NPE Trucking / Mack Trucks

Powered by Mack, Supported by Kriete 

Northern Wisconsin has a rich history as one of America’s most significant timber regions. For more than a century, the industry has shaped the region’s economy, landscape, and communities.

The lumber boom began in the mid-1800s as settlers and companies tapped into northern Wisconsin’s vast pine and hardwood forests. Using the Wisconsin River and other waterways to float logs to mills, the region quickly became one of the nation’s leading lumber producers by the late 1800s.

Today, the timber industry is more than tree harvesting. It is a complex, integrated system that provides far-reaching economic benefits to Wisconsin and beyond.

One person who knows that connection firsthand is Nick Peterson, owner and founder of NPE Trucking in Glidden, Wisconsin. Following in his father’s footsteps, who began in lumber and later expanded into pulp, Peterson has developed a deep appreciation for the industry and the partnerships that keep it moving. NPE Trucking offers a range of services, including pulp hauling, flatbed hauling, dirt work, land brushing, land management, snow removal and excavating. “I think people don't really understand how important the logging industry is and the employment that it gives,” Peterson said.

“Everything north of Highway 8 is logging in some form. We provide all wood chips for power plants — electricity, paper, clothes, siding, two-by-four studs, everything for your house building materials. There’s a whole system here that we’re part of.”

— Nick Peterson, Owner, NPE Trucking

The logging sector remains a cornerstone of northern Wisconsin’s economy and workforce. From loggers and truck drivers to mill workers and equipment operators, thousands of people depend on timber-related jobs. The industry also supports countless other businesses such as equipment dealers, repair shops, fuel suppliers and transportation providers.

Peterson relies on trusted partners to keep operations running smoothly. For him, that partner is Kriete Truck Centers in Tomahawk, which provides trucks, equipment and service support for his fleet.

“We’ve had Mack Trucks for probably 15 to 20 years. We stuck with Mack Trucks because they pull well, and when Kriete Truck Centers took over, they treated us just as good as anyone else,” Peterson said.

“It’s probably one of the best business relationships I’ve ever been in. And I can truly say without them, I don’t know if we’d still be in business.”

— Nick Peterson, Owner, NPE Trucking

Logging companies often operate under strict supply contracts with mills that depend on consistent wood chip and timber deliveries. If a company fails to meet those volumes due to equipment issues, it can face penalties, reputational harm and even the loss of future contracts.

When every load counts, trust and uptime make all the difference. For NPE Trucking, that means Mack performance backed by Kriete support. Peterson recalled a time when Kriete went above and beyond to keep his operation running, delivering trucks to help him meet his contracted quotas. Even a single day of downtime, he said, could have been catastrophic for his business.

“They sacrificed for us, getting us two trucks and keeping them running,” he said. “They kept me from losing quota.”

That experience strengthened Peterson’s trust in the Kriete team. So when it came time to invest in new equipment, he turned to the people he knew he could count on for support. Last year, he took delivery of two 2025 Mack Anthem® Day Cabs, with the Tomahawk team continuing to support his fleet and equipment needs.

Built for power, reliability and comfort, the Mack Anthem® handles the demanding loads and rugged terrain of Wisconsin’s logging industry. Paired with Kriete’s trusted support, it delivers the performance and uptime Peterson’s business depends on.

“They are great people. I can’t say enough about them,” Peterson said. “Sales, service, parts and finance are top-notch. There’s a reason 90% of my fleet is from Kriete Truck Centers.”