Denton, TX, October 28, 2026 – Peterbilt Motors Company is honored to announce that its founder, Theodore Alfred “Al” Peterman, was officially inducted into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame during a ceremony held on October 22, 2026 at the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri.
The event was open to the public and attended by trucking industry leaders, ATHS members and Hall of Fame inductees from previous years. Al Peterman was a logging and timber entrepreneur from Tacoma, Washington. He acquired Fageol Motors in 1939 and renamed it Peterbilt, initially building trucks to meet the rugged demands of his Pacific Northwest logging operations. His insistence on quality, driver input and innovation established a standard of excellence that has continued to define Peterbilt for almost 90 years.
“Al Peterman built more than trucks, he shaped a legacy of quality, craftsmanship and innovation that has endured for generations,” said Jake Montero, PACCAR vice president and Peterbilt general manager. “This induction into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to Peterman’s pioneering spirit and a reminder of the values that continue to drive Peterbilt as the Class of the industry. We are deeply proud to see our founder take his rightful place among the most influential figures in trucking history.”
Since the first Peterbilt trucks rolled off the line at a small factory in Oakland, California, in 1939, the company has built a global reputation for superior engineering and craftsmanship. Today, Peterbilt is one of the transportation industry’s most respected brands, carrying forward Al Peterman’s commitment to pride, quality and a relentless pursuit of innovation that still exists today.
Peterbilt Motors Company is recognized as the “Class” of the industry. With a complete lineup of diesel, natural gas and electric vehicles, Peterbilt has earned a global reputation for superior engineering, quality and craftsmanship. Peterbilt is Driving Uptime Every Day through innovative aftermarket services and advanced technology solutions delivered through its 430+ dealer locations in North America.
Visit https://www.peterbilt.com/ for more information. Peterbilt is a PACCAR Company, traded publicly on the NASDAQ as PCAR.
