Just toured the Pierce plants

[johnsb]

Just went up to the Pierce plants in Appleton Wi. to do the prebuild on the engine/tanker for my VFD. Thought you guys would like to know they have about 2 dozen fire engines being exported to CHINA!!! Finally it's our turn. I also saw several big ARFF units going to Egypt, Malasia, Uruguay, and Indonesia. They also had several BIG industrial foam engines and tankers that I think are going to Europe. It's nice to see that we still have exports.
BTW, if you've never been to Pierce, WOW! The place is HUGE, and they seemed like they were packed with trucks. I'd guesstimate somewhere around 150 in various stages. Very nice people, and Appleton is a very nice town, lots to do after you are done with "business".

[Reliance]

Where are the pictures

[FiremanLyman]

Really enjoy each trip I've taken to Appleton Did you go to George's for dinner?

Last time I was there, the nation of Ghana was taking delivery of some 150 pumper/tankers. Also there were a half dozen ARFF trucks going to the Middle East. Was told about the prince of Saudi Arabia's own ARFF truck. Evidently he was placed in charge of the Kingdom's fire protection by his father. His ARFF truck was designed with a "throne" in the center seat of the ARFF rig. Pretty cool I suppose. Good to see an American company exporting a product.

[Bones42]

Fairly sure that the top end fire truck builders have been exporting trucks for years...and will continue to do so...

[Nozzle nut 22]

You're right, Bones. Still cool to see manufactured stuff being shipped TO Mexico and China- and not for further assembly. Ferrara builds quite a few rigs for export as well. Guess some are tired of the small, low GVWR commercial chassis available elsewhere.

[johnsb]

Well, out of respect for Pierce and what may be corporate "trade secrets", I won't post any pics on the 'net. They were kind enough to let us take pics so I don't want to screw it up for someone else. China has been known to copy things....

[johnsb]

Really enjoy each trip I've taken to Appleton Did you go to George's for dinner?

Last time I was there, the nation of Ghana was taking delivery of some 150 pumper/tankers. Also there were a half dozen ARFF trucks going to the Middle East. Was told about the prince of Saudi Arabia's own ARFF truck. Evidently he was placed in charge of the Kingdom's fire protection by his father. His ARFF truck was designed with a "throne" in the center seat of the ARFF rig. Pretty cool I suppose. Good to see an American company exporting a product.

Ah, yes, George's. Home of the Sizzler. Man that was one of the best steaks I've ever had! Went to Lombardi's, Fratello's, Cleo's and few other watering holes. It was only -5.

[BoxAlarm187]

You ought to join us at firepics.net and see how many Pierce factory threads there are.

[FWDbuff]

Well, out of respect for Pierce and what may be corporate "trade secrets", I won't post any pics on the 'net. They were kind enough to let us take pics so I don't want to screw it up for someone else. China has been known to copy things....

If Pierce didnt want anyone to see it:

A. They wouldnt let you take pictures
B. It wouldnt have been out in plain sight

[FyredUp]

I honestly laughed out loud when I read this:

johnsb

Well, out of respect for Pierce and what may be corporate "trade secrets", I won't post any pics on the 'net. They were kind enough to let us take pics so I don't want to screw it up for someone else. China has been known to copy things....

Believe me, having done inspections, pre-fire planning, and taught fire brigade classes in factories, if Pierce had anything "TOP SECRET" going on you wouldn't have been allowed in the building, let alone allowed to take pictures. Heck, we pre-planned Harley Davidson's reseach facility we had to sign that we would not divulge anything we saw in there to anyone. I chuckled to myself as not being a motorcycle person I couldn't tell you what was and what wasn't cutting edge.

[VanIsleEVT]

No kidding. I've toured lots of factories and believe me, they'll tell you if you're not allowed to take pictures. If you are allowed to take pictures, which most do allow, feel free to share them.

FYI, there are other manufacturers doing big business with regards to exports, just do a search and you'll see.

[johnsb]

If Pierce didnt want anyone to see it:

A. They wouldnt let you take pictures
B. It wouldnt have been out in plain sight

Having been in the military, and seeing people post every stupid and illegal thing they do on facebook and YouTube, I prefer to err on the side of caution. And some of the employees make not particularly care to have their photos on the net without permission.
Besides that, I guess I'd say none of the pics are really that unusual or impressive. Most of their recent deliveries will probably be on the recent deliveries page in a better pic than I could take in the limited space in the factory.

[CaptOldTimer]

You ought to join us at firepics.net and see how many Pierce factory threads there are.

Having been in the military, and seeing people post every stupid and illegal thing they do on facebook and YouTube, I prefer to err on the side of caution. And some of the employees make not particularly care to have their photos on the net without permission.
Besides that, I guess I'd say none of the pics are really that unusual or impressive. Most of their recent deliveries will probably be on the recent deliveries page in a better pic than I could take in the limited space in the factory.

As boxalarm187 has said, come over to firepics.net and join and post all you want to. If you took them then you have the right to post them.

There are photos from factories and most departments there.

[Bones42]

Well, out of respect for Pierce and what may be corporate "trade secrets", I won't post any pics on the 'net. They were kind enough to let us take pics so I don't want to screw it up for someone else. China has been known to copy things....

Isn't that how Pierce gets their "new innovations"....by taking pictures of other peoples stuff and renaming it?

ha ha ha...

[johnsb]

As boxalarm187 has said, come over to firepics.net and join and post all you want to. If you took them then you have the right to post them.

There are photos from factories and most departments there.

$$$$$$$$$$$

[johnsb]

Isn't that how Pierce gets their "new innovations"....by taking pictures of other peoples stuff and renaming it?

ha ha ha...

Well they're building twice as many trucks as their next competitor, and most dept's around here consider them one of the best trucks around so they must be doing something right.

[BoxAlarm187]

$$$$$$$$$$$

It's $5, and once you join, you'll see that it's one of the best deals on the net when it comes to fireground and fire apparatus photography.

Full disclosure: I am a moderator there, but receive no compensation for it. The subscription fees only pay for the server and hosting. Several servers are required due to the number of photos hosted there.

Also, you might check your figures as to how many rigs the top three manufacturers are each building. ;-)

[nameless]

Having been in the military, and seeing people post every stupid and illegal thing they do on facebook and YouTube, I prefer to err on the side of caution. And some of the employees make not particularly care to have their photos on the net without permission.
Besides that, I guess I'd say none of the pics are really that unusual or impressive. Most of their recent deliveries will probably be on the recent deliveries page in a better pic than I could take in the limited space in the factory.

when was building a fire truck or touring a production facility illegal?

[Bones42]

Depends on the flavor of Kool-Aid.

[LVFD301]

Well, out of respect for Pierce and what may be corporate "trade secrets", I won't post any pics on the 'net. They were kind enough to let us take pics so I don't want to screw it up for someone else. China has been known to copy things....

More than enough have hammered on the "If they wanted it secret, you would not have seen it, or been able to take pictures of it".

What I found espically laughable about your post though, was the part about China copying things. In your original post you talked about China buying the two dozen trucks, why would they copy when they are buying?

Hilarious.