Quality Distribution Reports Fourth-Quarter Loss

Click here to write a Letter to the Editor.

ank truck carrier Quality Distribution Inc. reported a fourth-quarter loss of $6.6 million or 35 cents a share, compared with a $67.9 million or $4.95 per-share loss a year earlier.

he company’s operating revenue rose to $155 million for the quarter, from $139.4 million a year earlier.

For the full year, Quality reported it lost $10.7 million or 57 cents a share, compared with $71 million or $12.51 for 2003. Its operating revenue rose to $622 million, from $565 million.

“The past year was a difficult year . . . and we are disappointed that several issues unrelated to our core operations temporarily depressed our profitability,” said Chief Executive Officer Thomas Finkbiner.

“Our core trucking business continues to perform well and we continue to aggressively pursue the addition of new customers and affiliates,” Finkbiner said in a statement.

Quality Distribution is ranked No. 31 on the Transport Topics 100 list of the largest U.S. and Canadian trucking companies.