Although he's mainly remembered today as being the 30th Governor of Wisconsin and originator of the phrase 'America's Dairy Land,'  Julius P. Heil (b. July 24, 1876 – d. November 30, 1949) created a vast manufacturing empire that specialized in truck bodies, truck trailers and truck equipment - a firm so successful that it dominated its field for over 100 years, and continues to dominate it today.

Julius P. Heil was born at Düssmund (literally sweet mountain) an der Mosel (on the Mosel river), Brauneberg, Bernkastel-Wittlich, Germany on July 24, 1876 to Franciscus (Franz) Peter (b.1834-d.1898) and Barbara (Kriebs b.1835-d.1890) Heil.

Siblings included Franz (Frank) Peter (b. Oct. 28, 1862 in Trier, Germany - d.1942) and Johannes Joseph (aka John - b. January 16, 1870) Heil. In the fall of 1882 the entire Heil family immigrated to the United States arriving at Ellis Island on October 22, 1882. From there the Heils travelled by rail to Milwaukee, soon after establishing a farm near Prospect Hill, New Berlin Township, Waukesha County, Wisconsin.

Young Julius received his education in the Mill Valley School and at the age of 12 dropped out taking a position as a shop assitant with L. S. Winton & Son's general store at Prospect Hill. At the age of fourteen he  moved to Milwaukee where he worked as a newsboy, streetcar conductor and a drill press operator at the Milwaukee Harvester plant. In 1893,  his brother Franz (Frank) got him an entry-level position with the H. W. Falk Mfg. Co., a manufacturer of wagon couplings, rail car wheels and cast iron rail joints.

Up until that time rail joints had been bolted together, and in 1894 Falk introduced a welded rail joint invented by Albert Hoffman (US Pat No 545040 - awarded Aug. 20, 1895). The process used a wagon-mounted portable welder that fused the rails togther on-site, the November 1894 issue of The Street Railway Journal reporting:

"The rail joint shown by this company is a new departure in joints and makes a practically continuous rail. To make the joint, the company uses a portable cupola melting the metal which is poured in the mould around and in the joint. This metal possesses the rare quality of uniting with the quite the same as if welded. The company has already contracted introduce this new process on three miles of track for the Citizens Railway Company of St Louis."

Heil started out as a maintenance man, then worked his way up to boiler fireman and eventually as an assistant blacksmith and machinist.His energy and enthusiasm led to a position as a field supervisor and he traversed the country overseeing Falk's track-laying and welding activities. Falk's first welders were steam powered and resembled a  traction engine, later units were electric, powered directly by the railway's overhead wires.

Heil loved to tell of his meeting recently-elected President William McKinley who, while on a carriage ride, had stopped to observe his welding crew installing a system in the Nation's Capitol.

In 1898 he was sent by his employer to Buenos Aires, Argentina to introduce the Falk system to South America, and when he returned a year later he traversed the country supervising the installation of new railbeds for the Falk MFg. Co., the 1900 Milwaukee Directory listing him as 'asst. supt., The Falk Co.'

On June 4, 1900 (July 2, 1901?) Heil married Elisabetha (aka Eliza) M. Conrad (b. in Milwaukee September 7, 1877 to Joseph B. and Dora Miller Conrad – died August 24, 1961) and to the blessed union was born one son, Joseph Frank (b.1908-d.1984) Heil.

His new father-in-law convinced him Heil to establish his own works and within the year they had established the Heil Rail Joint Welding Company. Capitalized at $25,000, money for the venture was supplied by his father-in-law, a successful Milwaukee building contractor, and five of his friends which included Charles Abresch, the well-known wagon manufacturer (who's covered elsewhere in this encyclopedia). It's unknown if Heil licensed the technology from Falk, however pictures (seen to the right) reveal he used a nearly identical horse-drawn apparatus to conduct his rail joint welding operations.

Heil leased a 4,000-square-foot wooden factory located at 392-398 4th Avenue, and brought in three employees. The firm's listing in the 1901 Milwaukee Directory follows:

“Heil Rail-Joint Welding Company, Charles Abresch, pres; Richard J. O’Hara, v-pres; Julius P. Heil, gen mngr; Joseph B. Conrad, sec. 392-398 4th.”

Although the company suffered a $970.36 loss in its first year, business expanded and they relocated to larger quarters at 414-418 Poplar Street (between 4th and 5th aves.), their listing in the 1902 Milwaukee Directory being:

“Heil Rail-Joint Welding Company, Charles Abresch, pres; R. J. O’Hara, v-pres; J. P. Heil, 2d v-pres-gen mngr; J. Leon Wieland, sec-treas. 414-418 Poplar.”

As compeititon in the rail-joint welding business increased Heil turned to other products, which grew to include the manufacture of steel bottle-washing tanks for Milwaukee's numerous breweries, their entry in the 1903 Milwaukee Directory now included the manufacture of steel tanks:

“Heil Rail-Joint Welding Company, Charles Abresch, pres; Leon Wieland, sec-treas.; Julius P. Heil, mngr; tank mnfrs. 412-416 Poplar.”

Their 1904-1905 Milwaukee Directory listings added fire escapes to their specialties:

“Heil Rail-Joint Welding Company, Charles Abresch, pres; Leo Wieland, sec-treas.; Julius P. Heil, mngr; tanks and fire escapes 412-416 Poplar.”

After six years of little-to-no profits, the directors elected to withdraw their support for the venture and the Heil Railjoint Welding Company was formally dissolved in February of 1906.

Undaunted by the failure, Heil and three of his original investors promptly formed a new firm, The Heil Co., that would manufacture welded iron and sheet-metal specialties. Although the firm's main line was stationary steel tanks, their product line grew to include horse-drawn tankers, smokestacks, fire escapes, and structural steel. The firm was created in time to be included in the 1906 Milwaukee Directory:

“The Heil Company, Leo Wieland, pres-treas.; J. P. Heil, v-pres; Paul E Mueller, sec. steel tanks and fire escapes 412-416 Poplar.”

Side-tipping riveted-iron garbage trailers were added to the firm's product line and in late 1907 they relocated to an 18-acre tract in Layton Park, a neighborhood located in southwest Milwaukee. The new facility included a 9,600-square-foot plant and a railway siding for shipping and receiving, their new address being included in their 1908 Milwaukee Directory listing:

“The Heil Company, Leo Wieland, pres-treas.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres; Paul E. Mueller, sec. steel tanks and fire escapes 26^th and Dakota avs, Layton Park.”

1908 also marked Heil's official entry into the world of local politics. He ran, unsuccessfully, for Milwaukee City Treasurer on the Democratic ticket in November.

Julius older brother Johannes (aka John), a trained cabinetmaker, settled in Greenfield, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, marrying Augusta Rosenberg ( b. Dec. 1872) and to the blessed union werer born 4 sons, Clarence J. (b. May 1896), George F.(b. Dec. 1898), John F. (b.1902) and Julius Valentine (b. May 22, 1904-d. Mar. 14, 1979) Heil. The 1910 US Census lists him in Milwaukee as a shoe repairer.

As Heil's business increased he brought his numerous relatives into the business, the 1920 Census lists Johannes' occupation as Asst. Supt in the Heil factory. The 1930 US Census indicates he was now works manager and that his eldest son, George, worked as a foreman and John as sales engineer. Julius’ embarked upon a career in medicine and the census lists his occupation as an intern at a Milwaukee hospital.

Julius other brother, Franz (aka Franciscus), was a boiler engineer who lived in Milwaukee and Greenfield and married Augusta Kemnitz (b. Aug. 1866 in Germany - d.1941) and to the blessed union was born 7 children: Frances (b. Mar. 1891), Joseph F. (b. Sept. 1891), Bernhardt (b. June 1894), Helena (b. April 1896), Barbara (b. Dec. 1898), Elizabeth (aka Elsie b.1902) and Lawrence J. (b. 1903) Heil.

Heil’s listing in the 1909-1911 Milwaukee directories expanded to include bridges and steel structures:

“The Heil Company, Leo Wieland, pres-treas.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres; Paul E. Mueller, sec. mfrs steel tanks, fire escapes, engineers and designers steel structures and bridges Montana and 26th avs.”

The firm supplied the steel framework for Otto Meister's Butterfly Theatre, 212 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee (seen to  the right). The purpose-built 1,200-seat movie house was designed by architect A.C. Willmanns and H.G. Lotter and opened on September 2, 1911. In 1930 the theater was razed to make way for the 2,400 seat Warner Theatre (aka Warner Grand) which remains standing (albeit vacant) today.

The Butterfly project brought the firm some noteriety and more structural steel projects followed, the most important of which was the Hotel Wisconsin, which was constructed in 1913. Located at 720 N. 3rd St., the fire-proof structure was designed by Chicago architects Holabird and Roche, and was considered to be Milwaukee's first 'sky-scraper'. The building remains and currently serves as a luxury apartment building ('Apartments at the Grand Wisconsin').

Heil’s listing in the 1909-1911 Milwaukee directories expanded to include bridges and steel structures:

“The Heil Company, Leo Wieland, pres-treas.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres; Paul E. Mueller, sec. mfrs steel tanks, fire escapes, engineers and designers steel structures and bridges Montana and 26th avs.”

The 1913 Milwaukee Directory provides the name of two new officers which were elected during the previous year:

“The Heil Company: August L. Gebhardt, pres-treas.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres and gen mngr; J. L Steker, sec. structural iron and steel tank mnfrs, 26th and Montana avs.”

Another management change appears in the 1914-1915 Milwaukee Directories:

“The Heil Company: Clement C. Smith, pres.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres-gen mngr; George Allison sec-treas. structural iron works 26th and Montana av.”

Clement Clare Smith (b. Oct 1866-d. Feb. 14, 1935), a civil engineer by trade, founded the Oshkosh Gas Light Company in the late 1880s and within the next two decades had purchased a controlling interest in a number of regional utilities. By the late teens C.C. Smith controlled and served as president of the following public utilities: Manitowoc & Northern Traction Co.; Wisconsin Securities Co.; Wisconsin Public Service Co. (formerly the Oshkosh Gas Light Company); Wisconsin Railway Light & Power Co.; Sheboygan Gas Light Co.; Eastern Oregon Light & Power Co.; Evanston Railway Co.; Evanston Traction Co. He also owned the Columbia Construction Company, was vice-president of the Wisconsin Electric Railway and served as a director of the Falk Co., the Wisconsin Trust Co., the First Wisconsin National Bank, and the Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee.

In 1914 Heil spearheaded the introduction of electric welding to motor bodies using techniques pioneered by Edward G. Budd Mfg. Co.'s director of welding developments, Joseph W. Meadowcraft. Electric welding allowed Heil to construct tanks and truck bodies out of sheetmetal and his lightweight, yet sturdily-built products proved popular with the region's fuel-oil and gasoline haulers.

Heil's portable tanks were easily adaptable to haul potable water and in 1916 they supplied a small fleet of water trailers to the US Army who used them in the wilds of northern Mexico during their pursuit of Francisco 'Pancho' Villa.

Known officially as the Mexican Expedition, the March 14, 1916 to February 7, 1917 military operation was launched in retaliation for Villa's attack on the town of Columbus, New Mexico and was the most remembered event of the United State's official involvement with the Mexican Revolution.

The 1916-18 Milwaukee Directories provide the name of a new treasurer, Howard Greene:

“The Heil Company: Clement C. Smith, pres.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres-gen mngr; George Allison, sec; Howard Greene treas.; Structural Iron Works 26th and Montana avs, Tel Orchard 990.”

The Pancho Villa order brought additional US Military contracts, the next being ammunition bodies for the US Army and its Allies. Heil recalled a July 15, 1917, meeting with General William Crozier, chief of the Army Ordnance department, where the General inquired as to where he had been born, Heil's reply being "in Prussia." The General then advised his assistant, Major W.G. Wall, to “have a name plate put on each body with the name of The Heil Company so that when we enter Prussia those people will see that their own native-born helped to defeat them.”

The bodies were rushed into production, and the first batch was ready in 10 days. The Government appreciated promptness and through the end of the War manufactured large numbers of bodies, first in batches of hundreds, then thousands, the final order being for 4,000 bodies, many of which were destined for use on the class B 3-5 ton Liberty truck, of which 9,500 examples were produced by 15 different comapnies.

The February 14, 1918 issue of The Automobile / Automotive Industries includes mention of one of Heil's government contracts:

“Heil Steel Bodies for Government

“MILWAUKEE, Feb. 11 - The Heil Co., manufacturer of electrically welded steel dump bodies for motor trucks, has received a second Government contract for a special design of dump body for use on truck chassis used in road building and bridge construction. The company recently completed a large addition to its plant to be used exclusively for this work.”

By shear happenstance Heil found itself the largest producers of truck bodies in the country. Although it's dump bodies could be equipped with manual lifts, many customers demanded automatic hoists of the type pioneered by Gar Wood in Detroit.  Luckily Milwaukee's Hydro Hoist Co. was already manufacturing a compatible device and in January of 1919, Heil purchased the firm, making it a subsidiary of the Heil Co. It's listing in the 1918 Milwaukee directory (prior to its acqusition by Heil) follows:

“Hydro Hoist Co.; Chas. A Robinson, pres; Cornelius Wolfe, sec-treas; Frank B. Smight gen-mgr; 3212-16 Vliet.”

Frank B. Smight held the patent rights to the Hydro Hoist (US Pat. No. 1374888 - filed August 11, 1917) and during the following months he worked with Heil's engineers on perfecting the device, gradually rasing its production from ten hoists a month, to several hundred.

The 1919 Milwaukee Directory lists a new secretary, Clarence J. Mullins, who would later gain notoriety as the manufacturer of the Mullins auto trailer:

“The Heil Company: Clement E. Smith, pres.; Julius P. Heil, v-pres-mngr; Clarence J. Mullins, sec; Structural Iron Works 26th and Montana avs Tel Orchard 990.”

Mullins held a similar positiion with the Hydro Hoist subsidiary:

“Hydro Hoist Co.; Julius P. Heil, Pres.; Albert Heinemann, v-pres; Clarence J. Mullins, sec-treas; Montana av., SE cor 26th av.”

The 1920 Milwaukee Directory lists truck bodies and hoists for the first time:

“The Heil Company: Clement E. Smith, Pres.; Julius P. Heil, V-Pres; Howard Greene (Major) Sec-Treas.; C. J. Mullins Mgr; Earl C. Gilmore, Sales Mgr.; Mfrs. of Steel Truck Bodies, Hydro Hoist and Welded Steel Tanks, 26th and Montana avs Tel Orchard 990.”

The directory also includes the Hydro Hoist Co. at the same address:

“Hydro Hoist Co.; Julius P. Heil, Pres.; W. Geo. Thwalts, v-pres; Clarence J. Mullins sec, Howard Greene, treas.; Montana av., SE cor 26th av.”

The January 1921 issue of the Automobile Trade Journal reveals Heil underwent a 'serious operation' it's nature currently unknown:

“J.P. Heil, vice president and founder of the Heil Co., Milwaukee, Wis., recently underwent a serious operation at the Milwaukee Hospital and is now convalescing at his home.”

Heils listings in the 1921-1922 Milwaukee Directories follow:

“The Heil Company: Clement E. Smith, Pres.; Julius P. Heil, V-Pres; Howard Greene, Sec-Treas.; Clarence J. Mullins asst treas. Tank Mfrs., Montana av se corner 26th av.”

“Hydro Hoist Co.; Julius P. Heil, Pres.; W. Geo. Thwalts, v-pres; Clarence J. Mullins sec, Howard Greene, treas.; Montana av., SE cor 26th av.”

Heil's entry in the William George Bruce's 'History of Milwaukee,City and County, Vol. III', published in 1922, follows:

“Today The Heil Company manufactures the most complete line of motor truck equipment in the United States including truck bodies, truck tanks, power hoists, hand hoists and gravity truck bodies. This taking over of these allied products has meant the saving of shipping and assembling costs to the motor truck manufacturer, greater speed in production, and higher standards. Local motor truck manufacturers now run the chassis of their trucks direct to the Heil plant to be fully equipped. In addition to the motor truck products The Heil Company manufacture welded storage tanks, air tanks, open top tanks, smoke stacks and all kinds of steel plate work.

“The Heil Company embodies the true spirit of cooperation and coordination of man and machine, turning out quickly and efficiently vast outputs. It is recognized as one of the best organized and most democratic institutions in the country, and Julius P. Heil, or as he is affectionately known, 'J. P.,' is entirely responsible for this. The visitor to the plant are introduced to everyone, heads of departments, as well as clerks new to the business. Everyone knows everyone else and greets him by his first name.

“There is a spirit of teamwork with all. 'J. P.' is the institutional hero, not a formal, unapproachable, aloof personage, but a fellow worker, who has worked hard and builded strong. Being the oldest employee of the company, he knows his fellow workers by name and often stops simply to chat with them or to offer a friendly suggestion. There is nothing like a 'labor problem' at The Heil Company. 'J. P.' knows from his own experience the value of high wages, a reasonable working day and the best possible factory conditions.

“Mr. Heil’s business associates are: Clement C. Smith, Herman W. Falk, Howard Greene, Geo. Allison, and C. J. Mullins.”

Although many of the FWD (four-wheel-drive) and Liberty trucks constructed for the US Allies remained in Europe after the Armistice, the Federal Government found itself with a considerable inventory of surplus vehicles stateside. In 1919 Congress passed legislation enabling the Bureau of Public Roads through the Department of Agriculture to secure large quantities of the surplus vehicles for distribution to the States for road building purposes.

Although a few of the trucks were already equipped with dump bodies, most were equipped with flatbeds or purpose-built military bodies unsuitable for roadwork.Heil seized the opportunity, placing large numbers of advertisements / articles expounding the qualities of their purpose-built dump bodies specifically engineered for the surplus 3-5 ton trucks.

The firm started 1922 off with a large display at the Thirteenth National Good Roads Show which was held at the Chicago Coliseum from Jan 16-20, 1922, the February 25, 1922 issue of Public Works reporting:

“Heil Company Good Roads Exhibit

“The exhibit of the Heil Co. at the Chicago Good Roads Show displayed a larger number of truck bodies and hoists than were shown by any other manufacturer. They included hoists mounted on Atterbury, Mack, Parker, Harvey, Stoughton, Indiana, Kissel, FWD and Republic trucks and received many orders from contractors throughout the country. Much attention was attracted by a miniature truck 6 feet long built to a scale of 1:3. It was complete in every detail, beautifully finished and operated perfectly. It was mounted on an ordinary table, making it very convenient to examine the mechanism and particularly to observe the operations of the hoisting and dump device. The exhibit also included samples of the Heil gravity dump body with a hand hoist on a convenient bench, and a large album or swinging racks for photographs of Heil trucks in service. A specially interesting feature of the exhibit was the Heil swinging truck body partition that is claimed to be the most simple one on the market, and when raised swings open.”

The swinging partions were explained in greater detail in the April 29, 1922 issue of Public Works:

“Heil Swinging Truck Partitions

“The Heil Co.’s swinging partitions to subdivide truck dump bodies, separate their loads and permitting portions of them to be dumped independently and successively extensively used for aggregate in batches concrete road and other purposes and are claimed to be the most simple type on the market.

“Any number of partitions can be installed on any dump body, requiring only to bolt the bearings to the top of the body with a couple of small bolts at each bearing which can be quickly removed, leaving the regular standard body. The bearings contain an excentric mounted on the axis of the partition. They have a crank easily operated by one man to raise the gate vertically until dowel pins at the bottom are disengaged from holes in the bottom of the body and gate automatically swings open allowing the compartment to be emptied. The Heil Co. manufacture dump and standard bodies, extended platforms, asphalt bodies, garbage bodies, hydro hoists and improved tailgates.”

The following issue (May 6, 1922 issue of Public Works) contained an article / advertisement desribing the Heil Hand Hoist:

“Heil Hand Hoists

“The Heil Hand Hoist, manufactured by the Heil Co., is of very substantial construction, weighs only 290 pounds and occupies only 8 inches of the length of the chassis.

“It has been designed to lift loads up to 5 tons. All of the working parts are incased to keep out dirt, it can be operated from the driver's seat and it is geared so that little effort is required to raise the loaded body in approximately one minute, one half minute longer being necessary to dump the load. The dumping angle varies from 35 to 40 degrees; after dumping, the body returns to normal position by gravity, the downward movement being retarded by the brake.

“The cable from the hoisting drum passes over sheaves on the cross head of the hoisting frame and thence to the arms attached to the outside of the dump body so as to secure direct and convenient operation and abundant clearance. The hoist can be mounted on any make of chassis and is quickly installed by the application of four U-boIts. The dump body can be locked at any intermediate point of its elevation, thus making it especially safe for road maintenance work where only part of the load dumps in one place.”

The subject of surplus military trucks was discussed in great detail in the May 27, 1922 issue of Public Works:

“Dumping Equipment For War Dept. Trucks

“There is a large and constantly increasing number of State and County Highway Departments that are installing Heil Dumping Equipment on the trucks allotted them by the Federal Government. Some states have more than 200 of these units in operation.

“There have recently been allotted more than 500 Class B Liberty Trucks and during the past two or three years 3,000 or 4,000 Nash Quads. The other trucks which have been furnished are: 3-ton Packard, 2- and 5-ton Pierce Arrow, 3-ton Heavy Aviation, 3-ton Riker, 3-ton FWD in varying quantities.

“Heil dumping units have been designed to meet the exact requirements of the County and State Highway Commissions. They are designed to fit the particular chasses on which they are mounted and to give 100 per cent service on those trucks. The Heil Company carries a stock of bodies and hoists for these particular chasses so that prompt delivery can easily be made to counties or townships requiring equipment.

“This type of body is square cornered and straight sided, with the front end crowned, and is best adapted for road work because it permits cement block, lumber, tile, etc., to be piled in close to the bottom edges which would not be possible if these were rounded.

“All Heil bodies are tapered 3 inches wider at the rear than at the front so that the load will free itself when elevated. Tail gates for the bodies are hinged at the top and bottom. When opened at the bottom they are used for dumping gravel, sand and the like. When opened from the top and folded down they extend the platforms so that long materials such as pipes, beams and the like can be handled very readily.

“The operating device used is known as the Heil's 100 per cent Manual Control. A patented gooseneck hook is extended through the rear body brace, reaches out and draws the gate tightly to the body. A handle at the front of the body operates an eccentric device which goes over center when closed locking the tail gate shut.

“The Hydro Hoist for dumping these bodies is the simplest type hydraulic hoist on the market. It is mounted under the body, thus allowing the body to utilize all of the loading space back of the cab. On these War Department trucks this permits the use of a much lower sided body than could be obtained with a hoist mounted back of the cab.

“The lifting power of the hoist is practically unlimited. Moreover it can dump a load with one rear wheel much lower than the other. The hoist pistons are attached directly to the body sub frame so that the body cannot tip over backward. A gear pump located in the front of the hoist forces oil from the upper part of the cylinder to the lower part of the cylinder and raises the body. All high pressure piping, rollers, cables, sheaves and the like have been eliminated. The load rests on a cushion of oil, having an average bearing surface of 53 square inches. The Heil Hydro Hoist gives dependable service. All parts are standardized and interchangeable.”

Not only was Heil intered in manufacturing the bodies, the December 1922 edition of Engineering World advertised the firm's expansive mounting department:

“Mounting Department of the Heil Co.

“Heil Co., of Milwaukee, has one of the best mounting departments for installing hoists and dump bodies anywhere in the country. The space devoted to this work occupies one complete section of their new shop, approximately 150 ft by 50 ft.

“A 10 ton crane is used for installing the bodies and should it become necessary, it can pick up a truck and turn it end for end. The shop is well lighted and has all the facilities for doing the work. The accompanying photograph shows a view of the mounting department. This is the normal condition of the shop when hundreds of trucks are being equipped with bodies and hoists. In the photograph are shown the following makes of trucks: Parker, Sterling, Diamond T, Kelly Springfield, White, Federal, Riker, Class B Liberty, Kalamazoo, and Winther. Trucks continually change so that during the season hoists and bodies are mounted on practically all makes of trucks. Trucks can be driven into Heil Co.’s mounting department in the morning and leave the same evening with body and hoist mounted and painted. In addition to the line of dump bodies and hoists which the Heil Co. manufactures, it builds a complete line of compartment truck tanks, gravity bodies and hand hoists which equipment is also installed in the same department.”

Mullins resigned from the Heil Company in late 1922 in order to form his own competing firm, the February 1923 issue of the Automotive Manufacturer announcing the formation of the Mullins Body & Tank Co.:

“Mullins Body & Tank Co., Milwaukee, has been chartered to manufacture steel tanks and other special equipment for motor trucks. The authorized capital is $100,000. The principal in the enterprise is Clarence J. Mullins, long associated with the Heil Co., Milwaukee. Definite plans will be announced later.”

Heil’s entries in the 1923-1924 Milwaukee Directory reflects the change in management:

“The Heil Company: Clement E. Smith, Pres.; Julius P. Heil, V-Pres-Sec; Wm. M. Chester, Treas.; Tank Mfrs., Montana av se corner 26th av.”

“Hydro Hoist Co.; Julius P. Heil, Pres.; Wm. G. Thwalts, v-pres; Howard A. Winton, sec.; Montana av., SE cor 26th av.”

During the mid-to-late 1920s Heil introduced additonal body types to its expanding line. Hi-lift ice and coal bodies were availible for Ford's popular line of Model AA light and mdeiu duty trucks and in 1927 Heil introduced the first tin-lined milk truck tank, as well as the world's first welded stainless steel tank, constructed of chromium stainless steel. Twin-arm hydraulic hoists for dump bodies were introduced in 1928 and in 1929  they introduced the trailer-mounted dropframe tank, the forerunner of today's trailerized transports.

In 1930 the firm constructed the first electrically-welded aluminum tank for the Standard Oil Co. of New York. They also started distributingGettelman Hi-Speed snow plows, which were made by Milwaukee’s Frederick Gettelman Co.

Frederick Gettelman, b. Wauwatosa, attended Racine College and graduated from a school for brewers, the Wahl Henius Institute, Chicago (1909). He became president of the A. Gettelman Brewing Co. on his father's death, and was also president of the Frederick Gettelman Co., manufacturers of high-speed snow plows. Gettelman was instrumental in developing several innovations that alleviated the problems of modern brewing, including a steel barrel, a glass-lined beer storage tank, and a beer pasteurizer. He also developed a farm tillage machine.

In 1933 Heil was appointed by President Roosevelt to head the state advisory board for the N.R.A. (National Recovery Administraion) and during the next year spent considerable time in the performance of duties connected therewith.

In late 1933 Heil constructed a novel streamlined rear-engined tank truck in conjunction with the Diamond T Motor Car Co. and The Texas Co. (better known today as Texaco). Its design was a joint effort between Howard W. Kizer, superintendent of automotive equipment for the Texas Co., and C. A. Pierce, chief engineer of Diamond T.

Popularly known today as the 'Doodlebug,' due to its resemblance to the Armadillidiidae family of woodlice (aka doodlebug),  the vehicle was introduced to the public at the Century of Progress exhibition in Chicago, which is better known today as the 1933-34 Chicago's World's Fair. The November 25, 1933 issue of Automobile Topics included the following description of the Heil-built tanker:

“Stream-Line Truck Built By Diamond-T

“Engine Is in the Rear – Was Exhibited at Fair — Is Now in Service of Texas Co. — Many Advantages Are Claimed for Novel Vehicle.

“The first full-streamline tank truck built by the Diamond-T Motor Car Co. to the special order of the Texas Co., was the center of attraction at the Travel & Transport Building during the closing days of A Century of Progress, and has now gone into regular service delivering Texaco products.

“The torpedo shape of the truck with blunt front end, cylindrical center section and gracefully tapering tail is close to the ideal for minimum air resistance, as demonstrated in wind tunnel tests and in latest aircraft design, it is claimed.

“Conspicuous features of the new design, aside from its streamline appearance, are the low center of gravity and overall height, short wheelbase (140 in.) and improved distribution of weight between front and rear axles.

“Its lowness is due to the use of a double-drop frame construction. The streamlining and short wheelbase belie its capacity of 1,500 gallons. Over-all measurements are: length 26 feet; width 92 inches: height 79 inches loaded. Dual rear wheels carry 9.75 tires, while front tires are 11.25. The heavy duty six cylinder (4 1/2 x 5 1/4") engine, developing 110 horsepower at 2200 r.p.m., is mounted longitudinally in the rear tail compartment and is water cooled with a large capacity radiator transversely mounted behind the storage tanks, air being led upward and through it. To enable easy engine servicing, a top section of the tail housing opens, permitting the mechanic to stand erect as he works and giving him full access to every point of the engine. The entire tail is removable to permit removal of the engine.

“In trucks of this capacity of conventional design, approximately three-fourths of the load weight is carried on the rear axle and about one-fourth on the front.

“In the Diamond-T-Texaco arrangement, with engine in the rear and cab compartment moved well forward, this ratio of weight distribution is in the order of 55 per cent on the front axle and 45 per cent on the rear. The importance of this feature lies in the fact that many states regulate the allowable load weight per axle, hence this more even distribution has a considerable advantage. Safety is enhanced by reason of the fact that the engine is mounted back of the gasoline storage compartments, which are of course in the center. With this arrangement the exhaust pipe is kept well away from gasoline storage.

“The driving compartment is completely enclosed in double curved plate glass, especially made to carry out the full streamlining of the front end. Cab ventilation, which is effect through a screened port, is not influenced by engine heating, and the driver enjoys unrestricted vision through a 180-degree angle.

“Trucks of this new type can be furnished for other kinds of tank hauling, and their design make them particularly suitable for bulk transportation of milk, beer or liquid chemicals. Speed and convenience of handling are assured by the system of loading at the top and unloading from the side.”

Although numerous sources state the design of the 'Doodlebug' originated with Norman Bel Geddes, Kizer applied for, and was awarded, the patents:

USD89642 – Design for a motor driven tank truck - ‎Filed Jan 20, 1933 - ‎Issued Apr 18, 1933 to Howard W. Kizer assigned to The Texas Company

USD93559 - Design for a motor driven tank truck - ‎Filed Nov 24, 1933 - ‎Issued Oct 9, 1934 to Howard W. Kizer assigned to The Texas Company

US2006924 – Streamlined automotive vehicle - ‎Filed Nov 24, 1933 - ‎Issued Jul 2, 1935 to Howard W. Kizer assigned to The Texas Company

US2048454 – Streamlined automotive vehicle - ‎Filed Nov 24, 1933 - ‎Issued Jul 21, 1936 to Howard W. Kizer assigned to The Texas Company.

The association with Bel Geddes is related to the similarity between the windscreen of the 'Doodlebug' and the windscreen of a locomotive designed by Bel Geddes  for which he received US Pat. No. D93809 on Nov. 13, 1934, and the overall look of the locomotive's front end was reminiscent of a couple of futuristic automobiles that Geddes had included in his 1932 book 'Horizons.'

However Kizer's original patent application, dated Jan. 20, 1933 pre-dates Bell Geddes' locomotive application, dated Oct. 12, 1933, by 9 months. While Bel Geddes served as a design consultant to the Texas Company later in the decade, at the time of the Doodlebug's conception most of their design work was being handled by Walter Dorwin Teague. However, in issue #149 of Special Interest Autos (pub. Sep. 1995) author Michael Lamm states (without attribution):

"Whether Bel Geddes actually pushed the pencil isn't known, but it was his firm - at that time 30-40 designers strong - that conceived the Doodlebug's radical styling."

Regardless of who designed it, the Doodlebug was a milestown in transportation design, and brought lots of publicity to The Heil Co. and its fuel delivery tank trucks.

In 1934 Heil introduced high tensile steel to the welded tank industry and shortly thereafter began producing a long line of construction equipment, including hydraulic scrapers and blades for bulldozers, and the world's first fully hydraulic steering mechanism. In 1935 the firm debuted the revolutionary Heil trailerized tank, an all-in-one frameless tank, another Heil innovation that remains in oproduction today.

Both Heil and Gar Wood were involved in the construction of another streamlined fuel truck, the 1934-1937 Dodge Airflow. Once again the tanks were designed in collaboration with The Texas Co.'s Howard W. Kizer. From December 1934 to January 1935 30 1,500 gallon streamlined tanks are known to have been constructed; the inital prototype for Texaco and 29 for the Standard Oil of NJ. Kizer was awarded the following US Patent for the design:

USD112910 – Design for a tank vehicle - ‎Filed Oct 14, 1937 - ‎Issued Jan 10, 1939 to Howard W. Kizer (Dodge Airflow Tanks)

The Airflow truck chassis was also utilized for other purposes, Milwaukee's Barko Auto Body Co. constructed a few beverage bodies on the chassis and at least one fire apparatus body is known to have been built before construction ended in 1937.

It wasn't until 1937 that The Heil Co. entered the automatic refuse collection equipment market via a marketing / manufacturing agreement with B. Nichols & Co. of New York, New York, the originator of the Colecto hydraulic garbage body.

Up until that time Heil had offered various refuse collection bodies that were all based upon their line of dump bodies, most of which were easily modified for garbage collection via the addition of hinged sides, canvas covers, and hinged or sliding metal covers. Also introduced during the year was the nation's first conveyor-type garbage body (aka escalator-loader), the first of which were delivered to the The City of New York's Department of Sanitation.

In the late 1930s Heil established an east coast factory and body installation service center in Hillside, New Jersey. Located in Union County on State Rte 29 (later Rt 22), the Hillside plant was managed by George W. Kuhlman, who had joined the firm in 1921 as sales engineer. Kuhlman  later managed the firm's Manhattan. Long Island City and Philadelphia factory branches which were consolidated and relocated to Hillside, New Jersey in the mid-30s under his management.  Employment at the Hillside facility hovered around the 200-225 mark from 1940 into the 1960s.

Heil was very active in the state's Republican Party and in 1938 he was selected by party bosses to run for Governor of Wisconsin. Much to everyone's surprise Heil defeated incumbant Governor Philip F. la Follette by a 5-3 margin, becoming Wisconsin's 30th Governor. The landmark election was covered in great detail by the January 16, 1939 issue of Time magazine in an article entitled, 'Heil Heil.' The New York Times' Fred C. Sheasby described him as a 'Jolly Exeuctive' in their June 4, 1939 issue:

"Heil's Antics Jolts Wisconsin

"Milwaukee, June 2 - In his 'political circus', sometimes called the 'big breeze,' Governor Julius P. Heil, wealthy industiralist, like to clown, to make people laugh. They laughed during his 1938 campaign, in which he overwhelmingly defeated Philip F. La Follette; they have laughed since his inauguration last January. Now the State wonders whether the Governor clowns too much or is a rugged inidividualist with serious moments.

"He came on heralded by Republicans as 'Julius the Just.' Now 'the enemy' ridcules him as 'Julius the Bust,' meaning that he will fail on his campaign promises. The impartial decision will largely influence Wisconins' oposition in the 1940 Presidential election.

"Ruddy-faced, stocky Mr. Heil proudly describes himself as a ' peasant' who has risen to industrial leadership and 'comfortable' wealth because 'this is the land of opportunity.' He has come a long way, to be sure, from the struggling days when he welded joints for street car tracks. In Milwaukee the 'peasant' has a palatial home overlooking Lake Michigan. He belongs to leading clubs.

"Familiarity His Method

"The jolly governor addresses the taxpayers as 'Man and Pa.' At public dinners, formal or otherwise, he jumps to his feet to lead the singing. Gayly he waves to folks at the tables and calls them by their first names.

"In the 1938 campaign, the Governor promised he would save the taxpayers - 'Ma and Pa' - millions. Now he is saying that a survey of the Governor's powers make him feel like an office boy; that he is handicapped in protecting 'Ma and Pa' against unneccesary expenditures."

After his election Heil relinquished the day-to-day control of the Company to his son, Joseph. At the next meeting of the board of directors Joseph F. Heil, was elected executive vice-president and George W. Kuhlman, manager of the Hillside N.J. branch, vice-president.

The Heil Company which wasted no time in converting their civilian fuel tankers, hydraulic hoists and dump bodies into military units and between 1940 and 1945 Heil was awarded over $200 millon worth of military contracts, which included 20,000 aircraft refuelers, 44,000 truck bodies (with hoists), 12,000 bulk transport tankers, 30,000 segregators, 200,000 winches, and thousands of combat tank hulls, mobile cranes, bridge bodies, and gun limbers.

The September 22, 1940 issue of the Milwaukee Sentinel announced the firm had secured a $2 million defense contract:

"Heil Co. Gets $2,114,000 In Defense Job

"A $2,114,000 trailer contract awarded to the Heil Co. of Milwaukee by the war department Saturday raised the total of govenrment orders placed with Wisconsin industry since June 1 above $77,500,000 mark.

The August 22, 1943 issue of the Milwaukee Journal reported on Heils progress in the development of a portable dehydrator:

"Heil Company Is Ready With Dehydrator on Wheels

"What is believed to be the first protable farm dehydrator developed in the country is ready for production, if the United States department of agriculture and the war production board approve allocation of materials, the Heil Co. announced Saturday.

"The protable unit, the outgrowth of 15 years of manufacturing satioinary dehydrators, is on display this week at the state fair. Developed a year ago, one has been used for experimental purposes on Wisconsin farms this year. The only other portable turned outs has been used for similar purposes in Indiana.

"A Heil official is going to Washington within a few days to ascertain the possibilities of manufacturing the untis for the 1944 season in lots of 100, which would permit the cost to be cut one-third compared to the first two machines, to a price within the reach of groups of farmers.

"Large Market Is Availaible

"That there will be a large market for the portables the Heil Co. is sure. Despite the fact that it has not been advertised, grapevice reports on the unit have resulted in inquiries for machines from South Africa, South American nations, Mexico, England, Russia, in addition to numerous inquiries from all over the United States.

"Heils reason for developing the portable was to meet the demand of groups of farmers for co-operatively owned deydrators not involving a great initial expense and able to do the job. In addition, it was pointed out, stationary dehydrators can only handle crops in a 10-mile radius of their location, while portables can be towed by tractor or truck anywhere they are wanted.

"The reason for the ppopularity of dehydrators, Heil points out, is that 'they save and preserve crops which today are lost due to spoiling or loss of vitamins from wilting, sun curing or rain.'

"Develop Lighter Model

"Mounted on four wheels, the new unit weighs 15,000 pounds, is 30 feet long, 8 feet wide and 9 feet 6 inches high. This compares with the 70 foot long, 9 foot wide and 10 foot high stationary equipment, which weighs 78,000 pounds. Reduction in length and weight has largely been achieved by the elimination of the large furnace used with the stationary outfit, and subsititution of an oil burner in the center cylinder of the dehydrating drum.

"The portable unit has a production capacity, as an example, of 1,000 dry pounds of alfalfa per hour, which is the equivalent of a ton and a half of green alfalfa , the dehydrating removing a ton of water, leaving only a concentrated, easily stored, vitamin rich content.

"By contrast a stationary unit would produce about 2,400 dry pounds of alfalfa in the same time. The smaller output is due to the fact the temperature in the portable drum is only 800 degrees fahrenheit compared to 1,800 degrees.

"Handle Many Crops

"So far expeirments on 23 different farm products have been successfully made, it is reported. MAny of them were formerly waste, including such things as vices of peanuts, potatoes, soybeans and peas. Cereal grasses, sugar can bagasse, grains and seaweed kelp, which is used to make iodine, have also been dried. The company has also been asked to dehydrate feathers, which are 70 to 80% water when removed from poultry. Unless dried these decompose, and they are vitally needed by the mililtary for camoflage purposes.

"Farmers and small breweries would also find the portables a valuable aid in doing what large breweries now do, it was pointed out. The brewers grains - corn and barley - after the brewing process have long been recognized only as waste. Actually, howewver, they are high protein feed when dehydrated. Large breweries have used stationary units for this purpose for some time in the past."

The October 24, 1943 edition of the Milwaukee Journal announced the debut of Heils new line of military high-lift cargo loaders:

"Heil Co. Getting Ready for Flying Freight Age

"New High Lift Loader Used by the Army Has Big Possibilities in Powetwar Aviation

"A new truck, adjustable to any plane height, is speeding the loading and unloading of cargo plances for Uncel Sam and soon will be in use for the flying frreightcars of commerical air lines. It is the sky freight loader, a new product of the Heil Co.

"Precious minutes saved by sending important war freight by plane have been lost by freight handling delays at air terminals. Speedy service has been complicated by the fact that no two types of plance have exactly the same door to ground height. It has been neccessary to lift frieght up from a low truck to a high plance door, or lift it down from the pance into a truck, or vice versa.

"The Heil sky freight loader, the first transport unit designed specifically for handling air freight. leads the way to shorter loading and unloading time for air mail. express and freight by putting plance and truck on the same level in a matter of seconds.

"Use Hydraulic Controls.

"Moving to th air terminal to meet a place, the Heil unit looks much the same as the standard stake or panel truck, but when it backs up to the cargo place the body is hydraulically raised until the floor of the truck exactly matches the leveld of the door sill on the plane.

"Using hydraulic design features proved by years of dependable service in ohter mechanized equipment, the Heil Co. figures it has produced a unit that has wide possibilities for the age of flying freightcars.

"Twin hydraulic cyinders, controlled either from the cab or from the truck body, boost the body straight up through scissors type levers to a maximum height of 10 feet, ample to serve any type of plane now in service or projected for the future.

"In lowered position the truck body floor is just 54 inches high, just right for the lowest plane doors. The hydrualic mechanism gives the body a maximum of 120 inches height, sufficient to serve the biggest planes now in service.

"Handles Four Tons

"The truck has a pay load capacity of 8,000 pounds - with 5,000 figured as normal. The unit is designed to operate in a temperatures below zero to 160 in the shade - just what is needed for service from the arctic regions to the equator.

"The units now in service are being used by the army air forces and by Untied Air Lines. Many other lines, including Pennsylvania Central, Trans-Canada and British Overseas Airways Corp. have made inquiries about the unit.

"The units now in service were built for war service and have none of the trimmings or shining chromium of peacetime luxury. But the Heil Co. has an eye on future developments and called on Brooks Stevens, industiral designer, to put the right amount of swank into the unit to fit in with what's coming after the war. Steven's version of the postwar sky freight loader is a streamlined honey with the same workaday dependability of the unit now in service. But first we must win the war. The luxury model will come later."

The December 19, 1943 edition of the Milwaukee Journal included a story outlining the firm's wartime activities:

"Heil, Pioneer in Field, Now Largest Producer of Plane Refuling Units

Motorists down to their last ration coupong know the tremendous quantities of gasoline required to service America's fightinh planes. Not so many motorists who have looked through a fence on the south side and seen long rows of tank trucks know that the Heil Co., is now the world's largest producer of aircraft refuelers needed to carry all the fuel.

"The thirsty plances on many battle fronts use these mobile filling stations - tanks or trailer tank to obtain their gasoline, oil and air.

"The big ones carry upt to 4,000 gaoolons. A recent development is the combat unit used at advanced airstrips, which is only slightly longer in wheelbase than a jeep and highly maneuverable. It is also equipped with a special unit to preheat airplance engines.

"Work Night and Day

"Specially built army truck tractors tow the units come to Heil's Milwaukee plant in a steady stream. The long assembly lines flash brilliantly with welding torches dya and night. Yards and yards of piping and intricate mechanisms are installed. The the units are roade tested, inspected and shipped to the battle fronts.

"Longe before trucks began to replace dray horses the Heil Co. was fabricating trnasportation tanks for hauling gasoline and fueld oil. Old pictures pf those early tank trucks - high open cabs, vertical windshields and dinky little tanks - raise a good laugh today.

"Before 1910 all steel tanks for wagon hauling were fabricated by riveting. In that year Heil began experiments in the development of the welding process for tank and body work and three years later the first electrically welded compartment tanks were put into commercial service. The first commercial truck tanks for which a large order was received had a capacity of 200 gaollons and weighed more than the refueler today carrying 750 gallons.

"Welded tanks put on a convincing demonstration of their superiority over riveted tanks when the army went hunting for Pancho Villa in northerne Mexico in 1916. The army used welded tanks to transport the water through the desert regions.

"Other developments followed when in 1927 the company built the first tin lined steel milk truck tank and the first stainless steel milk truck.

"Another big improvement in the transportation tank field came in 1934 when the first strealine designe was introduced. The next year the frameless trailerized tank - the same frameless, self-supporting design used in the airplance fuselage - was put into production.

"The shell of the tank is much like the skin of a plance. Vertical rings merely maintain the contour and the heads help distribute the load. The resulting saving in weight with no sacrifice in strength enablkes haulers to carry bigger pay loads. Just before the war the first aluminum trailerized tank ever designed was fabricated for one of the country's biggest oil marketers.

"Heil Had 'Know How'

"With this background of 'know how' it was natural for the Heil Co. to swing quickly and easily into heavy production opf aircraft refuelrs when the nation's military needs expanded enormously when the war began.

"One of the standard army air coprs refuelers ust be able to carry a full load over good roads at speeds up to 40 miles an hour and may be operated as a semitrailer coupled to a truck tractor, as a semitrailer alone, as a trilaer alone or as a full trailer to make up a train. The untis are frequently used in trains to pick up fueld from a bulk plant and then operated independently at the air strip. The 200 gallon tank has two compartments, which may be used for different grades of fuel.

"The two engine driven pumps with individual capacities of 80 gallons per minture are so rigged that they can perform these operations:

Pump fuel from an outside source, such as a tank car or bulk plant, into its own tank under its own power.

"Pump fuel from a tank car into a storage tank or just the opposite.

"Pump fuel out of a plance into its own tank or any other tank.

"Pump fueld into aircraft or a mobile ground unit form either or both of its own tank compartments, or from an outside source.

"Keep Water Out of Gas

"One of the highly important parts of the refueler's equipment is its segregator, which automatically compensates for variations in gasoline and removes any water which may be present. This device must be dependeable, as lives of airmen depend on its operation.

"Large capacity meters are provided for measuring the fuel, and air compressors serve to wind up the two hose reels and to inflated airplane tires.

"Other features include both manual automatic fire eqtinguishers and emergency valves, so that the fuel is confined to the tanks in case of accident. The electrical system includes running lamps, blackout lamps, powerful spotlights for night refueling, and explosion-proof lights in the enclosed pump compartments. A tow hook is provided on each refueler for general airfield utility work such as pulling a damaged plane to a hanger.

"To do its job at an air base, the refueler is drawn into position directly across the front of the plane. Two wing tanks may be filled simultaneously fro two rear hoses and one side compartment hose, the wing tanks and belly tanks may all be filled at once. As a precautionary measure, refulers are never backed directly toward a plane."

Heil supplied equipment to the Army Ordinance, Engineers, Air Corps, Signal Corps, Navy, Marines, and Chemical Warfare divisions. Included in the contracts were 20,000 aircraft refuelers, 44,000 truck bodies (with hoists), 12,000 bulk transport tankers, 30,000 segregators, 200,000 winches, and thousands of combat tank hulls, mobile cranes, bridge bodies, and gun limbers.

The firm was a three-time winner of the Army-Navy E and Army Ordinance awards. Women replaced many of the men on the production line, and they turned out more than $200 million worth of equipment for Army Ordinance, Engineers, Air Corps, Signal Corps, Navy, Marines, and Chemical Warfare.

As World War II broke out, Heil joined the effort in a big way, converting its manufacturing capabilities to produce a broad range of military products, such as combat tank hulls, anti-aircraft gun limbers, hoists and winches, torpedo tubes, pontoon bridges, smoke generators and missile loaders. These efforts earned Heil three Army-Navy E-pennants during the war years.

The September 2, 1945 issue of the Milwaukee Journal:

"Fast Reconversion Made By Heil Firm

"After Producing 20 Million in War Material, Plant Turns Out Civilian Goods

"The Heil Co., which turned out war products totaling almost $200,000,000, turned immediatley to its reconversion problem after the war's end and is now at work producing its former lines of civilian items.

"Employment stands at 2,300 and is 'still going up,' a company spokesman said, compared with the wartime peak of 3,000 and the pre-war level of 1,000.

"The firm's civiilian products include truck tanks, bodies and hoists, bottle washers, road machinery, oil burners and crop dehydrators. Raid conversion to these itmes was aided by the fact that all buildings, tools and facilities in the firm's 17 acres of plant space were owned by the firm, eliminating the need to ship out government owned equipment.

"During the war, Heils production ran into staggering figures. The firm turned out over 20,000 refulers, 44,000 bodies and hoists, 200,000 winches, 12,000 water tanks, 30,000 segregators to seperated gas and water, and thousands of smoke generators, combat tank hulls, bridge bodies and cranes, 155 millimeter gun limbers, tractor mounted swing cranes and other articles. At the peak it was turning out 600 refuelers and 1,800 bodies and hoists a month.

"To reach this volume, Heil found it neccessary to engage services of more than1,2500 subcontracting firms and to expand its own manufacturing space."

Heil served as Governor of Wisconsin for two terms (1939-1943), and during his administration sponsored the enactment of the state employment peace act, reorganized the welfare and tax departments, created the department of securities, and modernized the state's accounting system. He also directed the liquidation of frozen assets of building and loan associations to pay shareholders.

In 1945 Heil commissioned Brooks Stevens to design a post-war cargo hauler dubbed the Cargoliner, a rendering of which appeared in a 1945 issue of American Business:

“Called a Cargoliner, this new transport proposed by the Heil Company is planned for off-the-road transport. It is 50 feet long, 12 feet wide, suitable for deserts.”

In 1945 Heil formally acquired B. Nichols & Co. of New York, whose Colecto sanitation bodies  had been distributed and manufactured under license by Heil since 1937. The acquisition coincided with the introduction of the Heil Colecto-Pak, the first refuse body capable of packing its payload for greater capacity. As the Colecto's rear hopper returned to its  resting position after depositing it's load into the top of the body, pressure was transferred to a hydraulic ram that forced the inner front head panel reward, compacting the load, returning to its forward positions at the end of the cycle.

Defeated by the Progressive Party's Orland S. Loomis* in the gubernatorial election of 1942, Julius P. Heil returned to his business interests and in 1946 officially relinquished the firm's presidency to his son Joseph, becoming Chairman of the Board. He passed away unexepctedly on November 30, 1949 at the age of 73 after suffering a massive heart attack while returning from a hunting expedition.

(*Loomis never got a chance to serve as Wisconsin's Governor, dying 1 month before his January 1943 inauguration - he was replaced by Lieutenant Gov. Walter S. Goodland.)

Work for the military continued well beyond the end of the War and in 1951 Heil was  given a contract to produce the F-6 refueler for the US Air Force, a 5,000-gallon tank trailer that included a self-contained engine-driven pumping and metering system housed in a rear cabinet. Similar products were produced by the firm during the Viet Nam War, and continue to be produced by Heil's Gatesville, Texas subsidiary.

Heil's non-military products were also in great demand at the time due to a combination of post-war material shortages and pent-up demand. Heil engineers developed the first trailerized train for the General Chemical Co. and perfected their all-aluminum petroleum transport tanks and trailers.

In the early 1940s Heil introduced a line of heavy-duty four-wheel pull-type scrapers and bull-dozer blades. Initially available in 4 sizes of from 6 to 15 yards capacity, the line was expanded after the War to include a new 25 yard model and 2 self-propelled models powered by Cummins Diesels.

In 1951 Heil licensed Doepke Model Toys to manufacture a pressed steel replica of the Heiliner Scraper, Doepke Model #2011. Measuring 29 1/2" long by 8 1/2" wide it was produced into the mid-1950s by the Charles Wim. Doepke Mfg. Co. Inc., of Rossmoyne, Ohio, and remains much sought-after today by antique construction toy collectors.

Heil's entire construction division was acquired by International Harvester on December 17, 1953 in order to gain their motor scraper patents and technology. As International already owned the Bucyrus-Erie and Isaacson towed scrapers Heil's designs and patents were sold to the Oliver Corporation in 1955.

Heil were also pioneers in the manufacture of molded Fiberglas-reinforced plastic (FRP) tanks and trailers which were first introduced in 1955. They were also the first firm to offer compartamentalized FRP jobsite bodies for municipal contractors, and utilities.

The 1960s saw the arrival of the Mark line of Colectomatic refuse bodies, which progressed through four re-designs through 1972when it was superceded by the all-new Formula line. 

In 1961 Heil acquired Borg-Warner's 'Load-Lugger' and roll-off container lines and introduced a complete line of stationary compactors and mobile compactor containers.

During the early-60s the Heil Co. began expanding beyond its Milwaukee base, acquiring  Lancaster, Pennsylvania's Joe Thomas Tank Co.  The small firm specialized in the production of dry bulk trailers, for which it held a number of US patents. By 1965 Heil had relocated into an all-new 60,000 sq. ft. factory on a 15-acre site located in the Lancaster-Hemfield Industrial Park where they manufactured their popular line of  aluminum and stainless steel bulk trailers.

Heil's first all-nickel transport tanker debuted in 1964 and the firm's elliptical straight barrel Challenger petroleum tank was placed on the market in 1966.

In cooperation with the city of Madison, Wis., the University of Wisconsin and the Environmental Protection Administration, Heil developed and built the first successful municipal waste shredding system in 1966. The experiment evolved in today’s Heil Engineered Systems of Brookfield, Wisconsin. Since that time Heil Engineered Systems has furnished equipment or systems of equipment for 62 projects containing 62 shredders, 44 trommels, disc screens, 52 magnetic separators, 12 eddy current separators, hundreds of conveyors, and many other pieces of ancillary equipment.

Heil also pioneered purpose-built dry cement trailers in partnership with the Schwerman Trucking Company of Milwaukee, the largest dry bulk cement hauler in the country.

By 1970, Heil's Milwaukee operations emloyed 1,400 peole and occupied 1.5 million square feet of manufacturing space.  The high cost of doing business in Milwaukee prompted the firm to relocate manufacturing to several other locations in order to achieve efficiencies that could only be realized in geographically decentralized, modern  manufacturing facilities. Suitable property was acquired in Fort Payne, Alabama and production of Heil's solid waste collection bodies commenced at the new factory in 1973.

A plant, known as Heil Europe, was also established in Hillend, Scotland during 1973 to construct Heil Refuse collection equipment for customers in Europe and Great Britain.

In 1975 Heil signed a licensing agreement with Sargent Industries Gar Wood subsidiary that would consolidating their refuse body manufacturing operations with its own, at which time the Gar Wood refuse compactor becoming the Heil 'Formula' series through simple badge engineering.

In 1976 Heil acquired the rights to market and manufacture the Hagie Tidy Bug, a small satellite refuse collection system pioneered by the Hagie Manufacturing Co. of Clarion, Iowa, renaming it the Colecto-Cub.

The Tidy-Bug was a one-man garbage collecting vehicle that works in tandem with a large container truck, meeting at designated stops along a route. The 'bugs' are collecting while the big trucks make the trip to the landfill. Invented by John McKnight, a plumbing and heating contractor, who originally sold the patent to Sani-Systems, of New Hampton, Iowa in 1969, it attracted the attention of the Hagie Company who acquired exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights to the machine. Powered by a Volkswagen 53-hp industrial engine with an automatic transmission, the Tidy-Bug’s driver could collect the refuse of 45 to 50 residences in its 3-yard hopper before returning to the ‘mother ship’ to empty its load.

In 1977 Heil purchased another factory site in Athens, Tennessee where it consolidated its petroleum tank and trailer manufacturing operations.In 1979, production of Super Jet dry bulkers was moved to the Athens plant from Milwaukee. Corporate offices were established in nearby Chattanooga and by 1985 all of Heil's manufacturing and business operations had been relocated to either Alabama, Tennessee or Pennsylvania.

Joseph F. Heil retired as chairman of the board in January of 1977 after 54 years with the company and his son Joseph F. Heil Jr., moved into the posts of chairman and CEO while executive vice-president John E. Arpe was named president and COO.

The following year Heil acquired a manufacturing facility in Tishomingo, Mississippi and in 1979 opened a dedicated parts warehouse in Tiftonia, Tennesee, a western suburb of Chattanooga.

The May 19, 1980 edition of the Milwaukee Sentinel announced Heil's acquisiton of two Phoenix, Arizona-based firms:

"Heil Rotomold Inc. a Phoenix (Arix.) subsidiary of the Heil Co., has announced the acquisition of the assets of Fiber-Glass Specialists Inc., a manufacturer of plastic refuse containers. The subsidary of the Milwaukee-based Heil also has announced the acquisiton of Litter-Lift Systems Inc. a supplier of automoated container lift mechanisms for side-loader refuse packers bodies. Both firms are located in Phoenix."

The Litter-Lift acqusition gave Heil the required technology to begin production of the Formula 7000 split-body automated refuse collection unit in 1980.

In 1981 Heil and DuPont jointly developed the nation's first titanium tank trailer. Highly corrosion resistant, titanium has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal.

In 1982, Heil purchased the Butler dry bulker design from Penske Tank in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Renamed SuperFlo, the trailer helped make Heil the largest manufacturer of aluminum dry bulk trailers.

When Heil transferred the last of their manufacturing operations from Milwaukee to Chattanooga, Tennessee in late 1985 they donated their entire 19-acre factory site to Milwaukee's St. Luke's Hospital. In announcing the donation Joseph Heil Jr. said the hospital had served Heil's employees and families throughout most of the firm's history.

In 1969 Scottsdale, Arizona’s public works director Marc Stragier was awarded a federal grant to study automated refuse collection and determine if it would be more cost-effective than the centuries old method of manual collection. During the next five years Stagier designed and constructed the world’s first fully automated refuse collection system, which debuted in 1974 as the Rapid Rail. Heil acquired manufacturing rights to Stragier's system which debuted in 1990 as the Heil Rapid Rail automated side-loading system.

By that time Heil's senior management had been contemplating an IPO in order to secure much needed financing to ensure the firm's future viability. The firm's stock was held almost exclusively by the Heil family, senior management and a group of employees.  After careful consideration the board of directors decided agains an IPO, electing to sell the firm to a well-heeled third party that shared their vision, selecting an investment banker to prepare an information package, screen potential buyers, and seek bids through a standard auction process.

Early in the process the Dover Corp., a well-known manufacturer of automobile lifts, elevators and bearings headquartered in New York City, learned about the opportunity and entered into negotiations with Heil's directors, which ultimately proved successful. In 1993 Heil was acquired by Dover, a firm that began life in 1925 as the Automobile Rotary Lift Company.

In addition to manufacturing automobile lifts, Dover was instrumental in popularizing the modern hydraulic passenger elevator, which it also manufactured. In 1955, Dover Corp. split Rotary Lift into two separate divisions: Rotary Lift, which continued manufacturing automobile lifts, and Dover Elevator Division, which focused on manufacturing passenger and freight elevators.

Heil’s two main lines of business were growing so rapidly at the time that Dover  management decided to divide the company into two independent operating companies: Heil Trailer International and Heil Environmental. The firm's dump body and truck equipment division was made part of  the Heil Environemental subsidiary. In each case, the presidents of the new firms had served as general managers of their respective product lines prior to the acquisition.

Shortly thereafter Heil Trailer purchased J&L Tank Inc. and Trailmaster Inc., and soonafter the size of the Athens, Tennesee trailer plant was doubled. An intermodal DryTainer joined the product lineup in 1996, and the West Coast Truck and Pull and the 102" wide SuperFlo were added in 1997.

In 1996 Heil Trailer International entered into a joint venture with the Charoen Pokphand Group, a private-owned Thailand-based conglomerate, called CP-Heil. They established the most modern aluminum tank trailer manufacturing facility in Asia to produce trailers for the emerging Pacific Rim markets. In 1999 Heil Trailer International bought out the interests of the CP Group renaming the operation Heil Asia Ltd.

In March of 1998 Heil Trailer International purchased the trailer building operations of Thompson Carmichael Ltd., a tank builder located near Birmingham, England, renaming it Heil UK Ltd. Thompson Carmichael's products were identical to Heil's, the firm being Great Britain's largest producer of liquid and dry-goods bulk trailers, and military refuelers.

In 1999 Heil Trailer International established a plant in Cañuelas, Argentina, giving it manufacturing operations on four continents. In 2000, Heil Trailer acquired Kalyn Siebert Inc, a builder of specialized heavy-duty trailers which included tank transports for the US Military and turbine blade haulers for the wind power industry.

In 2006 Heil Environmental sold it's Truck Equipment division to Truck Bodies and Equipment International, the September 2006 issue of Trailer Body Builder rerporting:

“Heil Environmental sells truck equipment business

“Heil Environmental has sold its truck equipment business, consisting of the Heil Truck Equipment Group and Heil South distributorship, to Truck Bodies and Equipment International Inc (TBEI), a portfolio company of Kirtland Capital Partners. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.

“The sale enables Heil to concentrate all of its resources on continuing to build its core refuse business. Based in Chattanooga TN, Heil manufactures refuse collection and recycling vehicles at its flagship manufacturing facility in Fort Payne AL. Parts Central, a Heil company, offers replacement parts for most refuse and recycling vehicle brands. Heil subsidiary Bayne Premium Lift Systems produces hydraulic refuse cart lifters in Greenville, SC. Heil Europe manufactures refuse collection vehicles and replacement parts for the European market in Hillend, Scotland.

“Heil Truck Equipment Group manufactures and mounts a line of dump bodies, snow/ice bodies, and hoists at its plant in Tishomingo, MS. Heil South is a company-owned truck equipment distributorship in Austell, GA.

“The sale includes Heil's 204,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Tishomingo, the Heil South sales and service facility outside Atlanta GA, and use of certain intellectual property.

“Heil Truck Equipment Group and Heil South are now part of TBEI. Kirtland formed TBEI in 2005 by combining three truck equipment companies — Crysteel Manufacturing, Ox Bodies, and Rugby Mfg — and adding Hardee Equipment Co in 2006. TBEI's headquarters is in Eden Prairie MN.

“TBEI has indicated that it will keep the manufacturing facility in Tishomingo open with its 140-person workforce intact. Under the sales agreement, all existing orders will be filled, current vehicles will be supported, and warranties now in effect will be honored. The truck equipment distributor network and sales force is expected to remain unchanged. Heil South will be renamed TBEI Atlanta.”

TBEI renamed the Heil line as Duraclass shortly after the aquisition.

In April of 2010 The Dover Corp. transferred its Heil Environmental and Heil Europe subsidiaries to its Environmental Solutions Group:

“Dover Forms Environmental Solutions Group (ESG)

“Dover Corporation (NYSE: DOV) recently announced that its Industrial Products segment has formed the Environmental Solutions Group (ESG). The newly formed ESG combines three industry-leading companies within Industrial Products’ current business portfolio – Heil Environmental, Marathon Equipment Company, and Bayne Premium Lift Systems – to create a leading fully integrated equipment group serving the solid waste management industry.

“The new group brings together a number of premier product brands known throughout the industry for their quality, durability, reliability and unmatched service support, including: Heil, the world’s leading manufacturer of Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs); Ramjet, the leading U.S. brand of waste processing compactors and balers; NexGen, a brand of recycling equipment including horizontal balers and conveyor systems; and Bayne, the leading U.S. brand of premium hydraulic lift systems. The combination of these brands enables the newly created Environmental Solutions Group to offer the most comprehensive selection of waste management equipment solutions and services to the solid waste management industry.

“Dover’s Environmental Solutions Group will be headquartered in Chattanooga, TN and will manage activities at manufacturing locations in Fort Payne and Vernon, AL; Yerington, NV; Greenville, SC; and Hillend, Scotland.”

The January 2012 issue of Trailer/Body Builders annoucned the sale of Heil Trailers International to American Industiral Partners:

“Dover Corp. sells Heil Trailer

“Heil Trailer International, a global manufacturer of cargo tank and specialty trailers has been sold to American Industrial Partners, a middle market private equity firm.

“The deal is valued at approximately $220-million deal.

“Following the sale, Heil Trailer appointed Randall Swift as its chief executive officer. Prior to joining Heil Trailer, Swift was chief executive officer of Allied Specialty Vehicles Inc, a $1 billion sales manufacturer of a diverse range of specially vehicles including ambulances, terminal trucks, fire trucks, school buses, and motorized RV’s, among other products. ASV is a portfolio company of American Industrial Partners.

“In addition, Bob Foster has re-joined Heil Trailer as its chairman of the board. Foster was president of Heil Trailer for 15 years prior to his retirement in 2006. During his tenure at Heil Trailer Foster successfully led a number of growth initiatives that more than doubled the its size and made it a globally diversified operation.

“‘I look forward to continuing to focus the Company on the fundamental elements of what built Heil Trailer into the business it is today--taking care of our customers and manufacturing the highest quality products in the industry,’ Foster said. ‘I am very pleased to be once again part of an independent Heil Trailer.’

“Heil Trailer was founded in Wisconsin in 1901 and is headquartered in Athens TN. The company is a global enterprise with three manufacturing facilities located in North America and facilities in both Thailand and Argentina, which address the growing emerging markets of Asia and Latin America. The Company’s products include liquid cargo tanks, dry bulkers, and specialty trailers.

“Heil Trailers also controls Kalyn Siebert Co. of Gatesville, Texas. Heil is consolidating its military production at the Gatesville plant—which just happens to be a quick trip down Highway 36 from Fort Hood, one of the Army’s largest domestic bases.

“Since being acquired by Dover, both Heil Trailer and Heil Environmental have undergone significant change and growth. Dover’s investments in the two companies have included major capital expenditures, joint ventures, and acquisitions.”

Soon afterwards, Heil Europe, was acquired from the Environmental Solutions Group by Italian refuse vehicle manufacturer, Farid UK, the February 2013 issue of Waste Management World reporting:

“Farid Acquires Fellow Refuse Collection Vehicle Manufacturer, Heil

“By Ben Messenger

“Italian refuse collection vehicle (RCV) manufacturer, Farid European Group has acquired fellow RCV manufacturer, Scotland based Heil Europe from Tennessee, U.S. based Environmental Solutions Group.

“The acquisition has been conducted through Farid European Group’s subsidiary Farid UK, which said that it will strengthen its position both in the UK and across Europe, as well as increase its product range and strengthen the service offered to its customers.

“Farid said that it has restructured its business operations in the UK over recent years and is now focused on providing the right mix of vehicles suited to customer need and providing after-sales service to complement the products.

“According to Farid, Heil Europe manufactures a complete line of premium RCVs, universal lifts, and replacement parts for the European market at its plant in Hillend, Scotland.

“The Heil product line includes the European HalfPack, BigBite, TwinTrack, Powerlink, and Powertrak.

“Farid said that the purchase includes Heil’s 9000m2 metre manufacturing facility in Hillend, rights to the use of the Heil brand for four years, and the use of intellectual property on the aforementioned products.

“In addition to an extended product range, Farid claimed that its customers will also have access to a much larger after sales service team dedicated to waste management vehicle products.

“According to Farid it will continue to operate at both of its main UK sites, with manufacturing and assembly remaining in Hillend, and its existing site Arundel, West Sussex also remaining to provide the company with much improved UK coverage.”

© 2014 Mark Theobald for Coachbuilt.com

Appendix One, US Patents assigned to the Heil Co.:

US1421469 – Fluid hoist - ‎Filed Apr 2, 1919 - ‎Issued Jul 4, 1922 to Julius P. Heil

US1474834 – Fluid hoist - ‎Filed Nov 1, 1920 - ‎Issued Nov 20, 1923 to Julius P. Heil

US1484327 – Dumping body for vehicles - Grant - ‎Filed Nov 7, 1921 - ‎Issued Feb 19, 1924 to Julius P. Heil

US1447387 – Bumper - ‎Filed Nov 7, 1921 - ‎Issued Mar 6, 1923 to Julius P. Heil & Charles G. Eisenberg Jr.

US1515111 – Truck tank bumper - ‎Filed Feb 9, 1923 - ‎Issued Nov 11, 1924 to Julius P. Heil

US1609472 – Oil tank check valve - ‎Filed Feb 9, 1923 - ‎Issued Dec 7, 1926 to Julius P. Heil & Arthur Borchardt

US1637076 – Safety vent valve - ‎Filed Feb 9, 1923 - ‎Issued Jul 26, 1927 to Julius P. Heil & Arthur Borchardt

US1612433 – Emergency valve - ‎Filed Feb 9, 1923 - ‎Issued Dec 28, 1926 to Julius P. Heil

US1659872 – Hand hoist for trucks - ‎Filed Apr 23, 1923 - ‎Issued Feb 21, 1928 to Julius P. Heil & Arthur Borchardt

US1594728 – Fluid hoist - ‎Filed Dec 19, 1924 - ‎Issued Aug 3, 1926 to Julius P. Heil, Charles G. Eisenberg Jr., George L. Landry

US1683823 – Manhole cover - ‎Filed Dec 19, 1924 – Issued Sep 11, 1928 to Julius P. Heil 

US1641486 – Gear pump oiler - ‎Filed Dec 19, 1924 - ‎Issued Sep 6, 1927 to Julius P. Heil

US1789975 - ‎Mechanical hoist - Filed Feb 7, 1927 - ‎Issued Jan 27, 1931 to Julius P. Heil

US1765724 – Oil pump - ‎Filed Feb 13, 1928 - ‎Issued Jun 24, 1930 to Julius P. Heil

US1798469 – Horizontal hoist - ‎Filed Oct 5, 1928 - ‎Issued Mar 31, 1931 1926 to Julius P. Heil & Charles G. Eisenberg Jr.

US1913633 – Pump construction - ‎Filed Apr 27, 1929 - ‎Issued Jun 13, 1933 to Julius P. Heil, Charles G. Eisenberg Jr., George L. Landry

US1867699 – Swinging compartment cement compartment - ‎Filed Nov 20, 1929 - ‎Issued Jul 19, 1932 to Julius P. Heil

US1887508 – Telescopic hoist - ‎Filed Nov 29, 1929 - ‎Issued Nov 15, 1932 to Julius P. Heil & George L. Landry

US1819168 – Telescopic fluid hoist - ‎Filed Mar 13, 1930 - ‎Issued Aug 18, 1931 to Julius P. Heil & George L. Landry

US1955807 – Truck body - ‎Filed Oct 8, 1930 - ‎Issued Apr 24, 1934 to Julius P. Heil

US1927031 – Hoist - ‎Filed Oct 11, 1930 - ‎Issued Sep 19, 1933 to Julius P. Heil

US1929761 – Manhole closure - ‎Filed Feb 2, 1931 - ‎Issued Oct 10, 1933 to Frederick G. Thwaits

US1927032 – Flexible support - ‎Filed Oct 26, 1931 - ‎Issued Sep 19, 1933 to Julius P. Heil

US2105320 – Scraper - ‎Filed Sep 25, 1935 - ‎Issued Jan 11, 1938 to Julius P. Heil

US2136102 – Scraper - ‎Filed Jan 22, 1936 - ‎Issued Nov 8, 1938 to Julius P. Heil

US2112288 – Scraper - ‎Filed Oct 24, 1936 - ‎Issued Mar 29, 1938 to Julius P. Heil

US2144800 – Pasteurizer - ‎Filed Dec 24, 1937 - ‎Issued Jan 24, 1939 to Julius P. Heil & Frederick P. Kessler

US2217982 – Receptacle transfer mechanism - ‎Filed Apr 27, 1939 - ‎Issued Oct 15, 1940 to Julius P. Heil & Frederick P. Kessler

US2685358 – Loading device for bottle washers - ‎Filed Feb 12, 1949 - ‎Issued Aug 3, 1954 to Julius P. Heil, John B. McCabe, Arnold F. Meyer

US2583787 - Loading device for bottle washers or the like - ‎Filed Jun 22, 1949 - ‎Issued Jan 29, 1952 to Robert W. Marty, John B. McCabe, Henry A. Strelow

US3240222 - Check Valve for fuel tank trucks and similar vehicles - ‎Filed Jul 22, 1965 - ‎Issued Mar 15, 1966 to Richard J. Heil

US4313707 - Side loading apparatus for trash collection system - ‎Filed Jan 29, 1979 - ‎Issued Feb 2, 1982 to Julius A. Barker, Jr., John W. Bingman

US5871330 - Method of moving a vehicle from a first location to a second location with a hoist mechanism - ‎Filed May 16, 1997 - ‎Issued Feb 16, 1999 to Dale Davenport

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