Late seeing this thread...
I can't think that Ferrara would be happy Smeal acquired LTI...Ferrara wanted LTI. I still see no marketing of the new "Smealfara" chassis. Their website is terrible. I suspect that arrangement will fall apart. The arrangement Smeal had with ALF for the Centron went nowhere...granted that was ALF.
I suspect Smeal wanted LTI for a few reasons: to keep it away from Ferrara, the $ potential for servicing existing LTI customers, the Tele-Squrt and Squrt, and the potential to get big city TDA contracts (like LA and Philly). Smeal has a successful aerial line already, but their TDA frankly hasn't sold well. The Tele-Squrt, Squrt, and an established TDA design will be a major B-12 shot in their arm. US Tanker also gives them another service facility and elliptical tankers. And here is a wicked rumor for you coming from a certain area that could result in a...say..."Smealgrave." I find that hard to believe...but if Ferrara is really mad at Smeal...Smeal is in a spending mood and acquiring Seagrave would give them a true custom chassis and be the cherry (or middle finger) on top.
Spartan is NOT doing fine...the fire side, that is. The ERV division is bleeding badly. Remember, large parent companies have shed weight many times in the past. Fire trucks weren't the primary business of Mack. FMC dumped fire trucks. Grumman dumped fire trucks, even though they had a massive backlog and were actually profitable! At the time Grumman and FMC were the #3 and #4 builders in the industry, but both decided to streamline and concentrate on government business. I could easily see Spartan getting out of the "complete" fire truck business.
I always felt Sutphen was poised to continue jumping ranks...but this aerial debacle will be black eye and an expensive fix...I know its much deeper...more than just a couple of reported failures. I don't think Smeal is gunning for #1 or #2, but I think they strongly feel they can become #3. It will be hard to overtake KME, but I think they'll be top 5 when the smoke clears.
Just my spin on the current industry...
Kent Parrish
Louisville, KY
I can't think that Ferrara would be happy Smeal acquired LTI...Ferrara wanted LTI. I still see no marketing of the new "Smealfara" chassis. Their website is terrible. I suspect that arrangement will fall apart. The arrangement Smeal had with ALF for the Centron went nowhere...granted that was ALF.
I suspect Smeal wanted LTI for a few reasons: to keep it away from Ferrara, the $ potential for servicing existing LTI customers, the Tele-Squrt and Squrt, and the potential to get big city TDA contracts (like LA and Philly). Smeal has a successful aerial line already, but their TDA frankly hasn't sold well. The Tele-Squrt, Squrt, and an established TDA design will be a major B-12 shot in their arm. US Tanker also gives them another service facility and elliptical tankers. And here is a wicked rumor for you coming from a certain area that could result in a...say..."Smealgrave." I find that hard to believe...but if Ferrara is really mad at Smeal...Smeal is in a spending mood and acquiring Seagrave would give them a true custom chassis and be the cherry (or middle finger) on top.
Spartan is NOT doing fine...the fire side, that is. The ERV division is bleeding badly. Remember, large parent companies have shed weight many times in the past. Fire trucks weren't the primary business of Mack. FMC dumped fire trucks. Grumman dumped fire trucks, even though they had a massive backlog and were actually profitable! At the time Grumman and FMC were the #3 and #4 builders in the industry, but both decided to streamline and concentrate on government business. I could easily see Spartan getting out of the "complete" fire truck business.
I always felt Sutphen was poised to continue jumping ranks...but this aerial debacle will be black eye and an expensive fix...I know its much deeper...more than just a couple of reported failures. I don't think Smeal is gunning for #1 or #2, but I think they strongly feel they can become #3. It will be hard to overtake KME, but I think they'll be top 5 when the smoke clears.
Just my spin on the current industry...
Kent Parrish
Louisville, KY
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