Magirus

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Magirus W3-S1 1954

Magirus Feuerwehrwerke Ulm was a German manufacturer founded by Conrad Dietrich Magirus (1824-1895, born in Ulm). The company started the manufacture of fire-fighting vehicles in 1864. In late-1910s, it also started the production of trucks and buses.

These vehicles developed a reputation for high engineering standards, enabling them to operate under the most demanding and arduous conditions in the world.

This company also invented the turntable ladder, as Magirus Leiter, and this quickly became an essential item of Fire Brigade equipment all over the world.

The parent company was Klöckner Humbolt Deutz AG, maker of the well-known Deutz engines, so the brand commonly used was Magirus Deutz, and too for a short time Klöckner. The logo of Magirus Deutz was a stylised 'M' with three sharp points to represent the three towers of the Ulm cathedral.

In 1975 Magirus was purchased by Iveco who carried on producing some of Magirus' trucks for a short while under the name of Iveco Magirus before being abandoned completely in most countries, however IVECO's are sold under the Magirus brand in Germany and other European and Middle Eastern markets.

Most trucks from Magirus are also known as 'Magirus Deutz' because the aircooled engine came from the factory of Deutz AG. These engines are still being sold for agricultural and marine use.