Richard Ryman

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

ASHWAUBENON - Schneider National said Friday it would go public in 2017.

The trucking company, which has its headquarters at 3101 Packerland Drive, said it will make an initial public offering of common stock next year, "subject to satisfactory market conditions." In a news release, the company said the goal is to allow Schneider family members to retain controlling interest of the company while continuing to be run by professional management.

The company declined to elaborate on the statement.

The $4 billion company was founded by A.J. "Al" Schneider in 1935 with one blue-and-white — not orange — truck. His son, Donald Schneider, succeeded him in 1961 and built a $2.4 billion transportation and logistics company. Christopher Lofgren became CEO in 2002.

Donald Schneider was known for his standing desk — everyone stood in his office, including reporters doing interviews — and for wearing workingman's blue denim most days. Schneider formed the company's independent board of directors and listened to them most of the time, including when they told him the company needed a new CEO in 2002. He remained as chairman until 2007. Schneider died in 2012 at age 76 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Schneider National is Brown County's fourth-largest employer, according to the Greater Green Bay Chamber's May 2016 survey. It listed 2,633 employees working in the county. Schneider has more than 18,000 employees worldwide.

Schneider is one of the nation's largest trucking companies. Its services include regional, long-haul, expedited, dedicated, final mile, bulk, intermodal, brokerage, cross-dock logistics, supply-chain management and port logistics.

The company has 166 facilities worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, Mexico and China. It operates more than 10,000 trucks, 33,000 trailers and 17,700 intermodal containers. Schneider National also operates 6.5 million feet of warehouse space.

A registration statement has not been filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. How much the stock would be offered for will be determined closer to the time of the sale.

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