United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. (UPF) has announced that Bill Bruns, VP of Sales and Marketing plans to retire effective October 31, 2013.
“It’s going to be different around UPF, it’s going to be different without Bruns in the fire industry as well,” says Joe Lingel, UPF President/CEO. “On behalf of the UPF family, we hope he enjoys his retirement years and many days on the golf course.”
Bill’s involvement in the fire industry began in 1966 when he began his career at Grumman Corporation in the Aerospace division.By 1988 he became the President of Emergency Products Division.
He joined Ladder Tower Inc. (LTI), Pennsylvania in 1992 as their VP of Sales and Marketing. In 1995 Bill was approached by United Plastic Fabricating’s then President, Alan Burnham and asked to relocate and join the UPF family as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
Bill accepted and he spent the last 17 years at the North Andover headquarters where his business acumen and well know wit has made him an icon in the industry.
“His reputation in the fire industry precedes him. Bill is well known and respected for his dedication and commitment to improving the fire industry. His ability to understand customer needs has resulted in remarkable sales growth for UPF since he joined our organization,” says Lingel. “We owe Bill a lot of credit in the success of UPF, it’s been a pleasure working with him.”
In addition to his career, Bill has been involved in many of the fire industry associations. Congressional Fire Services Institute 1990 – While President of Grumman Emergency Products, Bill, for Grumman, was the first corporation to become a sponsor of the CFSI Internship Program.
On CFSI Advisory Board – 1992 2013 – In recognition of his retirement, Bill received a letter of appreciation and congratulations signed by Senator John McCain on behalf of the Congressional Fire Services Institute Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association
1989-90 – Assisted in the development of the FAMA Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, and was voted onto the FAMA Board as Treasurer at the organizational meeting of FAMA in April of 1990.
1990-91 – Created the Committee Structure of FAMA as it is known today FAMA Board of Directors - Served a total of 10 yrs Served as: Treasurer - 1990; Secretary - 1991; VP - 1992; President - 1993; Past President - 1994; returned to fill Board vacancies in 5 additional years.
FAMA Bylaws Chair from 1990 to present (23 yrs)
1998 – Star Achiever Award Recipient 2008 – Special Award for 10 years of service on the FAMA Board
2013 – Recipient of the first FAMA Lifetime Achievement Award
Other Association Service as a Board Member over the years: FEMSA – Fire and Emergency Manufacturers and Services Association NAEVT – National Association of Emergency Vehicle Technicians PFSI – Pennsylvania Fire Service Institute
Lingel has announced the hiring of a Director of Sales and Marketing, Timothy Wareham.
“Tim has a strong record of achievement in executive level sales management positions, including his most recent position as Senior Sales Executive for AtHoc, a leader in information and technology services for the health care industry,” says Lingel. “He is no stranger to fire trucks and the fire industry. He has been in public service for many years, first with the Mineola Ambulance Corps, and currently, as an on-call fire fighter and member of the Board of Fire Engineers for the Town of Newbury, Massachusetts. This combination of sales and marketing experience and enthusiasm for the fire industry will serve him well as he begins his career with UPF.”
“I am saddened to leave an industry that I have enjoyed for over 30 years,” say Bruns. “But I am confident that Tim will provide excellent support and service to all of UPF’s customers. Tim’s experience as a firefighter and former chief is a great asset as we move forward.”
Corporate headquarters located in North Andover, Massachusetts, UPF has been manufacturing the POLY-TANK water and foam tanks since 1986. The company also has plants located in Ocala, Florida and Neenah, Wisconsin and has over 80,000 POLY-TANKs in service in over 85 countries.
