Marion Body Works celebrates 120 years of craftsmanship, tradition

Jennifer Much

Contributor

February 3, 2025

MARION – For 120 years, Marion Body Works, Inc. has specialized in designing and constructing fire and emergency apparatuses, commercial trucks and defense products.

Kevin Ignacio, current president of Marion Body Works, Inc., said its craftsmanship and skill have helped shape the manufacturing industry in Wisconsin.

With more than a century of manufacturing experience, Ignacio said Marion Body Works, Inc. remains dedicated to its line of products, its many customers and making its mark in the industry. 

Built on tradition

Ignacio said Marion Body Works, Inc. has been privately owned and family operated since being founded in 1905.

In 1980, he said it was purchased by his grandfather, Bud Simpson, who continued to pioneer the company’s achievements in steel and aluminum fabrication.

To date, Ignacio said the business maintains its founding roots at 211 W. Ramsdell St. in Marion, where a dedicated team works cohesively on projects offering services in welding, plumbing and hydraulics.

He said the company also offers implementation of electrical and electronic controls, foam insulation and painting services.

Ignacio said his grandfather passed the torch of the role of president to him in early 2023.

Not only has this change paid homage to his family business, but Ignacio said his experience has inspired him to innovatively elevate the family-centered operations even further. 

“Growing up in the family business rooted in the manufacturing industry, I developed a passion for it early on,” he said.

Though he joined Marion Body Works officially in 2020, Ignacio said he had been proudly involved with the business his entire life.

“When my grandfather bought the company in 1980, my uncle and father followed in his footsteps, and I’m honored to have spent my formative years immersed in the business, learning from those who held this seat before me,” he said.

Before Ignacio formally returned to accept his role at Marion, he said part of the business succession plan required him to work elsewhere for several years first.

This condition, he said, resulted in opportunities that strengthened his passion for the industry and also allowed him to gain beneficial leadership and field-centric skills.

“My previous roles provided me with a strong foundation in business operations and strategic planning,” he said. “This combination of professional experience and personal connection prepared me well for my role as president.”

Product construction

Ignacio said some of Marion Body Works’ major projects include the creation of both fire and emergency apparatuses, commercial truck bodies, aluminum custom cabs and custom-engineered vehicles. 

He said the company also builds equipment for defense, including heavy tactical and general troop transport vehicles.

“We take immense pride in our commitment to quality, innovation and customer satisfaction,” he said.

Precision, ingenuity and industry expertise, Ignacio said, are all part of the process at Marion Body Works, Inc. – but said there’s another factor the team heavily considers when it comes to building truck bodies differently: the materials.

Marion Body Works’ primary material, aluminum, he said, has many benefits including flexibility, variable extrusion qualities, “an excellent strength-to-weight ratio” and its rust resistance. 

“What sets us apart is our focus on customization and quality,” he said. “We’ve mastered the fabrication and assembly of materials, such as aluminum, to build lightweight yet durable truck bodies.”

Using state-of-the-art techniques in welding, fabrication and assembly, Ignacio said, offers assurance that each product has met the highest standards possible.

He said vendors are carefully selected based on strict criteria, such as quality, warranty and service, and a collaborative and customizable design paired with valuable insights from customers, engineers and suppliers all come together seamlessly to create the premium products.

“Our dedication to building durable, reliable products has earned us a reputation as a leader in the industry,” he said.

Upholding these standards, Ignacio said, involves internal tests that evaluate a product’s paint, cycle and fatigue and adhesive bond strength.

External testing, he said, is also conducted and includes ECE-29 tests on all cabs, seat belts and corrosion testing.

Ignacio said these tests all ensure the integrity of structural supports, dimensional reliability, quality assurance and safety. 

From the design stages to construction in the factory, to extensive testing and up to delivery, Ignacio said every step also involves establishing partnerships with customers and credits his company’s upfront process of its sales cycle to its success. 

“We take the time to get to know our customer base, how they are using the truck, and what features are important to them to be able to build a product that functions the way they need it,” he said.

Though in some circumstances off the shelf solutions may work, Ignacio said Marion Body Works never elects to take a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to products and customers – believing personalization is key.

This mindset, he said, has been widely appreciated by Marion’s customer base, leading to 80% repeat business. 

“Developing a truck involves several stages, including collaboration with the customer and the sales team, design, engineering, fabrication, assembly and quality control,” he said. “Our manufacturing process is continuously evolving through the integration of new technologies and lean manufacturing principles, which allows us to improve efficiency, reduce waste and enhance product quality.”

Teamwork makes the dream work

Ignacio said one of the most important business lessons he has learned thus far, has been that a commitment to excellence, innovation and success revolves around having an excellent team.

Prioritizing employee satisfaction and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment, he said, has fueled unification and alliance at Marion, which is evident as employees have been with the company for an average of a decade or more.

“My favorite part of the process is the collaboration between our teams,” he said. “Seeing our engineers, fabricators, sales and assembly workers come together to solve challenges and create a product that exceeds customer expectations is incredibly rewarding.”

One of the most memorable projects Ignacio said he and his team have worked on was the addition of its Shawano facility in 2022.

Prior to its development, he said the company had operated solely from one campus location for more than 115 years.

“This expansion marked a significant milestone in our company’s history as we ventured into a new community and established multiple locations,” he said. “The Shawano expansion allowed us to grow our commercial product line while ensuring that the products remaining at our Marion location could meet the increasing demands of our customers.”

During the expansion process, which involved extensive planning, collaboration and hard work from every team member, Ignacio said it was gratifying to see the vision come to life and to witness the profound impact on not only operations but the community as well. 

“This project was not just about physical growth – it represented our commitment to innovation and our dedication to serving our customers better,” he said. “This expansion has set the stage for future growth and success, making it a truly memorable and transformative project for all of us at Marion Body Works.”

For all businesses, Ignacio said recognizing a need and making effective changes can be valuable, and some even turn into triumphs.

For the team at Marion, he said it also led to earning a prestigious award. 

“Being named the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year (by the Shawano County Chamber of Commerce) was a tremendous honor and a testament to our team’s hard work and dedication,” he said. “Being recognized for this award shortly after opening the Shawano location tells me we are on the right track to sustain that positive rapport with the communities where our employees live and work.”

Ignacio said the entire team has showcased professionalism and assiduity, which has not gone unnoticed by him, customers or the community, and continues to motivate everyone at Marion. 

“It has inspired us to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and quality,” he said. “This recognition moves us to strive for even greater achievements in the future.” 

Ignacio said the company’s growth is also facilitated by knowledge, and as the manufacturing industry is always evolving, workers at Marion continually enhance and strengthen their skills. 

Not only do fabricators at Marion specialize in commercial and MIL Spec welding, but Ignacio said more than 100 welders are qualified to AWS D1.1, D1.2 and D1.6 for stainless steel, steel and aluminum.

Furthermore, he said there is an AWS Certified Weld Inspector (CWI) on staff and others have received Rapid prototyping certifications, including ISO 9001-2015 and Six Sigma Black Belt.

Making a mark in the industry

Ignacio said Marion Body Works, Inc. enlists the help of tried and true tools, plus the latest technology to help it produce well-designed products.

“New technologies, such as automation and advanced software for design and production, have significantly enhanced our manufacturing capabilities,” he said.

Such innovations, Ignacio said, have allowed him and Marion employees to produce more complex and precise products, while still maintaining high levels of efficiency.

Even more, he said by embracing these advancements, his team can better support their customer base with more cutting-edge solutions. 

“By staying at the forefront of manufacturing advancements, including automation, we can better meet the unique needs of our customers and provide them with superior products,” he said.

Though these inclusions have helped generate more business partnership opportunities and worked to guide the company down an affluent financial path, Ignacio said, he and his team also want to include another critical component in their future plans: their community.

“We are deeply committed to supporting our local community through various initiatives, including sponsorships, donations and volunteer efforts,” he said. “Our goal is to be a positive force in the community and contribute to its growth and well-being.”

Ignacio said he is especially proud of the efforts the company has made in its youth apprenticeship and internship programs.

This summer, he said he is looking forward to welcoming 10 college students (so far) who will join the Marion Body Works team as interns or apprentices.

Not only will they get to explore the career path and learn about manufacturing, but Ignacio said they will obtain hands-on experience in their individual fields of study. 

“For those interested in pursuing a career in manufacturing, I would advise them to embrace continuous learning and stay adaptable,” he said. “Now more than ever, there are resources to help connect young students with opportunities in the trades, which I think is important.” 

Ignacio said at Marion specifically, he is also hoping to help develop local talent through their weld program – which is designed for those who do not have prior experience or formal training to gain valuable experience and job-related insight. 

“The industry is constantly evolving, and those who are willing to grow and innovate will find great opportunities for success,” he said. “The future of manufacturing in Wisconsin is bright with continued advancements in technology and a strong emphasis on innovation.”

Along with sharing their passion for manufacturing and working with the community, Ignacio said he and his team have a long list of plans this year to support their own business endeavors. 

“This year, we aim to expand our product offerings, enhance our manufacturing capabilities, and strengthen our customer relationships,” he said. “We also plan to invest in new technologies and training programs to ensure our team remains at the forefront of the industry.” 

For more on Marion Body Works, Inc., visit marionbody.com.