NELIGH, NEB. (September 21, 2005)--Smeal Fire Apparatus Co., of Snyder, Neb., has acquired the 50,000 sq. ft. facility formerly occupied by Elkhorn River Manufacturing in Neligh, Neb.

Smeal Fire Apparatus Co. is a leader in the manufacturing and marketing of fire trucks throughout the United States and Canada. The company was founded in Snyder 50 years ago by Donald Smeal, and has grown into an international business with 264 employees in a 267,000 sq. ft. facility. Due to continuous growth, the company, with assistance from the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District, researched locations for a satellite facility to manufacture stock parts and components used in assembling fire trucks at the Snyder facility.

Initially, the company intends to hire 15 to 20 employees at the Neligh plant. The new production facility will help reduce the lead time involved in completing the custom fire trucks, which will allow continued growth at both facilities.

According to Jeffrey Scherer, Chief Financial Officer, the company will immediately begin hiring and training new employees at its Snyder location, although the new plant will not be operational until some time in January 2006.

“We have weighed our options closely and decided that Governor Heineman’s Nebraska Advantage Program allows Smeal Fire Apparatus Company to expand right here in Nebraska," Scherer said. "We will delay opening the new facility until early 2006 so as to take advantage of this program.”

The Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District presented several potential buildings and sites throughout northeast and north central Nebraska for the company’s consideration. Delwin Smeal, company president, indicated that the Neligh facility met the company’s stringent requirements for expansion for a variety of reasons.

“The facility itself is very workable for us," Smeal said. "We will make some improvements and modify certain areas, but basically, it suits us very well.”

However, it wasn’t just the facility that sold Smeal on Neligh.

“We see in this small town the same core values and conscientious work ethic that we have in Snyder. Our customers, who come from big cities and small towns throughout the U.S. and Canada, often comment on the attitude of our workers and the sense of responsibility and pride that they put into their work," Smeal said. "Fire trucks are a life-saving piece of equipment and everything in it and on it has to be the best it can be. We believe we can continue our reputation for quality with the people in the Neligh area.”

FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Renay Robison-Scheer

Executive Director

Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District

402.379.1150