Werner Enterprises’ technological advances are fueling its logistics growth, Chris Neil, SVP of pricing and strategic planning, said at the Deutsche Bank’s 2025 Transportation Conference on Aug. 12.
Neil said Werner is working on building out its transportation management system platform, branded as EDGE TMS, to create a single platform with all of its loads visible on that system.
The volumes that are handled on the company’s TMS is growing, with nearly two-thirds of its one-way truckload volumes now on the platform, CEO Derek Leathers said on a Q2 earnings call. Over half of its dedicated volumes are also on the EDGE TMS.
Werner launched its EDGE TMS in 2021, fully incorporated it into its organic TL brokerage business in 2022 and also began expanding its use in multiple business units, Leathers said on a Q2 2023 earnings call.
The company’s logistics segment has largely been on EDGE TMS for several quarters, leading to 20% productivity improvement in brokerage loads per full-time employee, Leathers said last month.
“We are driving efficiency by scaling the use of conversational AI calling and notifications for reminders and communication with new hires, associates and brokerage carriers,” Leathers said.
Werner’s professional drivers are also benefiting from the company’s technology investments.
Leather said drivers have access to technology tools that help improve their situational awareness while on the road and are provided with mobile ease of access to important information when off the road.
Investments in technology also went up during Q2 for Werner. Rent and purchased transportation expenses for its Truckload Transportation Services or TTS segment increased $6.3 million compared year over year. The increase was primarily due to independent contractor miles and higher technology-related costs, according to a securities filing.
In the securities filing, the company also said there were decreases in depreciation of tractors and technology equipment. The company is transitioning to more cloud-based technology solutions, the filing also noted.
“We remain focused on providing superior and diversified solutions to our customers by investing in our future through technology and structurally improving our business with a commitment to delivering value,” Leathers said on the call.
