Since our founding over 80 years ago, the reciprocal service network has been one of the cornerstones of NationaLease.
Conceived as a way to encourage mutual support amongst fleets when parts and labor were in scarce supply during World War II, this network of reciprocity has come to the aid of countless stranded trucks over the ensuing decades, ensuring deliveries are made and drivers make it home at the end of the day.
Though members are required to provide reciprocal service, we also encourage them to share stories when certain individuals and service locations go the extra mile, sometimes literally, to take care of one another. Each year, these companies are honored with an award at the NationaLease Maintenance Managers Meeting, demonstrating just how highly regarded these commendations are.
Over the past year, we’ve collected some of the most remarkable stories of members going above and beyond to serve one another, demonstrating that the bonds that unite NationaLease members are resolute, meaningful, and make a difference in the lives of real people across North America.
Embodying the holiday spirit
We’re often at our most charitable around the holidays, and this is certainly reflected in some of the submissions we receive regarding instances of exceptional service.
On Christmas Eve, 2025, Fox & James NationaLease of Latrobe, PA, had a truck go down with a blown suspension in Wall, PA. The nearest member to the breakdown, Aim NationaLease, was contacted and was more than willing to assist. Both the shop manager and regional maintenance director worked together to obtain the right parts and dispatch a tech to make the repair. Their partnerships and willingness to lend a hand meant that Fox & James’ customer could back on the road, complete the delivery, and get home in time for the holiday.
Just a week later, M&K NationaLease came to the aid of Kenworth of Central California NationaLease when they needed to locate trucks and a towing company in Des Plaines, IL. In addition to providing a number of solutions, the service manager at M&K personally looked for the trucks, even though it was late afternoon on New Year’s Eve. The next morning, he followed up to see if there was anything else he could do to assist—follow through and commitment that was much appreciated by Kenworth of Central California.
What’s right vs what’s easy
Each and every day, we’re faced with the decision between doing the right thing versus the easy thing. Choosing the former takes integrity and character, which is exactly what members exhibit when they decide to treat someone else’s customer as their own.
Kirk NationaLease shared an experience they had with Hogan Truck Leasing, Inc., a NationaLease Member, in Nashville, TN. Despite being done for the day, the service manager stayed late to arrange for a tech to handle a repair and make sure Kirk’s driver’s was situated. Meanwhile, at the Hogan Truck Leasing location in Phoenix, AZ, the service manager came in on his day off to assist Southland NationaLease’s, of Port Allen, LA, customer in desperate need of a substitute vehicle.
Indicative of their overall experience in the reciprocal service network, Aim NationaLease in Pittsburgh had high praise for the Fox & James NationaLease branch in Altoona, PA. Aim commended the Fox & James service manager for treating his customers like his own, and for the comfort of knowing that if anything happens to a truck, Fox & James will do whatever it takes to take care of the issue.
Treat them like family
It’s one thing to say that an organization is like a family, but it’s another thing entirely to truly embody that familial spirit. One of the most common refrains we here from members is how the NationaLease network truly does feel like a family—there for you any time, no matter what. This final story illustrates just how powerful these bonds are within our network.
In September 2025, Diversified Truck Leasing, a NationaLease Member, out of Billings, MT, had a driver involved in an accident near Miller NationaLease’s Reading, PA, location, and in need of a replacement trailer. Not only was their call taken immediately and a substitute quickly arranged, but the service manager was handling everything from the hospital, awaiting the arrival of his new baby. Meanwhile, the crew onsite assisted with getting the driver back on the road. The resolute dedication to the reciprocal service network proves just how important mutual support is to the NationaLease family.
Since 1944, NationaLease has relied on reciprocal service to keep trucks and drivers on the road when they break down away from home. By delivering peace of mind, we can keep commitments, hit deadlines, and continue providing the highest level of service from coast to coast.
