The 200th birthday of firefighting pioneer and founder Conrad Dietrich Magirus coincides with the 160th anniversary of Magirus firefighting vehicles in Ulm, marking innovation in every era. To commemorate this double anniversary, a ceremony with 500 guests from 45 countries will be held at the Magirus Experience Center in Ulm. During the event, Magirus will showcase innovative new products such as the CORE and FLEX firefighting vehicles, the SmartControl – the latest generation of intelligent turntable ladders, and the MDX, which is envisioned as the future of rescue cages. Additionally, a model upgrade of the Dragon NEO airfield firefighting vehicle, equipped with automatic driving safety systems and new powerful Cursor 13 Euro 6 engines, will be presented. The celebration will also include the introduction of the new Magirus Poseidon submersible pump.
Magirus, the global market leader in fire department turntable ladders, is inviting guests to a ceremony of historic significance on September 26, 2024. This day not only marks the company’s 160th anniversary but also celebrates the 200th birthday of its visionary founder, Conrad Dietrich Magirus, in Ulm—the city where the Magirus success story began.
Honoring the Lifetime Achievements of Conrad Dietrich Magirus
Conrad Dietrich Magirus was a man who understood the signs of the times. When he founded Magirus in 1864, he had a clear vision—not only to create innovative products but to provide sustainable added value for society through modern fire protection. Born in Ulm on September 26, 1824, Conrad Dietrich was shaped by curiosity, a hunger for knowledge, and a thirst for adventure. At the age of 26, in 1851, he took over his father’s stationery and grocery business. However, the young man did not find fulfillment there. In 1847, he founded the Ulm Volunteer Fire Brigade and was its commander for 33 years, with a few short breaks. Among his many achievements, Magirus is also regarded as the founding father of the German Fire Brigade Association, which was established in 1853 in Plochingen, near Ulm. In 1864, he applied his passion for firefighting and his entrepreneurial spirit to the commercial manufacture of firefighting equipment, founding the “Feuerwehr-Requisitenfabrik C.D. Magirus.”
Reminiscence of the Legendary “The Bulls” Campaign
Under the motto “The Bulls are back,” the event will pay tribute to the legendary era of the Magirus trucks from the 1970s and 80s. These iconic corner bonnet vehicles not only reinforced the outstanding quality image of Magirus-Deutz but also captured the hearts of firefighters worldwide. “This day is more than just a tribute to the past,” explains Thomas Hilse, CEO of Magirus. “It is also an occasion to look to the future and to shape the coming chapters of our company history together with our customers, partners, and employees.”
In addition to honoring historical milestones, the event will offer an outlook on the company’s future innovations and developments. Guests can look forward to a varied program focused on both the tradition and the future of the Magirus brand.
Political Support Required
For long-term profitability, the firefighting industry needs stronger support from customers and politicians. A “price escalation clause” is needed for public tenders to minimize inflation risks, says Magirus CEO Thomas Hilse. Due to the relatively long production times of fire engines, customers should also be more involved in pre-financing production through advance payments. “This affects not only Magirus but the entire industry, and requires a rethink in the public sector,” adds Hilse.
Sign of the Times: Change in Procurement
The centralized procurement of firefighting vehicles is becoming increasingly important in Europe, including Germany. Magirus is adapting to these changing market conditions with its CORE and FLEX products. “Urbanization and the construction of taller buildings are increasing the demand for intelligent turntable ladders,” says Marc Kuntz, Head of Sales and Customer Service at Magirus. “We are excited about the first deliveries of our new SmartControl product generation.” The MCX study will also be presented as a vision for the future of modern turntable ladder rescue cages.
Magirus has also responded to the growing demand for airfield firefighting vehicles in the wake of increasing travel after the pandemic. At the event, Magirus will present the updated Dragon NEO, equipped with an automatic driving safety system and powerful Cursor 13 Euro 6 engines. Furthermore, Magirus is addressing climate changes with new equipment, including the Magirus Poseidon submersible pump.
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