Trucking news and briefs for Friday, March 13, 2026:
Werner celebrates 70th anniversary
Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 14) is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1956 by CL Werner with just a single truck, the company enters its seventh decade as one of the nation’s largest fleets.
Today, the company offers a comprehensive suite of multi-modal solutions including Dedicated Private Fleet, One-Way Truckload, Brokerage, Mexico, Intermodal, Final Mile and more.
“From a single vision to an industry leader, the story of Werner is one built on real resilience,” said Werner’s Chairman and CEO Derek Leathers. “Seventy years is an incredible landmark and a true testament to the vision and hard work of the entire Werner team. We aren't just celebrating our history; we are honoring our customers and the more than 12,000 combined associates and drivers who continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in transportation and logistics.”
Safety has remained Werner’s “North Star” since its inception, the company said. Its safety-first culture has resulted in nearly 2,400 Werner drivers achieving one million or more accident-free miles over the company’s existence, including an elite group who have surpassed four and five million accident-free miles. Beyond the road, Werner’s commitment to safety extends to its leadership in human trafficking prevention, leveraging its scale to train associates, drivers and work with its customers to recognize and report exploitation to drive change for the greater good.
Throughout the year, Werner will highlight the strategic pillars and leadership that have defined its industry-leading impact:
- Mexico cross-border leadership: Since launching Mexico-based operations in 1999 with just three associates, Werner has grown into a premier cross-border carrier with a robust presence in Mexico City, Monterrey, Queretaro and Guadalajara, the company noted. Its strategic infrastructure includes terminals in Laredo and El Paso, along with a refrigerated cross-dock in Laredo to power seamless North American trade.
- Innovation in motion: Werner has a long history of being a leader in technology. In 1998, it was the first carrier to implement electronic logging devices (ELDs) nationwide, years before federal mandates. Today, the Werner EDGE platform leverages AI and cloud-based technology to provide real-time visibility and best-in-class service.
- Customer-centric diversification: By expanding its multi-modal capabilities, Werner provides the scale required to navigate an increasingly complex market. This includes a focus on Premium Services, expedited shipping and tailored solutions for specialized or hard-to-serve verticals, ensuring reliability for the most demanding supply chain needs.
- Industry voice and advocacy: From holding various leadership positions with the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) to advising the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and participating in the FLOW initiative, Werner associates hold key leadership positions that help craft policy, advance research and solve national supply chain challenges.
“Our people are our strength, and our customers are our purpose. These partnerships are the engine that drives our continued growth,” said Werner’s President and Chief Legal Officer, Nathan Meisgeier. “Whether a customer has been with us for several decades or has recently joined us, the trust they place in Werner to safely and reliably deliver their freight is something we deeply value.”
Throughout 2026, Werner will celebrate its anniversary through seven anniversary themes: Purpose, People, Service, Safety, Innovation, Community and Future.
Fleet owner ordered to pay $51M in restitution from Ponzi scheme
The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted the government's motion to require Sanjay Singh -- convicted in 2024 and sentenced last year to prison for running a trucking-related Ponzi scheme -- to pay more than $50 million in restitution.
The court on Feb. 9 granted the motion in support of restitution and judgement in the amount of $51,199,671 against Singh, owner of Royal Bengal Logistics, Inc. The court will amend Singh’s judgement to reflect the amount of restitution owed to each victim.
On Nov. 6, 2024, a jury in the same court found Singh guilty of wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy charges.
The investigation revealed Singh used his company to create an elaborate Ponzi fraud scheme by attracting investors to purchase contracts involving trucking services with promises of extremely high interest payments. The fraudulent scheme yielded many investors from the Haitian-American community and collected more than $150 million in investor funds between 2020 and 2023.
Last summer, Singh was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison.
The investigation further showed that Singh misappropriated millions of dollars of investor funds for personal gain, including millions sent overseas to family members in India.
Read more about Singh’s scheme here.
Nonprofit aims to help military vets become owner-operators
A new nonprofit initiative based in Chesterton, Indiana, is working to change the lives of U.S. military veterans by helping them enter the trucking industry as independent owner-operators.
The Driving It Forward Foundation has launched a program aimed at providing semi-trucks and industry support to deserving veterans, allowing them to build independent careers in commercial transportation.
The cost of entering the owner-operator market can exceed $175,000 when factoring in the purchase of a semi-truck, insurance, licensing, permits, and startup operating expenses, the organization said, creating a significant barrier for many veterans who otherwise possess the skills, discipline, and leadership needed to succeed in the trucking industry.
The Driving It Forward Foundation was created to eliminate that barrier.
“Our veterans already proved they have the work ethic, leadership, and determination to succeed,” said Michael Steinhauer, Chairman and President of Driving It Forward Foundation. “What many of them lack is the capital required to enter the trucking industry as owner-operators. Our mission is to provide that opportunity.”
The foundation works to secure semi-truck donations, financial contributions, and transportation industry partnerships to place trucks into the hands of qualified veterans ready to start their own trucking businesses.
Through this program, veterans can gain the opportunity to build stable careers, support their families, and contribute to the transportation infrastructure that keeps the country moving.
The organization is currently seeking support from transportation companies, truck dealerships, fleet operators, corporate sponsors, and individual donors to help expand the program.
Each donated truck has the potential to change the life of a veteran and create long-term economic independence, the organization added.
“This program is about more than trucks,” Steinhauer said. “It’s about giving veterans the opportunity to build businesses, provide for their families, and continue serving their communities.”
