1990 in particular was a traumatic time in the apparatus industry as Hahn, Sanford,Maxim, Pirsch, and Young all fell like dominoes, there was also the loss of Mack's fire chassis at this time.
Remember, there was no Internet then, so the industry press seemed rather overwhelmed in reporting the demise of each company, i.e. FAJ reported on Sanford's closing in the Sept. 1990 issue, but the liquidation sale happened in June, 1990, putting future historians at a disadvantage.
A couple of firms put out flowery press releases right until the end of operations, also leading to confusion.
The recent NFPA recommendation for enclosed cabs, plus the effect of the first EPA emissions rules probably also contributed to the industry shakeout.
Sanford did try to diversify their product line, as at least 4 different kinds of rigs were being produced in the summer of 1988 (9/1988 FAJ) a number of rescues were built in the last couple years in competition with Saulsbury, including a big Pemfab chassis rescue for West Trenton,NJ.
Remember, there was no Internet then, so the industry press seemed rather overwhelmed in reporting the demise of each company, i.e. FAJ reported on Sanford's closing in the Sept. 1990 issue, but the liquidation sale happened in June, 1990, putting future historians at a disadvantage.
A couple of firms put out flowery press releases right until the end of operations, also leading to confusion.
The recent NFPA recommendation for enclosed cabs, plus the effect of the first EPA emissions rules probably also contributed to the industry shakeout.
Sanford did try to diversify their product line, as at least 4 different kinds of rigs were being produced in the summer of 1988 (9/1988 FAJ) a number of rescues were built in the last couple years in competition with Saulsbury, including a big Pemfab chassis rescue for West Trenton,NJ.
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