Pacific Car and Foundry Co. becomes PACCAR Inc on January 25, 1972.

  • By David Wilma
  • Posted 4/11/2001
  • HistoryLink.org Essay 3194
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On January 25, 1972, Pacific Car and Foundry Co. becomes PACCAR Inc. The name change reflects the evolution of the company since it first began manufacturing logging trucks on tideflats in Humphrey (West Seattle) in 1905. PACCAR encompasses the manufacture of heavy trucks, railroad rolling stock, structural steel, and winches and machinery, as well as financial and engineering services.

Seattle Car Manufacturing Co. opened its doors in June 1905 on property belonging to Seattle Steel Co. William Pigott (1860-1929) started both companies. In 1908, the Humphrey plant burned to the ground, but construction of a new facility near Renton had already begun. In 1911, the company became Seattle Car and Foundry. In 1917, it became Pacific Car and Foundry Co. when it merged with a Portland competitor, Twohy Brothers.

In 1924, Pacific Car was sold to American Car Manufacturing Co. In 1934, William Pigott's son Paul (1900-1961) and Seattle investors bought the company back. By 1960, under Paul Pigott's leadership, the company grew to become one of the top 300 manufacturing firms in the United States.

Sources: Alex Groner, PACCAR: The Pursuit of Quality, (Bellevue: Documentary Book Publishing Co., 1981), 203.
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