FDIC 2017

[chief60]

 

I had heard this rumor too, that all Spartan/Smeal products would wear all Smeal aerials.  I took that LTC would be left to rot as well.  

 

Here's my take.  Smeal got in trouble over extending themselves to begin with, and couldn't keep up with the increased demand of so many orders from so many new dealers.  Part of that problem is having enough skilled labor making the stuff you build.  How in the hell is Smeal going to continue to draw skilled labor in the middle of nowhere, with a now even higher demand for skilled laborers to build these aerials?  Hopefully they use more than one plant to build the Smeal design...  They should keep LTC as well, in my opinion.  This coming from a department that runs a Smeal ladder.

 

In general, Smeal was losing money very quickly.  Spartan has NEVER made money, as far as I can tell, on their emergency products side of the business, for at least the last few years.  At what point do Spartan's share holders say enough and that whole mess is done with?

 

I have heard a little bit different story involving their aerials. The Spartan line is going away, but the LTC is being kept and will use the Spartan personnel with the current LTC people (they are both in the original LTI plant) The smell tiller is going away and only the LTC is being offered and there is supposed to be some other version done the same way. All the snorkel/telesquirt are to remain in PA. I would bet Smeal keeps their bread and butter 105' & 75' rm aerials in Neb.