Badger Common’Tater January 2023 Issue
Interview with Tia Leonhard
By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
It was the first day of September, in 1965, when Mid-State Truck Service, Inc., founded by Frank Vendehey, became an authorized International Truck dealership in Marshfield, Wisconsin. And not too long thereafter, commercial truck leasing and rental, as well as the International School Bus franchise for the state of Wisconsin, were added to the company profile.
In the late 1980’s business grew, resulting in the expansion to two additional Wisconsin-based locations, Wisconsin Rapids and Plover.
After 34 years as general manager and president, Frank retired, in 1999, and turned ownership over to his two sons, Jon and Tom Vandehey.
Following in their father’s footsteps, in 2005, Jon and Tom expanded the Mid-State Truck footprint further and acquired four more Wisconsin-based dealerships, in Abbotsford, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire and Wausau.
Almost a decade later, the need to continue meeting high market demands resulted in the consolidation of the two Chippewa Valley locations into a new, larger, and more efficient facility.
In 2013, Mid-State Truck Service announced the addition of the Isuzu Commercial Truck product line, adding regional support for sales, service, and parts, as well as truck leasing and rental.
“In 2016, a much-needed expansion was finalized at our Plover facility,” says Tia Leonhard, marketing and branding specialist for Mid-State Truck Service, “doubling the shop’s size as well as updating other areas, all geared towards creating a better customer experience.”
In early 2020, Mid-State Truck Service once again expanded its dealership network and acquired two Minnesota locations, one in Duluth and the other in Virginia.
Today, Mid-State Truck Service has eight locations that are still dedicated to the communities they serve.
