Our Story

50 years of industry-leading vehicles, service and support is only the beginning.

CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

HISTORY

A HISTORY OF INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP.

INNOVATIONS

THE TOUGHEST TRUCKS DESERVE THE MOST STATE-OF-THE-ART ADVANCEMENTS.

COMMITTED TO THE LAST 50 YEARS. AND THE NEXT.

Two things have always been true since our founding: We’re committed to advanced manufacturing and advancing the industry, and our products are leading the way. Whether it’s our dedication to getting the job done right or our customer-driven innovations, that commitment has paid off. It’s why we’re North America’s leader in refuse collection vehicles, setting the standard for reliability, durability and innovation.

WE’VE GOT MORE BEHIND US THAN OUR LEGACY.

Oshkosh isn’t just our parent company, we’re partners in engineering and innovation, sharing technologies and know-how for a powerful competitive advantage. Which means you get world-class heavy-duty truck-building expertise, 850+ patents for new product innovations, and 1,350 global product developers advancing the industry together.

SUPERIOR SERVICE AND SUPPORT. PERIOD.

We believe actions speak louder than words. Especially when it comes to support. That’s why we’ve built a comprehensive, dedicated parts, sales and service network. With rigorously-trained mobile technicians and certified service technicians, McNeilus has the flexibility to bring service to your fleet wherever and whenever.

Just like all things McNeilus, StreetSmartParts.com is so much more than its online parts store. With a comprehensive line of quality replacement parts, plus manuals, schematics and more, it’s all things McNeilus-support. All in one place.

WE DON’T JUST BUILD TRUCKS. WE HELP BUILD COMMUNITIES.

McNeilus trucks and their operators are out there every day, working hard to help build the fabric of communities across North America. We consider this to be one of our greatest accomplishments.

Our commitment to our communities goes beyond the trucks we build. We’re a big backer of the United Way in our local areas. We’ve teamed up to support Ronald McDonald House with a unique program called Cans for Kids. And we’re proud supporters of education and research programs for the waste collection industry through the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA), Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF). Proof that we’re here for our communities now and on the road ahead.

EVERYTHING WE DO IS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.

The industry is constantly shifting, bringing with it new challenges. That’s why we’re working hard to evolve our service and support. Every day.

“We’ve owned McNeilus trucks for over 15 years. The trucks are easy to operate. They’re low maintenance, and we rarely have problems with the equipment. When we do have those minor problems, they respond immediately and they handle all our needs to make sure we’re satisfied customers.”

– Randolph Paige, Director of Sanitation, City of Sumter, SC

"We chose McNeilus for a little more reliability. We've had troubles with some of the other [body manufacturers]. McNeilus just seems to be a little better put-together truck. We also like the support after the fact. When you pick up the phone , McNeilus is always there ready to go."

- Marcus Borgia, Maintenance Manager, EL  Harvey & Sons

“I’ve worked in the refuse industry for 21 years and had the opportunity to work with a lot of different trucks. Working with McNeilus, they’re by far the best trucks I’ve used. And, it’s not just the products but the service, too. If you call with a service question, within a few minutes you’ve got people from the company, around the country, telling you how to diagnose a problem and how to get yourself running again quickly.”

- Justin Bradsher, Training Supervisor, Ace Environmental of South Carolina

"In the garbage business, we look for something that's going to last. McNeilus trucks have done a good job for us of holding together and making our maintenance a lot easier. We like the support we get from the company, and we've had good luck with McNeilus truck bodies.”

- Willis Holley, Solid Waste Superintendent (retired), City of Panama City, FL

THE LAST 50 YEARS? TRAINING FOR THE ROAD AHEAD.

A half-century's worth of innovation, expertise and industry-leading sales, service and support doesn't just happen. Here are the milestones of blood, sweat and tears that have made us who we are today, and have us excited to take on the challenges of tomorrow.
2017 McNeilus enhances its Meridian™ Front Loader and Zero Radius™ (ZR) Side Loader products, boosting durability, performance and serviceability.
2016 The Latitude Integration residential collection system is introduced, allowing commercial Meridian™ Front Loaders to connect with any brand of front loader residential container. McNeilus celebrates 25 years in the refuse industry.
2015 The innovative Meridian™ Front Loader is launched, giving the industry a lighter weight front loader with higher payload capacity and more lifting power. McNeilus introduces an Organics Package for rear loaders with unique features that offer better liquid containment for food and organic waste collection. The revolutionary McNeilus CODE™ controls system is developed for refuse vehicles, providing superior vehicle diagnostics and troubleshooting capability.
2014 The Pacific Series® Ultra Front Loader debuts as the lightest weight front loader in the product line.
2013 McNeilus Street Smart Vision system adds touchscreen controls, as well as DVR and route management capabilities, to improve fleet operations and efficiency.
2012 McNeilus unveils new easy-to-navigate and user-friendly website. Street Smart Parts launches an e-commerce website to make ordering parts easier than ever before. The McNeilus Split Body Rear Loader is developed for dual-stream refuse collection routes.
2011 The Contender Front Loader refuse vehicle makes its debut with the perfect balance between lightweight and toughness. Second-generation enhancements are added to the AutoReach® Automated Side Loader.
2010 McNeilus offers a new Allison transmission for the CNG-powered trucks.
2009 McNeilus develops its own CNG fueling system and launches its Next Generation (NGEN) CNG initiative, an alternative fuels brand. Command Zone™ multiplexed controls are introduced for refuse products to speed troubleshooting. The Zero Radius™ (ZR) Automated Side Loader debuts with an advanced yet simple zero radius arm operation.
2008 McNeilus expands Street Smart Parts offerings for non-McNeilus products.
2005 The high-performance Excalibre packing cylinders are made available on all McNeilus refuse bodies.
2002 The automated side loader line grows with the addition of the Manual/Automated Side Loader.
2001 McNeilus Street Smart Parts is formed and reinvents customer support services.
2000 The Pacific Series® Front Loader is introduced as a lighter-weight option to comply with stringent road weight laws. 
1999 The Atlantic Series Front Loader® is introduced for residential and heavy commercial routes.
1998 McNeilus is purchased by Oshkosh Corporation, which specializes in severe-duty vehicle manufacturing, including an array of products for defense, municipal and commercial markets.
1997 Roll-offs are added to the refuse collection product portfolio. 
1996 McNeilus continues to innovate the refuse industry by designing a replacement for the Automator that has a standard pack-and-sweep system. This packer incorporates the first automated arm that articulates both left and right. Named the AutoReach®, this auotmated refuse truck grows in popularity among trash haulers.
1995 The Manual Side Loader is introduced and automated refuse collection begins to take shape.
1993 McNeilus looks to quickly grow its refuse product offerings by building a front-loading garbage truck called the Pacstar FL (commonly called the FL93). The Extra Compaction (XC) Rear Loader also debuts. McNeilus offers a “No Questions Asked” cylinder replacement program and quickly gains market share in the refuse industry.
1991 McNeilus' Pac Star Rear Loader sets new benchmarks for durability and reliability.
1990 McNeilus introduces a semi-round-walled rear load refuse truck named the SRS, and for the first time exhibits products at WasteExpo.
1989 McNeilus introduces its first “square body” rear loader prototype.
   
   

AT McNEILUS, THE FUTURE IS NOW.

Telematics. Automation. Electrification. Lighter, stronger vehicles. These are the kinds of things that were hard to imagine when we started back in 1970. And we’re not just devoted to the research and development of innovative concepts, products and practices. We’re fully committed to thoroughly testing and proving them to help drive industry standards.

CONTROL UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

Want ground-breaking control? We deliver: McNeilus® CODE™ Controls systems for refuse collection vehicles. Not only do they put diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities at the operator’s fingertips, they allow unprecedented, consistent fleet-wide control with vehicle performance insights, maintenance reminders, advanced control functions and customization tools.

SUSTAINABILITY. ANOTHER RESPONSIBILITY WE DON'T SHY AWAY FROM.

As a part of the Oshkosh family, we're constantly and continuously reducing the environmental impact of our products and production, improving workplace conditions, reducing costs, increasing value and being active in our communities. We are also a national leading supplier of electrified and CNG-powered refuse trucks.

McNeilus