Forty-five years ago this month, Paccar Leasing Company (PacLease) was launched as an extension and new service for Kenworth and Peterbilt dealerships, allowing them to offer full-service leasing options to customers. In 2025, that has culminated into nearly 41,000 Paccar vehicles being in lease or rental service worldwide through PacLease.

Launching during industry deregulation

“In 1980, PacLease was established during a pivotal moment in the trucking industry marked by deregulation, offering customers greater flexibility and control over how they managed their transportation needs,” said Ken Roemer, president of Paccar Leasing. “It made a lot of sense for our dealerships to join the PacLease network—we started with 17 franchises located across the United States and Canada. While fleets could lease Paccar products from other full-service leasing companies, we felt a direct connection with Kenworth and Peterbilt dealerships—who could custom-spec a truck for their customer’s exact requirements – would be a differentiator in the marketplace. And, looking back, it certainly has been.”

According to Roemer, momentum quickly grew. “And, it hasn’t stopped,” he said. “Today, we’re continuing to touch customers in the U.S., Canada, as well as in Mexico, Australia and Europe. It’s been exciting to see the growth.”

Growth supported by expanding service footprint

Supporting those vehicles is a network of 665 PacLease service locations—540 of which are in the U.S. and Canada. “Providing service virtually everywhere has been a key to our sustained growth,” Roemer said. “Our franchises, while independently owned, know the key to great customer service is to treat each customer as if it were their own. If there ever is a problem on the road, a PacLease location is there to offer full support to keep the truck moving.”

Over the years, PacLease has expanded its service offerings to augment its full-service leasing and rental truck programs. In 2024, they launched an online Franchise Portal, providing their network with a suite of real time reports, including fleet prognostic information, to enhance operational efficiency and drive uptime. The company also provides customers with contract and managed maintenance programs. “That’s been especially attractive for fleets that have a combination of leased and owned vehicles,” Roemer said. “Trucks continue to evolve in technology, making them more challenging to service for those with their own shops. As a result, more fleets are relying on PacLease to provide that support—saving them time, money, and downtime.”

A look ahead from leadership

Looking back, Roemer, who has been Paccar Leasing’s president since 2015, said the company’s growth has been supported by its dealership network and evolving service offerings. “Premium Kenworth, Peterbilt, and DAF trucks are the hallmark of Paccar. It’s why the company has been so successful over the years,” he said. “But it also takes a strong, dedicated franchise group to back those products with an unrelenting passion for customer support and service. Great products, backed by great service, is the key to being successful in today’s environment. I couldn’t be prouder of our team, our franchises and our customers of what we’ve achieved in our first 45 years. Our goal remains the same—to be the transportation solutions provider of choice for the full-service lease and rental market.”