Life Line Emergency Vehicles
Life Line Emergency Vehicles is a 100% employee-owned custom ambulance manufacturer in Sumner, Iowa, building Type I, Type III, and specialty vehicles (ECMO, neonatal) for fire departments, EMS providers, and hospital systems across the United States through a national dealer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersSumner, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Life Line Emergency Vehicles does
Life Line Emergency Vehicles is a Sumner, Iowa-based custom ambulance manufacturer founded in 1985 and operating as a 100% employee-owned subsidiary of Folience, a diversified business group. The company designs and builds Type I and Type III ambulances on multiple chassis platforms (Ford, Freightliner, GM, International), with branded models including the Superliner, Paraliner, Victoryliner, and Highliner, alongside specialty vehicles such as Critical Care/Neonate and Critical Care/ECMO units for high-acuity hospital transport. Its proprietary Elite G3 Multiplex Touch System, co-developed with Hydro Electronic Devices, allows drivers to manage vehicle functions through a centralized touch interface, and the company backs its modules with a lifetime warranty supported by five separate warranty programs.
Life Line sells primarily through an authorized dealer network spanning multiple US regions, supplemented by direct sales inquiries via its website and presence at more than 20 state-level fire and EMS trade shows annually. Customers include municipal fire departments, private EMS providers, and hospital and healthcare systems such as WakeMed, Prisma Health, Denver Health, IU Health LifeLine, Children's Minnesota, and the University of Minnesota. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, and the company also offers financing options and a Remounts and Rebuilds service that transfers existing ambulance modules onto new chassis at approximately 25% lower cost than new vehicles with about 8-week turnaround. The company reports approximately 80% repeat customers and references some ambulance modules exceeding 1,000,000 miles in service.
Operationally, Life Line employs 101–250 people across its Sumner, Iowa headquarters and a separate shipping and receiving facility, and it received a $500,000 award from the Iowa Economic Development Authority in March 2022. Revenue, headcount trends, and backlog figures are not publicly disclosed, though a recent deliveries database lists over 1,050 customer delivery records. The company has no disclosed AI or software product offerings and operates purely in custom vehicle manufacturing and aftermarket services for the emergency medical services market.
Life Line Emergency Vehicles firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Life Line Emergency Vehicles
- Legal name
- Life Line Emergency Vehicles
- Website
- https://lifelineambulance.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Life Line Emergency Vehicles is a 100% employee-owned custom ambulance manufacturer in Sumner, Iowa, building Type I, Type III, and specialty vehicles (ECMO, neonatal) for fire departments, EMS providers, and hospital systems across the United States through a national dealer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Life Line Emergency Vehicles industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Ambulance Manufacturing
- SIC
- Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Specialty Vehicle Body Manufacturing (Emergency/Military/Mobile Clinics) (IMACAGAD)
Keywords
Where Life Line Emergency Vehicles is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sumner
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Life Line Emergency Vehicles business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Ambulance Manufacturing: Life Line designs and builds custom ambulances including Type I, Type III, and specialty vehicles. Sales are one-time purchases of completed vehicles.
- Remounts & Rebuilds: Remounting existing ambulance bodies onto new chassis. Provides cost savings of approximately 25% vs. buying new, with faster turnaround of about 8 weeks.
- Financing Services: Life Line offers financing options for ambulance purchases.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Life Line Emergency Vehicles product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Life Line Emergency Vehicles designs, engineers, and builds custom ambulances including Type I truck-chassis models, Type III van-chassis models, and specialty critical-care vehicles such as neonatal and ECMO ambulances. The company also performs ambulance remounts and rebuilds that transfer existing modules to new chassis, and offers financing for buyers. Operations are supported by an authorized dealer network in the US that handles local sales, service, and parts.
Product overview
Life Line Emergency Vehicles is an ambulance manufacturer offering a portfolio of Type I and Type III ambulance models along with specialty vehicles. Their Type I lineup includes Superliner, Paraliner, Victoryliner, and Highliner models built on truck chassis with 4-wheel drive and diesel options. Type III models use van chassis for easier cab access. The company also produces Critical Care specialty vehicles including Neonate/Pediatric and ECMO ambulances with highly customized interiors. Key services include Remounts & Rebuilds for existing ambulance modules, with offerings like the Elite G3 Multiplex Touch System developed in partnership with Hydro Electronic Devices. Life Line backs their modules with a lifetime warranty and provides financing options through their dealer network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Type I Ambulances Rugged ambulances built on truck chassis with a custom module mounted to the rear and a pass-through opening between cab and patient compartment. Available with 4-wheel drive and diesel engine options, designed for Advanced Life Support (ALS) and demanding rescue operations. Sold to fire departments, EMS, and hospitals.
- Type III Ambulances Ambulances built on van chassis with a larger opening between cab and patient compartment that allows personnel to move freely between the front and back of the vehicle. Sold to EMS providers, fire departments, and hospitals.
- Superliner Type I ambulance model built on a Ford F550 4x4 chassis, marketed for rugged durability and available for immediate delivery from factory inventory.
- Paraliner Type I ambulance model designed for Advanced Life Support operations with customizable configurations.
- Victoryliner Type I ambulance model offering strong performance for emergency medical services.
- Highliner Type I ambulance model built on a Freightliner M2 chassis, designed for demanding emergency response.
- Critical Care/Neonate Ambulance Specialty ambulance designed for neonatal and pediatric patient transport, featuring custom interiors with fiber-optic lighting ceilings, child-friendly colors, and specialized medical equipment. Built for hospitals such as Children's Minnesota and Boston Med Flight.
- Critical Care/ECMO Ambulance Specialty ambulance designed for ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) transport, equipped with custom provisions for x-ray, ultrasound, fluoroscopy machines, and telepresence systems enabling real-time physician monitoring during transport.
- Remounts & Rebuilds Service that transfers an existing ambulance module to a new chassis, including HVAC system replacement, trim updates, media blasting, repainting, and electrical system upgrades. Provides approximately 25% savings versus buying new and an 8-week average completion time.
- Ambulance Financing Services Financing options offered to customers purchasing Life Line ambulances, available through the dealer network.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% of customers are repeat purchasers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Life Line Emergency Vehicles
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Life Line Emergency Vehicles technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Life Line Emergency Vehicles partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Hydro Electronic DevicescoreLife Line collaborated with Hydro Electronic Devices to create the Elite G3 Multiplex Touch System, a proprietary vehicle control system allowing drivers to focus on driving while managing vehicle functions through a touch interface.
- 94 Servicesminor94 Services in Monticello, MN is an authorized dealer that handles ambulance sales and service. They also collaborated on custom projects including the Children's Minnesota neonatal ambulance ceiling.
- Jefferson Fire & SafetyminorAuthorized dealer in Middleton, WI handling local sales, service, and parts for Life Line ambulances.
- R & R Fire Truck RepairminorAuthorized dealer handling sales and service for Life Line ambulances.
- Pfund Superior SalesminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Pennsylvania area.
- Sentinel Emergency SolutionsminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances.
- Legacy Emergency VehiclesminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Iowa.
- Conrad Fire EquipmentminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Kansas.
- Rocky Mountain Emergency VehiclesminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Colorado.
- NAFECOminorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Alabama and Massachusetts.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Life Line Emergency Vehicles competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Braun Industries: Braun Industries is an Ohio-based custom ambulance manufacturer offering Type I, Type II, and Type III units with strong dealer networks across the US. It directly competes with Life Line on custom ALS/BLS builds and remount services for municipal and private EMS customers.
- Demers Braun Ambulance Manufacturer: Demers Braun is a North American ambulance manufacturer formed from the merger of Demers and Braun, producing Type I, Type II, and Type III ambulances from Canadian and US facilities. It directly competes with Life Line across standard and specialty EMS vehicle segments.
- American Emergency Vehicles (AEV): AEV is a REV Group brand manufacturing Type I, Type II, Type III, and medium-duty ambulances from Jefferson, NC. It directly competes with Life Line's Type I and Type III product lines for fire department and EMS customers.
- Osage Ambulances: Osage Ambulances is a small-batch Type I and Type III ambulance manufacturer based in Linn, MO serving municipal and private EMS customers. It is a direct competitor to Life Line in the custom ambulance niche, particularly in the Midwest.
- Excellance: Excellance is a Huntsville, AL-based custom ambulance and emergency vehicle manufacturer offering Type I, Type III, and specialty vehicles. It directly competes with Life Line for fire department, EMS, and hospital customers across the Southeast.
- Horton Emergency Vehicles: Horton Emergency Vehicles, a REV Group subsidiary, builds Type I, Type III, and Type III ambulances from its Columbus, OH and Hillsboro, OH facilities. It directly competes with Life Line across both standard and remount ambulance offerings.
- Wheeled Coach: Wheeled Coach, a REV Group subsidiary, is one of the largest ambulance manufacturers in the US and a direct competitor to Life Line across Type I, Type III, and specialty vehicles, with deep relationships with fire departments and EMS agencies.
- McCoy Miller: McCoy Miller is an ambulance manufacturer based in Orlando, FL producing Type I, Type II, and Type III ambulances primarily for municipal and private EMS customers. It is a direct competitor to Life Line in mid-sized custom ambulance builds.
Broad incumbents
- REV Group: REV Group is the largest specialty vehicle manufacturer in North America and the parent of multiple ambulance brands including AEV, Horton, Leader, and Wheeled Coach. It is the dominant incumbent competing head-on with Life Line across Type I, Type III, and specialty ambulance segments.
- Federal Signal: Federal Signal is a diversified specialty vehicle manufacturer whose Mark Rite Lines and other brands produce emergency and specialty vehicles. It is a broader incumbent whose emergency vehicle offerings overlap with Life Line's product portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Life Line Emergency Vehicles social profiles
Digital presenceLife Line Emergency Vehicles financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Life Line Emergency Vehicles leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Life Line Emergency Vehicles funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Life Line Emergency Vehicles M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Life Line Emergency Vehicles
What does Life Line Emergency Vehicles do?
Life Line Emergency Vehicles designs, engineers, and builds custom ambulances including Type I truck-chassis models, Type III van-chassis models, and specialty critical-care vehicles such as neonatal and ECMO ambulances. The company also performs ambulance remounts and rebuilds that transfer existing modules to new chassis, and offers financing for buyers. Operations are supported by an authorized dealer network in the US that handles local sales, service, and parts.
Is Life Line Emergency Vehicles a public or private company?
Life Line Emergency Vehicles is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Life Line Emergency Vehicles founded?
Life Line Emergency Vehicles was founded in 1985. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Life Line Emergency Vehicles based?
Life Line Emergency Vehicles is headquartered in Sumner, United States, in the North America region.
How does Life Line Emergency Vehicles make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Ambulance Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are remounts & Rebuilds and financing Services.
Who are Life Line Emergency Vehicles's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Braun Industries, Demers Braun Ambulance Manufacturer, American Emergency Vehicles (AEV), Osage Ambulances, Excellance, Horton Emergency Vehicles, Wheeled Coach and McCoy Miller. Broad incumbents are REV Group and Federal Signal.
Does Life Line Emergency Vehicles have an API?
No public API is recorded for Life Line Emergency Vehicles.
What industry is Life Line Emergency Vehicles in?
Life Line Emergency Vehicles's product category is Ambulance Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMACAGAD, Specialty Vehicle Body Manufacturing (Emergency/Military/Mobile Clinics). Its SIC code is 3713.