What Curbtender does

Curbtender, Inc. is a family-owned, private manufacturer of refuse collection vehicles headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, with a 50-year operating lineage tracing to the first commercially produced automated side loader in the US waste industry in the 1970s. The company produces a complete line of 13 refuse truck models spanning automated side loaders (PowerPak, Fuzion, AutoCat), manual side loaders (TomCat, PUP), rear loaders (Quantum, Quantum MD, Quantum XL, Fury, Phoenix), and front loaders (Titan, Titanium), supported by a disposal systems line (roll-off containers, dumpsters, CSL24 compactor) and a wholly owned Curbtender Sweepers subsidiary covering street sweepers, leaf vacuums, and the Brush Hawg grapple loader line. Underlying technology is anchored by a patented swing panel packing mechanism (delivering up to 1,000 lb/cubic yard compaction and 13-second pack cycles), a 2,000 lb Power Arm lift arm, a chiseled AR450 body side wall, and the Parker IQAN electronic control system with Bluetooth diagnostics; the company has integrated the Quantum MD with the Battle Motors fully electric LNT chassis to field zero-emissions refuse trucks.

The company operates three manufacturing facilities — Cedar Falls and Charles City in Iowa, plus a 99,900 sq ft Gothenburg, Nebraska plant — and sells through a 50+ authorized reseller network spanning the US and Canada, supplemented by six regional sales managers, Curbtender Direct branches, and the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract (#110223-CRB) for government buyers. Revenue derives primarily from hardware sales of refuse collection vehicles and disposal systems, with parts and service flowing through the dealer network; financing is facilitated through NCL Government Capital (municipal) and Northpoint Commercial Finance (private haulers). Customer segments split between municipalities/government entities and private waste haulers, with secondary specialized service operators (parks, campuses, resorts). Reported financial trajectory is 500% revenue growth since 2018 with 20% anticipated annual growth, and the company has pursued an electrification roadmap via partnerships with XL Fleet and Battle Motors to address the $7B global refuse truck market.

Name

Curbtender

Legal name

Curbtender, Inc.

Website

https://curbtender.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Curbtender, Inc. is a family-owned manufacturer of refuse collection vehicles headquartered in Cedar Falls, Iowa, producing automated side loaders, rear loaders, front loaders, and disposal equipment for municipalities, government agencies, and private waste haulers across the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Refuse Collection Vehicles

NAICS

Solid Waste Collection (562111), Waste Collection (5621)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Material Handling Systems (Belt Conveyors, Feeders, Stackers, Reclaimers) (IMAHABAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Refuse/Waste Collection Vehicles Leasing & Rental (TLABAEAG)

Keywords

• Refuse collection vehicles
• Garbage truck manufacturing
• Automated side loaders
• Rear loader trucks
• Front loader trucks

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Falls

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Refuse Truck Sales: Sale of refuse collection vehicles including automated side loaders, manual side loaders, rear loaders, front loaders, and specialty vehicles. Products sold through dealer network and direct sales.
2. Disposal Systems Products: Sale of disposal products including roll-off containers, front load dumpsters, rear load dumpsters, and compactors.
3. CargoMaster Crane Systems: Sale of in-trailer bridge crane systems for trailers and box vans with lifting capacity from 2,000 to 8,000 pounds.
4. Parts and Service: Parts sales and service support through authorized reseller network.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Curbtender manufactures a complete line of refuse collection vehicles including automated side loaders, manual side loaders, rear loaders, and front loaders, with 13 distinct models produced at facilities in Iowa and Nebraska. The company also produces disposal systems (roll-off containers, dumpsters, compactors) and the CargoMaster in-trailer crane system, with a wholly owned subsidiary (Curbtender Sweepers) handling street sweepers and debris collection equipment. Products are sold through 50+ authorized resellers across the US and Canada, plus direct sales via regional sales managers and the Sourcewell government contract.

Product overview

Curbtender manufactures a complete line of refuse collection vehicles and disposal equipment. The product portfolio spans three main refuse truck categories: Automated Side Loaders (PowerPak, Fuzion, AutoCat), Manual Side Loaders (TomCat, PUP), and Rear Loaders (Quantum series with MD and XL variants, Fury, Phoenix), plus Front Loaders (Titan, Titanium). The company also produces the CargoMaster in-trailer crane system and operates Curbtender Sweepers, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary) for street sweepers and debris collection equipment including Brush Hawg grapple loaders. Supporting the truck line, Curbtender Disposal Systems offers roll-off containers, front/rear load dumpsters, and the CSL24 self-contained compactor. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Cedar Falls, Iowa (main headquarters and Front Loader plant), Charles City, Iowa (Front Loader expansion), Gothenburg, Nebraska (Rear Loader plant), and Easley, South Carolina, with over 50 years of industry experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Curbtender Sweepers: Street sweepers, grapple loaders, leaf and litter vacuums, and debris collection equipment - operated by wholly owned subsidiary Curbtender Sweepers, LLC
• PowerPak

Products and services

• PowerPak
• Fuzion Versatile automated side loader with tapered body design and split body configuration for dual waste stream collection. Features deeper hopper, accelerated packer panel speeds, and pre-crusher panel. Available in 27 and 31 cubic yard models with optional PowerArm or Xtender arm.
• AutoCat Small-to-medium sized automated side loader with same Power Arm as PowerPak (2,000 lb capacity). Designed for rural routes, downtown urban areas, HOAs, and tight spaces with near-zero kickout. Available in 12, 14, and 18 cubic yard models.
• TomCat Versatile manual side loader with customizable options. Available in 6-18 cubic yard body sizes with single chamber, split body, or satellite waste transfer configurations. Features 14-16 second pack cycle with simultaneous load and pack capability.
• PUP Compact manual side loader for parks, recreation departments, beaches, resorts, campuses, zoos, and mobile home courts. Truck or trailer mounted. Features easy access side doors and optional barrel or cart dumpers. Available in 6 or 7 cubic yard models.
• Quantum Small rear loader featuring patented swing panel packing mechanism instead of slide panel. Available in 6, 8, or 10 cubic yard models. Features fast 13-second pack cycle and up to 1,000 lb per cubic yard compaction.
• Quantum MD Medium-duty rear loader building on Quantum platform with larger hopper. Available in 11 or 13 cubic yard models with 13-second pack cycle and high compaction rating. Also available in all-electric configuration with Battle Motors LNT chassis.
• Quantum XL Large-body rear loader with larger hopper than Quantum siblings. Available in 16 or 20 cubic yard models. Features 15-18 second pack cycle, processing up to 9.5 cubic yards per minute, and industry-leading weight distribution and legal payload capacity.
• Phoenix Severe duty rear loader for commercial waste collection including demolition. Features upgraded steel, heavy duty gussets, and structural enhancements. Available in 25 cubic yard model with unique split tailgate.
• Fury Heavy duty rear loader for mixed residential and commercial trash collection. Available in 20 and 25 cubic yard models. Features split tailgate, 12,000 lb reeving winch, and 8,000 lb overhead drum winch.
• Titan High compaction heavy duty front loader with compaction rating up to 1,000 lb per cubic yard. Available in 40 and 44 cubic yard models. Features 25-second pack cycle, 16-second arm cycle, and optional Cardboard Package for recycling routes.
• Titanium Lightweight front loader design inspired by rear load body concept. Available in 27, 32, and 40 cubic yard models. Features electronically proportional controls with automated joystick lift cycle and 8,000 lb rated single piece lift arms for COE configurations.
• CargoMaster In-trailer bridge crane system installed inside trailers and box vans for moving large, bulky, and heavy cargo. Powered by trailer's 12-volt battery with lift capacity up to 8,000 pounds. Features rail system with fold-out jibs allowing operation outside trailer opening.
• CSL24 Compactor Self-loading, self-contained compactor uniquely suited for wet waste, bio waste, or agricultural wastes. Features 24 cubic yard capacity, gasoline powered auxiliary engine, over 9T load capacity, and nearly 3,000 lbs lift capacity. Operates like a front loader rather than traditional compactor.
• Roll-Off Containers Tub-style open-top containers in 20, 30, and 40 cubic yard capacities. Features 7 gauge floor, 10 gauge side sheets, heavy duty bullnose, and primed/painted finish. Heavy duty option available with 1/4 inch floor.
• Street Sweepers and Brush Hawg Grapple Loaders Product line of Curbtender Sweepers, LLC (wholly owned subsidiary) including mechanical sweepers, air sweepers, leaf and litter vacuums, and Brush Hawg knuckle boom grapple loaders for debris collection.

Quantifiable outcome

• Pack cycle times as fast as 13 seconds (Quantum MD)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Battle MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 August 2024Strategic partnership to offer Quantum MD rear loader with Battle Motors fully electric Low Narrow Tilt (LNT) chassis. The collaboration produces zero-emissions refuse trucks for residential collection. Quantum MD's patented swing panel tailgate weighs thousands of pounds less than conventional tailgates, making it uniquely suited for EV applications.
• XL FleetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2021Joint development of battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) refuse trucks for waste management applications. Agreement includes developing Class 3-Class 8 vehicle solutions. XL Fleet provides electric propulsion systems integrated with Curbtender refuse truck bodies.
• XL GridminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for fleet EV facility analysis. XL Grid brings expert analysis to evaluate fleet's facility capabilities and recharge needs for electric vehicle implementation.
• NCL Government CapitalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive Sourcewell awarded vendor approved to provide leases and financing for refuse trucks. Specializes in refuse financing programs to help municipalities preserve cash and protect reserves.
• Northpoint Commercial FinanceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFinancing partner for private waste haulers. Works closely with customers to find best financial solutions for equipment acquisition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Direct peers

• Schwarze Industries: Schwarze manufactures street sweepers and debris collection equipment — directly comparable to Curbtender Sweepers LLC's mechanical sweepers, leaf vacuums, and grapple loaders (Brush Hawg line).
• Labrie Environmental Group: Labrie produces a wide range of refuse collection vehicles including side loaders and rear loaders for municipal and commercial waste haulers, directly competing with Curbtender's Quantum, Fuzion, and PowerPak product lines.
• Heil (Dover Environmental Solutions): Heil is the leading North American manufacturer of refuse collection vehicle bodies (rear loaders, front loaders, side loaders). Direct overlap with Curbtender's full refuse-truck portfolio serving the same municipal and private hauler customers.
• Elgin Sweeper: Elgin is a major manufacturer of street sweepers serving municipalities and contractors. A direct peer to Curbtender Sweepers LLC within the wholly owned sweeper subsidiary business line.
• Autocar: Autocar produces the DC-64R and other severe-duty refuse chassis used by private haulers and municipalities. It competes with Curbtender-equipped chassis in the integrated refuse-truck sale and offers its own body integration.
• New Way Trucks: New Way manufactures rear-load, front-load, and side-load refuse bodies. A direct competitor to Curbtender in the North American municipal and private hauler refuse body market with similar dealer-driven distribution.
• Battle Motors: Battle Motors supplies the LNT electric chassis used in Curbtender's eQuantum MD. It is both a chassis partner and a direct competitor in the fully integrated electric refuse truck market it helps co-develop with Curbtender.

Broad incumbents

• Mack Trucks (Volvo Group): Mack's LR and TerraPro refuse chassis are widely used by municipal waste haulers. While a chassis OEM, Mack competes with Curbtender at the integrated refuse-truck level via its OEM body integration programs.
• Peterbilt Motors: Peterbilt (PACCAR) supplies chassis (e.g., Model 520 CNG) commonly used by Curbtender for its refuse bodies. As a vertically integrated OEM, Peterbilt competes for the same integrated refuse-vehicle sales channel.
• Volvo Trucks North America: Volvo's VNL and VNR platforms support Class 8 refuse applications, and Volvo competes with Curbtender at the integrated electric and conventional refuse vehicle level, particularly for zero-emission fleet bids.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@curbtender
• Facebookfacebook.com/curbtender
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/curbtender
• Instagraminstagram.com/curbtender

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Curbtender