Apparatus Experts Tackle Industry's Dilemma
With the current state of the economy, it's no surprise that the fire apparatus industry has taken a hit.
Stations are closing, budgets being tightened and companies are collapsing; leaving fire officials wondering what the best options are when its time to purchase a new truck.
Fire apparatus consultants Alan Saulsbury, president Fire Spec Services, Inc., and Robert Barraclough, president of the Best Fire Apparatus Resource, Inc., provided information and possible solutions focused on the industry's current economic situation during a session at Firehouse Expo in Baltimore last Friday.
"This is going to be a tough ten years for the fire service," Saulsbury said. "Any way you look at it; it's not going to be fun."
Close to 200 manufacturers currently produce approximately 7,500 apparatus per year, according to Saulsbury, noting that the profit on each truck amounts to only 10 percent for those companies.
This is why -- the two experts say -- 85 manufacturers have folded in the last 50 years; an average of about two per year.
Saulsbury said that when departments are purchasing an apparatus it is important for them to do their research.
"The best thing is to see who is strong," he said, adding that he believes a few manufacturers are currently on the bubble. "You have to be very cautious."
Saulsbury and Barrabclough listed the top performing apparatus manufacturers in the U.S. with Piece in their top spot followed by Rosenbauer, E-One, KME and Ferrara Fire rounding out their top five.
American LaFrance -- a company that has filed for bankruptcy and underwent a major reorganization within the last year -- was left off of their list.
"We have no idea where these guys are right now," Saulsbury said. "Are they going to come out of this? We just don't know."
He said that departments must also take into account the direction in which the fire service is evolving.
"Trucks are going to be smaller, cheaper and more efficient in the future," he said, comparing the style to what is currently seen in the international fire service.
Barraclough chimed in: "We never used to worry about fuel in the fire service. Now it is becoming a serious issue."
Currently, the average truck gets about 5 miles to the gallon while the new trucks could get close to 10 miles to the gallon. Another positive is that the new trucks could cost $250,000 to $300,000 while current trucks cost on average $550,000 to $600,000.
Saulsbury said that in the ever-changing environment the industry currently operates, manufacturers and the fire service as a whole must be ready to adapt.
"Things are changing rapidly," he said. "We didn't have this message two years ago."
Related Stories: