About Berner Trucking, Inc.

Since 1946

John Berner with his first truck

In 1946, John Berner returned from World War II and put his skills as a Navy diesel mechanic to good use by starting his own trucking business. He returned home to the Ohio Valley, bought his own tractor and trailer, and started contacting local coal companies to launch his own enterprise.

It worked. Through hard work and competitive pricing, Berner Trucking grew steadily. In the early 1950s John was able to begin purchasing additional trucks and began to hire his first drivers. His business continued to grow until the recession of the mid 70s rocked the trucking industry nationwide. Hard work and dedication kept the business going

Today, over 70 years later, Berner Trucking is still headquartered in Dover, Ohio, and maintains a terminal in Toledo to help service the Detroit area. The company manages 100 (+/-) tractors and 20 owner/operators. And, the mission statement is still simple: take care of your people, do the right things for the right reasons, and everything else will take care of itself.

take care of your people, do the right things for the right reasons, and everything else will take care of itself.

In 1979, Jim Knisely, John's son-in-law, joined the company, and helped lead Berner Trucking through the incorporation process. In 1982 the company took a leap forward and ventured into the hazardous waste hauling business. Again, the strategy worked, and Berner Trucking began another period of steady growth.

In 1987, Mr. Berner (J.B. to his friends), decided it was time to turn the reins over to the next generation, and he stepped aside to make Jim Knisely president of the company. Over the next few years, a sister brokerage company was formed, Knisely, Inc., to help facilitate company growth and bring owner/operators into the picture. It was also during this time period that Berner moved its operations into a much larger office/garage complex in Dover, Ohio, capable of handling the demands of a rapidly growing business.

As the new millennium moved in, scrap hauling in and around Detroit became a major focus for the company. Starting with seven rolloff operators in the Detroit area, Berner Trucking took another significant step forward. By 2003, it was necessary for the company to establish a larger presence in the Detroit/Toledo area, and they purchase a terminal in Toledo.

Don't forget to Follow us on FACEBOOK.