Republic Motor Truck Company

Republic Motor Truck Company was a manufacturer of commercial trucks circa 1913 - 1929, in Alma, Michigan. By 1918, it was recognized as the largest exclusive truck manufacturer in the world, and the maker of one out of every nine trucks on the roads in the United States. [McMacken, David, and Louise Davenport (1976). "Down Twelve Decades: A Pictorial History of Alma, Michigan", np. Alma Bicentennial Committee, Alma, Michigan.] It was one of the major suppliers of "Liberty Trucks" used by American troops during World War One.

The author Edgar Rice Burroughs purchased a Republic truck in 1916 and drove it across the United States. His exploits were later published as a pamphlet and distributed by Republic. By 1918, Republic was advertising in such national publications as the Saturday Evening Post, declaring that one goes to "Damascus for swords, Teheran [sic] for rugs, Lynn for shoes, Rochester for cameras, Dayton for cash registers, Alma for trucks." [Saturday Evening Post, February 23, 1918, p. 46] Over 3,000 dealers served the United States, with additional dealers in at least 56 foreign countries and colonies. [Alma Record (Alma, MI), Centennial Edition, June 28, 1956]

In 1927, Republic purchased the Linn Manufacturing Company, makers of heavy duty tractors.

The return of the Liberty Trucks to the United States after World War I led to a major reduction in demand for trucks. Republic's production volume dropped from nearly 30,000 in 1918 to 1,453 in 1921. [Weimer, Andrew M. (1934). "An Economic History of Alma, Michigan", University of Chicago doctoral dissertation] Republic was forced into receivership in 1922. After reorganization, the company attempted unsuccessfully to regain its former status as a preferred manufacturer. After the sudden death of its president, Oliver Hayes, in 1928, the company merged with the Company to become LaFrance-Republic. LaFrance-Republic in turn was purchased by the Sterling Motor Truck Company in 1931, which was purchased by the White Motor Company in 1951. A parts depot for Republic existed in Alma until 1957.

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