Today I’m joined by Werner, a company focused on delivering multi-modal solutions to help shippers get their goods delivered safely and on time.
Werner is one of the largest truckload carriers in the United States, with a diverse range of transportation services. From intermodal and cross-border transport to final mile and expedited services, its multi-modal solutions are built for businesses demanding precision, flexibility, and speed.
Today Lance Dixon, Senior Vice President of Mexico, Canada, and Temperature-Controlled Operations at Werner, joins me to talk all about Werner and what they do; the biggest transportation challenges and opportunities in 2025; embracing the potential in cross-border; and how Werner is continuing to advance its suite of services to give companies a strategic edge.
Guest Bio:
Lance Dixon is the Senior Vice President of Mexico, Canada, and Temperature Controlled operations at Werner. His responsibilities include cross-border services to and from Mexico and Canada, and Werner’s One-Way Temperature-Controlled business unit. Dixon joined Werner in 1992 as a Customer Service Representative before taking on the roles of Load Planner and Regional Manager. As a Regional Manager, Dixon assisted with the start-up of Werner’s Mexico services in 1999. From his success with Mexico, Dixon was promoted to Director, eventually becoming the Associate Vice President of Mexico operations. In 2006, Dixon became Vice President of Mexico operations and two years later took over Werner’s Canada services. Then in 2017, Dixon was tasked with growing our existing, yet small, Temperature-Controlled Division. Dixon’s responsibilities today include Mexico operations, Canada operations and Werner’s One-Way Temperature-Controlled business units. A Nebraska native, Dixon graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:
[05.26] An introduction to Lance, and to Werner.
“It’s an ever-changing, dynamic world. And what a change since 1992 when I started at Werner! Things are so different… There are more rules, regulations – probably good for society in general, but it’s a chore to keep up!”
[08.23] The ideal client for Werner.
“It’s someone that’s open to multi modes of shipping, whatever is most efficient… Someone that’s flexible and wants to partner, someone who doesn’t look at Werner as just a service provider. We want to work together to solve these transportation and supply chain issues.”
[10.20] How both Werner and the industry have changed, and the huge business potential in Mexico.
“The pandemic taught us a lot about how fragile long supply chains are, so there’s been a move to source closer to the end consumer.”
[16.05] The key challenges facing Werner customers right now, and how Werner help tackle them.
“There’s a northbound-southbound imbalance, with northbound volume outpacing the southbound – there’s a lot more coming into the U.S. than there is going out, and nearshoring is going to exacerbate that.”
[19.05] The biggest opportunities for organizations in 2025, and the future for nearshoring.
“Nearshoring is in the early stages – it’s going to take a decade to play itself out, but I’m excited to see where it’s going to go.”
[22.58] The cross-border potential in Canada, the difference in logistics execution between Canada and Mexico, and the overall importance of the logistics and transportation industries.
“It’s complex, it’s dynamic, it’s challenging – but that’s what keeps it interesting!”
“I don’t think we always fully grasp how important logistics and transportation is to so many people… It can seem like a thankless job but what we do, all of us collectively, is so important to companies, to societies.”
[28.36] The challenges and risks shippers might face when shipping to and from Mexico, how Werner are helping mitigate them, and Lance’s advice for organizations in the early stages of nearshoring.
[34.38] Werner’s recent $8 million investment to improve operations and capabilities in Mexico, and the importance of providing flexibility, speed, and capacity to customers.
[37.55] A case study detailing how Werner helped a client that needed to double their normal volume to keep transportation costs down and boost ROI.
“Flexibility is going to be the key to success for many shippers coming out of Mexico, going forward, as nearshoring ramps up.”
[40.44] The future for the industry, and for Werner.
“We don’t practice any more, we’re experts at this game.”
RESOURCES AND LINKS MENTIONED:
Head over to Werner’s website to find out more and discover how they could help you too. You can also connect with Werner and keep up to date with the latest over on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, or X (Twitter), or you can connect with Lance on LinkedIn.
If you enjoyed this episode and want to hear more about cross-border transportation, check out 414: Section 321: Borderless Ecommerce At Your Fingertips,or 406: Unlock the Opportunities of Cross-Border Ecommerce, with CargoWise.
Check out our other podcasts HERE.
