Form S-3/A
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 20, 2011

Registration No. 333-175094

 

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Amendment No. 1

to

Form S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

 

Florida   4213   59-3239073

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

4041 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 200

Tampa, Florida 33610

(813) 630-5826

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrants’ principal executive offices)

 

 

Jonathan C. Gold

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

Quality Distribution, Inc.

4041 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 200

Tampa, Florida 33610

(813) 630-5826

 

 

With copies to:

Gregory Ezring, Esq.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

1285 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10019

(212) 373-3000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service of process)

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    ¨

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box.    x

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨      Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each Class of

Securities to be Registered

  

Amount

To Be

Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

Per Share(1)

 

Proposed

Maximum
Aggregate

Offering Price(1)

   Amount of
Registration Fee (2)

 

 

Primary Offering:

         

Common Stock, no par value per share (3)

         

Preferred Stock, no par value per share (4)

         

Debt Securities

         

Total Primary Offering (5)

   $35,000,000     $35,000,000    $4,064

Secondary Offering:

         

Common Stock, no par value per share

 

   7,882,530 shares (6)

 

  $12.83(7)

 

  $101,132,860

 

   $11,742

 

 

 

Total Registration Fee

 

           

 

$15,806 (8)

 

 

(1) The proposed maximum per unit and aggregate offering prices per class of securities with respect to the primary offering will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered under this registration statement and is not specified as to each class of security pursuant to General Instruction II.D of Form S-3 under the Securities Act.

 

(2) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act with respect to the primary offering.

 

(3) Includes an indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be sold from time to time, at indeterminate prices.

 

(4) Includes an indeterminate number of shares of preferred stock as may be sold from time to time, at indeterminate prices.

 

(5) Any securities registered hereunder with respect to the primary offering may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined by us in connection with the issuance of the securities. In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued by the registrant from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed $35,000,000 or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies.

 

(6) In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the shares of common stock being registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares as may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.

 

(7) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on a per share price of $12.83, the average of the high and low reported sale prices of the Registrant’s common stock on the NASDAQ Global Market on June 22, 2011.

 

(8) Paid by wire transfer.

 

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JULY 20, 2011

LOGO

Quality Distribution, Inc.

Common stock

Preferred stock

Debt securities

 

 

We may offer and sell, from time to time, in one or more series or issuances and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, up to an aggregate amount of $35,000,000. In addition, our stockholders may offer and resell, from time to time, up to 7,882,530 shares of our common stock. We will provide specific terms of any offering in a supplement to this prospectus. Any prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. The securities covered by this prospectus may be sold at fixed prices or prices that may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to those prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of our common stock by the selling stockholders.

We will provide the specific terms of these offers and sales by us and the selling stockholders in supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to sell our securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any supplements carefully before you invest. We may offer our securities, and the selling stockholders may offer common stock, directly to investors or through agents, underwriters, or dealers. If any agents, underwriters, or dealers are involved in the sale of any of our securities, their name and any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “QLTY.” The last reported sale price on July 19, 2011 was $12.24 per share. We will provide information in any applicable prospectus supplement regarding any listing of securities other than shares of our common stock on any securities exchange.

 

 

Investing in our securities involves significant risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before investing in any securities.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

The date of this prospectus is            , 2011


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We have not authorized anyone to provide any information other than that contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of this prospectus, or that information contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date of that document. This document may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities.

The distribution of this prospectus in some jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who receive this prospectus should inform themselves about and observe any such restrictions. This prospectus does not constitute, and may not be used in connection with, an offer or solicitation by anyone in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

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         Page      

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1   

RISK FACTORS

     3   

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS

     4   

RATIO OF EARNINGS To FIXED CHARGES

     6   

USE OF PROCEEDS

     6   

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     7   

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

     10   

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     13   

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     13   

LEGAL MATTERS

     15   

EXPERTS

     15   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     16   

 

 

The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our securities. In this prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, (i) the terms “our company,” “Quality Distribution,” “QDI,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Quality Distribution, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries and their predecessors, (ii) the term “QD LLC” refers to our wholly owned subsidiary, Quality Distribution, LLC, and its consolidated subsidiaries and their predecessors and (iii) the term “Apollo” collectively refers to Apollo Management, L.P. and its affiliates unless the context indicates otherwise.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may offer and sell, from time to time, any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings and at prices and on terms that we determine at the time of the offering, up to a total amount of $35,000,000. In addition, under this shelf registration process, the selling stockholders named in this prospectus may offer and sell, from time to time, up to 7,882,530 shares of our common stock. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that are offered or may be offered in the future. Each time we or the selling stockholders offer any of our securities under this prospectus, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplements may add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent that any statement we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statements made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Quality Distribution, Inc.

Overview

We operate the largest chemical bulk tank truck network in North America through our wholly owned subsidiary QCI, and are the largest provider of intermodal ISO tank container and depot services in North America through our wholly owned subsidiary, Boasso. QCI has relationships with 29 independent affiliated trucking operations which provide the physical transportation of chemicals, together with its 3 company-operated trucking terminals.

The bulk tank truck market in North America includes all products shipped by bulk tank truck carriers and consists primarily of liquid and dry bulk chemicals (including plastics) and bulk dry and liquid food-grade products. We primarily transport a broad range of chemical products and provide our customers with logistics and other value-added services. We are a core carrier for many of the major companies engaged in chemical processing including Arkema, Ashland, BASF, Dow, DuPont, ExxonMobil, Georgia-Pacific, Honeywell, PPG Industries, Procter & Gamble, Sunoco and Unilever, and we provide services to most of the top 100 chemical producers with North American operations.

Our transportation revenue is a function of the volume of shipments by the bulk chemical industry, prices, the average number of miles driven per load, our market share and the allocation of shipments between tank truck transportation and other modes of transportation such as rail. The volume of shipments of chemical products is, in turn, affected by many other industries and end use markets, including consumer and industrial products, paints and coatings, paper and packaging, agriculture and food products, and tends to vary with changing economic conditions.

Boasso is the largest North American provider of intermodal ISO tank container transportation and depot services with eight terminals located in the eastern half of the United States. In addition to intermodal tank transportation services, Boasso provides tank cleaning, heating, testing, maintenance and storage services to customers. Boasso provides local and over-the-road trucking primarily within the proximity of the port cities where its depots are located and also sells equipment that its customers use for portable alternative storage or office space. Demand for intermodal ISO tank containers is impacted by the aggregate volume of imports and exports of chemicals through North American ports, and Boasso’s revenues are accordingly impacted by this import/export volume. In particular, Boasso’s revenues are driven by the number of shipments through ports at

 

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which Boasso has terminals, the volume of rail shipments from ports at which Boasso has terminals, and Boasso’s market share. Global economic conditions and differences among the laws and currencies of foreign nations may also impact the volume of shipments.

Corporate Information

Our company is a Florida corporation formed in 1994. Our principal executive offices are located at 4041 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 200, Tampa, Florida, 33610, and our telephone number is (813) 630-5826. We are a holding company with no significant assets or operations other than the ownership of 100% of the membership units of QD LLC.

The Securities We May Offer

We may offer up to $35,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, and debt securities in one or more offerings and in any combination. In addition, the selling stockholders may sell up to 7,882,530 shares of our common stock from time to time in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. A prospectus supplement, which we will provide each time we or the selling stockholders offer securities, will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of these securities.

Common Stock

Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders, and there are no cumulative rights. Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. If there is a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company, holders of our common stock would be entitled to share in our assets remaining after the payment of liabilities and any preferential rights of any outstanding preferred stock.

Preferred Stock

Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more classes or series, with the relative rights, preferences, qualifications, and limitations of the shares of any class or series so established, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and the ability to increase or decrease the size of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding) to the extent permitted under law, as our Board of Directors from time to time may adopt by resolution, subject to certain limitations.

Each series of preferred stock, if issued, will be more fully described in the particular prospectus supplement that will accompany this prospectus, including redemption provisions, rights in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, voting rights and rights to convert into common stock. No shares of our preferred stock are presently outstanding.

Debt Securities

We may offer secured or unsecured obligations in the form of one or more series of senior or subordinated debt. The senior debt securities and the subordinated debt securities are together referred to in this prospectus as the “debt securities.” The subordinated debt securities generally will be entitled to payment only after payment of our senior debt. Senior debt generally includes all debt for money borrowed by us, except debt that is stated in the instrument governing the terms of that debt to be not senior to, or to have the same rank in right of payment as, or to be expressly junior to, the subordinated debt securities.

The debt securities, if offered, will be issued under separate indentures between us and a trustee on specific terms to be determined at the time of offering.

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk. The prospectus supplement applicable to each offering of our securities will contain a discussion of the risks applicable to an investment in our securities. Prior to making a decision about investing in our securities, you should carefully consider the specific factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information contained or incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement or appearing or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. You should also consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions discussed under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, and may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports we file with the SEC in the future and any prospectus supplement related to a particular offering. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our operations.

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS

This prospectus along with other documents that are publicly disseminated by us contain or might contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. All statements included in this prospectus and in any subsequent filings made by us with the SEC, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that we or our management expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. These statements represent our reasonable judgment on the future based on various factors and using numerous assumptions and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results and financial position to differ materially. We claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include: (i) projections of revenue, earnings, capital structure and other financial items, (ii) statements of our plans and objectives, (iii) statements of expected future economic performance, and (iv) assumptions underlying statements regarding us or our business. Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking language, such as “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “seeks,” “plans,” “intends,” “anticipates” or “scheduled to” or the negatives of those terms, or other variations of those terms or comparable language, or by discussions of strategy or other intentions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. The forward-looking information is based on various factors and was derived using numerous assumptions. Important factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the forward-looking statements include the risks and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011, each of which is incorporated herein by reference, as well as in this prospectus. Some of these factors include:

 

   

the effect of local and national economic, credit and capital market conditions on the economy in general, and on the particular industries in which we operate, including excess capacity in the industry, the availability of qualified drivers, changes in fuel and insurance prices, interest rate fluctuations, and downturns in customers’ business cycles and shipping requirements;

 

   

our substantial leverage, our ability to make required payments and restrictions contained in our debt arrangements;

 

   

competition and rate fluctuations;

 

   

our reliance on independent affiliates and independent owner-operators;

 

   

the loss of or material reduction in the services to one or more of our major customers;

 

   

our liability as a self-insurer to the extent of our deductibles as well as changing conditions and pricing in the insurance marketplace;

 

   

increased unionization, which could increase our operating costs or constrain operating flexibility;

 

   

changes in the future, or our inability to comply with, governmental regulations and legislative changes affecting the transportation industry;

 

   

our ability to comply with current and future environmental regulations and the increasing costs relating to environmental compliance;

 

   

potential disruption at U.S. ports of entry;

 

   

diesel fuel prices and our ability to recover costs through fuel surcharges;

 

   

our ability to attract and retain qualified drivers;

 

 

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terrorist attacks and the cost of complying with existing and future anti-terrorism security measures;

 

   

our dependence on senior management;

 

   

the potential loss of our ability to use our net operating losses to offset future income;

 

   

potential future impairment charges;

 

   

the interests of our largest shareholder, which may conflict with your interests;

 

   

our ability to successfully identify acquisition opportunities, consummate and finance such acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses;

 

   

our ability to execute plans to enter the transportation business within the frac shale and oil drilling industry;

 

   

our success in entering new markets;

 

   

adverse weather conditions;

 

   

the impact of our restructuring on our operations and costs;

 

   

changes in health insurance benefit regulations;

 

   

our liability for our proportionate share of unfunded vested benefit liabilities in the event of our withdrawal from any of our multi-employer pension plans; and

 

   

changes in planned or actual capital expenditures due to operating needs, changes in regulation, covenants in our debt arrangements and other expenses, including interest expenses.

In addition, there may be other factors that could cause our actual results to be materially different from the results referenced in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we do not intend to update or otherwise revise the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The table below sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges. We have not presented a ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends because we did not have preferred stock outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. The following table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011, which are incorporated by reference herein. For further information, please see Exhibit 12.1 (Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges) to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

 

    For the three  months
ended
March 31,
    For the year ended December 31,  
    2011     2010     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  

Income/(loss) before income taxes

  $ 2,771      $ 172      $ (6,995)      $ (143,285)      $ 17,052      $ (9,642)      $ 18,002   

Total fixed charges

    8,906        10,325        41,762        35,531        45,099        39,181        34,575   
                                                       
  $ 11,677      $ 10,497      $ 34,767      $ (107,754)      $ 62,151      $ 29,539      $ 52,577   
                                                       

Fixed charges

             

Operating lease expense

  $ 3,286      $ 4,973      $ 16,777      $ 21,589      $ 28,658      $ 23,516      $ 10,860   

Factored at one-third

    1,095        1,658        5,592        7,196        9,553        7,839        3,620   

Interest expense

    7,811        8,667        36,170        28,335        35,546        31,342        30,955   
                                                       

Total fixed charges

  $ 8,906      $ 10,325      $ 41,762      $ 35,531      $ 45,099      $ 39,181      $ 34,575   
                                                       

Ratio of earnings/(loss) to fixed charges

    1.3x        1.0x        (1)       (1)       1.4x        (1)       1.5x   
                                                       

(Deficiency)/surplus in fixed charge coverage ratio

  $ 2,771      $ 172      $ (6,995)      $ (143,285)      $ 17,052      $ (9,642)      $ 18,002   

 

(1) In 2010, 2009 and 2007 earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $7.0 million, $143.3 million and $9.6 million, respectively.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we expect to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities from time to time as our board of directors may determine, principally to repay or refinance our indebtedness and for general corporate purposes. The timing and amount of our actual expenditures will be based on many factors, including cash flows from operations and the anticipated growth of our business. As a result, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, our management will have broad discretion to allocate the net proceeds of the offerings. We may temporarily invest net proceeds from the sale of our securities in short-term securities. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our common stock by our stockholders. See “Plan of Distribution.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description of our capital stock, provisions of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and specific provisions of Florida laws are summaries thereof and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Florida Business Corporation Act and our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. Copies of our amended and restated articles of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws have been filed with the SEC.

Under our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation which became effective on November 4, 2003, as amended on June 28, 2005 and May 28, 2010, our capital stock consists of 50,000,000 total authorized shares, consisting of (a) 49,000,000 shares designated as “Common Stock,” no par value per share and (b) 1,000,000 shares designated as “Preferred Stock,” no par value per share, of which 600,000 are designated as “Convertible Preferred Stock.”

No holder of shares of our capital stock shall, pursuant to our amended and restated articles of incorporation, have any preferential or preemptive right to subscribe for, purchase or receive any shares of its stock, any options or warrants for shares of its stock, any rights to subscribe to or purchase any shares or any securities which may at any time or from time to time be issued, sold or offered for sale by us.

Pursuant to the terms of certain agreements among us, Apollo and certain other of our shareholders, Apollo and certain other of our shareholders have preemptive rights to purchase shares of our capital stock or securities containing options or warrants to acquire shares of our capital stock if we propose to issue any such securities. However, such rights are not implicated by this offering. In addition, Apollo and certain shareholders and management have piggyback registration rights entitling them to require us to register shares of our common stock owned by them in connection with certain registration statements filed by us. Such rights have either been waived or are not applicable in connection with this offering.

As of June 15, 2011, there were outstanding 23.9 million shares of common stock held by approximately 68 shareholders of record and no shares of preferred stock were outstanding. In addition, as of June 15, 2011, there were outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 2.3 million shares of common stock and outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate of approximately 442,356 shares of common stock.

Common Stock

The holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to:

 

   

one vote for each share of common stock held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders;

 

   

receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor, after all required dividends are paid to the holders of our outstanding shares of Preferred Stock; and

 

   

in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, share ratably in all assets which remain after payment of all of our corporate debts and the required payment of all amounts due to the holders of our outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, if any.

Voting is noncumulative, and all shares of our common stock outstanding on December 31, 2010 were fully paid and non-assessable.

 

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Preferred Stock

Shares of preferred stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more classes or series, with the relative rights, preferences, qualifications, and limitations of the shares of any class or series so established, including, without limitation, the number of shares constituting such class or series, dividend rights, conversion rights, redemption privileges, voting powers, and liquidation preferences, and the ability to increase or decrease the size of any such class or series (but not below the number of shares of any class or series of preferred stock then outstanding) to the extent permitted under the FBCA (as defined below), as our Board of Directors from time to time may adopt by resolution, subject to certain limitations described below.

Effect of Florida Anti-Takeover Provisions

We are subject to several anti-takeover provisions under the Florida Business Corporation Act (the “FBCA”) that may deter or hinder takeovers of Florida corporations. Florida’s control share acquisition statute generally provides that shares acquired in a “control share acquisition” will not possess any voting rights unless either the Board of Directors approves the acquisition or such voting rights are approved by a majority of the corporation’s voting shares, excluding interested shares. Interested shares are those held by our officers and inside directors and by the acquiring party. A “control share acquisition” is an acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person of ownership of, or the power to direct the exercise of voting power with respect to, issued and outstanding “control shares” of a publicly held Florida corporation. “Control shares” are shares that, except for Florida’s control share acquisition statute, would have voting power that, when added to all other shares that can be voted by the acquiring party, would entitle the acquiring party, immediately after the acquisition of such shares, directly or indirectly, to exercise voting power in the election of directors within any of the following ranges:

 

   

at least 20% but less than 33  1/3% of all voting power;

 

   

at least 33  1/3% but less than a majority of all voting power; or

 

   

a majority or more of all voting power.

We are also subject to the “affiliated transactions” statute of the FBCA. The affiliated transactions statute is designed to deter coercive tender offers that are not approved by the disinterested directors and generally requires special approval for a publicly-held Florida corporation to engage in a broad range of business combinations or other extraordinary corporate transactions with an “interested shareholder.” An interested shareholder is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, beneficially owns more than 10% of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares.

The affiliated transaction statute requires that any affiliated transaction with an interested shareholder receive the approval of either a majority of the disinterested directors or two-thirds vote of the shares held by disinterested shareholders. Absent either such approval, a statutory fair price must be paid to all of the shareholders.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, or FBCA, permits, in general, a Florida corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party to any proceeding (other than an action by, or in the right of, the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or served another entity in any capacity at the request of the corporation, against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding, including the estimated expenses of litigating the proceedings to conclusion and the expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding, including any appeal thereof, if such person acted in good faith for a purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interest of the corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, additionally had

 

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no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Section 607.0850(6) of the FBCA permits the corporation to pay such costs or expenses in advance of a final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if he or she is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification under the FBCA. Section 607.0850 of the FBCA provides that the indemnification and advancement of expense provisions contained in the FBCA shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which a director or officer seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled.

In accordance with the provisions of our amended and restated bylaws and amended and restated articles of incorporation, we shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who is or was a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or other type of proceeding (other than an action by or in our right), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that such person is or was our director or officer or is or was serving at our request (as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against judgments, amounts paid in settlement, penalties, fines (including an excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan) and expenses (including counsel fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action, suit or other proceeding, including any appeal thereof, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any such action, suit or other proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

In accordance with the provisions of our amended and restated bylaws and amended and restated articles of incorporation, we shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who is or was a party to, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or other type of proceeding by or in our right to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was our director or officer or is or was serving at our request (as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against expenses (including counsel fees, including those for appeal) and amounts paid in settlement not exceeding, in the judgment of our Board of Directors, the estimated expense of litigating the action, suit, or other proceeding to conclusion, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such action, suit, or other proceeding, including any appeal thereof if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable unless, and only to the extent that, the court in which such action, suit, or other proceeding was brought, or any other court of competent jurisdiction, shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.

At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees regarding which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

NASDAQ Trading

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “QLTY.”

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any related free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms summarized below will apply generally to any debt securities that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any debt securities offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from reports that we file with the SEC, a form of indenture pursuant to which the debt securities will be issued and a form of debt security that describes the terms of the particular debt securities we are offering before the issuance of the related debt securities. We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more distinct series. The debt securities may be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. Senior debt securities may be issued under a senior indenture and subordinated debt securities may be issued under a subordinated indenture. If we issue debt securities pursuant to an indenture, we will specify the trustee under such indenture in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will include in a supplement to this prospectus the specific terms of debt securities being offered, including the terms, if any, on which debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for common stock or other debt securities. The statements and descriptions in this prospectus or in any prospectus supplement regarding provisions of debt securities and any indentures are summaries of those provisions, do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the debt securities and the indentures (including any amendments or supplements we may enter into from time to time which are permitted under the debt securities or any indenture).

Unless otherwise specified in a prospectus supplement, the debt securities will be our direct unsecured obligations. Any debt securities designated as senior will rank equally with any of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. Any debt securities designated as subordinated will be subordinate and junior in right of payment to any senior indebtedness. There may be subordinated debt securities that are senior or junior to other series of subordinated debt securities.

The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the debt securities or any series thereof, including, if applicable:

   

the title of the debt securities and whether the debt securities will be senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities;

 

   

any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

 

   

the date or dates on which the principal amount of the debt securities will mature;

 

   

if the debt securities bear interest, the rate or rates at which the debt securities bear interest, or the method for determining the interest rate, and the date or dates from which interest will accrue;

 

   

if the debt securities bear interest, the dates on which interest will be payable, or the method for determining such dates, and the regular record dates for interest payments;

 

   

the place or places where the payment of principal, any premium and interest will be made, where the debt securities may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices or demands to or upon us may be served;

 

   

any optional redemption provisions, which would allow us to redeem the debt securities in whole or in part;

 

   

any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem, repay or purchase the debt securities;

 

   

if the currency in which the debt securities will be issuable is United States dollars, the denominations in which any registered securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof;

 

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if other than the entire principal amount, the portion of the principal amount of debt securities which will be payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity of the debt securities;

 

   

the events of default and covenants relevant to the debt securities, including, the inapplicability of any event of default or covenant set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities, or the applicability of any other events of defaults or covenants in addition to the events of default or covenants set forth in the indenture relating to the debt securities;

 

   

the name and location of the corporate trust office of the applicable trustee under the indenture for such debt securities;

 

   

if other than United States dollars, the currency in which the debt securities will be paid or denominated;

 

   

if the debt securities are to be payable, at our election or the election of a holder of the debt securities, in a currency other than that in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable, the terms and conditions upon which that election may be made, and the time and manner of determining the exchange rate between the currency in which the debt securities are denominated or stated to be payable and the currency in which the debt securities are to be so payable;

 

   

the designation of the original currency determination agent, if any;

 

   

if the debt securities are issuable as indexed securities, the manner in which the amount of payments of principal, any premium and interest will be determined;

 

   

if the debt securities do not bear interest, the dates on which we will furnish to the applicable trustee the names and addresses of the holders of the debt securities;

 

   

any provisions for the satisfaction and discharge or defeasance or covenant defeasance of the indenture under which the debt securities are issued;

 

   

the date as of which any bearer securities and any global security will be dated if other than the date of original issuance of the first debt security of a particular series to be issued;

 

   

whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts to non-United States holders in respect of any tax assessment or government charge;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of a global security or securities and, in that case, any depositary and global exchange agent for the global security or securities, whether the global form shall be permanent or temporary;

 

   

if debt securities are to be issuable initially in the form of a temporary global security, the circumstances under which the temporary global security can be exchanged for definitive debt securities and whether the definitive debt securities will be registered securities and provisions relating to the payment of interest in respect of any portion of a global security payable in respect of an interest payment date prior to the exchange date;

 

   

the extent and manner to which payment on or in respect of debt securities will be subordinated to the prior payment of our other liabilities and obligations;

 

   

whether payment of any amount due under the debt securities will be guaranteed by one or more guarantors, including one or more of our subsidiaries;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;

 

   

whether the debt securities will be convertible and the terms of any conversion provisions;

 

   

the forms of the debt securities;

 

   

a discussion of any material United States federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of the debt securities; and

 

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any other terms of the debt securities, which terms shall not be inconsistent with the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that provides that we may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under one or more indentures, in each case with the same or various maturities, at par or at a discount. Unless indicated in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of the issuance.

Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of debt securities under the applicable indenture.

We intend to disclose any restrictive covenants for any issuance or series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

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SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

This prospectus also relates to the possible resale of up to 7,882,530 shares of our common stock by Apollo and certain of our other stockholders from time to time in one or more offerings. The selling stockholders had acquired preferred stock of QDI in private placement transactions that occurred in 1998 and 2002. In 2003, pursuant to an amendment to the terms of our preferred stock, each share of preferred stock was converted into shares of common stock of QDI. Information about selling stockholders, where applicable, will be set forth in a prospectus supplement or in filings we make with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We and the selling stockholders currently intend to offer and sell pursuant to one or more prospectus supplements, from time to time, the securities offered by this prospectus, in one or more underwritten or other public offerings and at prices and on terms that will be determined at the time of the offering. The selling stockholders initially acquired their shares of our common stock in private placement transactions completed prior to the date of this prospectus. We will pay for all costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of the securities. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify the selling stockholders against certain liabilities in connection with offerings of the shares of common stock. The selling stockholders will pay for all selling discounts and commissions, if any, on the shares of stock offered by them.

However, we and/or the selling stockholders also may offer and sell our securities, as applicable:

 

   

through agents or underwriters;

 

   

through a block trade in which the broker or dealer engaged to handle the block trade will attempt to sell the securities as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction;

 

   

directly to one or more purchasers (through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise); or

 

   

through a combination of any of these methods of sale.

The distribution of our securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions either:

 

   

at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed;

 

   

at market prices prevailing at the time of sale;

 

   

at prices relating to the prevailing market prices; or

 

   

at negotiated prices.

Offers to purchase our securities may be solicited by agents designated by us and/or the selling stockholders from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of our securities will be named, and any commissions payable by us and/or the selling stockholders to the agent will be described, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold.

The selling stockholders may transfer their shares of common stock in ways not involving market makers or established trading markets, including directly by gift, distribution, or other transfer. The selling stockholders may also sell any shares of common stock that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144.

If we and/or the selling stockholders offer and sell our securities through an underwriter or underwriters, we and/or the selling stockholders will execute an underwriting agreement with the underwriter or underwriters. The names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, and the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers, which may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions, if any, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement, which, along with

 

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this prospectus, will be used by the underwriters to make resales of our securities. If underwriters are used in the sale of any of our securities in connection with this prospectus, those securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters and us and/or the selling stockholders at the time of sale. Our securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of our securities, unless otherwise indicated in a related prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to some conditions precedent and that with respect to a sale of our securities the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased. Underwriting compensation in connection with any offering will not exceed 8% of gross offering proceeds. It is possible that Morgan Joseph LLC may participate in offers and sales of our securities. An affiliate of Apollo Management, L.P., which controls our largest shareholder, has interests in Morgan Joseph LLC and its affiliates. Therefore, under FINRA Rule 5121, Morgan Joseph LLC is deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.

If any underwriters are involved in the offer and sale of our securities, they will be permitted to engage in transactions that maintain or otherwise affect the price of such securities or other securities of ours. These transactions may include over-allotment transactions, purchases to cover short positions created by an underwriter in connection with the offering and the imposition of penalty bids. If an underwriter creates a short position in the securities in connection with the offering, i.e., if it sells more securities than set forth on the cover page of the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriter may reduce that short position by purchasing securities in the open market. In general, purchases of securities to reduce a short position could cause the price of the securities to be higher than it might be in the absence of such purchases. As noted above, underwriters may also choose to impose penalty bids on other underwriters and/or selling group members. This means that if underwriters purchase securities on the open market to reduce their short position or to stabilize the price of the securities, they may reclaim the amount of the selling concession from those underwriters and/or selling group members who sold such securities as part of the offering.

If we and/or the selling stockholders offer and sell our securities through a dealer, we, the selling stockholders or an underwriter will sell our securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell our securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of our securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We and/or the selling stockholders may solicit offers to purchase our securities directly and we and/or the selling stockholders may sell our securities directly to institutional or other investors, who may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resales of those securities. The terms of these sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if utilized, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

We and/or the selling stockholders may enter into agreements with agents, underwriters and dealers under which we may agree to indemnify the agents, underwriters and dealers against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments they may be required to make with respect to these liabilities. The terms and conditions of this indemnification or contribution will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us, the selling stockholders or any of our or their affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

We and/or the selling stockholders may authorize our respective agents or underwriters to solicit offers to purchase our securities at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. The terms of these delayed

 

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delivery contracts, including when payment for and delivery of our securities sold will be made under the contracts and any conditions to each party’s performance set forth in the contracts, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The compensation received by underwriters or agents soliciting purchases of our securities under delayed delivery contracts will also be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

The selling stockholders may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act. Any profit they realize on the resale of our common stock may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Neither we nor any selling stockholder can presently estimate the amount of any such compensation.

From time to time, the selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of our shares of common stock owned by them. If the selling stockholders default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell such common stock from time to time by this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate our common stock owned by them in other circumstances. The number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by selling stockholders will decrease as and when the selling stockholders transfer or donate their shares of our common stock or default in performing obligations secured by their shares of our common stock. The plan of distribution for the securities offered and sold under this prospectus will otherwise remain unchanged, except that the transferees, donees, pledgees, other secured parties or other successors in interest will be the selling stockholders for purposes of this prospectus.

If we sell any common shares pursuant to a prospectus supplement, the shares will be listed on The NASDAQ Global Market.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the securities offered hereby will be passed upon for us by Shumaker Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered certified public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We have filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC regarding this offering. This prospectus, which is part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement, and you should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits to read that information. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can also request copies of those documents, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by writing to the SEC. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference rooms. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file with the SEC. The site’s Internet address is www.sec.gov. Certain information about our company may also be obtained from our website at www.qualitydistribution.com. Information contained on our website or any other website does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Quality Distribution, Inc.

4041 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 200

Tampa, Florida 33610

Phone: (813) 630-5826

The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference into this prospectus the information we file with the SEC. This means that we are disclosing important information to you by referring to other documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information contained directly in this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC under the Exchange Act will automatically update information in this prospectus. In all cases, you should rely on the later information over different information included in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (other than any portions thereof, which under the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules, are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act) and any future filings made with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act until this offering is completed:

 

   

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 (including information specifically incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K from the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 19, 2011);

 

   

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2011;

 

   

Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on May 4, 2011, May 24, 2011 and June 23, 2011; and

 

   

The description of our common stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed on November 5, 2003, including any amendments or reports filed for the purposes of updating such description.

All other documents that we file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the initial filing of the registration statement and prior to the termination of the offerings being made by this prospectus shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of the filing of such documents (other than any such documents, or portions thereof, which under the Exchange Act and applicable SEC rules, are not deemed “filed” under the Exchange Act). If we have incorporated by reference any statement or information in this prospectus and we subsequently modify that statement or information with information contained in this prospectus or a subsequent incorporated document, the statement or information previously incorporated in this prospectus is also modified or superseded in the same manner.

 

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You may also request a copy of these filings, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at:

Quality Distribution, Inc.

4041 Park Oaks Blvd., Suite 200

Tampa, Florida 33610

Phone: (813) 630-5826

Exhibits to any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus will not be sent, however, unless those exhibits have been specifically referenced in this prospectus.

 

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LOGO

Quality Distribution, Inc.

Common stock

Preferred stock

Debt securities

 

PROSPECTUS

 

 

 

        , 2011


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by Quality Distribution, Inc. in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All amounts are estimates except the SEC registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $  15,806

FINRA filing fee

   $      —  

Printing expenses

   $150,000

Transfer agent fees

   $  20,000

Legal and accounting fees and expenses

   $600,000

Miscellaneous

   $  50,000
    

Total

   $835,806
    

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 607.0850 of the Florida Business Corporation Act, or FBCA, permits, in general, a Florida corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party to any proceeding (other than an action by, or in the right of, the corporation) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of the corporation, or served another entity in any capacity at the request of the corporation, against liability incurred in connection with such proceeding, including the estimated expenses of litigating the proceeding to conclusion and the expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such proceeding, including any appeal thereof, if such person acted in good faith for a purpose he or she reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to the best interest of the corporation and, in criminal actions or proceedings, additionally had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. Section 607.0850(6) of the FBCA permits the corporation to pay such costs or expenses in advance of a final disposition of such action or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay such amount if he or she is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification under the FBCA. Section 607.0850 of the FBCA provides that the indemnification and advancement of expense provisions contained in the FBCA shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which a director or officer seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled.

In accordance with the provisions of our bylaws, we shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person who is or was a party, or is threatened to be made a party to, any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or other type of proceeding (other than an action by or in our right), whether civil, criminal, administrative, investigative or otherwise, and whether formal or informal, by reason of the fact that such person is or was our director or our officer or is or was serving at our request (as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) against judgments, amounts paid in settlement, penalties, fines (including an excise tax assessed with respect to any employee benefit plan) and expenses (including counsel fees) actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any such action, suit or other proceeding, including any appeal thereof, if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any such action, suit or other proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner that such person reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interests or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful. In addition, we also carry insurance on behalf of our directors, officers, employees or agents that may cover liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

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At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving any of our directors, officers or employees regarding which indemnification is sought, nor are we aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.  

 

Description

1.1†

  Form of Underwriting Agreement.

4.1†

  Certificate of designation, preferences and rights with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder.

4.2†

  Indenture and form of note with respect to any debt securities issued hereunder.

5.1**

  Opinion of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

10.1  

  Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among MTL, Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4.13 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002.

10.2  

  Amended and Restated Common and Preferred Stock Purchase and Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1998, among BT Investment Partners, Inc., MTL Equity Investors, L.L.C., Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and MTL. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4.14 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002.

10.3  

  Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 2, 2002, to the Amended and Restated Common and Preferred Stock Purchase and Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1998, among BT Investment Partners, Inc., MTL Equity Investors, L.L.C., Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and MTL. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

10.4  

  Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2002, among Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P., QDI and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.4 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

10.5  

  Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2002, among Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P., QDI and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

  12.1**

  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

  23.1*  

  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

  23.2**

  Consent of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

  24.1**

  Power of Attorney.

  25.1†  

  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the indenture with respect to any debt securities issued hereunder.

 

* Filed herewith.
** Previously filed.
To be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

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  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i) If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B,

(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(ii) If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.

 

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(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer and sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification by the registrant against such liabilities, other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding, is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

  (i) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

  (ii) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee with respect to any debt securities issued under this registration statement to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Tampa, State of Florida, on the 20th day of July, 2011.

 

QUALITY DISTRIBUTION, INC.

By:

 

/S/ GARY R. ENZOR

 

Gary R. Enzor

Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/S/ GARY R. ENZOR

Gary R. Enzor

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  July 20, 2011

/S/ JOSEPH J. TROY

Joseph J. Troy

  

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  July 20, 2011

*

Thomas M. White

   Director   July 20, 2011

*

Richard B. Marchese

   Director   July 20, 2011

*

Alan H. Schumacher

   Director   July 20, 2011

*

Kevin E. Crowe

   Director   July 20, 2011

*

Thomas R. Miklich

   Director   July 20, 2011

*

M. Ali Rashid

   Director   July 20, 2011

 

*   /S/ GARY R. ENZOR
  Name: Gary R. Enzor
  Title: Attorney-in-fact

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.  

 

Description

1.1†

  Form of Underwriting Agreement.

4.1†

  Certificate of designation, preferences and rights with respect to any preferred stock issued hereunder.

4.2†

  Indenture and form of note with respect to any debt securities issued hereunder.

  5.1**

  Opinion of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP.

10.1  

  Amended and Restated Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1998, among MTL, Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4.13 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002.

10.2  

  Amended and Restated Common and Preferred Stock Purchase and Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1998, among BT Investment Partners, Inc., MTL Equity Investors, L.L.C., Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and MTL. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 4.14 to Quality Distribution, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2002.

10.3  

  Amendment No. 1, dated as of April 2, 2002, to the Amended and Restated Common and Preferred Stock Purchase and Shareholders’ Agreement, dated as of August 28, 1998, among BT Investment Partners, Inc., MTL Equity Investors, L.L.C., Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P. and MTL. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.3 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

10.4  

  Second Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2002, among Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P., QDI and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.4 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

10.5  

  Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2002, among Apollo Investment Fund III, L.P., Apollo Overseas Partners III, L.P., Apollo U.K. Fund III, L.P., QDI and certain shareholders of QDI. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 10.5 to Quality Distribution, LLC’s Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2002 (Registration No. 333-98077).

  12.1**

  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

  23.1*

  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

  23.2**

  Consent of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

  24.1**

  Power of Attorney.

  25.1†  

  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the trustee under the indenture with respect to any debt securities issued hereunder.

 

 

* Filed herewith.
** Previously filed.
To be filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this registration statement.

 

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