a global logistics provider, our primary performance obligation under our customer contracts is to utilize our relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies to efficiently and cost-effectively transport our customers’ freight. Revenue is recognized for these performance obligations as they are satisfied over the contract term, which generally represents the transit period. The transit period can vary based upon the method of transport, generally a number of days for over the road, rail, and air transportation, or several weeks in the case of an ocean shipment. Determining the transit period and how much of it has been completed as of the reporting date may require management to make judgments that affect the timing of revenue recognized. When the customer’s freight reaches its intended destination our performance obligation is complete. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
We also provide certain value-added logistics services, such as customs brokerage, fee-based managed services, warehousing services, small parcel, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. These services may include one or more performance obligations, which are generally satisfied over the service period as we perform our obligations. The service period may be a very short duration, in the case of customs brokerage and small parcel, or it may be longer in the case of warehousing, managed services, and supply chain consulting and optimization services. Pricing for our services is established in the customer contract and is dependent upon the specific needs of the customer but may be agreed upon at a fixed fee per transaction, labor hour, or service period. Payment is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
Sourcing Services - We contract with grocery retailers, restaurants, foodservice distributors, and produce wholesalers to provide sourcing services under the trade name Robinson Fresh® (“Robinson Fresh”). Our primary service obligation under these contracts is the buying, selling, and/or marketing of produce including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other value-added perishable items. Revenue is recognized when our performance obligations under these contracts are satisfied at a point in time, generally when the produce is received by our customer. Pricing under these contracts is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 20 to 30 days of completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
In many cases, as additional performance obligations, we contract to arrange logistics and transportation of the products we buy, sell, and/or market. These performance obligations are satisfied over the contract term consistent with our other transportation and logistics services. The contract period is typically less than one year. Pricing for our services is generally a fixed amount and is typically due within 30 days upon completion of our performance obligation, but can vary based on the nature of the service provided and certain other factors.
Total revenues represent the total dollar value of revenue recognized from contracts with customers for the goods and services we provide. Substantially all of our revenues are attributable to contracts with our customers. Our adjusted gross profits are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. Most transactions in our transportation and sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the services we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service to our customers and we have discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service. Additionally, in our sourcing
business, in some cases, we take inventory risk before the specified good has been transferred to our customer. Customs brokerage, managed services, freight forwarding, and sourcing managed procurement transactions are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the services we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.
CONTRACT ASSETS
CONTRACT ASSETS. Contract assets represent amounts for which we have the right to consideration for the services we have provided while a shipment is still in-transit but for which we have not yet completed our performance obligations or have not yet invoiced our customer. Upon completion of our performance obligations, which can vary in duration based upon the method of transport, and billing our customer, these amounts become classified within accounts receivable and are then typically due within 30 days.
ACCRUED TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE
ACCRUED TRANSPORTATION EXPENSE. Accrued transportation expense represents amounts we owe to vendors, primarily transportation providers, for the services they have provided while a shipment is still in-transit as of the reporting date.
ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES. Accounts receivable and contract assets are reduced by an allowance for expected credit losses. We determine our allowance for expected credit losses based on our past credit loss experience, our customers' credit risk ratings, and other customer specific and macroeconomic factors. We compute an expected loss ratio for each credit rating pool based upon our historical write-off experience and apply it to our accounts receivable (i.e. loss ratio approach). This approach is then supplemented by the professional judgment of management primarily in consideration of recent developments, write-off experience, and risk concentrations, for purposes of determining the expected credit loss allowance.
FOREIGN CURRENCY FOREIGN CURRENCY. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are remeasured to the functional currency of our foreign subsidiaries, which is generally their local currency, at the current exchange rate as of the end of each period. Foreign exchange gains and losses on these balances are recognized in interest and other income/expense, net in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The functional currency accounts of our foreign subsidiaries are translated to our U.S. Dollar reporting currency at the end of each period. Translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income items are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. In cases where our foreign subsidiaries operate in a highly inflationary economy, their functional currency is considered to be our U.S. Dollar reporting currency.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS. Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of bank deposits and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the time of purchase.
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER
PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER. Prepaid expenses and other includes items such as software maintenance contracts, prepaid insurance premiums, other prepaid operating expenses, and inventories, consisting primarily of produce and related products held for resale.
RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS AND LEASE LIABILITIES
RIGHT-OF-USE LEASE ASSETS. Right-of-use lease assets are recognized upon lease commencement and represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term.
LEASE LIABILITIES. Lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date and represent our obligation to make the lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis.
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT. Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated life of the asset. Amortization of leasehold improvements is computed over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement.
GOODWILL GOODWILL. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets purchased and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis (November 30 for us) and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value.
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS. Other intangible assets include definite-lived customer lists, trademarks, non-competition agreements, and indefinite-lived trademarks. The definite-lived intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives. Definite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The indefinite-lived trademarks are not amortized. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable, or annually, at a minimum.
OTHER ASSETS OTHER ASSETS. Other assets consist primarily of purchased and internally developed software. We amortize software when it is put into service using the straight-line method over three years.
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES. Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted rates.
Annual tax provisions include amounts considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examination of prior year tax returns; however, the amount ultimately paid upon resolution of issues raised may differ from the amounts accrued.
The financial statement benefits of an uncertain income tax position are recognized when more likely than not, based on the technical merits, the position will be sustained upon examination. Unrecognized tax benefits are, more likely than not, owed to a taxing authority, and the amount of the contingency that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized can be reasonably estimated. Uncertain income tax positions are included in “Accrued income taxes” or “Noncurrent income taxes payable” in the consolidated balance sheets.
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS). Comprehensive income (loss) consists primarily of foreign currency translation adjustments. It is presented on our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION. We have issued stock awards, including stock options, performance-based restricted stock units and shares, and time-based restricted stock units, to our key employees and non-employee directors. The awards vest over three to five years, either based on the achievement of certain dilutive earnings per share, adjusted gross profits, adjusted operating margin targets, or the passage of time. The related compensation expense for each award is recognized over the appropriate vesting period. The fair value of each share-based payment award is established on the date of grant. For grants of restricted shares and restricted stock units, the fair value is established based on the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants with post-vesting holding restrictions vary from 11 percent to 24 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in expected volatility and risk-free interest rates are the primary reason for changes in the discount.
For grants of stock options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of these share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of stock options is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected term, risk-free interest rate, and dividend yield.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
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 hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRNOUNCEMENTS RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards:
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, there were no newly adopted accounting standards that had, or are expected to have, a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards:
In November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which expands reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses regularly provided to the CODM. The guidance in this ASU is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The guidance in this ASU expands the disclosure requirements for income taxes by requiring greater disaggregation of information in the income tax rate reconciliation and disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance in this ASU is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects adoption of this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Schedule of Property and Equipment and Depreciation Expense
We recognized the following depreciation expense (in thousands): 
2023$39,569 
202238,102 
202139,790 
A summary of our property and equipment as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 
20232022
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment$251,473 $266,017 
Buildings58,586 60,766 
Corporate aircraft23,760 23,760 
Leasehold improvements91,234 78,347 
Land11,018 11,005 
Construction in progress1,387 9,933 
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization(292,740)(290,396)
Net property and equipment$144,718 $159,432 
Schedule of Amortization Expense of Software We recognized the following amortization expense of purchased and internally developed software (in thousands): 
2023$38,803 
202231,229 
202125,975 
Schedule of Purchased and Internally Developed Software
A summary of our purchased and internally developed software as of December 31 is as follows (in thousands): 
20232022
Purchased software$4,639 $8,930 
Internally developed software212,363 164,092 
Less accumulated amortization(114,473)(84,222)
Net software$102,529 $88,800 
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
December 31, 2021 balance $1,196,333 $210,391 $78,030 $1,484,754 
Foreign currency translation(8,257)(4,202)(1,482)(13,941)
December 31, 2022 balance 1,188,076 206,189 76,548 1,470,813 
Foreign currency translation737 1,410 640 2,787 
December 31, 2023 balance $1,188,813 $207,599 $77,188 $1,473,600 
Schedule of Intangible Assets Identifiable intangible assets consisted of the following as of December 31 (in thousands): 
20232022
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Finite-lived intangibles
Customer relationships$93,499 $(58,437)$35,062 $162,358 $(106,932)$55,426 
Indefinite-lived intangibles
Trademarks8,600 — 8,600 8,600 — 8,600 
Total intangibles$102,099 $(58,437)$43,662 $170,958 $(106,932)$64,026 
Schedule of Amortization Expense
Amortization expense for other intangible assets was (in thousands): 
2023$20,613 
202223,445 
202125,494 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Finite-lived intangible assets, by reportable segment, as of December 31, 2023, will be amortized over their remaining lives as follows (in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
2024$8,008 $3,594 $1,111 $12,713 
20257,857 2,351 1,111 11,319 
20267,857 383 760 9,000 
20271,310 — 509 1,819 
2028— — 211 211 
Total$35,062 
v3.24.0.1
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt
The components of our short-term and long-term debt and the associated interest rates were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Average interest rate as ofCarrying value as of
December 31, 2023December 31, 2022MaturityDecember 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Revolving Credit Facility6.45 %— %November 2027$160,000 $— 
364-day revolving credit facility — %5.12 %May 2023— 379,000 
Senior Notes, Series A— %3.97 %August 2023— 175,000 
Senior Notes, Series B4.26 %4.26 %August 2028150,000 150,000 
Senior Notes, Series C4.60 %4.60 %August 2033175,000 175,000 
Receivables Securitization Facility (1)
6.25 %5.01 %November 2025499,542 499,655 
Senior Notes(1)
4.20 %4.20 %April 2028595,945 595,049 
Total debt1,580,487 1,973,704 
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing(160,000)(1,053,655)
Long-term debt$1,420,487 $920,049 
________________________________ 
(1) Net of unamortized discounts and issuance costs.
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Income before Provision for Income Taxes
Income before provision for income taxes consisted of (in thousands):
202320222021
Domestic$287,524 $799,553 $566,847 
Foreign121,662 367,212 455,444 
Total$409,186 $1,166,765 $1,022,291 
Summary of Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in thousands):
202320222021
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period$39,056 $37,302 $36,216 
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year2,111 4,064 3,530 
Additions for tax positions of prior years1,268 3,016 1,919 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(91)(247)(2,431)
Lapse in statute of limitations(2,346)(5,026)(1,932)
Settlements(23,082)(53)— 
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period$16,916 $39,056 $37,302 
Schedule of Components of Provision for Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following for the years ended December 31 (in thousands): 
202320222021
Tax provision:
Federal$55,149 $153,349 $165,218 
State4,014 33,309 36,718 
Foreign62,426 97,147 85,654 
121,589 283,805 287,590 
Deferred provision (benefit):
Federal(32,820)(44,133)(90,960)
State6,223 (7,848)(16,176)
Foreign(10,935)(5,583)(2,408)
(37,532)(57,564)(109,544)
Total provision$84,057 $226,241 $178,046 
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes using the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, is as follows:  
202320222021
Federal statutory rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit2.1 2.1 1.7 
Section 199 deduction4.7 — — 
Share-based payment awards(2.2)(1.1)(0.6)
Excess foreign tax credits(9.5)(1.2)(0.4)
Other U.S. tax credits and incentives(3.4)(2.0)(3.3)
Foreign6.7 0.6 (1.2)
Other1.1 — 0.2 
Effective income tax rate20.5 %19.4 %17.4 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):
20232022
Deferred tax assets:
Lease liabilities$74,495 $79,402 
Compensation64,788 69,305 
Accrued expenses33,720 52,416 
Tax credit carryforward14,485 — 
Foreign affiliate prepayment— 1,901 
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards(1)
67,816 64,434 
Long-lived assets104,005 94,268 
Other(1)
22,220 16,364 
   Total deferred tax assets (before valuation allowance)
381,529 378,090 
   Less: valuation allowance(1)
(62,183)(56,808)
   Total deferred tax assets319,346 321,282 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right-of-use assets(68,764)(74,507)
Intangible assets(25,773)(53,580)
Prepaid assets(4,405)(6,657)
Foreign withholding tax(10,313)(9,709)
Other(8,649)(9,483)
   Total deferred tax liabilities(117,904)(153,936)
Net deferred tax assets$201,442 $167,346 
________________________________
(1) The amounts as of December 31, 2022 have been adjusted to conform to current year presentation.
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Stock-Based Compensation Expense A summary expense recognized within personnel expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
202320222021
Stock options$8,929 $13,025 $16,128 
Stock awards45,878 74,186 110,701 
Company expense on ESPP discount3,362 3,466 3,148 
Total stock-based compensation expense$58,169 $90,677 $129,977 
Schedule of Stock Option Activity
The following schedule summarizes stock option activity in the plans. All outstanding unvested options as of December 31, 2023, relate to time-based grants from 2020.
OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
Average
Remaining
Life
(years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 20225,358,796 $77.93 $73,065 5.1
Exercised(560,433)70.21 
Forfeitures(7,466)75.72 
Outstanding as of December 31, 20234,790,897 $78.83 $39,138 4.3
Vested as of December 31, 20234,475,465 $79.26 4.2
Exercisable as of December 31, 20234,475,465 $79.26 4.2
Schedule of Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised
Information on the intrinsic value of options exercised is as follows (in thousands):
2023$14,442 
202243,353 
202120,427 
Schedule of Unvested Stock Option Grants
The following table summarizes these unvested stock option grants as of December 31, 2023:
First Vesting DateLast Vesting DateOptions
Granted, Net of
Forfeitures
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value(1)
Unvested Options
December 31, 2020December 31, 20241,626,101 13.87 315,432 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of options granted, net of forfeitures.
Schedule of Option Pricing Model Valuation Assumptions
The grant date fair value per option was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions: 
2020 Grants
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate1.6%
Expected dividend yield2.5%
Weighted-average volatility23%
Expected term (in years)8.91
Weighted average fair value per option$13.88 
Schedule of Performance Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes activity related to our performance-based restricted shares and PSUs as of December 31, 2023:
Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock UnitsWeighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2022517,808 $76.89 
Granted(1)
423,677 92.14 
Forfeitures(369,158)80.68 
Unvested as of December 31, 2023572,327 $86.69 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount represents PSU grants at target.
The following table summarizes PSUs by vesting period at target: 
First Vesting DateLast Vesting DatePerformance Shares and Stock Units
Granted, Net of
Forfeitures
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value (1)
Unvested Performance Shares and Restricted Stock Units
December 31, 2022December 31, 2024279,815 $76.63 220,500 
December 31, 2023December 31, 2025409,401 92.13 351,827 
689,216 $85.84 572,327 
________________________________ 
(1) Amount shown is the weighted average grant date fair value of PSUs granted, net of forfeitures.
Schedule of Unvested Time-Based Restricted Share and Restricted Stock Unit Grants
The following table summarizes our unvested time-based restricted share and restricted stock unit grants as of December 31, 2023: 
Number of Restricted
Shares and Stock Units
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2022889,412 $74.26 
Granted938,690 91.97 
Vested(694,056)77.61 
Forfeitures(114,770)82.60 
Unvested as of December 31, 20231,019,276 $87.36 
Schedule of Fair Value Stock Awards Vested
A summary of the fair value of stock awards vested (in thousands): 
2023$53,868 
202274,186 
2021110,701 
Schedule of Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands): 
Shares Purchased
By Employees
Aggregate Cost
to Employees
Expense Recognized
By the Company
2023240,418 $19,051 $3,362 
2022229,705 19,643 3,466 
2021220,970 17,838 3,148 
Schedule of Share Repurchase Program Activity The activity under these authorizations is as follows (dollar amounts in thousands):
Shares RepurchasedTotal Value of Shares
Repurchased
2023 Repurchases645,753 $62,778 
2022 Repurchases14,226,190 1,456,713 
2021 Repurchases6,154,364 580,818 
v3.24.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plan Expense Defined contribution plan expense, including matching contributions, is as follows (in thousands): 
2023$45,854 
202259,259 
202148,714 
v3.24.0.1
ACQUISITIONS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Combinex  
Business Acquisition [Line Items]  
Schedule of Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Estimated Life (years)
Customer relationships7$3,942 
v3.24.0.1
SEGMENT REPORTING (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Summary of Segment Information
Reportable segment information as of, and for the years ended, December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, is as follows (dollars in thousands):
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
Total revenues$12,471,075 $2,997,704 $2,127,664 $17,596,443 
Income (loss) from operations459,960 85,830 (31,183)514,607 
Depreciation and amortization23,027 19,325 56,633 98,985 
Total assets(1)
3,008,459 1,094,895 1,121,926 5,225,280 
Average employee headcount6,469 5,222 4,350 16,041 
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
Total revenues$15,827,467 $6,812,008 $2,057,150 $24,696,625 
Income (loss) from operations833,302 449,364 (15,884)1,266,782 
Depreciation and amortization23,643 21,835 47,298 92,776 
Total assets(1)
3,304,480 1,507,913 1,142,171 5,954,564 
Average employee headcount7,365 5,712 4,524 17,601 
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
Total revenues$14,507,917 $6,729,790 $1,864,431 $23,102,138 
Income (loss) from operations585,351 510,756 (13,999)1,082,108 
Depreciation and amortization26,243 22,823 42,193 91,259 
Total assets(1)
3,349,578 2,843,239 835,295 7,028,112 
Average employee headcount6,764 5,071 3,926 15,761 
________________________________ 
(1) All cash and cash equivalents and certain owned properties are included in All Other and Corporate.
Schedule of Total Revenues and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Regions
The following table presents our total revenues (based on location of the customer) and long-lived assets (including other intangible assets and other assets) by geographic regions (in thousands): 
For the year ended December 31,
202320222021
Total revenues
U.S. $14,795,659 $20,696,448 $19,494,969 
Other locations2,800,784 4,000,177 3,607,169 
Total revenues$17,596,443 $24,696,625 $23,102,138 
As of December 31,
202320222021
Long-lived assets
U.S. $728,538 $751,984 $587,339 
Other locations142,448 142,529 151,866 
Total long-lived assets$870,986 $894,513 $739,205 
v3.24.0.1
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]  
Schedule of Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Revenue Recognition
A summary of our total revenues disaggregated by major service line and timing of revenue recognition is presented below for each of our reportable segments for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, as follows (dollars in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$12,471,075 $2,997,704 $903,881 $16,372,660 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,223,783 1,223,783 
Total $12,471,075 $2,997,704 $2,127,664 $17,596,443 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$15,827,467 $6,812,008 $876,909 $23,516,384 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,180,241 1,180,241 
Total $15,827,467 $6,812,008 $2,057,150 $24,696,625 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2021
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateTotal
Major service lines:
Transportation and logistics services(1)
$14,507,917 $6,729,790 $808,867 $22,046,574 
Sourcing(2)
— — 1,055,564 1,055,564 
Total $14,507,917 $6,729,790 $1,864,431 $23,102,138 
_______________________________ 
(1) Transportation and logistics services performance obligations are completed over time.
(2) Sourcing performance obligations are completed at a point in time.
v3.24.0.1
LEASES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]  
Schedule of Lease Expense, Remaining Lease Terms, Discount Rate and Other Information
Information regarding lease costs, other lease information, remaining lease term, and discount rate are presented below for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 and as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Lease Costs202320222021
Operating lease expense$100,635 $92,032 $85,521 
Short-term lease expense5,377 7,151 8,307 
Total lease expense$106,012 $99,183 $93,828 
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
Other Lease Information202320222021
Operating cash outflows from operating leases$97,880 $91,702 $85,244 
Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities66,473 161,886 52,931 
As of December 31,
Lease Term and Discount Rate20232022
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)5.96.4
Weighted average discount rate3.9 %3.5 %
Schedule of Maturity of Lease Liabilities
The maturity of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2023, were as follows (in thousands):
Maturity of Lease LiabilitiesOperating Leases
2024$87,554 
202581,556 
202667,755 
202751,612 
202837,297 
Thereafter94,039 
Total lease payments419,813 
Less: Interest(47,799)
Present value of lease liabilities $372,014 
v3.24.0.1
CREDIT LOSSES (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Credit Loss [Abstract]  
Schedule of Allowance for Credit Loss on Accounts Receivable
A rollforward of our allowance for credit losses on our accounts receivable balance is presented below for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2021$41,542 
Provision(3,442)
Write-offs(9,351)
Balance, December 31, 202228,749 
Provision(5,702)
Write-offs(8,818)
Balance, December 31, 2023$14,229 
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Related Costs
A summary of the restructuring charges recognized related to the 2022 Restructuring Program is presented below (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
20232022
Severance(1)
$14,358 $18,872 
Other personnel expenses(1)
1,814 2,662 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses(2)
1,304 15,150 
Total $17,476 $36,684 
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts include impairment of certain capitalized internally developed software projects and other miscellaneous exit costs, which are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes restructuring charges by reportable segment related to the 2022 Restructuring Program for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Personnel expenses$1,083 $2,176 $12,913 $16,172 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses197 1,099 1,304 
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Personnel expenses$6,323 $3,831 $11,380 $21,534 
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses3,175 3,174 8,801 15,150 
We recognized $21.2 million of net restructuring charges related to our South American Restructuring Program as presented below (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31,
2023
Severance and other personnel expenses(1)
$2,237 
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments(2)
18,328 
Other miscellaneous expenses(3)
1,420 
Income tax benefits(4)
(795)
Total $21,190 
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(3) Amounts are included within interest and other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(4) Amounts are included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes restructuring charges related to our South American Restructuring Program by reportable segment (in thousands):
Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023
NASTGlobal ForwardingAll Other and CorporateConsolidated
Severance and other personnel expenses(1)
$— $1,641 $596 $2,237 
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments(2)
— 17,961 367 18,328 
Other miscellaneous expenses(3)
— 1,420 — 1,420 
Income tax benefits(4)
— (795)— (795)
________________________________ 
(1) Amounts are included within personnel expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(2) Amounts are included within other selling, general, and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(3) Amounts are included within interest and other expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
(4) Amounts are included within provision for income taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
The following table summarizes the activity related to our 2022 Restructuring Program and reserves included in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel ExpensesOther Selling, General, and Administrative ExpensesTotal
Balance, December 31, 2022$18,976 $— $18,976 
  Restructuring charges16,172 1,304 17,476 
  Cash payments(30,477)(415)(30,892)
  Settled non-cash— (907)(907)
  Accrual adjustments(1)
(888)18 (870)
Balance, December 31, 2023$3,783 $— $3,783 
________________________________ 
(1) Accrual adjustments primarily relate to changes in estimates for certain employee termination costs, including those settling for an amount different than originally estimated and foreign currency adjustments.
The following table summarizes activity related to our South American Restructuring Program and reserves included in our consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel ExpensesAccrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative ExpensesTotal
Balance, December 31, 2022$— $— $— 
  Restructuring charges2,237 18,328 20,565 
  Cash payments(2,237)— (2,237)
  Divestiture of Argentine operations(18,328)(18,328)
Balance, December 31, 2023$— $— $— 
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 30 days  
Cash and cash equivalents $ 145,524 $ 217,482
Software    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Estimated useful life (in years) 3 years  
Held outside the United States    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 142,800 $ 204,700
Maximum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Typical contract term 1 year  
Transportation services    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 30 days  
Value-added logistics services    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 30 days  
Sourcing services | Minimum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 20 days  
Sourcing services | Maximum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 30 days  
Logistics and transportation    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
General payment terms upon completion of performance obligation 30 days  
Logistics and transportation | Maximum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Typical contract term 1 year  
Stock awards | Minimum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Stock award vesting period (in years) 3 years  
Stock awards | Maximum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Stock award vesting period (in years) 5 years  
Restricted shares and restricted stock units | Minimum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Shares and restricted units grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent) 11.00%  
Restricted shares and restricted stock units | Maximum    
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]    
Shares and restricted units grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent) 24.00%  
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Depreciation Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Depreciation expense $ 39,569 $ 38,102 $ 39,790
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment $ 437,458 $ 449,828
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (292,740) (290,396)
Net property and equipment 144,718 159,432
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment 251,473 266,017
Buildings    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment 58,586 60,766
Corporate aircraft    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment 23,760 23,760
Leasehold improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment 91,234 78,347
Land    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment 11,018 11,005
Construction in progress    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment $ 1,387 $ 9,933
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Amortization Expense of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]      
Amortization of purchased and internally developed software $ 38,803 $ 31,229 $ 25,975
v3.24.0.1
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - Summary of Purchased and Internally Developed Software (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Software [Line Items]    
Less accumulated amortization $ (114,473) $ (84,222)
Net software 102,529 88,800
Purchased software    
Software [Line Items]    
Software 4,639 8,930
Internally developed software    
Software [Line Items]    
Software $ 212,363 $ 164,092
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Change in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance $ 1,470,813 $ 1,484,754
Foreign currency translation 2,787 (13,941)
Ending balance 1,473,600 1,470,813
NAST    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance 1,188,076 1,196,333
Foreign currency translation 737 (8,257)
Ending balance 1,188,813 1,188,076
Global Forwarding    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance 206,189 210,391
Foreign currency translation 1,410 (4,202)
Ending balance 207,599 206,189
All Other and Corporate    
Goodwill [Roll Forward]    
Beginning balance 76,548 78,030
Foreign currency translation 640 (1,482)
Ending balance $ 77,188 $ 76,548
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]      
Goodwill or intangible asset impairment $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Finite-lived intangibles    
Accumulated Amortization $ (58,437) $ (106,932)
Total finite-lived intangible assets 35,062  
Indefinite-lived intangibles    
Total intangibles, Cost 102,099 170,958
Total intangibles, Net 43,662 64,026
Trademarks    
Indefinite-lived intangibles    
Indefinite-lived intangibles 8,600 8,600
Customer relationships    
Finite-lived intangibles    
Finite-lived intangibles, cost 93,499 162,358
Accumulated Amortization (58,437) (106,932)
Total finite-lived intangible assets $ 35,062 $ 55,426
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Amortization Expense of Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]      
Amortization expense $ 20,613 $ 23,445 $ 25,494
v3.24.0.1
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Estimated Amortization Expense of Intangible Assets (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Estimated amortization expense  
2024 $ 12,713
2025 11,319
2026 9,000
2027 1,819
2028 211
Total finite-lived intangible assets 35,062
NAST  
Estimated amortization expense  
2024 8,008
2025 7,857
2026 7,857
2027 1,310
2028 0
Global Forwarding  
Estimated amortization expense  
2024 3,594
2025 2,351
2026 383
2027 0
2028 0
All Other and Corporate  
Estimated amortization expense  
2024 1,111
2025 1,111
2026 760
2027 509
2028 $ 211
v3.24.0.1
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details) - Level 3 - USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Level 3 Fair Value    
Assets at fair value $ 0 $ 0
Liabilities at fair value $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.0.1
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Components of Short-term and Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Carrying value $ 1,580,487 $ 1,973,704
Less: Current maturities and short-term borrowing (160,000) (1,053,655)
Long-term debt 1,420,487 $ 920,049
Revolving credit facility | 364 Credit Agreement | Line of credit    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent)   5.12%
Carrying value $ 0 $ 379,000
Line of credit | Revolving credit facility    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent) 6.45% 0.00%
Carrying value $ 160,000 $ 0
Senior Notes | Series A Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent)   3.97%
Carrying value $ 0 $ 175,000
Senior Notes | Series B Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent) 4.26% 4.26%
Carrying value $ 150,000 $ 150,000
Senior Notes | Series C Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent) 4.60% 4.60%
Carrying value $ 175,000 $ 175,000
Secured Debt | Receivables securitization facility    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent) 6.25% 5.01%
Carrying value $ 499,542 $ 499,655
Unsecured Debt | Senior Notes    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Average interest rate (percent) 4.20% 4.20%
Carrying value $ 595,945 $ 595,049
v3.24.0.1
FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Nov. 07, 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2022
USD ($)
Feb. 01, 2022
USD ($)
Aug. 27, 2013
USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Carrying value $ 1,580,487,000   $ 1,973,704,000    
Senior Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt fair value 315,700,000        
Revolving credit facility | Line of credit          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum commitment $ 1,000,000,000        
Maximum leverage ratio 3.75        
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) 1.00%        
Carrying value $ 160,000,000   0    
Revolving credit facility | Line of credit | Minimum          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Commitment fee (percent) 0.07%        
Revolving credit facility | Line of credit | Maximum          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Commitment fee (percent) 0.15%        
Revolving credit facility | Line of credit | Federal Funds Rate          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) 0.50%        
Revolving credit facility | Line of credit | SOFR          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) 0.10%        
Note Purchase Agreement | Senior Notes          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum leverage ratio 3.50        
Debt instrument principal amount         $ 500,000,000
Minimum interest coverage ratio 2.00        
Maximum priority debt to total assets ratio (percent) 10.00%        
Debt instrument, redemption price (percent) 100.00%        
Receivables securitization facility | Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Bank of America N.A.          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) 0.80%        
Line of Credit Facility, Commitment Fee Percentage 0.20%        
Receivables securitization facility | SOFR | Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Bank of America N.A.          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Basis spread on variable rate (percent) 0.10%        
Receivables securitization facility | Secured Debt          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Carrying value $ 499,542,000   499,655,000    
Receivables securitization facility | Secured Debt | Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Bank of America N.A.          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum commitment   $ 250,000,000      
Current funding 500,000,000 $ 500,000,000 300,000,000 $ 500,000,000  
Senior Notes | Unsecured Debt          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Debt fair value $ 581,200,000        
Debt instrument, redemption price (percent) 101.00%        
Debt instrument annual interest rate (percent) 4.20%        
Debt Instrument effective yield (percent) 4.39%        
Carrying value $ 595,945,000   $ 595,049,000    
Threshold for holders of principal outstanding to declare principal and unpaid interest payable (percent) 25.00%        
364 Credit Agreement | Revolving credit facility          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum commitment $ 500,000,000        
US Bank | Line of credit          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Maximum commitment 15,000,000        
US Bank | Standby letters of credit          
Debt Instrument [Line Items]          
Current funding $ 9,900,000        
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Tax Adjustments, Settlements, and Unusual Provisions $ 19,200    
Tax benefit related to earnings from foreign subsidiaries 2,000    
Unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties, all of which would affect our effective tax rate if recognized $ 20,100    
Unrecognized tax benefits estimated impact on effective tax rate if recognized in current year (percent) 4.90%    
Expected decrease in unrecognized tax benefits in next twelve months due to lapsing statutes $ 1,200    
Interest and penalties recognized 700 $ 600 $ 900
Interest and penalties accrued 3,200 3,900  
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards tax effect 67,816 64,434  
Valuation allowance against deferred tax asset 62,183 56,808  
Foreign operating loss carryforwards      
Income Taxes [Line Items]      
Valuation allowance against deferred tax asset $ 62,200 $ 56,800  
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Income Before Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Domestic $ 287,524 $ 799,553 $ 566,847
Foreign 121,662 367,212 455,444
Income before provision for income taxes $ 409,186 $ 1,166,765 $ 1,022,291
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, excluding Interest and Penalties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits      
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period $ 39,056 $ 37,302 $ 36,216
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 2,111 4,064 3,530
Additions for tax positions of prior years 1,268 3,016 1,919
Reductions for tax positions of prior years (91) (247) (2,431)
Lapse in statute of limitations (2,346) (5,026) (1,932)
Settlements (23,082) (53) 0
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of the period $ 16,916 $ 39,056 $ 37,302
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Components of the Provision for Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Tax provision:      
Federal $ 55,149 $ 153,349 $ 165,218
State 4,014 33,309 36,718
Foreign 62,426 97,147 85,654
Current tax provision 121,589 283,805 287,590
Deferred provision (benefit):      
Federal (32,820) (44,133) (90,960)
State 6,223 (7,848) (16,176)
Foreign (10,935) (5,583) (2,408)
Deferred tax provision (benefit) (37,532) (57,564) (109,544)
Total provision $ 84,057 $ 226,241 $ 178,046
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Reconciliation of the Provision for Income Taxes using Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate to the Effective Income Tax Rate (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Federal statutory rate 21.00% 21.00% 21.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefit 2.10% 2.10% 1.70%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Legal Settlement, Section 199, Percent 4.70% 0.00% 0.00%
Share-based payment awards (2.20%) (1.10%) (0.60%)
Excess foreign tax credits (9.50%) (1.20%) (0.40%)
Other U.S. tax credits and incentives (3.40%) (2.00%) (3.30%)
Foreign 6.70% 0.60% (1.20%)
Other 1.10% 0.00% 0.20%
Effective income tax rate 20.50% 19.40% 17.40%
v3.24.0.1
INCOME TAXES - Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Deferred tax assets:    
Lease liabilities $ 74,495 $ 79,402
Compensation 64,788 69,305
Accrued expenses 33,720 52,416
Tax credit carryforward 14,485 0
Foreign affiliate prepayment 0 1,901
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards tax effect 67,816 64,434
Long-lived assets 104,005 94,268
Other(1) 22,220 16,364
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross 381,529 378,090
Valuation allowance against deferred tax asset (62,183) (56,808)
Deferred tax assets 319,346 321,282
Deferred tax liabilities:    
Right-of-use assets (68,764) (74,507)
Intangible assets (25,773) (53,580)
Prepaid assets (4,405) (6,657)
Foreign withholding tax (10,313) (9,709)
Other (8,649) (9,483)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Gross (117,904) (153,936)
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities) $ 201,442 $ 167,346
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Narrative (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2024
$ / shares
shares
Jun. 26, 2023
May 05, 2022
shares
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
vote
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 31, 2022
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Preferred stock, authorized (in shares)       20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares       $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Preferred stock, outstanding (in shares)       0 0
Common stock, authorized (in shares)       480,000,000 480,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares       $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Entitled vote for each share of common stock (vote) | vote       1  
Increase in number of shares authorized for award (in shares)     4,261,884    
Shares available for stock awards (in shares)       3,598,205  
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options | $       $ 4.4  
Stock options          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)       0  
Restricted shares and restricted stock units          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Unrecognized compensation expense related to stock awards | $       $ 164.8  
Restricted shares and restricted stock units | Minimum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Restricted shares and restricted stock unit grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent)       11.00%  
Restricted shares and restricted stock units | Maximum          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Restricted shares and restricted stock unit grants, discount for post-vesting holding restrictions (percent)       24.00%  
Performance-based restricted shares          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock award vesting period (in years)         5 years
Performance-based restricted stock units          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock award vesting period (in years)   3 years   3 years  
Upside opportunity contingent on obtaining certain targets (percent)       200.00%  
Performance-based restricted stock units | Subsequent event | First Vesting Date Dec 31 2023          
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]          
Stock award vesting period (in years) 3 years        
Granted (in shares) 318,801        
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 73.66        
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Total Compensation Expense Recognized in Statements of Operations for Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 58,169 $ 90,677 $ 129,977
Stock options      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 8,929 13,025 16,128
Stock awards      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense 45,878 74,186 110,701
Company expense on ESPP discount      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 3,362 $ 3,466 $ 3,148
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Stock Option Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Options    
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) 5,358,796  
Exercised (in shares) (560,433)  
Forfeitures (in shares) (7,466)  
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) 4,790,897 5,358,796
Vested (in shares) 4,475,465  
Exercisable (in shares) 4,475,465  
Weighted Average Exercise Price    
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) $ 77.93  
Exercised (in dollars per share) 70.21  
Terminated (in dollars per share) 75.72  
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) 78.83 $ 77.93
Vested (in dollars per share) 79.26  
Exercisable (in dollars per share) $ 79.26  
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)    
Outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value $ 39,138 $ 73,065
Average Remaining Life (years)    
Outstanding, average remaining life (in years) 4 years 3 months 18 days 5 years 1 month 6 days
Vested, average remaining life (in years) 4 years 2 months 12 days  
Exercisable, average remaining life (in years) 4 years 2 months 12 days  
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Intrinsic Value of Options Exercised (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]      
Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 14,442 $ 43,353 $ 20,427
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Stock Options Grants by First Vesting Date (Details) - First Vesting Date Dec 31 2020
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]  
Options granted, net of forfeitures (in shares) 1,626,101
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 13.87
Unvested options (in shares) 315,432
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Assumptions Used in Estimating the Fair Value Per Option (Details) - Stock options
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
$ / shares
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology  
Weighted-average risk-free interest rate (percent) 1.60%
Expected dividend yield (percent) 2.50%
Weighted-average volatility (percent) 23.00%
Expected term (in years) 8 years 10 months 28 days
Weighted average fair value per option (in dollars per share) $ 13.88
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Unvested Performance-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
$ / shares
shares
Number of Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units  
Unvested, beginning balance (in shares) | shares 517,808
Granted (in shares) | shares 423,677
Forfeitures (in shares) | shares (369,158)
Unvested, ending balance (in shares) | shares 572,327
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value  
Unvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 76.89
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares 92.14
Forfeitures (in dollars per share) | $ / shares 80.68
Unvested, ending balance (in dollars per share) | $ / shares $ 86.69
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Performance-Based Shares and Units by First Vesting Date (Details) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Jun. 26, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures (in shares)   689,216  
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)   $ 85.84  
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units (in shares)   572,327 517,808
Granted (in shares)   423,677  
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)   $ 92.14  
Performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units | First Vesting Date Dec 31 2021      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures (in shares)   279,815  
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)   $ 76.63  
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units (in shares)   220,500  
Performance-based restricted shares and restricted stock units | First Vesting Date Dec 31 2022      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Performance shares and stock units granted, net of forfeitures (in shares)   409,401  
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)   $ 92.13  
Unvested performance shares and restricted stock units (in shares)   351,827  
Performance-based restricted stock units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock award vesting period (in years) 3 years 3 years  
Performance-based restricted stock units | First Vesting Date Dec 31 2022      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Granted (in shares) 91,016    
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share) $ 92.09    
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Unvested Time-Based Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units (Details) - $ / shares
12 Months Ended
Feb. 02, 2024
Jun. 26, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Time-based restricted shares and restricted stock units        
Number of Restricted Shares and Stock Units        
Unvested, beginning balance (in shares)     889,412  
Granted (in shares)     938,690  
Vested (in shares)     (694,056)  
Forfeitures (in shares)     (114,770)  
Unvested, ending balance (in shares)     1,019,276 889,412
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Unvested, beginning balance (in dollars per share)     $ 74.26  
Granted (in dollars per share)     91.97  
Vested (in dollars per share)     77.61  
Forfeitures (in dollars per share)     82.60  
Unvested, ending balance (in dollars per share)     $ 87.36 $ 74.26
Time-based restricted stock units        
Number of Restricted Shares and Stock Units        
Granted (in shares)   142,584    
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Granted (in dollars per share)   $ 92.09    
Stock award vesting period (in years)   3 years 3 years 5 years
Time-based restricted stock units | Forecast        
Number of Restricted Shares and Stock Units        
Granted (in shares) 604,468      
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Granted (in dollars per share) $ 73.66      
Stock award vesting period (in years) 3 years      
Time Based Restricted Stock Unit Retention Awards | Minimum        
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Stock award vesting period (in years)     1 year  
Time Based Restricted Stock Unit Retention Awards | Maximum        
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value        
Stock award vesting period (in years)     3 years  
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Fair Value of Full Value Stock Awards Vested (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Full Value Awards      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Fair value of awards vested $ 53,868 $ 74,186 $ 110,701
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Employee Stock Purchase Plan Activity (Details) - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expense Recognized by the Company $ 58,169,000 $ 90,677,000 $ 129,977,000
Company expense on ESPP discount      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expense Recognized by the Company $ 3,362,000 $ 3,466,000 $ 3,148,000
1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares Purchased by Employees (in shares) 240,418 229,705 220,970
Aggregate Costs to Employees $ 19,051,000 $ 19,643,000 $ 17,838,000
Maximum employee contribution to purchase company stock $ 10,000    
Discount rate used to determine purchase price (percent) 15.00%    
1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | Company expense on ESPP discount      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Expense Recognized by the Company $ 3,362,000 $ 3,466,000 $ 3,148,000
v3.24.0.1
CAPITAL STOCK AND STOCK AWARD PLANS - Share Repurchase Programs Activity (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Dec. 09, 2021
Share Repurchases [Line Items]        
Total Value of Shares Repurchased $ 62,778 $ 1,456,713 $ 580,817  
Share Repurchase Programs        
Share Repurchases [Line Items]        
Shares Repurchased (in shares) 645,753 14,226,190 6,154,364  
Total Value of Shares Repurchased $ 62,778 $ 1,456,713 $ 580,818  
Number of additional shares authorized (in shares)       20,000,000
Shares remaining for under repurchase authorization (in shares) 6,763,445      
v3.24.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Defined Contribution Plan Expense, including Matching Contributions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]      
Defined contribution plan expense $ 45,854 $ 59,259 $ 48,714
v3.24.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]      
Defined contribution match 6.00% 6.00% 6.00%
v3.24.0.1
ACQUISITIONS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jun. 03, 2021
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Total purchase consideration net of cash acquired   $ 0 $ 0 $ 14,750
Combinex        
Business Acquisition [Line Items]        
Total purchase consideration net of cash acquired $ 14,700      
Goodwill recorded in acquisition $ 10,800      
v3.24.0.1
ACQUISITIONS - Identifiable Intangible Assets and Estimated Useful Lives (Details) - Customer relationships - Combinex
$ in Thousands
Jun. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]  
Estimated Life (years) 7 years
Identifiable intangible assets $ 3,942
v3.24.0.1
SEGMENT REPORTING - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Number of reportable segments (segment) 2
v3.24.0.1
SEGMENT REPORTING - Summary of Segment Information (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
employee
Dec. 31, 2022
USD ($)
employee
Dec. 31, 2021
USD ($)
employee
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 17,596,443 $ 24,696,625 $ 23,102,138
Income (loss) from operations 514,607 1,266,782 1,082,108
Depreciation and amortization 98,985 92,776 91,259
Total assets $ 5,225,280 $ 5,954,564 $ 7,028,112
Average headcount (employee) | employee 16,041 17,601 15,761
NAST      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 12,471,075 $ 15,827,467 $ 14,507,917
Income (loss) from operations 459,960 833,302 585,351
Depreciation and amortization 23,027 23,643 26,243
Total assets $ 3,008,459 $ 3,304,480 $ 3,349,578
Average headcount (employee) | employee 6,469 7,365 6,764
Global Forwarding      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 2,997,704 $ 6,812,008 $ 6,729,790
Income (loss) from operations 85,830 449,364 510,756
Depreciation and amortization 19,325 21,835 22,823
Total assets $ 1,094,895 $ 1,507,913 $ 2,843,239
Average headcount (employee) | employee 5,222 5,712 5,071
All Other and Corporate      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 2,127,664 $ 2,057,150 $ 1,864,431
Income (loss) from operations (31,183) (15,884) (13,999)
Depreciation and amortization 56,633 47,298 42,193
Total assets $ 1,121,926 $ 1,142,171 $ 835,295
Average headcount (employee) | employee 4,350 4,524 3,926
v3.24.0.1
SEGMENT REPORTING - Total Revenues Based on Location of the Customer and Long-Lived Assets by Geographic Regions (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Total revenues      
Revenues $ 17,596,443 $ 24,696,625 $ 23,102,138
Long-lived assets      
Total long-lived assets 870,986 894,513 739,205
U.S.      
Total revenues      
Revenues 14,795,659 20,696,448 19,494,969
Long-lived assets      
Total long-lived assets 728,538 751,984 587,339
Other locations      
Total revenues      
Revenues 2,800,784 4,000,177 3,607,169
Long-lived assets      
Total long-lived assets $ 142,448 $ 142,529 $ 151,866
v3.24.0.1
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Total Revenues Disaggregated by Major Service Line and Timing of Recognition (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 17,596,443 $ 24,696,625 $ 23,102,138
NAST      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 12,471,075 15,827,467 14,507,917
Global Forwarding      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 2,997,704 6,812,008 6,729,790
All Other and Corporate      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 2,127,664 2,057,150 1,864,431
Operating Segments | NAST      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 12,471,075 15,827,467 14,507,917
Operating Segments | Global Forwarding      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 2,997,704 6,812,008 6,729,790
Operating Segments | All Other and Corporate      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 2,127,664 2,057,150 1,864,431
Transportation      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 16,372,660 23,516,384 22,046,574
Transportation | Performance obligations completed over time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 16,372,660 23,516,384 22,046,574
Transportation | Operating Segments | NAST | Performance obligations completed over time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 12,471,075 15,827,467 14,507,917
Transportation | Operating Segments | Global Forwarding | Performance obligations completed over time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 2,997,704 6,812,008 6,729,790
Transportation | Operating Segments | All Other and Corporate | Performance obligations completed over time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 903,881 876,909 808,867
Sourcing      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 1,223,783 1,180,241 1,055,564
Sourcing | Performance obligations completed at a point in time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 1,223,783 1,180,241 1,055,564
Sourcing | Operating Segments | NAST | Performance obligations completed at a point in time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 0 0 0
Sourcing | Operating Segments | Global Forwarding | Performance obligations completed at a point in time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues 0 0 0
Sourcing | Operating Segments | All Other and Corporate | Performance obligations completed at a point in time      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Total revenues $ 1,223,783 $ 1,180,241 $ 1,055,564
v3.24.0.1
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS - Narrative (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Product Concentration Risk | Revenue | Transportation services      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Percentage of revenues attributable to services 90.00% 93.00% 93.00%
Product Concentration Risk | Revenue | Sourcing      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Percentage of revenues attributable to services 7.00% 5.00% 5.00%
Product Concentration Risk | Revenue | Value-added logistics services      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Percentage of revenues attributable to services 3.00% 2.00% 2.00%
Maximum      
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]      
Typical contract term 1 year    
v3.24.0.1
LEASES - Lease Data (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Lease Costs      
Operating lease expense $ 100,635 $ 92,032 $ 85,521
Short-term lease expense 5,377 7,151 8,307
Total lease expense 106,012 99,183 93,828
Other Lease Information      
Operating cash flows from operating leases 97,880 91,702 85,244
Right-of-use lease assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities $ 66,473 $ 161,886 $ 52,931
Lease Term and Discount Rate      
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) 5 years 10 months 24 days 6 years 4 months 24 days  
Weighted average discount rate (percent) 3.90% 3.50%  
v3.24.0.1
LEASES - Maturity of Lease Liabilities (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Maturity of Lease Liabilities  
2024 $ 87,554
2025 81,556
2026 67,755
2027 51,612
2028 37,297
Thereafter 94,039
Total lease payments 419,813
Less: Interest (47,799)
Present value of lease liabilities $ 372,014
v3.24.0.1
CREDIT LOSSES (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Rollforward of Allowance for Credit Loss    
Allowance for credit loss, beginning balance $ 28,749 $ 41,542
Provision (5,702) (3,442)
Write-offs (8,818) (9,351)
Allowance for credit loss, ending balance $ 14,229 $ 28,749
v3.24.0.1
CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
Dec. 31, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]      
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ 80,946 $ 88,860  
Other comprehensive income (loss) $ 7,914 $ (27,726) $ (15,136)
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
2022 Restructuring Program      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring charges   $ 17,476 $ 36,684
Payments for restructuring   30,892  
South America Restructuring Program      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Restructuring charges   21,190  
Payments for restructuring   $ 2,237  
Forecast | 2022 Restructuring Program      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Payments for restructuring $ 3,800    
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING - Restructuring Charges (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges $ 17,476 $ 36,684
South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 21,190  
Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,814 2,662
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,304 15,150
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 18,328  
Other Miscellaneous Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,420  
Income tax benefit - South America | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges (795)  
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 14,358 $ 18,872
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 2,237  
Restructuring Excluding Taxes | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 20,565  
Restructuring Excluding Taxes | Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges $ 18,328  
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING - By Segment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges $ 17,476 $ 36,684
South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 21,190  
Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,814 2,662
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,304 15,150
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | NAST | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 8 3,175
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | Global Forwarding | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 197 3,174
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | All Other and Corporate | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,099 8,801
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 18,328  
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments | NAST | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments | Global Forwarding | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 17,961  
Loss on disposal and exit activities including asset impairments | All Other and Corporate | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 367  
Other Miscellaneous Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,420  
Other Miscellaneous Expenses | NAST | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Other Miscellaneous Expenses | Global Forwarding | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,420  
Other Miscellaneous Expenses | All Other and Corporate | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Income tax benefit - South America | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges (795)  
Income tax benefit - South America | NAST | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Income tax benefit - South America | Global Forwarding | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges (795)  
Income tax benefit - South America | All Other and Corporate | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 16,172 21,534
Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | Personnel Expenses | NAST | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,083 6,323
Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | Personnel Expenses | Global Forwarding | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 2,176 3,831
Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | Personnel Expenses | All Other and Corporate | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 12,913 11,380
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 14,358 $ 18,872
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 2,237  
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | NAST | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 0  
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | Global Forwarding | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 1,641  
Employee Severance | Personnel Expenses | All Other and Corporate | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges $ 596  
v3.24.0.1
RESTRUCTURING - Reserve (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Dec. 31, 2022
2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 $ 18,976  
Restructuring charges 17,476 $ 36,684
Cash payments (30,892)  
Settled non-cash (907)  
Accrual adjustments (870)  
Balance, December 31, 2023 3,783 18,976
South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 0  
Restructuring charges 21,190  
Cash payments (2,237)  
Divestiture of Argentine operations (18,328)  
Balance, December 31, 2023 0 0
South America Restructuring Program | Restructuring Excluding Taxes    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 20,565  
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 18,976  
Restructuring charges 16,172  
Cash payments (30,477)  
Settled non-cash 0  
Accrual adjustments (888)  
Balance, December 31, 2023 3,783 18,976
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 0  
Cash payments (2,237)  
Divestiture of Argentine operations  
Balance, December 31, 2023 0 0
Accrued Severance and Other Personnel Expenses | South America Restructuring Program | Restructuring Excluding Taxes    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges 2,237  
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | 2022 Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 0  
Restructuring charges 1,304 15,150
Cash payments (415)  
Settled non-cash (907)  
Accrual adjustments 18  
Balance, December 31, 2023 0 0
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | South America Restructuring Program    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Balance, December 31, 2022 0  
Cash payments 0  
Divestiture of Argentine operations (18,328)  
Balance, December 31, 2023 0 $ 0
Accrued Other Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses | South America Restructuring Program | Restructuring Excluding Taxes    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]    
Restructuring charges $ 18,328