Brandon, S.D., July 8, 2009 - Ohio CAT, one of the largest distributor of construction equipment, power systems and agricultural equipment in the state of Ohio, has added fire apparatus to its heavy equipment lineup by joining Crimson Fire, Inc. as a new dealer.
The Brandon, S.D.-based manufacturer said that Ohio CAT will sell and service Crimson's full line of custom fire trucks, aerials and rescue vehicles throughout the entire state of Ohio. The third-generation company, which has more than 800 employees, has more than 70 service bays located in the state's five largest cities: Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Youngstown.
Ohio CAT has added Tom Abel, a former firefighter with more than 20 years of experience in the emergency-rescue industry, as its new sales manager.
"Ohio CAT has an outstanding reputation in the sales and service of heavy-duty equipment, so adding fire apparatus to the product mix is a natural extension," said William F. Doebler, vice president of sales and marketing for Crimson. "We are extremely pleased that Ohio CAT, after an extensive evaluation of the industry emergency-rescue industry, chose to join the Crimson Fire network of dealers."
"Its experience with construction and other types of heavy equipment makes Ohio CAT ideally suited to provide support to fire departments throughout the region."
Ohio CAT currently provides sales and service for Caterpillar components and equipment, including construction, agricultural, power systems, truck engines and related vehicles. Its current clients include fire departments municipalities, hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, data centers and others.
"The addition of fire apparatus to our product line was a strategic decision that has been some time in the making," said Greg DeAnna, general manager for the Power Systems division of Ohio CAT. "We were very impressed with Crimson products and the breadth of the product line, and are very pleased to be representing them in the state of Ohio."
"We feel that our skills in working on engines and with heavy-duty equipment will position us to provide full service to departments across the state. With our expansive footprint, departments will no longer need to travel great distances to have maintenance work done on their trucks."
About Crimson Fire
Crimson Fire is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles. A subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. (Nasdaq: SPAR), Crimson Fire is committed to quality, value and innovation. Drawing on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing, Crimson Fire manufactures a full line of pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other emergency-rescue vehicles from its facilities in Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information, visit www.crimson-fire.com.
About Ohio CAT
Ohio CAT is the exclusive authorized Caterpillar dealer throughout Ohio, serving the dtate since 1945. From construction and farming equipment to on-highway truck engines, marine and industrial engines, as well as power generation for hospitals, nursing homes, water treatment facilities and more, Ohio CAT has 15 locations providing sales and service throughout the state.
Contact:
Nick Langerock
Crimson Fire, 605.582.4034
Mary Ann Sabo
Sabo Public Relations, 616.485.1432
