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Smeal Fire Apparatus announces acquisitions

Snyder, Nebraska-based Smeal said June 19 that it had agreed to buy U.S. Tanker Fire Apparatus, effective July 1. This deal expands Smeal’s product offering to include stainless-steel custom and commercial pumpers and other apparatus.

Ten days earlier, on June 9, Smeal said it had acquired the assets of LTI – the aerial-device brand formerly owned by American LaFrance. That deal includes LTI ladders, platforms and tractor-drawn aerials, Squrt and TeleSqurt, boom-ladders, and Snorkel articulating aerial platforms.

The LTI purchase gives Smeal the largest selection of aerial models available to the fire service, the company said in a press release.

“This acquisition provides our customers with more choices, and it provides additional opportunities for us to serve urban aerial customers who are looking for the reliability, performance and packaging of the LTI, Squrt, TeleSqurt and Snorkel lines,” said Smeal president Mark Huber.

As for the U.S. Tanker deal, Huber said the transaction gives Smeal the edge it needs to serve customers with a wide selection of apparatus.

“Considered by many to build the premier stainless-steel apparatus line in the industry, we are excited to add UST’s expertise and technical knowledge in stainless to Smeal,” Huber said.

“Stainless steel is the material of choice for many fire departments that face corrosive operating environments, particularly those in the Snow Belt and the salt-water environment of coastal areas,” he said.

US Tanker’s products include Patriot stainless steel elliptical tankers, Heritage wetside and dryside tankers, Guardia stainless steel pumpers – with custom and commercial chassis – light rescues, mini-pumpers and brush trucks.

Safetek Emergency Vehicles (www.firetrucks.ca) is the exclusive Canadian dealer for Smeal Fire Apparatus.