DALLAS, Tex. — Western Star Trucks is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2007, and marked the occasion at the Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas from Aug. 23 to 25.

Tracing its roots back to 1967, Western Star Trucks has a rich history producing rugged logging and mining vehicles that work in tough environments around the world.

“For the last 40 years, Western Star has built trucks with a level of craftsmanship and customization that is unique in the industry,” said Ann Demitruk, director of marketing for Western Star. “Our premium on-highway and vocational trucks are custom-built for discerning drivers.”

Western Star began with engineering and operations located in Cleveland and production in Canada. In the following years, the company was headquartered in Kelowna, B.C. After the company was acquired by Freightliner in 2001, the headquarters relocated first to Cleveland – its original point of origin – and later to Redford, Mich.

The brand’s Portland, Ore.-manufacturing plant is dedicated to continuing the brand’s heritage of building premium, custom-built trucks.

“We’re looking forward to celebrating Western Star’s history with the people at GATS,” said Demitruk. “The brand has certainly come a long way since it’s beginnings as White Western Star.”