Morita Econos
Japanese manufacturer of special-purpose environmental vehicles, including vacuum trucks, garbage collection trucks, and welfare vehicles.
Last updated September 27, 2026
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Overview
Morita Econos Corporation (株式会社モリタエコノス) is a Japanese manufacturer of special-purpose vehicles, primarily environmental sanitation trucks, based in Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morita Holdings Corporation and part of the Morita Group, a conglomerate known for fire trucks and disaster prevention equipment. The company traces its origins to 1948, when it was established as Morita Pump Service Factory to maintain fire trucks manufactured by Morita. Over the decades, it expanded into the production of vacuum trucks (vacuum cars), garbage collection vehicles, high-pressure cleaning trucks, sludge suction vehicles, and welfare vehicles such as visiting bathing cars. Morita Econos is particularly noted for its vacuum trucks, in which it holds the top domestic market share in Japan. Its garbage collection trucks are sold under the Packmaster and Pressmaster brands. The company also produces powerful suction vehicles under the Powerful Master brand, high-pressure cleaning vehicles under the High Pre Cleaner brand, and sludge suction vehicles under the Vacuum Damper brand. Its visiting bathing vehicle is marketed as Yunoka. These products serve municipal waste management, environmental sanitation, and disaster response needs. The current corporate entity is the second incarnation of Morita Econos. The first was renamed from Morita Special Machinery in 1997 and merged into Morita in 2001. In October 2003, the Econos division of Morita was spun off to re-establish Morita Econos as a separate company. The company moved its headquarters to Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture, in 2017. It operates a nationwide sales and service network in Japan and is affiliated with Morita Engineering, which specializes in environmental vehicles. Through its parent company, Morita Econos is part of a group that also includes fire truck manufacturing, disaster prevention equipment, and industrial machinery businesses.
History
Morita Econos traces its origins to March 1948, when it was established as Morita Pump Service Factory in Otomo-cho, Ikuno-ku, Osaka, to provide maintenance services for fire trucks manufactured by Morita Pump Industry (now Morita Corporation). In 1953, the company began manufacturing and selling Japan's first MS-type vacuum truck (vacuum car). In 1956, it opened a Tokyo office (now Tokyo Branch), changed its name to Morita Pump Special Industry, and began manufacturing and selling the Packmaster garbage truck. The following years saw the opening of branch offices in Sendai and Fukuoka (1957), Nagoya (1958), and the relocation of the head office and factory to Higashiosaka Takada (1959). In 1960, it began manufacturing and selling the Vacuum Damper sludge suction vehicle. Throughout the 1960s, it expanded its network with offices in Shizuoka, Chiba, Kanagawa, Osaka, Saitama, Niigata, Kagoshima, Sapporo, Kyoto, Shikoku, and Hyogo. In 1964, it delivered a Vacuum Damper sludge suction vehicle to the Antarctic observation wintering team. In 1965, the head office and factory moved to Jimmu-cho, Yao. In 1966, the company changed its name to Morita Special Machinery and began manufacturing and selling the High Pre Cleaner high-pressure cleaning vehicle. In 1968, it began manufacturing and selling the Shot Flusher water tank cleaning vehicle. In 1975, it began manufacturing and selling the Moridisposer sludge dewatering vehicle. In 1981, it began manufacturing and selling the Powerful Master super powerful suction vehicle with recovery tank. In 1983, it began manufacturing and selling the septic tank sludge treatment vehicle. In 1987, it began manufacturing and selling the α-type garbage truck under new safety standards. In 1988, it began manufacturing and selling the New α-type Pressmaster. In 1995, it began manufacturing and selling the Biotop high-speed fermentation processing machine. In 1996, it began manufacturing and selling the Highpacks high-compression garbage truck and the Jet Loader drainage pavement function recovery vehicle. In 1997, the company changed its name to Morita Econos Co., Ltd. (first generation). In 2000, it began manufacturing and selling the Yunoka visiting bathing vehicle. In 2001, it merged with Morita Corporation and became the Econos Division. In October 2003, it was spun off from Morita Corporation, inheriting all businesses of the Econos Division, and started anew as Morita Econos. In 2003, it also developed the new RBX12 Powerful Master powerful suction vehicle and the Yunoka YUD02 light vehicle type visiting bathing vehicle. In 2004, it began manufacturing and selling garbage trucks with self-weight meters. In 2007, it developed a new septic tank water recycling vehicle. In 2008, it developed the new RBX42 Powerful Master powerful suction work vehicle. In 2017, the head office was relocated to Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture.
- 2017
Relocated head office to Sanda, Hyogo Prefecture.
- 2008
Developed RBX42 Powerful Master powerful suction work vehicle.
- 2007
Developed new septic tank water recycling vehicle.
- 2004
Began manufacturing and selling garbage trucks with self-weight meters.
- 2003
Spun off from Morita Corporation to re-establish Morita Econos; developed RBX12 Powerful Master and Yunoka YUD02.
- 2001
Merged with Morita Corporation and became Econos Division.
- 2000
Began manufacturing and selling Yunoka visiting bathing vehicle.
- 1997
Changed name to Morita Econos Co., Ltd. (first generation).
- 1996
Began manufacturing and selling Highpacks high-compression garbage truck and Jet Loader drainage pavement function recovery vehicle.
- 1995
Began manufacturing and selling Biotop high-speed fermentation processing machine.
Products and positioning
Specialist manufacturer of environmental sanitation and special-purpose vehicles, with a leading domestic share in vacuum trucks.
Vacuum truck (vacuum car)
Japan's first MS-type vacuum truck, manufactured since 1953; holds top domestic market share.
Packmaster garbage truck
Rotary plate type garbage collection truck, manufactured since 1956.
Pressmaster garbage truck
Compression plate type garbage collection truck, including New α-type since 1988.
Powerful Master powerful suction vehicle
Super powerful suction vehicle with recovery tank, first manufactured in 1981; RBX12 and RBX42 models developed later.
High Pre Cleaner high-pressure cleaning vehicle
High-pressure cleaning vehicle, manufactured since 1966.
Vacuum Damper sludge suction vehicle
Sludge suction vehicle, manufactured since 1960; delivered to Antarctic observation team in 1964.
Shot Flusher water tank cleaning vehicle
Water tank cleaning vehicle, manufactured since 1968.
Yunoka visiting bathing vehicle
Welfare vehicle for visiting bathing services, manufactured since 2000; originally based on Mazda Bongo, later Nissan NV200 Vanette.
Sprinkler truck
Water sprinkler truck for dust suppression and cleaning.
Drinking water supply truck
Vehicle for supplying drinking water.
Sources6 sources
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