History of Mack Trucks

Mack Trucks, Inc. was established to supply extensively heavy duty trucks and components that meet the consumers’ need. Mack Trucks have emerged to be the main truck manufacturer in America over the years. In addition to heavy duty trucks, Mack Trucks manufacture other medium duty trucks with exportation into more than 45 countries worldwide as at 2002.

In 1901, the ‘Mack Brothers Company’ was established by five Mack brothers in which they started with assembling of small buses but evolved from assembling horse-driven wagons in 1983. By 1907, the first truck was produced after which the company experienced an instant boom and later relocated to Allentown, Pennsylvania. Later in the year 1911, acquisition of engine and chassis plant in Plainfield took place.

The company’s name was changed to Mack Trucks in 1922 with the bulldog adopted as the company’s trade logo. As the company was gaining popularity, Mack Trucks stood out and were regarded to be very tough, rugged and dependable trucks. They blazed the trail in 1918 by manufacturing trucks with air cleaners and oil filters installed. Also, by 1920, they produced the first power brake system in mark trucks. As if that was all, by the year 1938, they became the fisrt truck manufacturer to design self-own diesel engines.

RISE OF MACK TRUCK BRAND

The use and acceptance of Mark trucks became more prominent during the haulage heavy arms pieces through the sludge of World War I battlegrounds. It was then it got its nickname “bull dog” which was coined from the ruggedness and toughness of the trucks. Later on, the name was adopted and bulldog emblem were began to be used by the company.

Mark, who was described as a manufacturer poised to always deliver quality had issues of cash flow and nearly went bankrupt. Around 1890s, the company later folded up or abandoned as a result of financial panics. Due to these, they resolved to the aspect of maintenance and repair of engines instead of manufacturing the trucks.

FINANCIAL HISTORY AND EXPANSION

The financial history turned around late 1953 and the economic state was enriched with the design and manufacture of the conventional B series. The cabin and front-end were restructured all-metal. Sales of this were made for the next 13 years. In 1965 the B series was upgraded with introduction of multifunctional R range.  The engine bonnet was made of folding fiberglass and fenders.

Expansion of Mack Company continued with new plants in Califonia, and New Zealand commencing operations. Later in the mid 70’s, Mack Company suffered another financial set back which allowed Renault, a French company, to buy about 20% of its shares and later had 41% of Mack Company in 1983. Consequently, the production output decreased in 1986 which led to the restructuring of the company in 1990 when Renault gained full control of Mack Trucks and Mack Company was rationalized as the American branch of Renault.

By 2000, a Swedish company, Volvo AB acquired Mack Trucks from Renault and new range of model and engines were introduced by Volvo. Volvo as faced her financial constraints due to the economic recess in U.S economy and this led to scaling down of productions. 

Even in the heat of competitive market, Mack trucks have survived all scares and this is proudly due to its durability, strict cost cutting management and thus, they still maintain the reputation of their brand by their dominance on American roads.