When it comes to top trucking companies in the United States, two big names often come to mind – Schneider National and Werner Enterprises. Both offer over-the-road, regional, dedicated, and specialized services and have large fleets with thousands of trucks.
But which one is better for your trucking needs? Here’s an in-depth look at Schneider and Werner’s pros, cons, features, and key differences to help you decide.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Schneider National | Werner Enterprises |
| Headquarters | Green Bay, WI | Omaha, NE |
| Year Founded | 1935 | 1956 |
| Fleet Size | 18,000+ trucks | 8,000+ trucks |
| Annual Revenue | $5.5 billion (2021) | $2.7 billion (2021) |
| Services Offered | Truckload, intermodal, final mile delivery, brokerage | Truckload, dedicated fleets, specialized shipping |
| Driver Experience | Decent pay and benefits, high turnover | Excellent pay with bonuses, low turnover |
| Technology | Cutting edge telematics and automation | Fleet management systems |
| Sustainability | Industry leader in clean energy | Limited green programs |
| Safety Record | Good overall | Some violations but improving |
| Coverage Area | Throughout North America | North America, cross-border, China |
| Customer Service | Large bureaucracy can cause delays | More responsive service |
Company Overviews
Schneider National, headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, was founded in 1935 by Al Schneider. Today, it is one of the largest truckload carriers in North America with over 18,000 trucks and 50,000 trailers. Schneider operates throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico and employs over 24,000 people.
Werner Enterprises is based in Omaha, Nebraska and was founded by Clarence Werner in 1956. It has a fleet of over 8,000 trucks and 24,000 trailers. Werner provides services across the US, Canada, Mexico, and China. The company employs over 14,000 people.
Both Schneider and Werner offer:
- Over-the-road truckload shipping
- Regional and intermodal shipping
- Dedicated fleets for regular customers
- Specialized services like expedited, temperature controlled, flatbed, and tanker shipping
They transport everything from consumer goods to machinery for manufacturers and retailers.
Pros And Cons Of Schneider National And Werner Enterprises
Pros of Schneider National
- Large carrier with extensive coverage: With one of the biggest fleets in North America, Schneider can handle loads across diverse routes and locations.
- Good driver experience: Schneider focuses on driver satisfaction and retention with nice equipment, good benefits, and a respectful work culture.
- Strong technology: Schneider prioritizes tech and automation to optimize efficiency. Their tools include route planning, load tracking, and more.
- Suite of services: In addition to truckload shipping, they offer final mile delivery, brokerage, intermodal, and global logistics.
- Green energy: Schneider is committed to environmental sustainability through investments in electric trucks, renewable energy, and more.
Cons of Schneider National
- Can be more costly: With premium features and services, Schneider tends to be pricier than competitors for simple truckload shipping.
- Lower driver pay: Despite good benefits, Schneider driver pay is a bit below industry average. Their turnover rate is higher than competitors.
- Recent lawsuits: Schneider has faced several lawsuits related to driver classification, payments, and discrimination allegations in recent years.
- Large bureaucracy: Decision-making and customer service can be slow due to the company’s vast size and complex structure.
Pros of Werner Enterprises
- Experience with expedited shipping: Werner has extensive expertise in time-sensitive, high-priority freight shipping across North America.
- Dedicated fleets: Werner’s dedicated division manages custom trucking solutions for individual businesses with reliability and cost savings.
- Specialized equipment: They have flatbeds, temperature controlled, and other specialty trailers to transport freight that requires extra care.
- Strong driver retention: Werner is known for veteran drivers and low turnover thanks to excellent pay, bonuses, and support programs.
- Global reach: Werner provides US-Mexico cross-border and China-US international shipping.
Cons of Werner Enterprises
- Mostly truckload focus: Unlike Schneider, Werner offers few additional services beyond over-the-road truckload transportation.
- Safety violations: Werner has had some unsafe driving and hours-of-service violations in recent years. However, they are actively improving training.
- Regional gaps: Werner has a smaller fleet than Schneider, with fewer trucks in the Northeast, Southeast, and West Coast.
- Higher costs: Their pricing is generally higher than competitors, especially for businesses without a dedicated contract.
- Family-oriented culture: Werner’s family approach can be off-putting to some drivers looking for an independent trucker lifestyle.
Also Read: Comparison Between The 2022 Ford Maverick And Toyota TMC.
Which Is Better For You?
When choosing between Schneider and Werner, consider factors like cost, services required, technology needs, sustainability values, and driver treatment.
Schneider is ideal for shippers wanting national coverage, green transportation, and tech-driven efficiency. Werner shines for expedited shipping, dedicated fleets, driver satisfaction, and global reach.
Look at routes, trailer types, and other specifics of your freight to determine if Schneider or Werner is a better fit. For simple dry van truckload shipping, Werner may provide better customer service but Schneider will likely be more affordable.
Reach out to both for quotes on your lanes to compare pricing. Ask about contract options so you don’t overpay as a one-time customer.
Also watch this video about Schneider!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There is no clear winner – it depends on your priorities. Schneider is larger with more services, while Werner leads in driver experience and specialty shipping. Evaluate their pros and cons against what you value most.
Schneider competes with other top truckload carriers like J.B. Hunt, Swift Transportation, Knight-Swift, C.R. England, and Total Quality Logistics. They aim to differentiate through size, services, sustainability, and technology.
Werner Enterprises currently operates over 8,000 trucks and 24,000 trailers in their logistics fleet. They have grown their truck and trailer count steadily over their 65+ year history.
Werner Enterprises is still owned and run by founder Clarence Werner’s family. His sons lead the company as CEO, Vice Chairman, and members of the Board of Directors. The company remains family-oriented.
Also Read: Comparison Between Landstar Inway And Ranger.
Conclusion
Schneider National and Werner Enterprises are both reputable companies with long histories in truckload transportation. Assessing your specific needs makes it easier to determine if Schneider or Werner is the better choice.
Reach out to their sales teams to get quotes, ask questions, and explore how their services can optimize your supply chain. Schneider offers diverse options at competitive pricing, while Werner provides specialized solutions with great driver care.
Selecting the right trucking partner ultimately comes down to the balance of services, reliability, cost, and other factors that matter most to your freight shipping requirements.