Crimson buys LTI/ALF plant

[ladderman]

It is finally official, our dealer met with us today and showed us the announcement that Crimson has purchased the LTI plant in Ephrata PA.

I guess with a lot of the big orders they are receiving from large cities like Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Buffalo they needed more space for their aerial plant. We should be signing another contract within 30 days for another Crimson aerial.

Congrats to the Crimson and Spartan team on making this happen!!!!

[Rescue101]

It is finally official, our dealer met with us today and showed us the announcement that Crimson has purchased the LTI plant in Ephrata PA.

I guess with a lot of the big orders they are receiving from large cities like Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Buffalo they needed more space for their aerial plant. We should be signing another contract within 30 days for another Crimson aerial.

Congrats to the Crimson and Spartan team on making this happen!!!!

Bought? OR LEASED? As far as I know this wasn't for general disclosure yet. My little birdies are leaning toward LEASED! If indeed either is true, Congratulations Crimson,it will give you some badly needed space. T.C.

[LeadOff]

It is LEASED. The property is still owned by the Zimmermans, the original founders of LTI. The move of the Crimson Aerials plant from Lancaster to Ephrata is underway at this time.

[Rescue101]

Well at least the move should be relatively painless. 15 miles,give or take, T.C.

[LeadOff]

Actually a little closer than that, T.C. The drive from the old Crimson plant to the LTI facility is only about 11 miles (a little over 6 as the crow flies). Most of the workers are old LTI employees anyway so it's no real change for them. Now they do have a lot more room up there to include more parking space inside for all of their stock aerial trucks.

[WoodbridgeFFII]

Lti ?

Is American Lafrance building any type of aerial apparatus down in there S.C. plant ?

[LeadOff]

From what I've been told, they are definitely not building any aerials down in SC but I'm not sure what else is going on down there.

[FIREMECH1]

This may be good news from our location. We are in desperate need of several aerials quickly. Hopefully someone on the committee will see this, and bid accordingly.

FM1

[SFD_E73_RET]

Is American Lafrance building any type of aerial apparatus down in there S.C. plant ?

I had heard that anything they were building no matter what it is was at the Ephrata plant and nothing going on in SC.

[dano313]

From what my understanding is (and correct me if anyone has different information) Crimson took over most of the buildings in Ephrata (from the Zimmermann's) and ALF/LTI moved all of their welding fixtures to one of the smaller buildings on the property.

[LeadOff]

The last I heard from some of the Crimson Aerials guys that were moving up to Ephrata is that Crimson Fire was leasing (not sure who the lease is actually with) most of the buildings in the old LTI complex. ALF/LTI was still utilizing one of the smaller buildings up there. As of a few weeks ago, only a hand full of ALF employees were working on pump modules for some pumpers and that was about it. Don't know what they are doing now. I might be going up there soon so I might do a little snooping around to see what's going on.

[LeadOff]

Public records currently show that the property located at 64 Cocalico Creek Rd., Ephrata, PA (the LTI facility) is owned by ZIMCO Partners which is the Zimmerman family, the original owners/founders of LTI.

[ladderman]

Crimson Web-Site

From the Crimson website.


http://www.crimson-fire.com/news/New...aFacility.aspx

From what I remember when we purchased our LTI this is a really really nice fire apparatus factory.

[LeadOff]

It's about time they finally made it official! They've been in the process of moving up to Ephrata for almost a month now.

[ladderman]

Spartan Press Release

Official Spartan Release Below


Crimson Fire Aerials Relocates to Meet Growing Demand

EPHRATA, Pennsylvania, September 15, 2010 – An industry leader in emergency response aerial products, Crimson Fire Aerials, Inc., a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), is relocating its manufacturing and service operations to nearby Ephrata, Penn. The facility, designed and constructed specifically to manufacture aerials, was formerly home to American LaFrance’s ladder production.

“Securing a long-term agreement for a building with tremendous infrastructure in the heart of ‘aerial
country’ ensures that we are poised to meet the needs of customers now and into the future,” said Jim Salmi, President of Crimson Fire Aerials. “Everyone here is excited for the first customer inspection, service training or sales presentation to take place. Continuing to exceed our customers’ expectations was first and foremost in the decision to relocate.”

The new plant, which is just minutes away from Crimson Fire’s current facility in Lancaster, provides manufacturing space, as well as multiple bays for service and refurbishment work. The site also features the outdoor capacity to test aerial devices and fire pumps. The company has installed a 40,000-gallon in-ground water tank, slope test pad and tower to collect discharged water from units undergoing validation.

“As the height of buildings around the world continues upward, more departments need complex aerial equipment to keep their communities safe,” said John Sztykiel, President and CEO of Spartan Motors, Inc.
“The investment in relocating this business to a purpose-built facility will enhance operational efficiencies and reduce production lead time. Whether a customer specifies a custom or a refurbished vehicle, Crimson has the capabilities to deliver a quality vehicle, on-time.”

Relocation activities are scheduled for completion by the end of October 2010.

For more information on the relocation of Crimson Fire Aerials and images of the new facility, please visit:
http://www.crimson-fire.com/news/New...aFacility.aspx

About Crimson Fire
Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom aerial fire trucks. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), Crimson Fire is committed to quality, value and innovation. For more information, visit www.crimson- fire.com.

Russell Chick
Corporate Director of Marketing
517.543.6400