Safe Fleet Has Bought Elkhart Brass - O'Keeffe and O'Malley

Safe Fleet Has Bought Elkhart Brass

Feb 26, 2015

Safe Fleet is pleased to announce the acquisition of Elkhart Brass of Elkhart, Ind.

Since 1902, Elkhart Brass has been the industry’s most experienced manufacturer of innovative firefighting and fire protection equipment. Elkhart manufacturers 2,000 products including monitors, valves, nozzles, appliances and accessories used in virtually every aspect of fire fighting. Elkhart products can be found in fire departments around the world, building systems and off-shore drilling sites as well as in military, marine and industrial firefighting applications.

“We’re very excited to welcome Elkhart Brass into the Safe Fleet family,” said John R. Knox, president and CEO of Safe Fleet. “This acquisition supports our vision to build the leading global provider of safety solutions for fleet vehicles. The combination of Elkhart Brass with FRC and Foam Pro will enable us to develop integrated systems of monitors, valves foam proportioning and electronic controls for the global emergency market. In addition, Safe Fleet will have one of the largest direct sales forces in North America with over 20 individuals dedicated to serving the firefighting industry.”

“Safe Fleet is an excellent home for Elkhart Brass, our employees, customers, partners and suppliers around the world,” said Hans Ashbaugh, CEO and Owner of Elkhart Brass. “Although I am retiring in conjunction with the change of ownership to Safe Fleet, the remainder of the Elkhart management and organization will continue to run Elkhart Brass. For our valued employees, customers and suppliers, it is business as usual.”

The Elkhart Brass acquisition is the third for Safe Fleet which was formed in September 2013 when ROM Corporation and SMI Corporation merged. 
The growing Safe Fleet portfolio includes 10 brands, five of which are leaders within the emergency market (Elkhart Brass, FoamPro, FRC, ROM and Bustin). 
Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

About Elkhart Brass

Headquartered in Elkhart, Ind., Elkhart Brass manufactures innovative firefighting equipment. Over the past 113 years of operation, Elkhart has launched innovation products including the first peripheral jet fog nozzle, the first pressure regulating nozzle which maintains a constant water stream in all directions, and the first wireless monitor that allows firefighters to control flow from the safety of the ground. 

About Safe Fleet

Headquartered in Belton, MO, a suburb in the Kansas City metro, Safe Fleet owns a portfolio of brands that provides increased functionality and integrated solutions for fleet vehicles manufacturers and operators around the world. These brands serve five major markets including: emergency services, bus and rail, truck and trailer, utility and industrial. With almost 1,000 employees, the Safe Fleet family of brands operates over 500,000 square feet of manufacturing space and targets markets with increasing demand for operator, passenger and pedestrian safety.