Ward Apparatus, Llc
Ward Apparatus, LLC is a privately held custom emergency vehicle manufacturer in Horseheads, New York, designing all-aluminum fire, rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, super squad, specialty, and UTV apparatus for fire departments, EMS, military, and government agencies, distributed through a nationwide dealer network and the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersHorseheads, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ward Apparatus, Llc does
Ward Apparatus, LLC is a privately held custom emergency vehicle manufacturer headquartered in Horseheads, New York, at 1250 Schweizer Road. The company was formed in January 2021 through its acquisition of Maintainer Custom Bodies (MCB), returning fire apparatus manufacturing to Chemung County — a region historically associated with U.S. fire engine production — after a 35-year absence. Ward Apparatus designs and builds custom fire, rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, super squad, specialty, and UTV emergency response vehicles, together with a distinct Spitfire sub-brand for economical quick-attack platforms. Core technical differentiators include all-aluminum extruded and welded body construction, multiplex wiring for electrical integration, integration of third-party components such as the Hale DSD 1500 GPM fire pump, and platform builds on commercial chassis (Ford, Ram, International, Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt) as well as specialty chassis (Spartan, HME). Customization spans chassis, drivetrain, cab type, body length, compartment layout, lighting, and graphics, with a 10-year structural warranty offered on the Super Squad platform.
The company's business model is build-to-order manufacturing of high-value, low-volume units sold primarily to municipal and volunteer fire departments, with additional service to EMS organizations, law enforcement, and specialized response agencies (including military and disaster-relief customers). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; revenue is recognized on the one-time sale of each custom apparatus, with supplemental recurring revenue from a 30,000 sq. ft. heated service facility in Horseheads providing repair, pump testing, fabrication, warranty processing, and parts supply across Upstate New York and Northern Tier Pennsylvania.
Distribution operates through an authorized dealer network of 15+ partners covering all 50 U.S. states across nine geographic regions, supplemented by awarded-vendor participation in the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program, which streamlines procurement for public agencies. Demand generation combines an interactive 'Build a Truck' online configurator with direct sales from headquarters (607-796-0149) and dealer-led local engagement. Ownership appears founder/management-controlled with no disclosed venture capital, private equity, or parent-company backing.
Ward Apparatus, Llc firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ward Apparatus, Llc
- Legal name
- Ward Apparatus, LLC
- Website
- https://wardapparatus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Ward Apparatus, LLC is a privately held custom emergency vehicle manufacturer in Horseheads, New York, designing all-aluminum fire, rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, super squad, specialty, and UTV apparatus for fire departments, EMS, military, and government agencies, distributed through a nationwide dealer network and the Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ward Apparatus, Llc industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Emergency Vehicles
- SIC
- Motor Vehicles & Passenger Car Bodies (3711)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Municipal & Public Works Specialty Vehicles (Street Sweepers, Sewer Jetters) (IMAHAIAI)
Keywords
Where Ward Apparatus, Llc is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Horseheads
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Ward Apparatus, Llc business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Custom Emergency Vehicle Manufacturing: Ward Apparatus designs and builds custom fire trucks, rescue vehicles, quick attack units, mini pumpers, UTVs, and specialty emergency response vehicles. Each apparatus is custom-built to order based on department specifications for chassis, body, compartments, equipment, and systems. Revenue is generated through one-time vehicle purchases with pricing based on custom configuration complexity.
- Service, Repair, and Maintenance: Ward Apparatus operates a 30,000 sq. ft. heated service facility in Horseheads, NY providing service, repair, road service, pump testing, fabrication, and support for fire, EMS, and law enforcement vehicles throughout Upstate New York and Northern Tier Pennsylvania. Services include plumbing and valve repair, aerial repairs, tank replacement, electrical work, body repair, and preventive maintenance programs.
- Warranty and After-Sales Support: The company provides warranty claim processing and ongoing support for delivered vehicles, including apparatus details, issue documentation, and repair coordination.
- Parts and Components: Parts supply and support for emergency vehicles serviced by Ward Apparatus, including components for repair work and maintenance needs.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ward Apparatus, Llc product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ward Apparatus, LLC designs and manufactures custom fire, rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, UTV, and specialty emergency vehicles on commercial chassis, with all-aluminum body construction and customizable compartment layouts. Each vehicle is custom-built to order based on department specifications for chassis, drivetrain, body, compartments, equipment, lighting, and systems. The company also provides service, repair, pump testing, parts, and warranty support for emergency response vehicles through its 30,000 sq. ft. Horseheads, NY facility and dealer network.
Product overview
Ward Apparatus is a custom fire and emergency vehicle manufacturer offering a portfolio of specialized apparatus including Rescue, Quick Attack, Super Squad, Mini Pumper, UTV, Specialty, and Spitfire vehicles. Products are available in multiple configurations (Walk-Around Rescue, Crew-Forward Rescue, Water Rescue) and are built around department-specific mission needs on commercial chassis platforms. The company operates through a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing program and provides a Build a Truck configurator for custom apparatus planning. All vehicles feature all-aluminum body construction with customizable compartments, storage, lighting, and electrical systems.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Spitfire: Rugged, economical quick attack apparatus with up to 425 gallons of water capacity.
Products and services
- Rescue Heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty custom emergency vehicles designed around fire, rescue, and emergency response needs. Available in crew-forward, walk-around, walk-in light air, and water rescue configurations. For municipal and volunteer fire departments and emergency response agencies.
- Quick Attack Compact, capable emergency vehicles designed for fast response in tight spaces, rough terrain, and challenging conditions. Built with all-aluminum custom-manufactured body platform for maneuverability, storage, and initial attack capability. For fire departments needing rapid first-attack response.
- Super Squad Multi-role emergency response vehicles combining fast response capability with expanded storage, flexible layouts, and custom support for rescue, command, rehab, and equipment operations. Features 9-foot all-aluminum body, 2,000+ lbs. reserve capacity, 1,000-lb. roll-out tray options, and a 10-year structural warranty. For fire departments and EMS organizations.
- Mini Pumper Compact fire apparatus built on Ford F-550 Crew Cab 4x4 chassis with Hale DSD 1500 GPM fire pump, 300-gallon water tank, and custom compartments for fast response, attack, and equipment storage. For fire departments requiring compact platforms with attack and water delivery capability.
- UTV Custom UTV emergency response vehicles designed for public safety, fire rescue, disaster response, HazMat support, command operations, and military applications. Configurable for terrain access where larger vehicles cannot operate. For specialized response agencies and military units.
- Specialty Custom specialty vehicles for emergency response, HazMat, disaster relief, command support, military applications, and mission-specific needs. Built around specific mission requirements, equipment, and operating environments. For specialized response agencies.
- Spitfire Rugged, economical quick attack vehicle with up to 425 gallons of water capacity. For fire departments needing a budget-oriented quick attack option.
- Apparatus Service, Repair, and Pump Testing Service, repair, road service, pump testing, fabrication, and preventive maintenance for fire, EMS, and law enforcement vehicles from a 30,000 sq. ft. heated facility in Horseheads, NY. Service area covers Upstate New York and Northern Tier Pennsylvania. Includes plumbing and valve repair, aerial repairs, tank replacement, electrical work, and body repair.
Companies that use Ward Apparatus, Llc
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Ward Apparatus, Llc technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
Ward Apparatus, Llc partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Bulldog Fire ApparatuscoreAuthorized dealer servicing Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Northeast New York counties. Located at 17 Winter Street, Woodville, MA 01784. Contact: Chris Kuzio, 570-590-7275.
- Fire Apparatus SolutionscoreAuthorized dealer servicing California. Located at 14562 Manzanita Drive, Fontana, CA 92335. Contact: Scott Beck, 402-719-1242.
- Johnson's EVScoreAuthorized dealer servicing Ohio, Kentucky, and select West Virginia counties. Located at 20213 State Route 93, Wellston, OH 45692. Contact: Tony Johnson, 800-624-1964.
- Hendrickson Fire Rescue EquipmentcoreAuthorized dealer servicing Nassau, Suffolk, New York City, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, and Putnam counties. Located at 140 Hoffman Lane, Islandia, NY 11749. Contact: Craig Probst, 631-427-6276.
- True North Emergency EquipmentcoreAuthorized dealer servicing Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Located at 3150 SE Century Blvd. Ste 100, Hillsboro, OR 97123. Contact: Steve Jahn, 503-848-3276.
- Peach State Emergency VehiclescoreAuthorized dealer servicing South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. Located at 6535 Crescent Drive, Norcross, GA 30071. Contact: Jon Wyman or Jeff Tudgay, 678-325-4594.
- Colden Fire & RescuecoreAuthorized dealer servicing Western, Central, and Northern New York counties. Located at 890 Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY 14217 with additional location at 8287 Loop Road, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Contact: Kevin Brooks, Jr., 800-876-7631.
- North Central Emergency VehiclescoreAuthorized dealer servicing Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Northern Kansas. Located at 18448 County Road 9, Lester Prairie, MN 55354. Contacts: Dan Ruschmeier 612-209-5641 and Greg Stofer 402-429-1783.
- Campbell Supply CompanycoreAuthorized dealer servicing New Jersey, select New York counties, and select Pennsylvania counties. Located at 1015 Cranbury-S River Rd, South Brunswick, NJ 08831. Contact: Ryan Bailey, 732-287-1500.
- Atlantic Coast Fire ApparatuscoreAuthorized dealer servicing North Carolina and Tennessee. Located at 5867 Balsam Ridge, Denver, NC 28037. Contact: Chris Proctor, 336-250-2181.
- Republic EVScoreAuthorized dealer servicing Arizona and Nevada. Located at 16182 Gothard Street, Suite V, Huntington Beach, CA 92647. Contact: Garett Adelman, 562-204-6047.
- R & R Fire Truck Repair, Inc.coreAuthorized dealer servicing Michigan. Located at 751 Doheny Dr., Northville, MI 48167. Contact: Ricke Rosselle, 248-344-4443.
- Fire Service, Inc.coreAuthorized dealer servicing Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Located at 9545 N. Industrial Drive, St. John, IN 46373. Contact: Jim Castellano, 219-365-7157.
- SourcewellcoreCooperative purchasing organization that helps fire departments and public agencies streamline procurement. Participating agencies can purchase Ward Apparatus vehicles through pre-awarded contracts, reducing administrative burden and ensuring procurement compliance. Ward Apparatus is an awarded vendor under Sourcewell contracts covering rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, super squad, and specialty vehicles.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ward Apparatus, Llc competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sutphen Corporation: Sutphen is a privately held, family-owned custom fire apparatus manufacturer producing pumpers, aerials, rescues, and specialty vehicles. Closely comparable niche-positioning to Ward as a privately held, mid-sized custom apparatus builder competing with the REV/Pierce incumbents.
- Ferrara Fire Apparatus: Ferrara, a REV Group subsidiary, produces custom commercial-chassis and custom-cab pumpers, rescues, and specialty vehicles. Directly comparable business model and end customers; competes head-to-head with Ward for similar customer orders.
- Marion Body Works: Marion Body Works manufactures custom emergency vehicle bodies — fire/rescue truck bodies, ambulance bodies, and specialty bodies — built on commercial chassis. Comparable custom aluminum body construction process and municipal customer base, similar in scale and product positioning to Ward.
- Toyne Fire Apparatus: Toyne is a privately held, mid-sized custom fire apparatus manufacturer producing pumpers, rescues, mini pumpers, and quick attack units. Closely comparable niche-positioning to Ward Apparatus as a similarly sized private builder targeting municipal customers outside the REV/Pierce consolidators.
- KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment): KME (now part of REV Group) manufactures custom pumpers, rescues, aerial, and specialty fire apparatus. Very similar product mix and end-customer focus as Ward Apparatus, including comparable commercial-chassis-based platform offerings.
- Spartan Emergency Response: Spartan Emergency Response (REV Group) builds custom chassis-based fire apparatus and also supplies chassis (Spartan) used by Ward Apparatus and other builders. Dual role as competitor and supplier; directly comparable custom apparatus offerings on the same Spartan chassis platform.
- SVI Trucks (Smeal): SVI Trucks (formerly Smeal) builds custom heavy-duty rescue, pumpers, and industrial apparatus, with particular strength in walk-around and crew-forward rescue configurations — the same configurations Ward markets on its Build-a-Truck configurator. Closely comparable mid-sized private apparatus maker.
- Pierce Manufacturing: Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation subsidiary, is the largest single-brand U.S. fire apparatus manufacturer producing custom pumpers, rescues, aerials, and specialty vehicles for municipal fire departments. Closest functional peer — same custom-build model, same chassis-from-Spartan/Ford ecosystem, same end buyer.
- HME (Hutchinson Manufacturing & Engineering / Ahrens-Fox): HME manufactures custom chassis-based fire apparatus including Ahrens-Fox branded pumpers, rescues, and aerials. Comparable custom-build model — and HME is also a chassis supplier to Ward's commercial-chassis competitor set. Direct competitor for custom-spec municipal orders.
Broad incumbents
- REV Group (E-ONE / KME / Spartan Emergency Response / Ferrara): REV Group is the largest U.S. consolidator of fire apparatus brands — E-ONE, KME (Kovatch), Spartan Emergency Response, and Ferrara — that directly compete with Ward Apparatus across custom pumpers, rescues, mini pumpers, and specialty vehicles. Public multi-brand incumbent share, similar end customers (municipal fire/EMS), similar build-to-order model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ward Apparatus, Llc social profiles
Digital presenceWard Apparatus, Llc financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ward Apparatus, Llc leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Ward Apparatus, Llc funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ward Apparatus, Llc 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 Ward Apparatus, Llc
What does Ward Apparatus, Llc do?
Ward Apparatus, LLC designs and manufactures custom fire, rescue, quick attack, mini pumper, UTV, and specialty emergency vehicles on commercial chassis, with all-aluminum body construction and customizable compartment layouts. Each vehicle is custom-built to order based on department specifications for chassis, drivetrain, body, compartments, equipment, lighting, and systems. The company also provides service, repair, pump testing, parts, and warranty support for emergency response vehicles through its 30,000 sq. ft. Horseheads, NY facility and dealer network.
Is Ward Apparatus, Llc a public or private company?
Ward Apparatus, Llc is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Ward Apparatus, Llc founded?
Ward Apparatus, Llc was founded in 2021.
Where is Ward Apparatus, Llc based?
Ward Apparatus, Llc is headquartered in Horseheads, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ward Apparatus, Llc make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Custom Emergency Vehicle Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are service, Repair, and Maintenance, warranty and After-Sales Support and parts and Components.
Who are Ward Apparatus, Llc's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sutphen Corporation, Ferrara Fire Apparatus, Marion Body Works, Toyne Fire Apparatus, KME (Kovatch Mobile Equipment), Spartan Emergency Response, SVI Trucks (Smeal), Pierce Manufacturing and HME (Hutchinson Manufacturing & Engineering / Ahrens-Fox). REV Group (E-ONE / KME / Spartan Emergency Response / Ferrara) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Ward Apparatus, Llc have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ward Apparatus, Llc.
What industry is Ward Apparatus, Llc in?
Ward Apparatus, Llc's product category is Custom Emergency Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAIAI, Municipal & Public Works Specialty Vehicles (Street Sweepers, Sewer Jetters). Its SIC code is 3711.