In an ever-changing freight market, logistics providers are looking for creative ways to expand capacity and provide comprehensive freight solutions to customers. Meanwhile, industry challenges present obstacles to businesses wanting to reduce wait times and increase productivity. At Werner, we work with carriers like you to support our customers and drive operational efficiencies by utilizing our power-only drop-and-hook freight network.
“Everybody’s looking for solutions right now,” said Cody Thacker, senior logistics manager at Werner. “This is a small carrier’s opportunity to tap into consistent, contractual freight without having to make a major investment in equipment.”
What is the PowerLink Option?
An asset-backed 3PL like Werner Logistics uses a third-party carrier’s driver and truck to transport shipments to a specified destination. You no longer have to find freight, or purchase and maintain additional equipment like trailers. We do all that work for you so you can focus on your business goals.
By joining PowerLink, our power-only program, you can focus on daily services and let us focus on building network density for you. Together, we bring scalable value to customers.
What Are the Benefits of PowerLink?
By removing traditional barriers to entry, PowerLink creates a stable and efficient operating environment with major advantages:
- Maintain Your Own Authority: Run your business on your terms.
- Eliminate Trailer Costs: Avoid large capital investments and ongoing trailer maintenance expenses.
- No-Touch, Drop-and-Hook Freight: Preloaded freight means less time waiting and more time maximizing miles.
- Predictable, Contractual Freight: Gain access to a consistent stream of freight backed by a dedicated operations team.
- 24/7 Assistance: Benefit from a support team that plans your movements with the same precision as our own asset fleet.
- Fuel & Maintenance Support: Access to Werner’s scale, including the Werner Miles+ Rewards Program for fuel discounts and specialized roadside maintenance coordination.
New Advanced Temperature-Controlled Capabilities
PowerLink has expanded into refrigerated operations, marking an exciting new frontier for our power-only network. This specialized division handles high-volume, temperature-sensitive commodities across regions, including:
- Frozen Foods: High-priority, consistent loads moving items directly to grocery freezer sections.
- Confectionery: Specialized handling for raw ingredients and finished candy products requiring strict 50-to-60-degree Fahrenheit environments.
- Cross-Border Proteins: Time-sensitive, live-loaded shipments of chicken, beef and pork moving into and out of Mexico.
A catalyst for this temperature-controlled growth is Werner’s strategic cross-dock facility in Laredo, Texas. Built for freight turnover rather than long-term storage, this facility eliminates border bottlenecks and secures a streamlined workflow for cross-border hauling.
Describing the facility’s layout, Laredo Regional Logistics Manager Oscar Alarcon emphasized that the space is intended for speed:
“We have a 17,500-square-foot cross-dock in Laredo with 21 doors, eight of which are refrigerated,” Alarcon said. “The cross-dock is kept at a 36-degree Fahrenheit temperature. It’s not a warehouse, it’s just in-and-out transload from the Mexican trailer to the U.S. trailer, or we can do it southbound.”
Expanded Opportunities and Geographic Reach
PowerLink focuses on creating a predictable operating environment, allowing carriers to align freight with their exact driver preferences. Our network primarily serves the eastern half of the United States (from Texas eastward), anchoring operations around major drop-and-hook hubs in Laredo, TX; Edwardsville, IL; Allentown, PA; Chicago, IL; and Atlanta, GA.
Carriers can take advantage of multiple freight modes:
- Dedicated Solution: Consistent origins and destinations for drivers who want to return home regularly.
- Regional: Offers multiple power-only loads in regions where drivers prefer to operate.
- Cross-Border: Provides cross-border power-only loads to and from Mexico.
- On-the-Road (OTR): Maximizes miles for drivers who are typically on the road for two weeks at a time.
How Do Some Power-Only Opportunities Reduce Waste?
The goal in every business is to eliminate waste. Werner has some power-only opportunities that pay all miles and eliminate your waste by paying empty miles between loads. While deadhead miles don’t technically disappear, on some occasions Werner pays miles to carriers at the same rate as loaded miles, creating a consistent revenue stream for both the carrier and the driver.
More Opportunities for Carriers
A reputable logistics provider like Werner offers carriers the following opportunities:
- Dedicated Solution: Consistent origins and destinations for drivers who want to return home regularly.
- Regional: Offers multiple power only loads in regions where drivers prefer to operate.
- Cross-Border: Provides cross-border power only loads to and from Mexico.
- On-the-Road (OTR): Maximizes miles for drivers who are typically on the road for two weeks at a time.
How Do Some Power Only Opportunities Reduce Waste?
The goal in every business is to eliminate waste. Werner has some power only opportunities that pay all miles and eliminate your waste by paying empty miles between loads. While deadhead miles don’t technically disappear, on some opportunities Werner pays miles to carriers at the same rate as loaded miles, creating a consistent revenue stream for both the carrier and the driver.
The PowerLink℠ Solution
Whether you’re a carrier looking for creative solutions or wanting to drive revenue into your business, PowerLink from Werner can diversify your freight execution strategy. Werner offers perks to carriers, such as truck leasing opportunities and access to our 30,000-trailer network featuring the latest models and driver-friendly freight.
With PowerLink, we’re helping carriers further address the issues facing the industry today by providing opportunities to grow your business, reduce costs and haul consistent freight.
To learn more about Werner PowerLink or inquire about opportunities, contact the team at [email protected] or fill out the form below.
