American LaFrance 1873-2014 USA

american-lafrance-model-12-pumper-10

american lafrance

American LaFrance

Industry	Fire apparatus manufacturer, Commercial Vehicles
Founded	1873
Defunct	2014
Headquarters	Summerville, South Carolina, U.S.
Owner	Daimler Trucks North America
Parent	Daimler AG
Website	www.americanlafrance.com

American LaFrance (ALF) was an American vehicle manufacturer which focused primarily on the production of fire engines, fire aerials, and emergency apparatus such as ambulance and rescue vehicles. The company was located in Summerville, South Carolina. It was announced Friday, January 17, 2014 they would cease operations.

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History

The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was one of the oldest fire apparatus manufacturers in America. With roots that go back to approximately 1832, the companies that went on to become American LaFrance built hand-drawn, horse-drawn, and steam-powered fire engines. Founded in 1873 by Truckson LaFrance and his partners, including Alexander S. Diven as the LaFrance Manufacturing Company selling hand powered equipment. The International Fire Engine Company, corporate predecessor of American LaFrance, built some steam power fire engines between 1903-1907. Apparatus built by International included horse drawn steamers, hose wagons, and hook & ladders to chemical engines, water towers and combinations. The American LaFrance Fire Engine Company was formed in 1903. Its corporate offices and manufacturing plant were in Elmira, New York. It also operated a Canadian plant in Toronto, Ontario, where it sold apparatus under the name Lafrance-Foamite, until 1971. ALF delivered its first motorized fire engine in 1907. Over the years, American LaFrance built thousands of fire trucks including chemical engines, combination pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, Aero Chief snorkel trucks, and airport crash trucks. The classical style of the American LaFrance apparatus is easily recognized. Some of the company’s innovations led to changes in the industry, most notably the cab forward style cab.

In 1995, the company was bought by Freightliner LLC, which is a subsidiary of Daimler AG. Freightliner continued to utilize American LaFrance’s original nameplates and designations including the Eagle custom chassis. Many of their Liberty products were built on Freightliner LLC M2 or Sterling Acterra chassis. ALF operated additional manufacturing facilities in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, Sanford, Florida, and Hamburg, New York. As of 2005, they were the fifth largest manufacturer of emergency vehicles in North America.

In December 2005, it was announced that Freightliner had transferred the ownership of American LaFrance to the New York-based investment firm, Patriarch Partners, LLC. The headquarters and main plant in Ladson, South Carolina were not included in the transaction. However, Patriarch Partners were allowed to use the plant until early 2007, when DaimlerChrysler began using the plant for assembly of the Dodge Sprinter. Under new ownership ALF relocated within the Charleston, South Carolina area in summer 2007 to a brand new facility, including manufacturing and corporate HQ, with nearly 500,000 sq ft (50,000 m²) of total space.

On January 28, 2008, American LaFrance filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection blaming problems with implementation of a new IBM enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. On July 25, 2008, the company emerged from bankruptcy with a revised business plan to transfer the firetruck body building portion of the business to the remaining Hamburg, NY, (formerly RDMurray Inc.) and Ephrata, PA, (formerly Ladder Towers Inc.) facilities. The Summerville, SC plant continued to manufacture fire truck cab and chassis, but focused on vocational vehicles and the Condor vehicle line. On January 17, 2014, the company announced it was ceasing operations.

Products

1912 American LaFrance Simplex 9.5l 4cyl. touring car (98PS)

1916 American LaFrance Speedster automobile

A 1928 American LaFrance fire truck from Ottawa.

American LaFrance 75 No 3542 2008 in Germany

A restored 1954 American LaFrance Type 700 pumper.

A 1970 American LaFrance Type 900 pumper.

A 1979 American LaFrance 1000 Century Series Pumper.

A firefighter holds a baby, in front of a 1990 American LaFrance Century 2000 pumper.

1958 American LaFrance Series 900 Fire Truck at the Texas Transportation Museum

2000’s era American LaFrance fire truck

Chassis

2002 American Lafrance Eagle 93 ft mmt Phoenix

2004 American Lafrance Eagle Mid-Engine Rear-Pump 1250gpm 500gwt 80gfts CAFS

2004 American Lafrance Eagle Mid-Engine Rear-Pump 1250gpm 500gwt 80gfts CAFS Eagle Mid-Engine

Chicago Fire Department reserve squad Engine 23 American LaFrance Eagle

Chicago Fire Department reserve squad Engine 23 American LaFrance Eagle Eagle SE

2004 American LaFrance. Metropolitan

2004 American LaFrance. Metropolitan Metropolitan

American LaFrance Commercial Cab Rescue Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department Emergency Apparatu

American LaFrance Commercial Cab Rescue Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department Emergency Apparatus Commercial

2008 American LaFrance Condor

2008 American LaFrance Condor Condor

Emergency apparatus

1954 American LaFrance Type 700 pumper. Crosset engine.

1954 American LaFrance Type 700 pumper. Crosset engine. Pumpers

1997 American LaFrance aerial

1997 American LaFrance aerial Aerials

Freightliner-American LaFrance Tanker-Pumper

Freightliner-American LaFrance Tanker-Pumper Tankers

2006 American LaFrance Pump-Rescue

2006 American LaFrance Pump-Rescue Rescues

2000 Freightliner - American LaFrance - Aero Medic Master ambulances

2000 Freightliner – American LaFrance – Aero Medic Master ambulances Ambulance

1968 American LaFrance 900 Series, 1250 gpm 500gwt

1968 American LaFrance 900 Series, 1250 gpm 500gwt Wildlands

2011 american-lafrance-fire-truck Liberty

Vocational application

American LaFrance historical Refuse Truck

American LaFrance Condor Refuse Truck

American LaFrance Condor Refuse Truck Refuse

1391716578520 Construction

1953 American LaFrance Airport Crash Truck 4x4

1953 American LaFrance Airport Crash Truck 4×4 Airport Service

1970 American LaFrance Dump Truck

1953 This Ramp Truck Started Life As A 1953 American LaFrance Fire Truck

1953 This Ramp Truck Started Life As A 1953 American LaFrance Fire Truck General Utility

Photo Collection:

1902 american-lafrance-model-12-pumper-06 1903 american-lafrance-speedster-3 1904 - the 1892 American LaFrance Steamer Pumping at Town Hall Fire 1906 American LaFrance chemical engine on Arlington St., Back Bay 1907 American LaFrance Chief's Speedster 1907 american-lafrance-speedster-8 1908 American La France Funkenblitz 1909 American La France Speedster 1909 American LaFrance premier 35-45hp 6 cylinder bonhams 1909 american-lafrance-fire-truck-5 1909 AmLaFrance 04 2500 1912 American LaFrance City Service Hook & Ladder Truck 1912 American LaFrance La France 2 seater 1912 American LaFrance Simplex 9.5l 4cyl. touring car (98PS) 1912 American LaFrance Type 14-4 1913-15 American LaFrance Type 18 1914 American LaFrance Roadster 1915 American La France Duray and a great grill on 1922 Indy racer 1915 American LaFrance Rhino Custom Speedster 1915 American LaFrance special Speedster 1915 american-lafrance-o-11b-10 1915 Liberty LaFrance Speedster 1916 American La France red baron speedster Paris Peking 1916 American LaFrance Red Baron Speedster-Racing 1916 American LaFrance Speedster automobile

1916 American LaFrance Type 17 aerial ladder 1916 Liberty LaFrance V-12 Touring Liberty Motor Co., Detroit, Mi. 1916-1924 1917 American la France Speedster 1917 American La France Tourer 1917 Peking to Paris Ennstal-Classic 1917 American LaFrance Racer 1917 American LaFrance Speedster Fire Truck at Portsmouth AbbeyLafrance Speedster 1917 American LaFrance Tourer 1917 American-La France fire truck 1917 american-lafrance-unknown-11 1918 american lafrance 1063 4cyl3speed KI 1919 American La France La Bestioni Rolling Thunder Speedster 1919 American LaFrance - Goodwill Fire Co. No. 5 - York PA 1919 American LaFrance Type 12 1920 American-LaFrance V12 1920 american-lafrance-model-10-01 1922 American LaFrance Speedster 1923 American LaFrance city-service ladder truck 1923 american lafrance speedster images 1924 American LaFrance 1000-GPM Rotary Gear Pumper 1926 american lafrance 100 series b 1926 American LaFrance Type 14 'City Service' Combination ladder truck 1927 American LaFrance 14,5 litre Speedster 1927 American LaFrance pumper, Cary's 1922-23 Ford-American LaFrance chemical car 1927 American LaFrance speedster 1927 American-LaFrance-Speedster-Front 1927 Ford American LaFrance fire truck 1928 American LaFrance Cary antique LS 1928 American LaFrance fire truck from Ottawa 1930 American LaFrance 1931 American LaFrance City Service ladder truck 1935 American LaFrance serie 400 b 1935 american-lafrance 400-series 1 b 1936 American LaFrance senior 400series 1937 American LaFrance 400TSH-100 1938 American LaFrance 512CC 1939 American LaFrance 500 Series 1941 American LaFrance 500 Series 65' Mid-Ship 1945 american lafrance 700 series 1 1946 American LaFrance 1947 American LaFrance Model 700 Pumper 1947 american-lafrance-tiller-ladder-truck 1950 American LaFrance photo rigs engine 55c 1953 American LaFrance Airport Crash Truck 4x4 1953 This Ramp Truck Started Life As A 1953 American LaFrance Fire Truck 1954 American LaFrance Type 700 pumper. Crosset engine. 1958 American LaFrance Series 900 Fire Truck 1960 American LaFrance 100' Tractor-Drawn Tillered Aerial 1963 American LaFrance Airport Chief (1963–1964) 1968 American LaFrance 900 Series, 1250 gpm 500gwt 1970 American LaFrance Dump Truck 1970 American LaFrance Type 900 pumper. Tacoma Engine 17 1971 AMERICAN LAFRANCE 1976 american lafrance spartan 1979 American LaFrance 1000 Century Series Pumper. 1990 American LaFrance Century 2000 pumper. Nebraska engine. 1997 American LaFrance aerial 2000 Freightliner - American LaFrance - Aero Medic Master ambulances 2002 American Lafrance Eagle 93 ft mmt Phoenix 2004 American Lafrance Eagle Mid-Engine Rear-Pump 1250gpm 500gwt 80gfts CAFS 2004 American LaFrance Metropolitan heavy rescue 2004 American LaFrance. Metropolitan 2005 2000's era American LaFrance fire truck 2006 American LaFrance Pump-Rescue 2007 Kenworth W900 truck semi in red 2008 American LaFrance Condor 2011 american-lafrance-fire-truck-01 1391716578520 ALF 2000 American La France condor American la France vintage car American LaFrance - 100 Series Metropolitan American LaFrance 75 No 3542 2008 in Germany American LaFrance 272-Factory photo - Copy American LaFrance 900 series airport chief 15233 American LaFrance Commercial Cab Rescue Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Department Emergency Apparatu American LaFrance Condor Refuse Truck American LaFrance dashboard AMERICAN LAFRANCE EAGLE American LaFrance Firetruck chassis that has been converted into a speedster. AMERICAN LAFRANCE g American LaFrance historical Refuse Truck

American LaFrance louwman17 American LaFrance M5-100 JOX American LaFrance rr American LaFrance Speedster Roller Chain American LaFrance steamer2 American LaFrance tout American LaFrance Type 75 14.5-Litre American LaFrance Type 500 American LaFrance Type O-11A crash truck american-lafrance-1 american-lafrance-8 american-lafrance-400-02 american-lafrance-400-04 american-lafrance-400-06 american-lafrance-400-09 american-lafrance-400-12

american-lafrance-700-4 american-lafrance-700-5 american-lafrance-700-7 american-lafrance-700-9 american-lafrance-800-09 american-lafrance-900-05 american-lafrance-900-09 american-lafrance-900-12 american-lafrance-900-series-1 american-lafrance-1000-04 american-lafrance-1000-05 american-lafrance-1000-08 american-lafrance-century-series-01 american-lafrance-engine-5-03 american-lafrance-engine-5-05 american-lafrance-engine-5-11 american-lafrance-fire-truck-2 american-lafrance-fire-truck-07 american-lafrance-fire-truck-11 american-lafrance-ladder-truck-5 american-lafrance-model-10-02 american-lafrance-model-10-03 american-lafrance-model-10-05 american-lafrance-model-10-06 american-lafrance-model-10-09 american-lafrance-model-12-pumper-08

american-lafrance-o-11a-01 american-lafrance-o-11a-02 american-lafrance-o-11a-05 american-lafrance-o-11a-06 american-lafrance-o-11a-08 american-lafrance-o-11a-09 american-lafrance-o-11b-01 american-lafrance-o-11b-02 american-lafrance-o-11b-05

american-lafrance-o-11b-09 american-lafrance-pioneer-02 american-lafrance-pioneer-12 american-lafrance-pumper-1 american-lafrance-pumper-4 american-lafrance-series-900-50-ft-telesquirt-02 american-lafrance-speedster-2 american-lafrance-unknown-01 american-lafrance-unknown-04 american-lafrance-unknown-05 american-lafrance-unknown-06 american-lafrance-unknown-07 american-lafrance-unknown-09 american-lafrance-unknown-10 american-lafrance-unknown-12 american-lafrance-v12-4 Chicago Fire Department reserve squad Engine 23 American LaFrance Eagle

SAMSUNG TECHWIN DIGIMAX-230 — Corki American LaFrance

Freightliner-American LaFrance Tanker-Pumper sfdpic12_1

1925 american lafrance firetruck KI 1931 American La France Brandweer

1946 American-lafrance-fire-truck 1949 American La France 700 Series Pump Engine 8590cc KAS 1980 American LaFrance Metropolitan Chassis E-One Pumper 2002 2000-01 AMERICAN LAFRANCE EAGLE 2002 American LaFrance Ford F550 Light Rescue 2002 American LaFrance-Ford F550 Medium Rescue American La france BRANDWEER 2 American La france BRANDWEER 3 American La france BRANDWEER 4 American La france BRANDWEER 5

American La france BRANDWEER American La France condor American LaFrance » 200 Series Master American LaFrance 4 (USA)

AMERICAN LAFRANCE EAGLEv American LaFrance-LTI - 93ft aerial Amerikaanse LaFrance »900 Turbo Series Chief

2014

The end of an era

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Category: fire aerials