Econ Dev: Werner Enterprises, a Billion Dollar Co. Coming to I-10 – US441 with New Facility
Posted March 19, 2019 10:30 am | updated March 20 07:10 am
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Unless a giant monkey wrench is thrown into the mix, Werner Enterprises, one of the America's largest trucking and logistics firms is locating to Columbia County. The Werner Enterprise's trucking facility is scheduled to be located at the Bell Road economic development site near I-10 and US 441. For almost a year, this project has been code named Project 18-6.
Background: Werner Enterprises, an American Success Story
Werner Enterprises was founded in 1956 by Clarence (C.L.) Werner, when, at the age of 19, he sold his car to purchase a 1956 Ford F-800 Big Job truck. C.L. became the Company’s first driver.
Mr.
Werner, 81, operated Werner Enterprises as a
sole proprietorship from 1956 until the
incorporation of Werner Enterprises, Inc. in
September 1982. He has been a Company director
since that time and also served as President
until 1984.
Mr. Werner served as Chief Executive Officer from 1984 until February 2007, and he was Chairman from 1984 until May 2011. He served as Chairman Emeritus from May 2011 until August 2015, when he was elected Chairman.
In May 2016, Mr. Werner became Executive Chairman.
New Jobs
All job creation will be new and will be suited for persons with a high school education or less and will benefit primarily low to moderate income persons (LMI). It is expected that 43 jobs will be created when the project is completed.
State/Federal grant specifications call for at least 22 full time jobs for low to moderate income persons with at least 51% of all jobs available going to low to moderate income individuals. More job creation is expected, but 43 are being claimed for a recent Community Development Block Grant application, which is coming in front of the City Council Monday night for approval.
The jobs created will vary from front office, mechanics, clerks and a manager. If more jobs than 43 are created, at least 51% of all jobs must be made available to persons of low to moderate income.
Up to 75 additional jobs are projected. Werner will provide staff training as needed.
The
Building Site
Werner owns the land and will be constructing the site and the buildings. The new facility will serve as a major truck stop with multiple service stations doing maintenance and repair for semi trucks.
About Werner Enterprises
Werner is among the five largest truckload carriers in the United States. It has a diversified portfolio of transportation services: dedicated, medium-to-long-haul regional vehicles, many of which are temperature controlled.
Werner's logistics portfolio includes truck brokerage, freight management, intermodal, international and final mile services. International services are provided through Werner’s domestic and global subsidiary companies and include ocean, air and ground transportation, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage.
Werner maintains a diversified customer base with no one customer exceeding 8% of total revenues. Approximately 76% of the freight transported or managed by Werner consists of retail merchandise, grocery products, and consumer products.
Werner focuses on transporting consumer non-durable products that generally ship more consistently throughout the year and whose volumes are less variable when there is a cyclical downturn in the economy.
Werner Employment
As of December 31, 2017, Werner's trucking operation employed 9,043 drivers and 602 mechanics and maintenance associates, with an additional 1,285 office associates.
Werner Logistics, international and other non-trucking operations employs 1,224.
Werner also has 630 independent contractors who provide both a tractor and a driver or drivers.
Werner is a non-union shop.
Its market cap. is $2.45 billion and its revenues (2017) were $2.12 billion.
