About

Since 1985, Eliseo Merlos has been crafting refuse trucks and setting industry trends. Starting out at C&O Manufacturing after they were acquired by Dempster, Eliseo built some of the lightest front loaders ever put on the market. 

After Dempster liquidated C&O, Eliseo partnered up with Wayne Engineering and former C&O salesman Albert Serrano to start American Vehicles Incorporated (AVI) where they landed a contract with the City of LA to produce the first CNG front loaders. AVI also set the industry trend of smooth sided bodies instead of the common rib reinforced bodies. 

With the contract completed and Wayne Engineering facing financial difficulties, AVI was dissolved and Albert and Eliseo helped Smart Truck Systems get off the ground by designing the legendary K7000 Front Loader. Then they started Service International in Fontana, California. They quickly became the go to shop for repairs and custom crafted bodies in the East Valley, continuing to build their strong and lightweight front loaders.

When Albert passed away in 2015, Eliseo renamed the company IGS Refuse Equipment and Repair where he continues the tradition of quality craftsmanship and ingenuity with dedicated customer service.