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drfeelgood · 06-13-2014, 09:23 AM

Quote:Who is building Smeal's "branded"chassis line? I suspect Ferrara is, and if that's the case I can only see Smeal and Ferrara partnering to sell each others products. Spartan ERV's aerial line represents a ton of investment by them, I can't imagine they'd undermine that by putting another competitor's product in the mix.

(If you look at http://www.redstormfire.com/wp-content/u...hassis.pdf you can see the photo of the chassis in crash testing is actually a Ferrara). They've done a nice job of making the Smeal line look different than Ferrara's, but the air intake and a number other characteristics are a good giveaway.

To be perfectly honest, I'm actually shocked that Spartan hasn't cut Smeal's access to Spartan chassis now that they have their "own" line of chassis. That's why Rosenbauer was cut off, as were E-One, KME, etc. However, I think cutting off Rosenbauer was a huge financial mistake for Spartan, one they'll never recover from.

We have a Smeal quint that has been a fantastic rig, I'm glad to see LTI is in good hands.

Smeal has re-branded chassis for years. The 1st Sirus series is a Spartan, Altris was an ALF, and the new S series is a Ferrara which every Smeal Dealer will tell what it is (Not like there is already 1,000 giveaways on who builds it). When Smeal does this with another chassis they have their "requirements" that changes or in some cases makes the cab/chassis better. As I was told Smeal wanted more options for there customers on a chassis. They ALF version was a low end and the Spartan was the High end but from what I understand the Sirus will still be available if requested but the "S" series will be the standard. This also allows Smeal to answer the "sole source" questions when asked. To be honest Ferrara, Smeal, Rosenbauer, and Spartan are not truley sole source because the cabs are actually built by someone else. Marion for Spartan and Rosey and CTC for Ferrara, Smeal,and HME.



As for Ferrara telling Smeal what to do I don't see that happening since Smeal is it's own company and stands alone. They just has an agreement with Ferrara to supply a chassis. Ferrara has more to loose in the deal if they push the "our chassis only" BS because Smeal builds aerials where as Ferrara doesn't. Now will the purchase of LTI there is really no options for Ferrara. I was really thinking Ferrara or Rosey would have bought up LTI but they didn't which could be a very good thing.



The Rosey/Spartan break up is a nasty business fight full of ugliness and Spartan is still doing fine and will continue to do so. Remember Spartan is still the largest chassis builder in the US fire service and companies like Pierce, Seagrave, Sutphen and E\-One wouldn't allow their products to built on another brand chassis for years or forever.



Smeal buying LTI is puzzling to me but I hope it works out because LTI is a very good product and with "freshening up" as the Smeal CEO put it could make it even better. ALF wouldn't put money into LTI so many left for Seagrave, Smeal, KME, and Pierce who used designs and improvements developed by fustrated exLTI designers in their aerial products. I feel that Smeal will use LTI to get a ton of North East/Mid Atlantic business and have a facility to repair/refurb if needed. I see a huge push in the TDA world which other than Seagrave if you wanted a "Working class/all business" TDA LTI was it. I understand Smeal already has a workforce finishing up a few rigs at LTI as we speak.



I hope this works out and the LTI/LTC brand stays a stand alone option in it's own facility. You would think every MFG has learned from what E\-One did to Saulsbury, putting a name plate on a RD Murray isn't a Saulsbury.

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