PAMT CORP 10-Q

Item 1A. Risk Factors.   Except as noted below, there have been no material changes to the Company’s risk factors as previously disclosed in Item 1A to Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.   The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other similar outbreaks in the future, could negatively impact our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and cash flows.   The outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in early 2020 materially and adversely affected our operating results and cash flows during 2020. The ongoing impacts of the pandemic and any other outbreaks of contagious diseases or other adverse public health developments could have a further materially adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, and cash flows. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in governmental authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders, increased border and port controls and closures, and shutdowns. These measures and the public health concerns resulting from the outbreak have severely disrupted economic and commercial activity. The resulting impact on domestic and global supply chains caused slowdowns and reduced freight demand for transportation companies such as ours. Because we have a significant concentration of customers within the automotive industry, our freight volumes and revenues were significantly affected by the closure of North American automotive manufacturing facilities beginning in late March. Our automotive customers have since resumed operations; however, the current spread of the Delta variant, any future wave of the virus or other similar outbreaks could further adversely affect our business. In addition, the implementation of measures to protect the health and safety of our employees, customers, vendors and the general public, such as the recently announced federal directive to mandate full vaccination or weekly testing of employees for employers with 100 or more employees, may disrupt our ability to efficiently manage personnel and operations and to recruit and retain driver and non-driver personnel, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Further, negative financial results, an economic downturn or uncertainty, or a tightening of credit markets caused by COVID-19 or other similar outbreaks could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to effectively meet our short- and long-term financial obligations.   We are subject to certain risks arising from doing business in Mexico.   As we continue to grow our business in Mexico, we are subject to greater risks of doing business internationally, including fluctuations in foreign currencies, changes in the economic strength of Mexico, difficulties in enforcing contractual obligations and intellectual property rights, burdens of complying with a wide variety of international and U.S. export and import laws, and social, political, and economic instability. We also face additional risks associated with our Mexico business, including potential restrictive trade policies and imposition of any import or export taxes, duties, fees, etc. If we are unable to address business concerns related to our international operations in a timely and cost-efficient manner, our financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. Additionally, approximately 40% of the freight we haul crosses the border between the United States and Mexico. In past years, we have experienced delays in Mexico border-crossings due to weather events, immigration-related issues and the reallocation of border agents to other border areas. Any future shutdowns or disruptions of Mexico border-crossings, particularly at the Laredo, Texas border, could materially and adversely impact our operations, cash flows and profitability. The agreement permitting cross-border movements for both United States and Mexican-based carriers in the United States and Mexico presents additional risks in the form of potential increased competition and the potential for increased congestion in our lanes that cross the border between countries.   On April 23, 2021, a decree was published that reforms various laws in Mexico regarding labor outsourcing. Under this new decree, operating companies will no longer be able to source their labor resources used to carry out core business functions from service entities or third-party providers and could be subject to the loss of tax deductions and value-added tax credits on payments to outsourced personnel and certain penalties for failing to comply with the new requirements. The Company is currently evaluating the new decree and its potential implications. While the overall impact of the new decree and its provisions continue to be assessed, the new law could result in increased costs to our operations in Mexico and could have a material adverse impact on our business and financial results.   25 Table of Contents