A PROUD HISTORY
PACCAR's evolution from a manufacturer of railcars and later trucks into a technology based capital goods and finance company is a fascinating journey that began in 1905 in a single wooden building in Seattle, Washington.
1905
William Pigott Sr. founded Seattle Car Mfg. Co. to produce railway and logging equipment at its plant in West Seattle. The Company later merged with Twohy Brothers of Portland to become Pacific Car and Foundry Company, a name it retained for the next 55 years.
1915
Edgar Worthington's first truck is built, called the Gersix, it was a six-cylinder built in a repair shop in Portland, Oregon.
Later, Gersix trucks began rolling out of the new factory in Seattle. These trucks had the toughness required for the heavy duty work in America's expanding logging and timber industry.
1923
Now in partnership with Frederick Kent, Worthington decided to reincorporate, capitalizing on a $60,000 infusion of cash. In 1923, the transaction was completed, and it marked the beginning of a new era. The company became Ken-Worth, named after the two principal stockholders Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington. The Kenworth Motor Truck Company was born, and headquarters were established in Seattle.
1928
DAF's founder, Hub van Doorne, started an engineering business, 'Hub van Doorne, Machinefabriek en Reparatie-inrichting'. Together with his brother Wim he laid the foundations of DAF as a leading truck manufacturer in Europe.
The Great Depression saw a shift towards trailer manufacturing and the change in name to 'Van Doornes Aahangwagen Fabriek' (Van Doornes Trailer Factory) which was abbreviated to 'DAF'.
1933
Good fortune came to Kenworth when it became the first American truck manufacturer to install diesel engines as standard equipment. It was a major development that allowed Kenworth to develop a powerful and durable line of diesel trucks.
1936
DAF became one of the first suppliers of container trailers in the world with a work force of 100 people in Europe.
1941
America went to war, and the Company's Renton plant built Sherman Tanks and tank recovery vehicles for the military. Pacific Car and Foundry also constructed dry docks and steel tugboats during the conflict.
1943
Kenworth in support of the war, began producing components for the Boeing B-17 'Flying Fortress' bomber and the B-29 'Super Fortress' at its Seattle plant. Since Seattle was declared a 'critical labour area', the Government required Kenworth to move its M-1 Wrecker production inland, in order to retain its contracts. Kenworth obliged and set up an additional "factory" in Central Washington, at the Yakima fairgrounds.
1945
The Pacific Car and Foundry company entered the heavy-duty truck manufacturing business with the acquisition of Seattle-based Kenworth Motor Truck Co. The next year, Kenworth moves into a high capacity assembly plant in South Seattle.
1949
DAF manufactured their first truck in Holland, which was one of three prototypes. The production of commercial vehicles followed with the introduction of three models; the 3 tonne (A30), 5 tonne (A50) and 6 tonne (A60). This growth resulted in the establishment of a larger production facility (9,000m2) on the current Eindhoven site.
1955
In 1950, DAF incorporated a one tonne A10 van to their range and later the A107, a pick up truck developed for export purposes. With the evolution of production from trailers to commercial vehicles, DAF was renamed DAF Automobielfabriek N.V. (DAF Automobile Factory), employing 184 staff and producing two vehicles a day.
The Dutch Army went on to purchase 3,600 military vehicles, and in 1955 the 10,000th DAF truck came off the production line.
1958
Pacific Car and Foundry greatly expanded its heavy-duty truck capability with the purchase of Peterbilt Motors Company in 1958. That same year, the acquisition of Dart Truck Company permitted its entry into the entirely new market of mining vehicles.
1960
PACCAR became an international truck manufacturer. Kenworth moved into Mexico with 49 percent participation in an affiliate company, Kenworth Mexicana S.A. de C.V.
Also, Carco Acceptance Corporation, currently PACCAR Financial Corp, was launched to facilitate domestic sales of trucks.
1962
DAF introduced the new 2600, a modern truck that could also be supplied with a sleeper whilst its compact design allowed for optimum load length. The 2600 was nicknamed 'the mother of international road transport' and DAF became the European market leader in driver comfort.
1962
Kenworth S925 models imported to Australia fully built-up by Ed Cameron and George Blomfield. The S-models were powered by Detroit Diesel 6V71 two-stroke diesels, with a 12-speed Spicer transmission. They had long range fuel tanks, larger than normal radiators and shutter-stats.
1964
In July 1964 the 50,000th DAF truck chassis rolled off the assembly line in Eindhoven Holland.
1970
Kenworth Australia's 56,000 square foot Bayswater factory and office complex was completed to produce trucks initially on a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) basis.
Kenworth Australia has now become a major manufacturing force in the Australian market, also exporting to New Zealand and Papua New Guinea markets.
1971
The K100CR was the first Kenworth model produced in Australia. The K125CR (pictured) was part of the K100CR range and was fully assembled at Bayswater from component parts.
1974
The 1000th Kenworth truck manufactured at the Bayswater plant and the people who made it happen. The cab-over was delivered to Switzer's Transport Services Pty. Ltd. in Eden, NSW. It was promptly put into service as a refrigerated transport truck, mainly carrying fish for the Eden fish co-operative and the local Heinz processing and canning factory.
1981
PACCAR became a European truck manufacturer with the acquisition of Foden Trucks in Sandbach, U.K.
1982
PACCAR's new Technical Centre opened in July. Located approximately 65 miles north of Seattle, the multimillion-dollar centre underscored the Company's commitment to technical excellence, quality and value in the products it manufactures.
1983
There was only one choice to carry Australia’s most famous yacht and its near-mythical winged keel. Aussie pride swelled as a Kenworth prime mover carried Australia II through the streets of Melbourne following the yacht's historic victory in 1983 as the first successful challenger for the America's Cup.
1985
Kenworth rolled out a truck which changed the industry forever. Called the T600A, the truck was a sloped-nose conventional with a set-back front axle, a combination which gave drivers the comfort of a conventional and the maneuverability of a cabover.
The T600A cut through the wind saving customers up to 22 percent on their fuel bills. Testing showed an aerodynamic improvement of 40 percent when compared to the company's W900 conventional.
1985
DAF undertook a project with British Leyland, which initially resulted in the supply of Leyland-developed distribution vehicles carrying the DAF logo: the 400 van, but also the 600, 800 and 1000 distribution trucks, later called the 45 series. Two years later Leyland was taken over by DAF.
1988
The keys of the 10,000th Australian made Kenworth – a T600 – were handed to Frank Lenzi of Cleveland Freightlines on 18 November 1988.
1996
PACCAR finalised the acquisition of DAF Trucks N.V. DAF Trucks is a Netherlands based truck company with production facilities in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and Westerlo, Belgium.
1998
Modelled on the W900AR and T900, the Australian T904 is a classic long bonneted truck. Its cabin was raised to the same height as the T950 to assist in cooling higher horsepower engines.
1999
DAF delivered its 500,000th Eindhoven-built truck.
DAF trucks were introduced to Australia, following time spent researching and developing vehicle specifications that met Australia’s demanding conditions, as well as training and appointing sales and after-sales support staff.
2000
20,000th Australian built Kenworth delivered.
Road safety was high on the agenda when Kenworth Australia gave its engineers free rein to come up with the ultimate safety package in one truck. The result was the T604 Technology Truck – a showcase vehicle fitted with every safety feature imaginable. Dubbed the 'truck of the future', the Technology Truck was far from being a 'pie-in-the-sky' dream machine. In fact, it incorporated many safety features that are now readily available.
2001
Production began of the new CF series for medium and heavy duty haulage and of the new LF series for local distribution transport. These models are successfully introduced to the Australian market.
The LF was selected 'International Truck of the Year 2002'.
2005
30,000th Australian built Kenworth delivered. Introduction of T350 Agitator 6x4 and 8x4.
PACCAR Inc celebrates its one-hundredth year of operation.
2006
President Bush presented the National Medal of Technology to Mark Pigott, chairman and PACCAR Inc CEO, for development of lightweight, aerodynamic commercial vehicles.
2007
PACCAR Australia win the Federal Government's Industry Training Award for Manufacturing. This national competition, run by the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training, involved a lengthy judging process at both state and national level.
PACCAR Australia named Employer of the Year at the Victorian Government's Training Awards. These annual awards are provided in recognition of outstanding achievements in the field of vocational education and training.
2007
To meet demands of off-highway operations in the mining sector, Kenworth designs and manufactures it's biggest ever prime mover - the C540 - a truck capable of handling extreme heavy-duty workloads in harsh operating conditions.
2008
Woolworths takes delivery of 18 DAF CF85 prime movers as part of its commitment to operating environmentally-friendly and safe vehicles. These trucks are the first DAFs in Australia to feature PACCAR's new high-performance, Euro 5 series low-emission engine. The DAFs also incorporate a variety of safety features, including a driver-side airbag and front under-run protection system as well as a side under-run protection system and EBS for trailers.
2009
Kenworth Australia produces its 40,000th Australian made truck.
Introduction of the Kenworth T402.
2009
PACCAR dominate the J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Awards over the decade. In 2009, Kenworth and Peterbilt win most of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction awards – and also in 2008. This brings PACCAR's total number of J.D. Power awards to 29, far outdistancing the nearest competitor with only 6 awards. In addition, PACCAR receives the J.D. Power Founder's Award for 25 years of corporate quality excellence.
2009
Kenworth pioneers road transport's environmentally-sustainable future with the handover of the first Australian-engineered and manufactured LNG-fuelled prime mover to long time customer Kalari Pty Ltd.
2009
PACCAR Australia launched the PACCAR Technology Centre - an interactive showcase that demonstrates PACCAR's leading edge technology and innovation including a range of engines, services and Kenworth and DAF vehicles.
2009
Kenworth unveil the latest advance in safety technology with Kenworth Electronic Brake Safety Systems. The safety package was made available after extensive local testing and verification, adding a number of electronic braking systems to the existing ABS platform.
2009
PACCAR Australia further expands its facility with the purchase of Gatwick Road, increasing total land area to 148,400sq metres.
2010
Kenworth launches a complete model range which meet the strict ADR80/03 emission standards for 2011. The 2011 range delivering numerous enhancements in safety, productivity, comfort and styling.
