Ferguson announced the recipients of its inaugural Carrier of the Year Award. This award celebrates the top carriers in Ferguson's network for their exceptional service, strong operational skills, and smart use of technology to boost efficiency. Their achievements show how essential dedication, innovation and teamwork are in moving the logistics and transportation industry forward, setting a standard that inspires everyone across the field.

Michael Jacobs, Senior Vice President for Supply Chain at Ferguson, expressed excitement about celebrating these remarkable companies. “Each winner has played a vital role in strengthening our supply chain and supporting our customers with quality service. Consistently going above and beyond, they have proved themselves as standout leaders. Dedicated to operational excellence, they drive meaningful improvements across the industry, and we’re proud to honor their contributions as they continue to shape the future of logistics."

Ferguson chose recipients based on their performance in critical areas such as customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, communication, on-time delivery and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) compliance. Here are the recipients for this year:

Truckload Carrier of the Year: Werner

Werner demonstrated operational excellence, achieving a 98% controllable on-time delivery rate while evolving its fleet to meet Ferguson's project success vision. Their flexibility to add box trucks, lift gate trailers, and Power-Only capacity has significantly improved efficiency. In critical moments like Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Werner showcased its ability to adapt through responsive, on-site management and proactive communication.

LTL Carrier of the Year: Estes

A long-time partner of over 20 years with Ferguson, Estes has consistently delivered excellent customer service and top-tier performance, maintaining a 95% on-time delivery rate, which is well above the network average. Their executive involvement, proactive business reviews, and collaboration on projects like density scanners and liftgates have improved efficiency. Estes' local terminals have built strong relationships with Ferguson's distribution centers, ensuring smooth operations and timely pickups.

International Ocean Carrier of the Year: Schenker

Schenker raises the bar for international logistics, consistently going above volume allocations and coordinating across origins to minimize delays. The company's proactive communication and solution-driven approach, from managing export projects to adjusting pricing, make it a trusted partner in the global supply chain. With an 87% EDI performance score, Schenker remains a leader in international logistics.

The awards were presented on December 10 during a special ceremony in Newport News, Virginia, home to Ferguson’s headquarters. The event brought together industry leaders, executives, and representatives across the logistics sector.

Jacobs added, “In an ever-changing transportation landscape, these carriers have redefined excellence in the logistics industry.” Their leadership extends beyond our network, setting new standards for innovation and efficiency that challenge us to think bigger and deliver better results. By integrating advanced technologies with outstanding service, they are propelling the entire industry forward.”

As Ferguson grows and evolves, the Carrier of the Year Award will become a yearly tradition, recognizing those who truly represent the excellence that fuels the progress of the logistics industry.