WEL Companies, Inc

Refrigerated Trucking and Cold Chain Logisticswelcompanies.com

WEL Companies is a family-owned, asset-based transportation and logistics provider specializing in refrigerated trucking, LTL, and temperature-controlled warehousing, serving food, beverage, dairy, and e-commerce customers across the lower 48 states with 500+ trucks and seven warehouse facilities.

Company typePrivate
Founded1975
HeadquartersDe Pere, United States
Headcount501–1,000
GTM typeB2B
OfferingServices

What WEL Companies, Inc does

WEL Companies, Inc. is a privately held, 100% family-owned transportation and logistics company headquartered in De Pere, Wisconsin. Founded in 1975 by Bruce Tielens and his father Wally as Wisconsin Express Lines and rebranded to WEL Companies in 1988, the company operates a temperature-controlled asset-based platform comprising more than 500 trucks, over 800 refrigerated trailers, and seven temperature-controlled warehouse facilities covering more than 27 million cubic feet across Wisconsin, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida. The company is led by the Tielens family across the CEO, President, COO, and Paperwork Manager functions, with no institutional or outside ownership.

The company's revenue model combines asset-based trucking (refrigerated truckload and LTL services), managed temperature-controlled warehousing, integrated third-party logistics management, and a differentiated cheese financing program that lifts working capital burdens from producers. Distribution is hybrid: a direct regional sales team covering Southeast/West, Upper Midwest, Lower Midwest, and Northeast territories, complemented by an Agent Opportunities channel paying up to 75% commission to independent sales agents. The technology stack includes the proprietary LogiMax WMS deployed across all warehouses, satellite-based fleet tracking, custom route-planning software, paperless inventory tracking, and Geotab in-cab telematics, with EDI/API integrations to MacroPoint, Sylectus, and ProfitStars' Smart Pay Express.

WEL Companies serves primary customer segments in food, beverage, and dairy (vertical, primary), e-commerce retailers of perishable goods (vertical, primary), cheese and specialty food producers (vertical, secondary), and third-party logistics providers seeking refrigerated capacity (horizontal, secondary). The company maintains regulatory standing including a Satisfactory DOT safety rating, USDA/FDA-compliant cold chain operations, SmartWay Transport Partner status with a 1.25 efficiency score, USDA Sanitation Institute compliance for food-grade facilities, and a two-time U.S. Department of Labor HIRE Vets Gold Award. A January 2025 data breach impacting 122,960 individuals remains under investigation as of late 2025.

WEL Companies, Inc firmographics

Firmographics

Name: WEL Companies, Inc
Legal name: WEL Companies, Inc.
Website: https://welcompanies.com
Company type: Private
Founded year: 1975
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 501–1,000 employees
Short description: WEL Companies is a family-owned, asset-based transportation and logistics provider specializing in refrigerated trucking, LTL, and temperature-controlled warehousing, serving food, beverage, dairy, and e-commerce customers across the lower 48 states with 500+ trucks and seven warehouse facilities.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

WEL Companies, Inc industry classification

Industry

Product category: Refrigerated Trucking and Cold Chain Logistics
NAICS: Specialized Freight Trucking (4842), Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance (48423), Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage (493120), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510)
SIC: Trucking (No Local) (4213), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
akta.pro primary industry: Refrigerated (Temp-Controlled) TL Carriers (TLADADAB)
akta.pro secondary industries: LTL Temperature-Controlled / Perishable Carriers (TLADAEAK), Truckload (TL) Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAB)

Keywords

Refrigerated trucking services
Temperature-controlled warehousing
Less-than-truckload shipping
Integrated logistics management
Cold chain transportation

Where WEL Companies, Inc is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: De Pere
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices8 records

Markets served

WEL Companies, Inc business model

Business model

GTM type: B2B
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload (TL/LTL) Transportation Services: Core trucking revenue from providing refrigerated and dry freight transportation services across truckload and LTL segments. Services include temperature-controlled shipping with 800+ trailers, dedicated delivery programs, yard management, and shuttle services. Regional coverage includes Southeast/West, Upper Midwest, Lower Midwest, and Northeast regions.
Temperature-Controlled Warehousing Services: Revenue from providing temperature-controlled storage at seven facilities with over 27 million cubic feet across De Pere, Edgar, Joliet, Hazleton, McDonough, and Winter Haven locations. Services include food-grade storage, combination cooler and dry storage, cross-docking, and cheese financing programs.
Integrated Logistics Management: Third-party logistics services managing planning, organizing, and controlling flow of materials from suppliers to end users. Services include transportation management, shipment planning, dedicated contracts, flexible LTL, intermodal capabilities, warehouse pick-and-pack, and cross dock.
Independent Contractor Driver Program: Owner-operator program where independent contractor drivers receive 70% of invoiced linehaul revenue, 86% of gross fuel surcharge, and weekly settlements. Drivers also receive accessorial pay for detention, layover, and other services.
Agent Sales Program: Commissions paid to independent sales agents who sell WEL's transportation, logistics, and warehousing services. Agents can earn up to 75% commission paid on invoice and sell all services including assets, logistics, warehousing, and reefer LTL.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Transaction based/ take rate	Weekly	Independent Contractor - 70% invoiced linehaul
Other	Pay-as-you-go	Company Driver SSA Incentive - 5 CPM
Transaction based/ take rate	Pay-as-you-go	Agent Commission - Up to 75%
Other	Pay-as-you-go	Freight Rate Quote - Door-to-Door or Terminal Drop

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

WEL Companies, Inc product offering

Product offering

Core offering

WEL Companies is an asset-based, family-owned transportation and logistics provider specializing in temperature-controlled (refrigerated) trucking across truckload and LTL segments, supported by seven temperature-controlled warehousing facilities totaling over 27 million cubic feet. The company also delivers integrated third-party logistics, including shipment planning, dedicated delivery, yard management, shuttle, and cross-docking services, primarily serving food, beverage, and dairy shippers across the lower 48 states.

Product overview

WEL Companies operates as a diversified transportation, logistics, and warehousing company offering a unified suite of services centered on temperature-controlled trucking. The core portfolio includes Refrigerated Truckload Services and Less Than Truckload (LTL) shipping, supported by Integrated Logistics for supply chain management and Warehousing Services with eight temperature-controlled facilities across the lower 48 states. The platform is enhanced by value-added services including Cheese Financing, a Rate Quote Tool, an Agent Partnership Program, Dedicated Delivery, Yard Management and Shuttle Programs, and a Transportation Technology Platform. The company also operates specialized driver programs including Company Driver, Independent Contractor, and Student Driver programs. The interconnected architecture allows seamless freight movement from transportation through warehousing with integrated technology for tracking and inventory management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

Refrigerated Truckload Services Temperature-controlled full-truckload transportation of perishable goods nationwide for food, beverage, and dairy shippers.
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) Services Refrigerated and dry LTL shipping with dedicated delivery, yard management, and shuttle options for shippers requiring smaller-load capacity.
Integrated Logistics Comprehensive logistics management including transportation management, shipment planning, dedicated contracts, flexible LTL, intermodal capabilities, warehouse pick-and-pack, and cross-docking for van, reefer, and flat-bed freight.
Temperature-Controlled Warehousing Food-grade storage, combination cooler and dry storage, cross-docking, and inventory consolidation across seven temperature-ambient-controlled facilities with over 27 million cubic feet in De Pere, Edgar, Joliet, Hazleton, McDonough, and Winter Haven.
Cheese Financing Program Program in which WEL procures, transports, stores, and ages cheese while assuming the financial burden, allowing customers to redirect capital from inventory to revenue-generating investments.
Rate Quote Tool Online tool providing instant freight rate quotes for door-to-door or terminal drop shipments, with selectable equipment (Dry Van, Reefer) and accessorial services.
Agent Partnership Program Sales agent program offering up to 75% commission paid on invoice for selling all WEL services including Assets, Logistics, Warehousing, and Reefer LTL, with systems integration support.
Dedicated Delivery Program Exclusive-use transportation program providing full-time drivers and equipment for dedicated shipping routes with specified parameters.
Yard Management and Shuttle Services Yard management and shuttle programs handling trailer loading/unloading and inter-facility product movements to reduce customer operational overhead.

Quantifiable outcome

36% above industry average driver pay
+3 more outcomes

Companies that use WEL Companies, Inc

Customer profile

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

WEL Companies, Inc technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: Yes
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration11 records

Feature5 records

WEL Companies, Inc partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

Universal Trucking Benefits AssociationminorOthersPartnership providing optional group benefits for independent contractors including settlement deduct options. Benefits include discounted wellness clinic and hotel rates.
AvettaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWEL partnered with Avetta for contractor management and safety verification services.
Truckers Against TraffickingminorOthersProud member of Truckers Against Trafficking organization, recognizing trucking industry members as invaluable in the fight against human trafficking.
Wreaths Across AmericaminorOthersAnnual participation in Wreaths Across America mission to remember, honor, and teach. WEL drivers deliver wreaths to national cemeteries across all 50 states.
Special Olympics - Truck ConvoyminorOthersAnnual truck convoy event raising awareness and funding for Special Olympics. Has helped raise over $1 million to date.
LogiMax WMScoreTechnology or IntegrationProprietary warehouse management system used across all seven facilities for inventory tracking and management.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

WEL Companies, Inc competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

KLLM Transport Services: Asset-based refrigerated TL and LTL carrier headquartered in Mississippi; directly comparable to WEL's reefer TL/LTL core with similar dedicated and asset-based offerings in the cold-chain food/dairy lane.
Stevens Transport: Large asset-based refrigerated trucking carrier with temperature-controlled services and dedicated capacity; comparable to WEL's refrigerated TL and dedicated delivery offerings to food/dairy customers.
Marten Transport: Public refrigerated and dry van TL carrier with comparable size and asset-based model; similar mix of TL, LTL, dedicated, and brokerage services targeting food/beverage customers.
Hirschbach Motor Lines: Refrigerated and flatbed trucking carrier offering dedicated, refrigerated, and brokerage services; structurally close to WEL with asset-based reefer operations and similar cross-dock/warehousing offerings.
Landstar System: Asset-light transportation provider leveraging an independent agent and owner-operator model with significant refrigerated capacity; highly analogous to WEL's 75% agent-commission channel and IC driver program.
Crete Carrier Corporation: Asset-based refrigerated and flatbed TL carrier with dedicated services; close operational analog to WEL in refrigerated asset ownership and direct-sales enterprise partnerships with food shippers.
Lineage Logistics: Largest global temperature-controlled warehousing and cold-chain logistics provider; directly comparable to the warehousing and integrated logistics half of WEL's stack with 27M+ cu ft footprint, but at vastly greater scale.

Broad incumbents

Schneider National: Large public diversified carrier with a meaningful refrigerated segment among truckload, intermodal and logistics; competes head-to-head on enterprise food/dairy accounts though its portfolio is far broader than WEL's cold-chain specialization.
Prime Inc. Major private refrigerated, flatbed and tank carrier; comparable on the refrigerated TL side while operating multiple business units well beyond WEL's reefer focus.
Americold Logistics: Public pure-play temperature-controlled warehousing operator with deep food-customer relationships; overlaps with WEL's cold-storage services across the lower 48 though with much broader capacity and additional transportation offerings.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

WEL Companies, Inc compliance and trust

Trust signal

Compliance7 records

WEL Companies, Inc financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

WEL Companies, Inc leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

WEL Companies, Inc funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

WEL Companies, Inc M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about WEL Companies, Inc

What does WEL Companies, Inc do?

Is WEL Companies, Inc a public or private company?

WEL Companies, Inc is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.

When was WEL Companies, Inc founded?

WEL Companies, Inc was founded in 1975. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.

Where is WEL Companies, Inc based?

WEL Companies, Inc is headquartered in De Pere, United States, in the North America region.

How does WEL Companies, Inc make money?

Five revenue lines are on record. Truckload and Less-Than-Truckload (TL/LTL) Transportation Services are the primary driver. The others are temperature-Controlled Warehousing Services, integrated Logistics Management, independent Contractor Driver Program and agent Sales Program.

Who are WEL Companies, Inc's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are KLLM Transport Services, Stevens Transport, Marten Transport, Hirschbach Motor Lines, Landstar System, Crete Carrier Corporation and Lineage Logistics. Broad incumbents are Schneider National, Prime Inc. and Americold Logistics.

Does WEL Companies, Inc have an API?

Yes. EDI and API integration capabilities are mentioned as part of the agent/sales partner systems integration. The API enables integration with MacroPoint and Sylectus for capacity, track, and trace functionality. No public API documentation URL or developer portal is explicitly provided in the source material.

What industry is WEL Companies, Inc in?

WEL Companies, Inc's product category is Refrigerated Trucking and Cold Chain Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLADADAB, Refrigerated (Temp-Controlled) TL Carriers, with a secondary code of TLADAEAK, LTL Temperature-Controlled / Perishable Carriers. Its NAICS code is 4842 and its SIC code is 4213.