- Werner told CCJ the decision to reorganize its One-Way network was an intentional move "regarding our fleet, freight types and geographic focus, systematically shifting away from volatile or transactional segments to more specialized areas like Expedited, Mexico and Dedicated where we can more effectively drive long-term returns."
- ECM Transport is part of Werner's One-Way business unit, where truck count ended last year down 10%.
Tightening its focus on expedited, dedicated and cross-border Mexican segments, Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 14) is restructuring its One-Way network. According to some drivers who contacted CCJ directly, that shift includes dissolving ECM Transport Group, which Werner acquired in 2021.
Eli Yoder, an ECM driver of almost a decade, said he received a call March 4 from Werner, "and they told me that they would love to keep me, but ECM Transport is dissolving."
In a statement to CCJ, Werner said, as one of the nation’s largest trucking companies, "we proactively shape our future through disciplined strategy. To further enhance financial performance, we are taking measured steps to reconfigure our assets, as we have stated publicly several times.
“This is evident in the mild restructuring of our One-Way Network. It involves high-impact, intentional moves regarding our fleet, freight types and geographic focus, systematically shifting away from volatile or transactional segments to more specialized areas like Expedited, Mexico and Dedicated where we can more effectively drive long-term returns,” the company told CCJ, as evidenced by its acquisition earlier this year of FirstFleet, which immediately established the Omaha, Neb.-based carrier as the fifth-largest dedicated trucking company in the U.S.
On the company's earnings call last month, Werner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Derek Leathers noted his vision for his company's One-Way business unit "is a smaller, more productive, and specialized fleet, complemented by asset-light PowerLink carriers."
ECM was under Werner’s One-Way Truckload unit.
"Our goal is to operate a leaner, more productive operation while maintaining adequate market exposure to capitalize as the market turns," the company added in its statement to CCJ. "This approach positions us to safely deliver exceptional service to our customers by leaning into core areas of success."
In a video posted to his Facebook page, Yoder said he expects to be out of a job by the end of next month.
On the earnings call, Werner Chief Financial Officer Chris Wikoff noted that the One-Way division's average truck count for 2025 was 2,386, a 10% decrease year-over-year.
Five years ago, Werner paid $142.4 million for an 80% stake in regional carriers ECM Transport and Motor Carrier Services of Pennsylvania, and 500 trucks, 2,000 trailers, and a network of eight terminals and 18 drop-yard facilities. As part of the deal, Werner had the option to buy the remaining 20% of ECM Transport Group after five years.
At the time of the acquisition, Leathers noted the deal expanded Werner's footprint in the strategic Mid-Atlantic, Ohio, and Northeast regions, while increasing fleet size by more than 6%.
Yoder, in his video, noted that he was offered "several positions" with Werner, including as an OTR driver, adding that he "politely declined."
