Daimler Truck Financial announced that 2014 marks a company milestone, 40 years in the U.S. trucking industry. Since its inception, Daimler Truck Financial has grown its portfolio to more than $8.7 billion with a customer base of more than 500 dealers and more than 24,000 customers.

The announcement and official celebration took place in Orlando, Florida at the opening ceremony of the company's biannual "Truck and Bus Series" meeting with the Freightliner, Western Star and Thomas Built Bus dealers and Daimler Trucks North America executives.

Freightliner Financial opened its doors in 1974 with few employees and a handful of contracts. Since that time, the company has grown to more than 200 employees located across the country, with offices in Farmington Hills, Michigan, Fort Mill, South Carolina and Fort Worth, Texas.

The global economic climate has changed many times since the company started doing business to support the sale of Freightliner Trucks. The business started against the backdrop of the world's first oil shock in 1974. That led to the first energy crisis and gasoline shortages, culminating in the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act passed in 1974, limiting highway speeds to 55 miles per hour.

Through the years, Daimler Truck Financial has grown its financial portfolio as the company's product offerings expanded. As a captive finance provider, the company has grown by aligning strategies with its dealers, customers and brand partners, while also continuously improving processes, based on the feedback garnered in the field. Today, the company offers financing and insurance products for the Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built and Sprinter brands.