Peterbilt

In 1938, T. A. Peterman, a Tacoma Washington lumber entrepreneur, purchased the assets of the Fageol Motors Co. in order to supplement his need for custom built logging trucks. In 1939, Peterman began selling his trucks to the public under the Peterbilt name. That year, he produced 14 trucks.

Peterman died in 1945. Shortly after his death, Peterman’s wife sold the company to seven individuals within the company’s management team. In 1958, the company was sold to Pacific Car & Foundry Company (PACCAR), which at the time was primarily a manufacturer of railroad freight cars. In 1959, a 176,000 square foot facility was built in Newark, Cal. Just one year later, 800 units were produced. Manufacturing facilities were later added in Madison, Tenn.; Denton, Texas and Quebec. The Newark plant closed in 1986 and headquarters moved to the Denton facility. Today, Peterbilt produces more than 150 trucks per day and continues the legacy of quality and commitment first started by T.A. Peterman.