The road to 90 years: Revisiting moments in Schneider history

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

For any business, reaching 90 years is a remarkable achievement, and even more so in the ever-changing transportation and logistics industry.

For Schneider, this new landmark along our timeline is the perfect moment to reflect on how extraordinary it is to be part of such a long-lasting, illustrious company with a strong culture and reputation.

Timeline of significant moments in Schneider history

Building the foundation (1930-1960s)

1935: Al Schneider founds the company, selling the family car to purchase his first truck and marking the humble beginnings of what is now a transportation leader.

1938: Al purchases Bins Transfer & Storage and changes the name to Schneider Transport & Storage. Acquiring Bins gave Schneider the ability to transport Wisconsin staples such as beer, cheese and milk.

1944: Schneider purchases Peters Transfer and becomes an agent for Allied Van Lines. A condition of the purchase? Schneider had to adopt the now famous Omaha Orange for its fleet.

1958: Schneider receives its first interstate authority, paving the way for expansion beyond Wisconsin. The first interstate haul was for Procter & Gamble, moving freight from Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Cheboygan, Michigan

1961: Al Schneider’s oldest child, Don, born the same year as the company itself, joins Schneider as a manager. His influence is still seen in the tight-knit company culture, which emphasizes our values of inclusivity and grit.

1969: Schneider purchases its first bulk fleet, Kampo Transit, a 50-truck regional milk and fuel oil hauler. Driver Sonny Wagner (pictured), who drove for Kampo Transit at the time, was later the first to achieve five million safe miles.

Embracing new technology (1970-80s)

1974: Schneider expands its refrigerated offerings by purchasing National Refrigerated Transport (NRT) of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1975: Schneider installs a state-of-the-art computerized control system that provides data and analytics light years ahead of the competition.

1980: The deregulation of the trucking industry, created by the Motor Carrier Act, allows Schneider to compete on service, price and capabilities.

1982: Schneider is on the leading edge of the telecommunications boom with the creation of Schneider Communications, which allows drivers to call from a pay phone without having to pay or call collect.

The Schneider Foundation is also established, supporting local communities by donating millions to nonprofits and encouraging associate volunteerism.

1986: Schneider becomes the first trucking company to install two-way satellite communication across its fleet, laying the groundwork for modern telematics.

New horizons (1990-2000s)

1991: Schneider enters the intermodal arena, marking a pivotal turning point in the company's growth.

1992: Expansion highlights include opening an office in Mexico City and growing to serve customers across global markets.

1993: Schneider Logistics, Inc. is created. One year later, Schneider Logistics was awarded the General Motors Service Parts Operation contract, the largest logistics industry contract ever awarded.

2001: Schneider Brokerage is started.

2007: Schneider welcomes its first Ride of Pride military-themed truck into the fleet.

Since then, Schneider has received 14 total Ride of Pride trucks, a distinction that reflects our status as a top military-friendly employer in the trucking industry, with 19% of Schneider associates having military experience. Learn more about the program from Ride of Pride drivers Jeff Waggoner and Patrice Cook:

Going public (2010s-2022)

2017: The company goes public, raising capital to expand our fleet, improve our equipment and technology and further grow our business.

During our opening bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange, company driver Bob Wyatt, who achieved 5 million miles of safe driving, did the honors.

2019: Roll-out of Samsung Galaxy tablets devices begins, improving the driver experience both in and out of the truck. These tablets allow drivers to track trailers, rate customer locations, get pay statements and much more.

2020: Schneider launches its FreightPower portal, a self-service marketplace that allows shippers to seamlessly quote, book and track freight.

2022: Schneider acquires Midwest Logistics Systems, a dedicated carrier that hauls auto parts across the Midwest and South.

Expanding services and looking ahead (2023-present)

2023: Schneider becomes the first major carrier to fully operationalize a battery electric truck fleet with 92 Freightliner eCascadias in Southern California.

Our BEV fleet has now surpassed six million zero emission miles and we have opened a large-scale charging depot at its South El Monte Operations Center in California. Get a closer look at these unique vehicles here:

2023: Schneider also opens The Grove Innovation Center and acquires M&M Transport Services, a dedicated transportation provider for major retail, manufacturing and logistics companies.

2024: Schneider hauls its first logging load, showcasing our ability to provide unique and innovative transportation solutions.

It’s not just a win for the customer – it’s a win for drivers on the account, too. See why drivers enjoy these roles:

Schneider also acquires Cowan Systems, significantly expanding dedicated services to nearly 8,600 trucks.

Present: Schneider operates with 19,400 associates globally, offering nearly every transportation solution, including intermodal, bulk, LTL, refrigerated and flatbed services.