Crimson Fire Adds Two New Dealers

BRANDON, S.D., April 27 -- Crimson Fire has added two new dealers that will expand its sales and distribution reach in two key markets.

The Brandon, South Dakota-based manufacturer of custom fire trucks recently signed deals with Summit Emergency Equipment and Emergency Vehicle Group to carry its complete line of custom aerial ladders, pumpers, quick- attacks and other fire and rescue vehicles. Both dealers have already secured orders for Crimson Fire vehicles.

Summit Emergency Equipment is based in Colorado and sells extensively in the Western states, including Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Wyoming and Montana. The company is a second-generation dealer experienced in both making and selling fire trucks.

"Brian and Mark Becker bring a wealth of experience to sales in the fire industry, and we are extremely pleased that they will be representing Crimson Fire," said Jim Salmi, president of Crimson Fire. "We have had a big gap in our dealer coverage in this region, which continues to experience strong population growth.

"Summit's team enjoys an exceptional reputation in our industry. Its addition to our dealer ranks gives us immediate credibility in this key market -- and access to customers who will have a need for our complete line of fire- rescue vehicles."

Emergency Vehicle Group is based in Southern California and has extensive experience in the emergency vehicle market. Owned by the Grinstead family, Emergency Vehicle currently sells ambulances produced by Road Rescue, a sister company to Crimson Fire.

"The addition of Crimson Fire vehicles will allow the Emergency Vehicle Group to expand its existing relationships with current customers," Salmi said. "A recent Crimson Fire survey shows that 92 percent of companies who purchase a fire truck are also in the market for an ambulance, so there is tremendous synergy between product lines.

"California is one of the fastest-growing states in the nation. Crimson Fire already supplies vehicles to major cities such as San Diego, and we anticipate the addition of this new dealer should allow us to increase our presence significantly."

Crimson Fire is a subsidiary of Charlotte, Michigan-based Spartan Motors, Inc. .

About Crimson Fire

Crimson Fire, a Spartan Motors company, is a leading manufacturer of custom fire trucks and other rescue vehicles, representing quality, value and innovation. Crimson Fire was established in 2003, when Spartan Motors, Inc. merged its two fire apparatus subsidiaries, Quality Manufacturing and Luverne Fire Apparatus. The Company now draws on more than 130 years of excellence in fire truck manufacturing. Crimson Fire manufactures pumpers, rescues, aerials, quick-attack vehicles and other fire and rescue trucks from facilities in Alabama, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. For more information on Crimson Fire, visit http://www.crimson-fire.com/ .