Founding and Early Years (1969 - 1979)

1969: L.B. (Phil) Philippi and LeRoy G. Hagenbuch founded Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc. The company started in LeRoy's basement. Their first product, invented by L.B., was the Autogate® Tailgate.

1971: PHIL sold its first product internationally, entering the Australian market through a partnership with Haviland Industries.

1977: Co-founder L.B. (Phil) Philippi passed away. LeRoy Hagenbuch took full charge of the company, and his wife, Pat, took an active role.

1979: The company purchased 29 acres of land in Peoria, IL, for a future campus.

Expansion and Manufacturing Capabilities (1980 - 1988)

1980: The administration building was completed on the new Peoria campus.

1981: A fire severely damaged the original Pekin, IL manufacturing facility of Welarco Fabrications, Inc. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of PHIL).

1983: Welarco Fabrications opened a new, custom-built 40,000-square-foot fabrication facility on the Peoria campus.

1984: PHIL produced the industry's first Rear Eject Body on a Volvo VBM articulated haul truck. However, production was halted as LeRoy Hagenbuch felt the technology and materials needed to be simpler to maintain.

1988: The company established its first motto, "Helping You Move Mountains®," which later became a registered trademark in 2004.

Advancements and New Products (1999 - 2008)

1999: PHIL re-introduced Rear Eject Bodies for Articulated Dump Trucks (ADTs) with a new, simplified chromium-carbide track and sled design that didn't require ongoing lubrication.

2000: Welarco's manufacturing plant was expanded by about 30%, growing to nearly 60,000 square feet under Danette Swank.

2001: PHIL equipment (Autogate® Tailgates on Cat D400E haulers) was used in the cleanup of the World Trade Center site. The company also introduced its unique Water Tanks.

2002: The Series 2 / MAX Load Autogate® Tailgate was introduced as a lighter alternative.

2004: Multiple Rear Eject Bodies were built for use in an underground oil shale mine in Estonia.

2008: LeRoy Hagenbuch, P.E. was inducted into the Construction Equipment Hall of Fame. PHIL unveiled the Ultra-Class Rear-Loading Lowboy Trailer.

Continued Innovation and Transitions (2010 - 2021)

2010: PHIL delivered its first custom truck body for an Oil Sands mine in Canada.

2011: The company applied for multiple patents and introduced the patent-pending PHIL Body Lifting System.

2012: Ultra-class 400-ton capacity PHIL HiVol® Bodies were delivered to Canadian Oil Sands and Iron Ore mines.

2013: Danette Swank (daughter of LeRoy Hagenbuch) was appointed President of Philippi-Hagenbuch and Welarco Fabrications. The company expanded its manufacturing facility and signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Volvo CE.

2014: PHIL Rear Eject Bodies began operating in Sweden and New Zealand. The company celebrated its 45th anniversary.

2015: Danette Swank was named President, while LeRoy Hagenbuch focused on R&D as Chief Engineer. The PHIL Material Spreader was introduced.

2016: The PHIL Stemming Attachment was designed.

2018: A new version of the Autogate® Tailgate was invented for use with standard roll-off containers.

2019: PHIL debuted the "Coil Carrier," the "Block Handler" body, and the "Positive-Seal" Autogate® Tailgate. The company celebrated its 50th anniversary.

2020: The "PHILanthropy" initiative was launched during the Covid-19 pandemic to distribute 3D-printed "ear protectors" to first responders.

2021: Matriarch Pat Hagenbuch passed away.

Recent Developments (2022 - 2025)

2022: The new Hi-Low Underground Body was introduced.

2023: Danette Hagenbuch Swank gained majority ownership and became Chief Executive Officer, with Josh Swank appointed as Chief Growth Officer.

2024: Production of HiVol® Truck Bodies began outside Dallas, TX, to outpace Peoria's capabilities. PHIL began building Push Blocks for wheel loaders. Danette and Josh Swank were honored by Junior Achievement of Central Illinois, and PHIL was selected as Community Business Leader by the YMCA.

2025: Water Tanks began being built at the Dallas location, including tanks for 30-ton articulated trucks. The Strategic Dealer Program was launched with Stratton Equipment (Ontario). LJL Mécanique (Quebec) joined as a global licensee.

 

Year Founded: 1969

Main Products: Tailgates, Bodies, Rear Ejects, Water Tanks, Trailers, Niche Solution

Brand: Philippi-Hagenbuch

Country of Origin: USA

Facebook Account: http://www.facebook.com/philsystems

Website: https://www.philsystems.com/

Address: 7424 W Plank Rd, Peoria, IL 61604, United States

Contact No.: +13096979200

Email: sales@philsystems.com