ISO 9001:2015 Certification 

Marion Body Works transitions from (ISO) 9001:2008 to the highly sought after (ISO) 9001:2015 certification. This certification acknowledges Marion's well-documented internal processes and practices for our quality management system. This certification for Marion was obtained eight months ahead of the September 2018 deadline. 

Marion has always been commited to providing the best product to our customers and having this certification is a testament to that.

Marion Body Works is sad to announce the passing of previous owner, Bud Simpson. 

Vinson Raleigh (Bud) Simpson, Jr., age 89, recently of Clintonville, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully at home in Green Valley, Arizona, on January 1, after a short illness.

Bud Simpson was a businessman, philanthropist, trombonist, runner, cross country skier, lake swim leader, racquetball player, snorkeler, reader, Eagle Scout, canoer, and water skier. In 1946, Bud graduated from Proviso High School in Maywood, IL, where he met his first love and life partner, Elizabeth (Betty) Matte Simpson. In 1950, Bud proudly became the first college graduate in his family and to the end could break into his M.I.T. fight song on a moment’s notice.

Bud and Betty were married on September 29, 1950. Their honeymoon was brief, a drive in a borrowed car to LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where Bud began the following Monday in the student training class at the Trane Company. Bud rose steadily through the ranks at Trane while earning an MBA from Indiana University in 1955, and was ultimately named President and Director. During his time there, he was able to take Trane public on the NY Stock Exchange. From 1976 to 1980, Bud was President and Director of Marathon Electric Manufacturing Corporation, Wausau, Wisconsin.

In 1980, Bud’s entrepreneurial dreams came true with the purchase of Marion Body Works, Marion, Wisconsin. Strengthening the company and building a legacy at Marion was a challenge and labor of love until his retirement in 2003. 

Bud’s legacy continues; his family owns and manages Marion Body Works, Inc., that has grown 20-fold since his purchase in 1980.  He diversified the product offerings to five distinct markets and that has sustained us into our 113^th year of continuous operation in Marion.

The Marion product is in every state and scattered around the world as our Defense products support our warfighters and Allies. Bud served his country as an officer with Strategic Air Command of the USAF earning the United Nations Ribbon, the Korean War Ribbon and the Commendation Medal.

Bud was a community leader serving on numerous industry and nonprofit boards throughout his life. 

Friends and co-workers at Marion salute Bud, he made a difference and left a legacy.

Memorial Service Info
Visitation from 9-11 will precede an 11:00 service, Friday, January 12, at Christ Congregational Church, Clintonville, WI. Lunch will follow at Northwinds Banquet Hall, Marion, WI. A service was also held January 5, at Valley Presbyterian Church, Green Valley, AZ. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Bud’s memory to Rotary International at www.rotary.org or the Salvation Army at salvationarmyusa.org.

Marion Body Works is pleased to announce that Matt McMorran has accepted the position of Business Development Manager. He has a long history in the fire apparatus industry and will work at expanding Marion’s footprint in both emergency vehicles and defense bodies. Matt resides in Maryland and will manage our nationwide dealer network and will also liaise with our valued industry partners and vendors. He can be contacted at mmcmorran@marionbody.com. Please join us in welcoming Matt as the newest member to our management team.

Marion Body Works, the nationally-recognized fire and emergency apparatus, defense, and custom truck manufacturer is the largest employer in Marion with more than 280 employees.

Curt Ignacio - President of Marion, and Mike Foley - VP of Sales, attended the Annual Clean
Harbors Charity Golf Outing. The Founder and Chairman of Clean Harbors has hosted this
event annually to support the Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care. All of the proceeds
from this outing are sent directly to this cancer foundation.

Alan McKim and Bill McKim from Clean Harbors both had kind words to say about their
relationship with Marion Body Works. Over 150 golfers participated in this fun event for a
worthwhile cause.  Marion was a sponsor of the event along with other well known names
including Peterbilt and Maxon. It was a great day for a great cause!

One value that stands strong in Marion Body Works’ history is to support local communities. This year has been no exception as Marion gave to the Manawa Veterans Memorial. The vision behind this Memorial was to construct a lasting tribute to the Veterans who have served and all who are serving today. Many local businesses have come together to support and honor our veterans through this project. Marion Body Works is proud to be a sponsor and donated $5,000 to help fund the construction of the Freedom Park Memorial Project. Everyone at Marion takes great pride in the support of our Veterans and those that have served to help protect our freedom. 

The Vison of the Manawa Veterans Memorial

The Manawa Area Veterans Freedom Park will be a lasting tribute to those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. The Memorial is intended for ANY veteran who has honorably, living or deceased or whom is currently serving.



The construction of the park will be built on the shores of the beautiful Lake Manawa in Manawa, Wisconsin. The goal is to complete the Veterans side of the park and have it dedicated on Veterans Day, 2017.

(Pictured above: Curt Ignacio, Manawa Veterans Commitee, and Veteran Marion Employees)

Marion Body Works strives to be the employer of choice in our community and beyond. One way in which we do this is by equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge to enter the workplace after graduation. Marion provides a select group of talented interns with the chance to work in their studied field and apply a hands on approach. This year, without exception, we welcome again a very driven group of college students to MBW this summer. Let’s meet the Marion college interns for 2017.

Steven Papendorf- Carroll University

Internship: IT Department for Marion Body Works, Inc

Major: Information Technology and Business Leadership

Graduation Date: 2020

Joe Foley- University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Internship: Engineering Department for Marion Body Works, Inc

Major: Manufacturing Technology Management, Minor: Industrial Control Systems

Graduation Date: December of 2017

Andrew Klemp- University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Internship: Engineering Department for Marion Body Works, Inc

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Graduation Date: 2020

Casey Clark- University of Wisconsin, Platteville

Internship: Engineering Department for Marion Body Works, Inc

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Graduation Date: 2020

Marion Body Works, a leading manufacturer of Commercial Truck Bodies, Fire & Emergency Apparatus, Aluminum Custom Cabs, Custom Engineered Vehicles, and Defense Products, is excited to announce the promotion of Pat Flannery to the Director of Manufacturing.

News Release 1/5/2017

The focus for Marion Body Works this holiday season was set on helping local families in need. Marion’s goal is not only to be the employer of choice, but also to look for ways that directly impact and help those living in our community. This holiday season Marion was blessed with two opportunities to make a difference.  

Marion Body Works, a leading manufacturer of Commercial Truck Bodies, Fire & Emergency Apparatus, Aluminum Custom Cabs, Custom Engineered Vehicles, and Defense Products, is excited to announce the hiring of Mary Jo Wenzel as the Vice President of Finance.

In this role with Marion, Mary Jo will be a member of the executive team and responsible for managing the areas of finance. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Marion Body Works from her diverse accounting background. Mary Jo knows the manufacturing environment because of her time at Miller Electric, FWD/Seagrave, and Jones Sign. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and has been living in Northeast Wisconsin with her husband, Paul.

“We are so excited to have the talent level that Mary Jo brings to the Marion Body Works team.”  –Curt Ignacio.

Please join us in welcoming Mary Joe Wenzel!