Iveco Magirus is a global leader in the design and manufacture of firefighting and civil protection vehicles. Philip Yorke talked to Tobias Welp, the company’s sales director, about its latest high-tech products and plans for further expansion.
OPTIMISING FIRE
PROTECTION IN
1864 Conrad Dietrich Magirus was the fire chief in the town of Ulm, Germany, located on the shores of the River Danube. He wanted to improve the efficiency of firemen who needed to carry ladders to fires on their shoulders. This resulted in the famous ‘Ulm ladder’, which could be pushed and accelerated. However, the firefighting revolution really began with the Magirus turntable ladder and later the world’s first articulated ladder was introduced. Today Ulm remains the headquarters of the company that has
grown to become a global leader under the name of Iveco Magirus. From the very beginning the company’s focus was on innovation and it was responsible for a number of firefighting ‘firsts’. This started with the world’s first horse-drawn 25m rotating ladder and was followed by the world’s first fully automatic-drive turn table in1916. Magirus motor vehicles began production in 1917. Today Iveco Magirus produces a unique range of firefighting and civil protection vehicles from its six locations throughout Europe. Industry Europe 173