Braun Debuts Unit On Spartan Furion
Braun Industries is exhibiting a new ambulance – on a Spartan Furion cab and chassis – in April at this year’s Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis.

“The Spartan Furion chassis is designed to bridge the gap in the market between custom and commercial vehicles and offers superior visibility, roominess and modernized styling,” said Phil Braun, president and CEO of Braun Industries.

Unlike its commercial counterparts, which might wind up as delivery or moving trucks, the Spartan Furion is a purpose-built cab and chassis designed for the emergency rescue industry, according to Braun. The cab-over-engine design allows for greater visibility and maneuverability and features room for six crew members and equipment. The Furion also features an advanced multiplex electrical system and uses an under the dash heating and air conditioning system.

Building hand-crafted ambulances in Ohio since 1972, Braun Industries recently marked its 36th anniversary at its Van Wert, Ohio, headquarters. The company is recognized as an innovative leader in ambulance design and construction, offering exclusive features such as Braun Solid Body Construction, the Braun EZ Glide Sliding Door and Braun’s MasterTech III Multiplex Electrical Control System.

For information about Braun Industries call 419-232-7020 or go to www.braunambulances.com.

Akron Brass Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Akron Brass is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, enjoying its position as a world leader in products for the fire and emergency medical services.

The company makes and markets nozzles, monitors, scene and warning lighting and multiplexing equipment. It all started in 1918 when some former B.F. Goodrich Rubber company employees formed the Akron Brass Manufacturing company to produce couplings for the rubber-lined fire hose market. Production began in a leased portion of an American Cereal Company building in Akron, Ohio. Demand was very strong, and the company quickly outgrew the leased quarters and found it necessary to relocate to Wooster, Ohio where it continues to operate today.

In 1935 demands for additional expansion capital led the management team to incorporate. In 1962 Akron Brass merged into the Premier Industrial Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio. Under Premier, continued growth resulted in the need for additional capacity, and the facilities were expanded with the addition of 24,000 square feet on Spruce Street and 42,000 square feet on Old Mansfield Road in Wooster, Ohio.

In 1996 Premier Industrial merged with Farnell PLC of the United Kingdom to become Premier Farnell PLC, which undertook a major expansion in 2001.

In 2004 Akron acquired the former GFE Manufacturing in Washington, Ill., which makes electrical equipment, and then in 2005 it acquired the former Weldon Technologies in Columbus, Ohio, a manufacturer of vehicular lighting and electrical control products. All those products are now offered through Akron Brass via its global sales and distribution network.

For information about Akron Brass call 800-989-2718 or go to www.akronbrass.com.

E-ONE Appoints Iowa Dealer
Ed M. Feld Equipment Company has been appointed as a new dealer for E-ONE servicing Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, northeast Kansas and northwest Missouri.

“When we visited the plant, we were blown away by the facilities, the product quality, the vast product line, and especially the people,” said John M. Feld, president of Feld Equipment, located in Carroll, Iowa. “We truly felt everyone was there to help us and would support us completely during our transition period.”

Established in 1945, Feld’s grandfather, Ed M. Feld, started the company by servicing fire extinguishers and expanded into the diverse fire apparatus and equipment sales and service center it is today. Feld Equipment now employs 39 people, including 13 field sales representatives and four mobile service technicians. The company had previously represented Toyne Inc., an apparatus maker in Breda, Iowa.

“Feld Equipment is a first-class organization with a knowledgeable sales staff and many years of experience in the fire industry,” said George Logan, vice president of dealer operations for E-ONE. “We are delighted they have decided to join our exceptional dealer network.”

As a leading manufacturer of fire rescue vehicles, E-ONE engineers and builds a complete line of apparatus including hazardous materials units, explosive ordnance disposal vehicles, command centers and aircraft rescue vehicles.

For more information on Feld Equipment please visit www.feldfire.com , www.e-one.com or call 1-800-568-2403.