Who Owns C.H. Robinson Worldwide Company?

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Who Owns C.H. Robinson Worldwide?

Understanding C.H. Robinson Worldwide's ownership is key to its logistics influence. Founded in 1905 by Charles Henry Robinson, it began as a produce brokerage in North Dakota.

Now a global logistics leader, it managed $22 billion in freight and 19 million shipments in 2023. Its 2024 revenues reached $17.7 billion, serving over 83,000 customers with 14,000 employees.

As a publicly traded entity on NASDAQ (CHRW), its ownership is diverse, primarily held by institutional investors and individual shareholders. A C.H. Robinson Worldwide PESTEL Analysis can further illuminate its market positioning.

The story of C.H. Robinson Worldwide's ownership begins in 1905 with Charles Henry Robinson, who founded the C.H. Robinson Company in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Initially focused on produce brokerage, Robinson built the business through personal investment and reinvested earnings. His early venture saw a partnership with Nash Brothers, the precursor to Nash Finch Company, with Robinson serving as the first president.

Founder's Vision

Charles Henry Robinson established the company with his own capital. His initial focus was on produce brokerage, laying the groundwork for future growth.

Early Partnerships

In 1905, Robinson partnered with Nash Brothers, the predecessor to Nash Finch Company. This partnership marked an early stage in the company's evolving ownership structure.

Shift to Employee Ownership

By 1976, a significant transition occurred when Nash Finch's shares were repurchased. This move made C.H. Robinson entirely employee-owned, a structure that lasted until 1997.

Evolution of Ownership

Over the decades, ownership evolved from the founder to Nash Finch, then to a dual structure of employees and Nash Finch, and finally to full employee ownership.

Founding Capital

Specific details on Charles H. Robinson's initial equity stake are not widely publicized. The business was primarily funded by his personal resources and reinvested profits.

Transition to Public Company

The employee-owned model continued until 1997, when the company transitioned to public ownership. This marked a significant shift in who owns C.H. Robinson.

The historical trajectory of C.H. Robinson Worldwide's ownership demonstrates a unique evolution, starting with its founder, Charles Henry Robinson, and progressing through various stages of corporate restructuring. The company's commitment to its employees was notably highlighted by its period of complete employee ownership, which lasted for over two decades until its public offering in 1997. This transition to a publicly traded entity means that C.H. Robinson ownership is now distributed among public shareholders, with institutional investors and individual investors holding stakes. Understanding this history is key to grasping the current C.H. Robinson company structure and who owns C.H. Robinson today. For those interested in the company's guiding principles, exploring the Mission, Vision & Core Values of C.H. Robinson Worldwide provides further context.

Key Ownership Milestones

The ownership of C.H. Robinson Worldwide has undergone significant transformations since its inception in 1905.

• Founded by Charles Henry Robinson in 1905.
• Partnership with Nash Brothers in its early years.
• Sole ownership by Nash Finch Company by 1913.
• Division into employee and Nash Finch ownership in the 1940s.
• Consolidation and majority employee ownership by the mid-1960s.
• Full employee ownership achieved in 1976.
• Transition to public ownership in 1997.

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The ownership structure of C.H. Robinson Worldwide underwent a significant transformation with its transition to a public entity. This pivotal event, the Initial Public Offering (IPO) on October 15, 1997, marked the company's shift from employee ownership to public trading on the NASDAQ exchange under the ticker symbol CHRW.

The evolution of C.H. Robinson Worldwide's ownership highlights a strong reliance on institutional investment, indicating broad market confidence in the company's performance and strategic direction. This substantial institutional backing influences corporate governance and long-term decision-making, reflecting the company's position within the broader logistics and transportation industry. Understanding who owns C.H. Robinson provides insight into its operational stability and future growth potential, a key consideration for those analyzing the Competitors Landscape of C.H. Robinson Worldwide.

Key Stakeholders in C.H. Robinson Worldwide

Institutional investors are the primary owners of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, holding a significant majority of the company's stock. This concentration of ownership among large asset managers shapes the company's strategic trajectory.

• Institutional investors collectively own 93.15% of C.H. Robinson stock as of August 2025.
• The Vanguard Group is a leading institutional shareholder, holding 15 million shares.
• BlackRock, Inc. and First Eagle Investment Management, LLC are also major institutional holders, each with approximately 11 million shares.
• D.R. Verdoorn is a significant individual shareholder, representing 7.15% of the company's ownership.

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As of August 2025, C.H. Robinson Worldwide's Board of Directors is composed of twelve members, with one executive and eleven independent directors. Jodee A. Kozlak serves as the Chair of the Board, bringing her expertise as Founder and CEO of Kozlak Capital Partners, LLC. Dave Bozeman, the President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2023, is the sole executive director.

The board benefits from the diverse experience of its independent directors, including former executives from major corporations. Recent changes to the board saw Michael McGarry and Paige Robbins joining in March 2024, succeeding directors who retired after long tenures. C.H. Robinson Worldwide adheres to a one-share-one-vote principle, meaning each common share holds equal voting power, reflecting a straightforward corporate governance structure. The company has not experienced significant proxy contests or activist investor interventions in the 2024-2025 period, indicating a stable shareholder environment.

Corporate Governance at C.H. Robinson

C.H. Robinson Worldwide's corporate governance is structured to ensure effective oversight and alignment with shareholder interests. The board composition emphasizes independence, with a majority of directors not affiliated with the company's management.

• 11 independent directors provide oversight.
• The company operates on a one-share-one-vote system.
• Recent board appointments reflect a commitment to fresh perspectives.
• No major proxy battles were reported in 2024-2025.
• Learn more about the Brief History of C.H. Robinson Worldwide.

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Over the past three to five years, C.H. Robinson Worldwide has seen significant leadership changes and strategic shifts. These developments are key to understanding the current C.H. Robinson ownership landscape and the company's direction.

Institutional ownership remains a dominant factor in C.H. Robinson Worldwide's shareholder base, with these entities holding 93.15% of the company's stock as of August 21, 2025. This high level of institutional investment underscores the confidence that large asset managers and funds place in the company. Despite this strong institutional backing, there have been instances of insider selling, such as Angela Freeman's sale of 5,713 common shares in August 2025, valued at approximately $664,096.36. The company continues its commitment to shareholder returns through a consistent quarterly cash dividend of $0.62 per share, with an ex-dividend date of September 5, 2025, and a payout date of October 2, 2025. These financial policies are a key aspect of the C.H. Robinson company structure and its appeal to C.H. Robinson shareholders.

Leadership Evolution

Recent executive appointments, including a new CEO in mid-2023, signal a strategic realignment. These changes aim to enhance accountability and drive operational efficiency across the organization.

Strategic Portfolio Adjustments

The company has actively managed its business portfolio, notably acquiring Combinex Holding in May 2021. Furthermore, the sale of its Europe Surface Transportation business, announced in July 2024 and finalized in February 2025, reflects a focus on core operations.

Technological Advancement Focus

C.H. Robinson's 2024 Investor Day highlighted a 'tech-first' strategy, emphasizing substantial investments in innovation. This includes leveraging generative AI to boost automation and improve operating margins, a critical step for future growth.

Ownership Trends Overview

With institutional investors holding over 93% of the stock, C.H. Robinson ownership is heavily influenced by large financial entities. This trend, combined with consistent dividend payouts, shapes the investment profile for C.H. Robinson stock.

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