Magirus GmbH[1] was a truck and bus manufacturer based in Ulm, Germany, founded by Conrad Dietrich Magirus (1824–1895). It was formerly part of the Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz AG (KHD), maker of the Deutz engines, so the brand commonly used was Magirus-Deutz, and for a short time before Klöckner. Most trucks and buses from Magirus were known as Magirus-Deutz. The logo of Magirus-Deutz was a stylised M with a sharp, long centre point to represent the spire of Ulm Minster.
Magirus is one of the largest manufacturers of fire fighting equipment. Its fire trucks are now primarily based upon chassis and engines from Iveco, but occasionally also uses platforms from other truck manufacturers.
IVECO, owner of Magirus since 1980, sold the business in 2024, and Magirus is now an independent business, owned by investment company Mutares SE.
History
The company Magirus began manufacturing fire-fighting vehicles in 1866. In the late 1910s, it started the production of trucks and buses. These vehicles developed a reputation for high engineering standards, able to operate under the most arduous conditions. The company also invented the turntable ladder, as Magirus Leiter, which quickly became an essential item of fire brigade