Fire Fighting in Canada

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New ownership for Elkhart Brass

March 5, 2015 – The retiring owner of Elkhart Brass, an Indiana-based manufacturer of firefighting equipment, says it’s business as usual for the company despite the announcement of a sale in ownership.

Hans Ashbaugh, CEO and owner of Elkhart Brass, said in a news release Wednesday announcing the acquisition of his company by Missouri-based Safe Fleet that little will change in terms of management and operation.

“Although I’m retiring in conjunction with the change of ownership to Safe Fleet,” he said, “the remainder of the Elkhart management and organization will continue to run Elkhart Brass.

“For our valued employees, customers and suppliers, it is business as usual.”

Brian Evans, a marketing representative for Elkhart Brass in Canada, says he does not expect the new ownership to affect him or his customers.

“I don’t sense any urgency at all from the people at the factory,” Brian said, “they’re saying no changes are needed.”

Elkhart Brass, which has been in operation for more than a century, manufactures thousands of firefighting products. Its innovations includes the first peripheral jet fog nozzle, the first pressure regulating nozzle, and the first wireless monitor.

In Canada, Elkhart Brass is distributed by Profire Emergency Equipment in Abbotsford, B.C., ABC Fire & Safety Equipment Ltd., in Winnipeg, Darch Fire Inc. in Ayr, Ont., Mic Mac/Safety Source in Fredericton and Dartmouth, N.S., Larsenal in Dummondville, Que., and Areo-Feu in Longueuil, Que.

According to John Knox, president and CEO of Safe Fleet, the acquisition of Elkhart Brass, combined with Safe Fleet’s ownership of FRC and Foam Pro, will allow the company to develop integrated firefighting products, and have one of the largest direct sales forces dedicated to the firefighting industry in North America.

March 5, 2015 
By Maria Church



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