(1978-1995)

• 1978

  With 100 trucks on the road and gross sales exceeding $6 million, Werner built their new headquarters on 5 acres in Omaha without a loan. With daughter Gail working as a receptionist, the family business continued to grow. Werner even purchased its first aircraft, a Cessna 414, in 1978.

• 1986

  In June of 1986 Werner Enterprises went public on Nasdaq. By this time, son Gary Werner was president of the company. As a trusted team, C.L and Gary worked diligently to prove themselves to Wall Street. Werner chose Alex Brown & Sons to underwrite the company’s public offering. The company’s shares climbed to $22 within the first three months. C.L and his children remained the company’s largest private shareholders.

• 1992

  In an effort to streamline the company’s operations and improve communications, Werner implemented a satellite-based Qualcomm system for location and messaging capabilities on all of its trucks. This real-time communication system would help the company manage its continuous contact with drivers. Later the company became the first truckload carrier to be authorized by the Federal Highway Administration to implement paperless logs.

• 1995

  With son Greg Werner leading the Management Information System group and just before the company turned 40 years old, Werner began construction of its Phoenix, Arizona terminal. In addition, the company opened a museum at its Omaha headquarters.