KME

What KME does

KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.) is a U.S.-based manufacturer of custom-built fire apparatus operating since 1946 from its headquarters in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, with a manufacturing facility in Holden, Louisiana. KME designs and builds pumpers, aerial ladders, platforms, rescue vehicles, tankers, wildland apparatus, and the Vector Electric all-electric pumper, sold under proprietary brands including Aerialcat (Domex steel with a 2.5-to-1 safety factor), EZ-MRS (maintenance reduction system), FLEX-FORM body construction, Control-MAXX multiplex electrical architecture, and Severe Service chassis platforms (Panther, Predator, SSX, Commercial variants). Fully custom units carry delivery lead times of 1-4+ years and per-unit prices of $500,000 to $2 million, while the K-180 modular Rapid Delivery series addresses longer custom-build cycles.

The company distributes exclusively through an authorized dealer network covering all U.S. states and Canadian provinces, with named dealers in California, Minnesota, Arkansas/Kansas/Missouri/Oklahoma, and other regions. Customers are exclusively government fire-protection agencies: named accounts include Orange County Fire Authority, San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, Asheville Fire Department, Morningside Fire Department, Macomb Township Fire Department, Francestown Fire Department, and Santa Monica Fire Department. KME engages its market at FDIC International, the Fire Truck Training Conference, and the Metro Fire Chiefs Conference, alongside active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

KME was acquired by REV Group, Inc. (NYSE: REVG) in 2016 and subsequently transferred to Terex Corporation's Specialty Vehicles segment in 2026. The parent portfolio (E-ONE, Ferrara, KME, Spartan) controls approximately 33% of the U.S. fire truck manufacturing market, addressing a $3 billion annual U.S. market with a $4.2 billion industry backlog reported as of December 2024. Revenue is generated one-time at point of sale on a quote-based pricing model with no publicly disclosed pricing.

Name

KME

Legal name

KME Corp.

Website

https://kmefire.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.) is a U.S. manufacturer of custom-built fire apparatus, including pumpers, aerials, platforms, rescues, tankers, wildland vehicles, and the Vector Electric all-electric pumper, sold to municipal, federal, and wildland/urban-interface fire departments across the U.S. and Canada through an authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Apparatus Manufacturing

NAICS

Fire Protection (922160)

SIC

Construction Machinery & Equip (3531)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire Sprinkler & Standpipe Systems (Design/Install/Service/Testing) (BPABAHAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB), Fire & Life Safety Services (Inspection/Testing/Sprinklers/Alarms) (IMAIAAAI)

Keywords

• Custom fire apparatus
• Aerial ladder trucks
• Fire pumper manufacturing
• Emergency response vehicles
• Severe service chassis

Headquarters

HQ city

Nesquehoning

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Fire Apparatus Sales: KME generates revenue primarily through the manufacture and sale of custom fire apparatus including pumpers, aerials, platforms, rescues, tankers, and wildland vehicles. The company offers both fully customized units and modular designs (K-180 series) for faster delivery. Revenue is one-time at point of sale with long production lead times.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KME manufactures and sells custom fire apparatus, including pumpers, aerial ladders, platforms, rescues, tankers, and wildland vehicles, built on proprietary chassis configurations (Commercial, Panther, Predator, SSX) for municipal fire departments, federal agencies, and wildland/urban interface markets. The company offers both fully customized units with extended lead times and a K-180 Rapid Delivery modular program for faster delivery, including the Vector Electric all-electric pumper.

Product overview

KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.) is a manufacturer of custom fire apparatus serving municipal, federal, and wildland/urban interface markets across the U.S. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of fire trucks built on proprietary chassis (Panther, Predator, SSX) with various body configurations. Product lines include Pumpers (K-180 Rapid Delivery, Challenger, Custom, Pro-Series, Rearmount), Aerials/Ladders (K-180 Aerial, 79'-109' configurations featuring Aerialcat Steel-Safe technology), Platforms (84'-102' Mid/Rear Mount), Rescues (Combination, Walk-Around, Walk-In), Tankers (Dry Side, Eliminator, Wet Side), all-electric Vector Electric pumper, and Wildland vehicles (Interface Pumper, Ridgerunner). Key technology features include the Aerialcat Steel-Safe Ladder with 2.5-to-1 safety factor, EZ-MRS maintenance system, FLEX-FORM body construction, and Control-Maxx electrical systems. KME became part of Terex Corporation's Specialty Vehicles segment (previously REV Group) and has been in operation since 1946.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aerialcat Steel-Safe Ladder: Steel aerial ladder featuring Domex steel with a truss structure using square extrusions and a 2.5-to-1 safety factor.
• EZ-MRS Aerial Maintenance Reduction System
• FLEX-FORM Body
• Severe Service Chassis
• Control-MAXX
• Vector Electric

Products and services

• K-180 Rapid Delivery Series Pre-engineered, modular fire apparatus including K-180 Aerials and K-180 Pumpers for municipal and federal fire departments, designed for faster delivery than fully custom units.
• Chassis Line (Commercial, Panther, Predator, SSX) Custom fire apparatus chassis offered in Commercial, Panther, Predator, and SSX Severe Service configurations for fire departments requiring purpose-built foundations for pumpers, aerials, platforms, rescues, tankers, and wildland vehicles.
• Ladders / Aerial Apparatus Fire service aerial ladders including the K-180 Aerial, 79' Pro Series, 79' Rear Mount, 100' TDA, 101' TDA, 103' TUFF TRUCK, and 109' Rear Mount configurations, featuring Aerialcat Steel-Safe technology for municipal and federal fire departments.
• Platform Apparatus Aerial platform trucks offered in 84' Mid Mount, 102' Mid Mount, and 102' Rear Mount configurations with AerialCat platform design, for municipal fire departments needing elevated rescue and suppression capability.
• Pumpers Fire pumpers available in K-180 Pumper, Challenger, Custom, Pro-Series, and Rearmount configurations with 500-1500 GPM pumps and 500-1000 gallon water tanks, for municipal fire suppression operations.
• Rescue Vehicles Rescue vehicles in Combination, Walk-Around, and Walk-In configurations, including the Tractor Drawn Rescue, designed for municipal emergency response scenarios requiring comprehensive compartment storage and crew capacity.
• Tankers Water tanker trucks offered in Dry Side, Eliminator, and Wet Side configurations for water transport and fire suppression, including rural and wildland operations.
• Vector Electric All-electric fire apparatus pumper from KME, marketed as the first North American-style all-electric fire truck, targeting municipal fire departments seeking zero-emission apparatus.
• Wildland Vehicles Wildland fire apparatus including Interface Pumper and Ridgerunner configurations, designed for off-road capability, rapid response, and versatility for departments serving wildland/urban interface environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2.5-to-1 steel structural safety factor (industry highest)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered regional.

• CarCo FireregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCarCo Fire is an authorized dealer for KME fire apparatus in Minnesota since October 2025. Based near St. Cloud in Rice, MN with a 40,000 sq ft facility featuring 20 service bays, plus an 8,000 sq ft facility in Brainerd.
• Fire Master Fire EquipmentregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial dealer for KME in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma since September 2024. Second-generation family business founded in 1972 with $2 million expansion including doubled service center to 20,000 sq ft.
• Fire Apparatus SolutionsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized KME dealer for California, responsible for Orange County Fire Authority and San Bernardino County Fire Protection District accounts. Offers body repair, structural/plumbing modifications, mobile on-site services, and in-house pick-up/delivery.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• REV Group: REV Group (now absorbed into Terex's Specialty Vehicles segment) was KME's direct parent company and the parent of competing fire apparatus brands (E-ONE, Ferrara, Spartan). It is a broader incumbent managing the consolidated fire-apparatus portfolio that includes KME.
• Oshkosh Corporation: Oshkosh owns Pierce Manufacturing and is a diversified specialty vehicle and access equipment incumbent. It competes with KME/REV/Terex across the broader fire apparatus and emergency vehicle markets.

Emerging players

• Toyne Fire Apparatus: Toyne is a smaller U.S. custom fire apparatus builder serving municipal and industrial customers with pumpers, tankers, and rescues. It is an emerging direct competitor overlapping with KME's custom segment at the small-department level.

Direct peers

• Pierce Manufacturing: Pierce Manufacturing, a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, is the largest U.S. custom fire apparatus manufacturer producing pumpers, aerials, and rescue trucks for municipal fire departments — directly competing with KME across every product line.
• E-ONE: E-ONE is a sister fire apparatus brand within REV Group (now Terex Specialty Vehicles). It produces custom pumpers, aerials, rescues, and industrial vehicles that compete head-to-head with KME for the same municipal customers.
• Marion Body Works: Marion Body Works manufactures custom and commercial fire apparatus, rescue, and emergency vehicles. Its product range overlaps with KME's custom and Severe Service offerings for municipal buyers.
• Ferrara Fire Apparatus: Ferrara, also under REV Group/Terex, manufactures custom pumpers, aerials, and industrial fire apparatus. As a sister brand it competes directly with KME in custom heavy-duty municipal apparatus.
• Sutphen Corporation: Sutphen is an independent U.S. custom fire apparatus builder known for aerials and tower ladders. It directly competes with KME in specialty aerial and custom pumper segments.
• Rosenbauer America: Rosenbauer America is the U.S. arm of Rosenbauer International, the world's largest fire apparatus maker. It is a direct competitor to KME across custom pumpers, aerials, and platforms for North American municipal departments.
• Spartan Emergency Response: Spartan Emergency Response, a REV Group/Terex sibling, builds custom and chassis-based fire apparatus including pumpers, aerials, and rescues, competing directly with KME.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kmefire
• Facebookfacebook.com/kmefireapparatus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kovatch-organization
• Instagraminstagram.com/kmefireapparatus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 KME