Waterloo Warehouse Lay-Off Worries Lessen Amidst Dubuque Company Take Over

A major transition is underway at a warehouse and trucking facility in Waterloo, as HODGE prepares to take over operations from Ryder System, Inc.

Get our free mobile app

Ryder confirmed it will no longer manage the site at 2280 NE Drive after its contract was not renewed. According to Iowa WARN data, the change affects 153 employees. The notice was issued on April 8th, 2026, with the lay-off / transition set to take effect on July 24th, 2026.

Despite the change in management, operations at the facility are expected to continue. Ryder said it plans to transition its workforce to the new company, while HODGE also indicated that current employees would have the opportunity to join its team as it takes over the warehouse portion of the contract. Additionally, HODGE is currently seeking to add to their new workforce in Waterloo.

HODGE, a fourth-generation, family-owned company headquartered in Dubuque, provides material handling equipment and service, logistics, and industrial real estate solutions. The company recently announced that it was selected as a new warehousing partner for John Deere, a move that aligns with this transition in Waterloo.

"For more than 65 years, HODGE has been committed to supporting our customers, employees, and the communities we serve. We are thrilled to bring that commitment to Waterloo as we continue to invest in our 35+ year relationship with John Deere."

- Zach Hodge, Co-CEO

The expansion follows another milestone for HODGE. The company was named a Partner-Level Supplier in John Deere’s Achieving Excellence Program for 2025. This is the highest supplier rating awarded by the company and recognizes strong performance in quality, delivery, and continuous improvement.

Based on past examples in the logistics industry, transitions like this often occur when large manufacturers reevaluate supplier performance and consolidate their partnerships. Companies that earn top supplier recognition may be positioned to take on expanded roles, including additional facilities or services. In Waterloo, that appears to be the case.

As HODGE steps in and Ryder steps out, the focus now shifts to how smoothly the workforce can transition and how operations continue under the new leadership this July.