A 65+ Year Journey
Our History
As a company built by one driver, one truck and one dream more than 65 years ago, Werner owes much of its success to hard work and the ‘American Dream.’ Our journey of a thousand miles began with founder C.L. Werner’s first trip in 1956 and resulted in continued growth as he built the company one truck at a time. Today, we are one of the largest truckload carriers in North America.
1950s
- Names company Werner Enterprises
- C.L.Werner purchases his first truck in 1956; begins hauling cargo
1960s
- Expands company out of home and into Council Bluffs, Iowa shop in 1956
- Purchases fleet of a dozen metallic blue trucks
1970s
- Hires first employees and welcomes its first Fortune 500 Customer, Maytag
- Grows to 100 trucks on the road
- Builds new headquarters in Omaha; establishes full service truck maintenance shop
1980s
- Goes public in 1986 as WERN; company’s shares climb to $22 within the first three months
1990s
- Implements satellite-based Qualcomm GPS system on all trucks
- Begins construction on Phoenix, AZ terminal and launches Mexico operations
- Becomes the first carrier to implement ELD
- Reaches $1B in revenue
2000s
- Opens international terminal in Laredo, Texas
- Celebrates 50th anniversary
- Launches Werner Global Logistics; extends reach to China and Australia
- Establishes itself as a top military friendly employer
2010s
- Provides service to its 100th country
- Announces equity investment in Hercules Logistics Co., Ltd., solidifying presence in China
- Acquires AIT and Roadmaster Drivers School
2020s
- Launches Werner EDGE
- Acquires ReedTMS Logistics, Baylor Trucking, Inc., NEHDS Logistics, LLC, and ECM Transport Group
- Announces ESG Program; Releases Inaugural CSR Report
- Announces C.L. Werner’s retirement
1950s
- Names company Werner Enterprises
- C.L.Werner purchases his first truck in 1956; begins hauling cargo
1960s
- Expands company out of home and into Council Bluffs, Iowa shop in 1956
- Purchases fleet of a dozen metallic blue trucks
1970s
- Hires first employees and welcomes its first Fortune 500 Customer, Maytag
- Grows to 100 trucks on the road
- Builds new headquarters in Omaha; establishes full service truck maintenance shop
1980s
- Goes public in 1986 as WERN; company’s shares climb to $22 within the first three months
1990s
- Implements satellite-based Qualcomm GPS system on all trucks
- Begins construction on Phoenix, AZ terminal and launches Mexico operations
- Becomes the first carrier to implement ELD
- Reaches $1B in revenue
2000s
- Opens international terminal in Laredo, Texas
- Celebrates 50th anniversary
- Launches Werner Global Logistics; extends reach to China and Australia
- Establishes itself as a top military friendly employer
2010s
- Provides service to its 100th country
- Announces equity investment in Hercules Logistics Co., Ltd., solidifying presence in China
- Acquires AIT and Roadmaster Drivers School
2020s
- Launches Werner EDGE
- Acquires ReedTMS Logistics, Baylor Trucking, Inc., NEHDS Logistics, LLC, and ECM Transport Group
- Announces ESG Program; Releases Inaugural CSR Report
- Announces C.L. Werner’s retirement