Life Line Emergency Vehicles

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.

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

Product category

Ambulance Manufacturing

SIC

Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Vehicle Body Manufacturing (Emergency/Military/Mobile Clinics) (IMACAGAD)

Keywords

• Ambulance manufacturing
• Emergency vehicles
• Custom ambulances
• ECMO transport vehicles
• Ambulance remounts

Headquarters

HQ city

Sumner

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Financing Services: Life Line offers financing options for ambulance purchases.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core 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

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hydro Electronic DevicescoreTechnology or IntegrationLife 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 ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor94 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 & SafetyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer in Middleton, WI handling local sales, service, and parts for Life Line ambulances.
• R & R Fire Truck RepairminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales and service for Life Line ambulances.
• Pfund Superior SalesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Pennsylvania area.
• Sentinel Emergency SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances.
• Legacy Emergency VehiclesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Iowa.
• Conrad Fire EquipmentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Kansas.
• Rocky Mountain Emergency VehiclesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Colorado.
• NAFECOminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized dealer handling sales for Life Line ambulances in Alabama and Massachusetts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• Facebookfacebook.com/LifeLineEmergencyVehicles
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/life-line-emergency-vehicle

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Life Line Emergency Vehicles