Schneider Simultaneously Acquires Watkins & Shepard And Lodeso

Schneider Simultaneously Acquires Watkins & Shepard and Lodeso

"Schneider, a premier provider of transportation and logistics services, announced today the simultaneous acquisitions of Watkins & Shepard and Lodeso."

I Will be putting in my notice next week. So disappointing.

So disappointing.

Why?

So disappointing.

Why?

Watkins is a medium sized company with a nitch market and family atmosphere. Schneider is a mega that will change more than I will want to endure.

So disappointing.

Why?

Watkins is a medium sized company with a nitch market and family atmosphere. Schneider is a mega that will change more than I will want to endure.

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this. If you read the press release, the Watkin's brand created this opportunity. If Schneider was smart, and they are, they will do their best to enhance the experience for existing Watkin's customers and invest in expanding the service. I'd give it a few months, keep your eyes open, your ear to the ground, and not assume doom and gloom.

So disappointing.

Why?

Watkins is a medium sized company with a nitch market and family atmosphere. Schneider is a mega that will change more than I will want to endure.

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this. If you read the press release, the Watkin's brand created this opportunity. If Schneider was smart, and they are, they will do their best to enhance the experience for existing Watkin's customers and invest in expanding the service. I'd give it a few months, keep your eyes open, your ear to the ground, and not assume doom and gloom.

I respect where you're coming from there, G-town. I wish you could read the peoplenet message from Ray ****z that we all recieved yesterday afternoon. It reeks of sweet retirement deal for Ray. I looked at Schneider when I was in CDL school. I didn't want to work for them then and I don't want to work for them now. I chose Watkins because of the Watkins way. I am sure the people that run Schneider know how to profit at trucking. But, I don't see them not disruprting the Watkins way.

Saxon wrote:

I respect where you're coming from there, G-town. I wish you could read the peoplenet message from Ray ****z that we all recieved yesterday afternoon. It reeks of sweet retirement deal for Ray. I looked at Schneider when I was in CDL school. I didn't want to work for them then and I don't want to work for them now. I chose Watkins because of the Watkins way. I am sure the people that run Schneider know how to profit at trucking. But, I don't see them not disruprting the Watkins way.

Since I have been through many, I totally understand, and you are probably correct about the accelerated retirement plan. In the end you gotta do what is best for you. Ear to the ground... Good luck.

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this.

For what it's worth I totally agree. Don't go jumping off a building just yet. You might be right - it might change everything. But what do you really know at this point about the new opportunities that might come your way because of this? Schneider has a million different things going on. It would be a good idea to at least check it out and see what happens.

And besides, how "family atmosphere" could Watkins really be? Straight from their website:

Since 1976 Watkins & Shepard has been a pioneer in logistics planning, technology implementation and asset utilization that is the foundation of our business model today. From virtually anywhere in the world, our logistics team can bring you closer to your goals. Whether your needs include LTL freight management, distribution, consolidation or warehousing.

They have like 650 trucks and 21 terminals nationwide. Doesn't exactly sound like a rustic little mom-n-pop shop to me.

Obviously it makes no difference to me if you jump ship and I can totally understand the frustration you're feeling when you're already happy with the way things are. But I'd at least wait to see what happens. Schneider is going to care very, very much about keeping as many of you guys onboard as they possibly can. See what they offer you. It might be pretty interesting.

Having been through my share of M&As, my sincere advice is to take a wait and see approach to this.

For what it's worth I totally agree. Don't go jumping off a building just yet. You might be right - it might change everything. But what do you really know at this point about the new opportunities that might come your way because of this? Schneider has a million different things going on. It would be a good idea to at least check it out and see what happens.

And besides, how "family atmosphere" could Watkins really be? Straight from their website:

Since 1976 Watkins & Shepard has been a pioneer in logistics planning, technology implementation and asset utilization that is the foundation of our business model today. From virtually anywhere in the world, our logistics team can bring you closer to your goals. Whether your needs include LTL freight management, distribution, consolidation or warehousing.

They have like 650 trucks and 21 terminals nationwide. Doesn't exactly sound like a rustic little mom-n-pop shop to me.

Obviously it makes no difference to me if you jump ship and I can totally understand the frustration you're feeling when you're already happy with the way things are. But I'd at least wait to see what happens. Schneider is going to care very, very much about keeping as many of you guys onboard as they possibly can. See what they offer you. It might be pretty interesting.

I run ltl/short line out of the same terminal each week. If I call, I don't have to say who I am, they know my voice. Loads are catered to where I like to run, so if there is a such thing as a family atmosphere in trucking, I would say Watkins is pretty close to what it could be without actually being family. I like the job, and yes, as with all trucking jobs there are days you get frustrated. But the good outweighs the bad by far. One thing is for sure, Schneider is gonna have difficulty keeping a few us based on the on-guard, driver facing camera, and 62mph governor alone. We don't have the stuff at Watkins. We run to get the job done. Watkins is very no hassle. I can't see Schneider foregoing their current operating style to suit some acquired drivers.