Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Schneider Celebrates 90 Years in Trucking

From a single truck in 1935, Schneider National has grown to become one the largest trucking fleets in the U.S.

Al Schneider, founder of Schneider Nation.

Al Schneider, the fleet's founder, with a 1960s vintage International Transtar CEO. 

Photo: Schneider National

3 min to read


It all began with a single truck in 1935. From those humble beginnings, Schneider National rose to become a leading multimodal provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services in North America.

And on June 12, Schneider National celebrated 90 years of evolution, resilience and service.

Ad Loading...

History, Innovation and Adaptability 

The company marked this milestone with a special event at its Green Bay headquarters honoring its rich history, the people who have driven its success, and its promising future.

Founded by Al Schneider with a vision to build something extraordinary, the company has grown into a multimodal powerhouse with 19,400 associates and 12,500 trucks, logging over 9 million freight miles daily — the equivalent of circling the globe 370 times.

1930 Schneider truck.

Schneider began as a single-truck Wisconsin fleet in 1935. 

Photo: Schneider National

“Reaching 90 years is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the dedication of our current and former associates,” said Schneider president and CEO Mark Rourke. 

Ad Loading...

“From Al Schneider’s first delivery to our nearly 14,000 company drivers today, our story is one of innovation, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to providing safe and reliable service to our customers.”

A Legacy of Firsts

Schneider has repeatedly reshaped the supply chain through industry-defining advancements:

  • 1958: Schneider secured its first interstate authority, expanding beyond Wisconsin and laying the groundwork for a national footprint.

  • 1980: Schneider successfully navigates deregulation after the Motor Carrier Act is passed.

  • 1982: Schneider Communications is formed to provide drivers long-distance telephone service.

  • 1986: The company revolutionized trucking by becoming the first to equip its fleet with two-way in-cab satellite communication, eliminating the need for drivers to stop and use pay phones for assignments.

  • 1991: Recognizing the growing need for diversified transportation services, Schneider launched its intermodal operations.

  • 1992: Mexico City office opens to serve cross-border customers.

  • 1993: Building on its commitment to providing end-to-end supply chain solutions, Schneider founded Schneider Logistics.

  • 2001: Schneider Brokerage started.

  • 2017: Schneider goes public, unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth.

  • 2020: Schneider FreightPower portal for shippers, carriers and owner-operators launches.

  • 2022: Schneider acquires Midwest Logistics Systems.

  • 2023: Schneider becomes the first major carrier to fully operationalize a battery-electric fleet in California; The Grove Innovation Center opens in Green Bay; M&M Transport Services is acquired.

  • 2024: Schneider acquires Cowan Systems, significantly expanding Dedicated services to nearly 8,600 trucks. The company establishes a preferred rail partnership with recently formed CPKC.

  • 2025: Schneider celebrates its 90th anniversary.

Honoring Excellence

The celebration event included the induction of 30 new drivers to Schneider’s Haul of Fame. This is a special recognition program for drivers who have achieved at least 3 million safe driving miles or 20 consecutive years without a preventable accident.

Greg Swift, five-million safe mile Schneider National driver.

Schneider National drier Greg Swift has logged an incredible five million accident-free miles. 

Photo: Schneider National

For the first time in company history, five company drivers will receive their 4 million safe mile awards in the same year, and one driver, Greg Swift, achieved 5 million safe miles. 

Ad Loading...

There are only 435 drivers who have earned a plaque on the Haul of Fame wall, which underscores what a rare achievement it is and how important it is in Schneider’s deep-rooted culture of safety.

Driving the Future

As Schneider looks ahead, company said it will continue to invest in strategic growth areas, including intermodal and cross-border services, particularly in Mexico, as well as further organic and acquisitive growth in Dedicated services.

The company remains focused on delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that meet the evolving demands of the global supply chain.

“We’re not just celebrating our past — we’re accelerating into the future,” said Rourke. “Our strong foundation in service, safety and operational excellence, paired with our associates and an openness to change anything but our values, ensures we’ll continue to set the standard for decades to come.”

More Fleet Management

Illustration of map with GPS markers overlaid with Geotab fleet card and a fuel pump nozzle
Fuel Smarts•by Staff•October 2, 2026

Geotab Links Fleet Card to Vehicle Data

The new card combines fuel discounts with telematics-based purchase controls. Geotab’s analysis also points to potential savings from choosing lower-priced fuel stops.

Read More →
Cyberstop column illustration showing multi factor authorization
Fleet Management•September 29, 2026

How MFA Helps Protect Trucking Fleets

Multi-factor authentication adds protection when passwords are stolen. Here’s how it works and where fleets should start.

Read More →
Three generic semi-trucks break through a fractured wall against a dark blue digital background, symbolizing trucking technology overcoming data silos.
Fleet Management•September 28, 2026

How Better Freight Data Helps Trucking Teams Get Ahead of Disruption

Trucking and logistics teams have plenty of data. The problem is getting the right information in front of the right people soon enough to act. Better-connected data can help teams spot trouble earlier and make smarter decisions before small problems become big ones.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of man in collared buttoned shirt speaking on stage in front of a backdrop that says Trimble
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•September 28, 2026

Trimble: Taking Artificial Intelligence in Trucking Beyond Faster Tasks

At Insight 2026, Trimble executives argued that fleets may need to redesign workflows to get more from AI as it introduced new products and enhancements. AI’s value will depend on how fleets combine automation with their people's knowledge.

Read More →
Geotab Whitepaper Data Tells the Story.  Why ELD Dash Cam belong together
Sponsored•September 28, 2026

Build a bulletproof fleet: Uniting ELDs and dash cams for total compliance

An ELD can prove compliance, but it cannot always prove what happened on the road. Discover how uniting accurate ELD data with AI-powered dash cam video can help your fleet strengthen compliance, defend against liability, protect drivers and reduce operational costs.

Read More →
Illustration showing ladders against a blue background with Heavy Duty Trucking Emerging Leaders logo and the words "2026 nominations now open"
Fleet Management•by Staff•September 21, 2026

Nominations Open for HDT Emerging Leaders

Heavy Duty Trucking is looking for accomplished trucking fleet professionals under 40 who are making an impact and helping lead the industry forward.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of Penske day cab backed into loading dock with graphic of generic charts and graphs and a penske logo.
Fleet Management•by Deborah Lockridge•September 17, 2026

Why Private Fleets Are Taking More Freight

Private fleets are putting their own trucks on demanding customers and high-cost lanes as companies seek greater control over service, costs, and capacity.

Read More →
A woman holding a tablet with a screen showing rectangles of various colors
Sponsored•September 16, 2026

Color Match Smarter: Tools That Restore & Perform

For fleet managers and collision repair professionals keeping heavy-duty trucks on the road, getting the color right the first time isn't just about appearance — it's about efficiency, turnaround time, and bottom-line results. Discover how today's digital color tools are transforming the repair process from guesswork to precision.

Read More →
Mobile tablet showing Motus screen against highway background with Motus logo
Fleet Management•by Staff•September 15, 2026

FMCSA Pauses Biennial-Update Enforcement Amid Motus Transition

Carriers whose updates were due on or after June 1 have more time, while FMCSA works to stabilize its new registration system and warns of phishing sites impersonating its new carrier registration system, Motus.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Geotab Whitepaper Cargo Theft Cover
Sponsored•September 14, 2026

2026 Blueprint for Countering Smarter Supply Chain Theft

Cargo theft is no longer just the cost of doing business. It's a multi-billion-dollar criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerabilities across your fleet, drivers, and supply chain.

Read More →