It’s that time of year in the Midwest when the world seems to take a collective deep breath and start over. Perspective is a funny thing; in February, a grey sky feels like a heavy blanket, but in April, that same grey brings the rain that turns the Illinois prairie into a vibrant tapestry of life.
This month, my travels took me just 40 miles west of our Downers Grove headquarters to visit our friends at Superior Diesel, Inc. in DeKalb, IL. The drive along I-88 is one of my favorites this time of year. Once you break away from the suburban sprawl, the horizon opens up, and you’re treated to the sight of farmers preparing their fields—the literal groundwork for the season ahead. I stopped on the way to pick up Member Services Administrator, Jeanette Rivas, who joined me on my road trip.
DeKalb is a city that truly understands the value of hard work and “stick-to-itiveness.” Known as the “Barbed Wire Capital of the World,” it was here in 1873 that Joseph Glidden invented a practical design for barbed wire. It’s a simple invention that completely revolutionized the American West and the agricultural industry.
That spirit of innovation clearly hasn’t faded. Walking into Superior Diesel, you can feel that same commitment to the community. Founded in 1979 in Waterman and expanding to DeKalb in 2012, Superior Diesel has spent over 45 years keeping the engines of the Midwest humming.
I met with the team to discuss the many programs and services NationaLease offers to our members. We covered a number of the purchasing programs that help our members buy products at a competitive price, as well as other resources we offer, such as a careers page to help them with hiring, a webinar library to help with training and education, and our upcoming Introduction to Full-Service Leasing Seminar. Much like the farmers in the surrounding fields, our members know that the work you do before the season hits its peak is what determines your success.
As we headed back through the rolling prairies, I was reminded that while technology and logistics move faster every year, the core of what we do remains the same. It’s about people, relationships, and a shared dedication to the road ahead.
DeKalb might be famous for its history of keeping things in (with all that barbed wire), but companies like Superior Diesel are what keep our industry moving forward.
