Sutphen Corporation’s 136 Years of Family

In the fire apparatus industry, few names exemplify rich heritage and deep-seated roots of respect and loyalty like Sutphen Corporation. From C.H. Sutphen’s founding of Harry Sutphen and Associates in 1890, to the modern business of today, Sutphen Corporation embodies an unwavering commitment to growth and innovation. 

Since 1890, when the company then known as Harry Sutphen and Associates sold fire hoses and various firefighting tools, Sutphen Corporation has led the industry through innovation and has maintained an unbroken line of family ownership.  

From selling leather fire hose and Prospect Chemical Carts to pioneering the mid-mount aerial fire apparatus and developing Sutphen’s extreme-duty chassis, each generation of Sutphens has elevated the business to meet the evolving needs of modern firefighters.

"Whether our father’s, grandfather’s or great-grandfather's generation, the experiences before Drew, Dan and I were instrumental in setting the stage for us to continue to grow the company and keep us moving forward, and now we are actively laying the groundwork for future Sutphen family members to come.” said Julie Sutphen Phelps, fourth-generation family president of Sutphen Hilliard and East and vice president of Sutphen Dublin and Urbana.

Today, fourth and fifth generation family members serve in roles throughout the company, working across a variety of disciplines and guiding Sutphen’s legacy within the fire industry. From executive leadership to operations and sales, Sutphen remains a truly family-owned and operated business. 

In 2024, Sutphen reaffirmed its commitment to the next generation with the opening of a new 185,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Urbana, Ohio. The facility, now the largest of Sutphen’s four locations, represents a step toward continued growth for future generations of the Sutphen family, as well as a continued commitment to the next generation of firefighters.

“Innovation and continuous improvement are at the core of Sutphen’s operations, manufacturing processes, and leadership teams,” said Shelby Sutphen Chambers, fifth-generation family president of Sutphen Corporation. “In our 136th year of business, we remain focused on delivering the safest, most reliable fire apparatus in the world, as we have for generations.” 

About Sutphen: Sutphen Corporation is an Ohio-based, privately held, family-owned business that has manufactured the highest-quality, heavy-duty, custom-built emergency response vehicles since 1890. The company’s headquarters is located in Dublin, Ohio, a northwest suburb of Columbus.